Downloaded from hlayiso.com
NATIONAL
SENIOR CERTIFICATE
GRADE 12
JUNE 2021
ECONOMICS P2
MARKING GUIDELINE
(EXEMPLAR)
MARKS: 150
This marking guideline consists of 18 pages.
Skip to contentAll 2021 papers 

%202021%20Preparatory%20Question%20Paper_hlayiso.com_--0e1a3563-e2f5-403a-ba99-428d634c0725/v1-ae32c0b72b7919797622/card.webp)



View all


_hlayiso.com_--cb8af277-aab9-4fba-8e76-5924dcaf1941/v1-2f8e9b7acbc676448fd6/card.webp)


Economics Grade 12 P2 NSC June Exemplar 2021 Memo (English)
Grade 12 Economics Paper 2 memorandum from the NSC June Exemplar 2021 (English), 18 pages. Read online or download the free PDF.
Economics · Grade 12 · NSC June Exemplar · 2021 · English. Memorandum, 18 pages. Read online or download the PDF.
- Subject
- Economics
- Grade
- Grade 12
- Language
- English
- Document type
- Memorandum
- Year
- 2021
- Exam period
- NSC June Exemplar
- Paper
- 2
- Curriculum
- CAPS
- Pages
- 18
- File size
- 1.1 MB
Free to read online, no sign-up needed
Loading document…
Loading document…
1 of 18
This exam
NSC June Exemplar 2021
- Paper 1Question paperMemo
- Paper 2Question paperMemo
Questions in this paper
Document textSearch extracted text and jump to a page.
Downloaded from hlayiso.com
2 ECONOMICS P2 (EC/JUNE 2021)
SECTION A (COMPULSORY)
QUESTION 1
1.1 MULTIPLE-CHOICE QUESTIONS
1.1.1 B increase output
1.1.2 A sunk
1.1.3 A expensive
1.1.4 D differentiated
1.1.5 C average revenue
1.1.6 B two
1.1.7 D community
1.1.8 C internal (8 x 2) (16)
1.2 MATCHING ITEMS
1.2.1 D determined by the interaction of demand and supply
1.2.2 G incurred by a business when manufacturing a good
1.2.3 B enjoy the product without paying for it
1.2.4 A Eskom is an example
1.2.5 H enable producers to make a comfortable profit
1.2.6 E done by means of marketing campaigns and further
product variation
1.2.7 C has a hybrid structure
1.2.8 F ability of the buyer or seller to influence the price
(8 x 1) (8)
Copyright reserved Please turn over
Downloaded from hlayiso.com
(EC/JUNE 2021) ECONOMICS P2 3
1.3 GIVE ONE TERM
1.3.1 Implicit cost
1.3.2 Break-even point/normal profit
1.3.3 Price makers/price setters
1.3.4 Positive externality /external benefit
1.3.5 Industry
1.3.6 Demerit goods (6 x 1) (6)
TOTAL SECTION A: 30
Copyright reserved Please turn over
Downloaded from hlayiso.com
4 ECONOMICS P2 (EC/JUNE 2021)
SECTION B
Answer any TWO of the three questions from this section in the ANSWER BOOK.
QUESTION 2
2.1 Answer the following questions.
2.1.1 List TWO elements of social costs.
Private costs
External costs (2)
2.1.2 Why does a monopolistic competitive firm make normal profit
in the long run?
Economic profit in the short run attracts more firms to enter the
market thereby leading to economic profit diminishing and firms
make normal profit.
(Accept any relevant correct response.) (2)
2.2 2.2.1 In which market structure does the graph above belong?
Perfect market (1)
2.2.2 What does area ACB represent?
Profit area (1)
2.2.3 Briefly describe the term profit.
Profit is the positive difference between total revenue and total
cost / Profit = TR – TC
Profit is the remuneration for the entrepreneur
(Accept any other correct and relevant response.) (2)
2.2.4 Explain why profit is maximised at quantity 3.
Profit is maximised at quantity 3 because it is where the
difference between TR and TC is the largest. (2)
2.2.5 Why does the TC curve not start at zero like the TR curve?
Total cost is the sum of fixed cost and variable cost while total
revenue is price multiply by quantity.
Fixed costs are cost paid irrespective of the level of
production; therefore, the firm pays costs even if production is
zero.
Total revenue starts at zero because when there are no units
sold revenue is zero.
(Accept any other correct relevant response.) (2 x 2) (4)
Copyright reserved Please turn over
Downloaded from hlayiso.com
(EC/JUNE 2021) ECONOMICS P2 5
2.3 DATA RESPONSE
2.3.1 Give an appropriate term for costs that change with production.
Variable costs (1)
2.3.2 Give ONE reason for the existence of a natural monopoly.
High development costs
Access to a resource / only owner of natural resource
(Accept any other correct relevant response.) (1)
2.3.3 Briefly describe term artificial monopoly.
Artificial monopoly is a monopoly where barriers to entry are not
economic in nature, such as a patent.
(Accept any other correct relevant response.) (2)
2.3.4 Why will it not benefit a monopolist to charge very high prices?
Consumers will buy alternate products due to budget
constraints
The total revenue will decline because the demand will
decrease
Loss of revenue could compromise the efficiency of the business
operation
It might lead to closing the operation due to loss in market share /
income (2)
2.3.5 Draw the graph of an economic loss in the monopoly.
Price / cost / revenue
MC
AC
C f
P
g
e
DD/AR
MR
0 q Quantity
Mark allocation
Correct drawing, labelling and position of cost curves = 1 mark
Correct drawing, labelling and positioning of revenue curves = 1 mark
Correct indication of economic loss = 2 marks
Max. 4 marks
(4)
Copyright reserved Please turn over
Downloaded from hlayiso.com
6 ECONOMICS P2 (EC/JUNE 2021)
2.4 Differentiate between productive efficiency and allocative efficiency.
Productive efficiency
A situation in which an economy is able to produce goods and services
at the lowest possible average cost
Productive efficiency enables society to have a better trade-off and
enable people to consume more goods and services
It is shown on the production possibility curve where all points on the
curve are productively efficient
(Accept any other correct relevant response.) Max. 4
Allocative efficiency
A situation where firms in an industry use the available resources to
produce the output most demanded by consumers
The goods produced reflect consumers’ tastes
Resources are allocated in the right proportions
This applies to perfect competition in the long run
(Accept any other correct relevant response.) Max. 4 (8)
2.5 Why is a cost benefit analysis necessary for public projects?
CBA leads to objective decision-making by weighing up costs and
benefits
CBA is applied to those projects where it is expected there will be a
significant difference between social costs and benefits, in other words a
likelihood of market failure
It includes the wider social impact and externalities in the decision-
making process
It is used to make final decisions about whether the project should
proceed or not
There is an absence of market signals to support whether the project
can go ahead or not
(Accept any correct relevant response.) (4 x 2) (8)
[40]
Copyright reserved Please turn over
Downloaded from hlayiso.com
(EC/JUNE 2021) ECONOMICS P2 7
QUESTION 3: MICROECONOMICS
3.1 3.1.1 List TWO markets that are close to being perfect markets.
Stock exchange market
Foreign exchange market
Agricultural produced goods market
(Accept any other relevant correct response.) (2 x 1) (2)
3.1.2 How is immobility of labour a cause of market failure?
It takes time for labour to move into a new occupation because of
the training needed
Movement from one place to another is not free and may be very
costly
(Accept any other relevant correct response.) (1 x 2) (2)
3.2 DATA RESPONSE
3.2.1 At which unit is profit maximised?
Unit 2 (1)
3.2.2 Determine the marginal cost for A in the table above.
11 (1)
3.2.3 Briefly explain the concept average cost.
Average cost is the cost of producing one unit/cost per unit (2)
3.2.4 Why is price equal to average revenue?
Average revenue is revenue per unit and is calculated by dividing
total revenue by number of units which is then the price.
(Accept any other relevant correct response.) (2)
Copyright reserved Please turn over
Downloaded from hlayiso.com
8 ECONOMICS P2 (EC/JUNE 2021)
3.2.5 With reference to the table above draw a total revenue curve.
REVENUE
48
45 TR
36
21
0 1 2 3 4 OUTPUT
Mark allocation
Labelling of axes = 1 mark
Labelling on the axes = 1 mark
Correct labelling and shape of total revenue curve = 2 marks
Max. = 4 marks
(4)
3.3 DATA RESPONSE
3.3.1 Provide a correct label for curve D.
Average variable cost / AVC (1)
3.3.2 Identify a shut-down point from the graph above.
Point A (1)
3.3.3 Briefly describe the term marginal revenue.
Marginal revenue is the additional revenue received from selling an
additional unit.
(Accept any other correct relevant response.) (2)
3.3.4 Why is the perfect competitor making economic profit at P3?
Economic profit is made at P3, because average revenue is greater
than average cost
(Accept any other correct relevant response.) (2)
3.3.5 With reference to the above graph, explain how the supply curve
of a perfect competitor is determined.
The supply curve of a perfect competitor is determined by the
rising part of the business’s marginal cost curve above the
minimum of its average variable cost curve
The supply curve of the perfect competitor in the graph starts from
point A and slopes upward from there
The reason for the upward slope is because the marginal cost
increases as output increases
(Accept any other correct relevant response.) (2 x 2) (4)
Copyright reserved Please turn over
Downloaded from hlayiso.com
(EC/JUNE 2021) ECONOMICS P2 9
3.4 Compare the monopoly and perfect market in terms of the nature of
products they produce.
Perfect market
All products sold in the perfect market are homogeneous
All these products are exactly the same regarding quality and
appearance
It makes no difference to a buyer where and from whom he or she buys
the product Max. 4
Monopoly
Products sold in a monopoly are unique
There are no close substitutes that buyers can turn to
It is therefore not possible for another firm to enter the market with a
similar product and compete with the existing monopoly
(Accept any other correct relevant response.) Max. 4 (8)
3.5 How could the existence of perfect markets impact on the consumers
and producers?
Consumers
Positive
Consumers can benefit from perfect competition because they will be
paying low prices for high quality of goods and services
Negative
Consumers may not be happy with identical products – it kills the
uniqueness of an individual
There will be no choice on the products to consume
(Accept any other relevant correct response.) Max. 4
Producers
Positive
Profit maximisation at the lower average cost
No discrimination among firms since the products are homogeneous and
prices are the same
Negative
Does not benefit the firm to adjust the price according to the firm’s
needs
Cannot make economic profit in the long run
(Accept any other relevant correct response.) Max. 4 (8)
[40]
Copyright reserved Please turn over
Downloaded from hlayiso.com
10 ECONOMICS P2 (EC/JUNE 2021)
QUESTION 4: MICROECONOMICS
4.1 4.1.1 List TWO barriers to entry into an artificial monopoly.
Patents
Licences
(Accept any other relevant correct response.) (2)
4.1.2 Why is collusion not possible under perfect competition?
There are many firms who are too insignificant to influence the
market.
(Accept any other relevant correct response.) (2)
4.2 DATA RESPONSE
4.2.1 What causes the shift of the supply curve from SS to S1S1?
The introduction of a subsidy (1)
4.2.2 Provide a suitable name for curve FF.
Demand curve (1)
4.2.3 Briefly describe the term subsidy.
Financial assistance given by the government to producers to
lower the cost of production.
(Accept any other relevant correct response.) (2)
4.2.4 Briefly explain the purpose of levying taxes.
To attempt recovery of the external cost
To provide revenue for the state
(Accept any other relevant correct response.) (2)
4.2.5 With reference to the graph above, explain the effect of
producer subsidies.
FF and SS are the original demand and supply curves
intersecting at equilibrium point ‘e’, with equilibrium price P and
quantity Q.
The introduction of a subsidy causes an increase in supply
from SS to S1S1, thereby leading to a decrease in equilibrium
price to P1 and an increase in quantity to Q1.
The cost of production decreases and quantity increases.
(Accept any other relevant correct response.) (2 x 2) (4)
Copyright reserved Please turn over
Downloaded from hlayiso.com
(EC/JUNE 2021) ECONOMICS P2 11
4.3 DATA RESPONSE
4.3.1 Identify the role of the Competition Commission addressed in
the extract.
Disallowing mergers and acquisitions to go ahead (1)
4.3.2 To whom does the Competition Commission makes its
recommendations?
Competition Tribunal (1)
4.3.3 Briefly describe the term merger as used in economics.
Union of two or more firms to form a single firm
(Accept any other relevant correct response.) (2)
4.3.4 Briefly explain the objective of a competition policy.
Prevent abuse of economic power
Regulate the growth of market power
Prevent restrictive practices especially by oligopolies
(Accept any relevant correct response.) (2)
4.3.5 Why is competition in the market good for the economy?
Consumers get good prices and good quality products
Competition encourages firms to invent low-cost manufacturing
processes which can increase profits
Competition encourages businesses to conduct a consumer
need analysis in order to meet their needs
Competition can lead to higher productivity and efficiency in the
market
(Accept any other relevant correct response.) (2 x 2) (4)
Copyright reserved Please turn over
Downloaded from hlayiso.com
12 ECONOMICS P2 (EC/JUNE 2021)
4.4 With the aid of industry and individual producer graphs. explain how
the long-run equilibrium in a perfect market will be achieved when an
economic loss was made in the short run.
INDUSTRY INDIVIDUAL PRODUCER
Price
cost MC AC
Price S2 S revenue
D 1
E2
P2 P2 DD2/MR2/AR2
E1 DD1/MR1/AR1
P1 P1
S2
D
S1
0 Quantity 0 q1 q2 Quantity
Mark allocation
Decrease in supply = 1 mark
Increase in quantity = 1 mark
New equilibrium point = 1 mark
Correct labelling and position of MC and AC = 1 mark
4 marks
Economic loss in the short run lead to firm exiting the industry, thereby
leading to a decrease in supply (supply shifting from S1S1 to S2S2 ) as a
result the price rises to P2.
Individual firms will then take P2 and the higher price will reduce the
loss until the price (average revenue) is equal to average cost.
Supply will continue to decrease until the remaining firms make at least
normal profit and there will be no incentive for firms to leave the
industry.
Firms will then make normal profit at P2 and higher quantity at q2.
(Accept any other relevant correct response.) Max. 4 (8)
Copyright reserved Please turn over
Downloaded from hlayiso.com
(EC/JUNE 2021) ECONOMICS P2 13
4.5 Examine the importance of branding and advertising in a monopolistic
competitive industry.
Branding and advertising are important to a monopolistically competitive
firm because they are the best way to differentiate it from its
competitors.
Brands facilitates easy identification of the products by consumers and
thereby increasing sales.
In order for the firms to maintain the reputation of the brand, they
produce high-quality products because it takes one bad experience to
ruin the value of the brand.
A brand and its reputation are built on the firm’s effective advertising
campaign.
Advertising is valuable to society because it helps inform consumers
and markets work best when consumers are well informed.
Advertising and brands can help minimise the costs of choosing
between different products because of consumers’ familiarity with the
firms and their quality.
Advertising allows new firms to enter into a market.
Consumers might be hesitant to purchase products with which they are
unfamiliar. Advertising can educate and inform those consumers,
making them comfortable enough to give those products a try.
(Accept any other correct relevant response.) (4 x 2) (8)
[40]
TOTAL SECTION B: 80
Copyright reserved Please turn over
Downloaded from hlayiso.com
14 ECONOMICS P2 (EC/JUNE 2021)
SECTION C
Answer ONE of the two questions from this section in the ANSWER BOOK.
QUESTION 5
Examine in detail, oligopoly as a market structure under the following
headings
- Collusion (13)
- Prices and production levels (13) (26 marks)
Why do oligopolies often collude although it is illegal in South Africa?
(10 marks) [40]
INTRODUCTION
An oligopoly is a market structure dominated by a few producers, each of which has
some control over the market.
(Accept any other relevant introduction.) (2)
MAIN PART
Collusion
Collusion takes place when rival firms cooperate by raising prices and by
restricting production in order to maximise their profits.
Firms often cooperate instead of competing with one another.
Collusion can take two forms, cartels and price leadership
Cartels
Collusion occurs openly and formally.
Is also referred to as overt /explicit collusion.
A cartel is a group of producers whose goal is to form a collective monopoly in
order to fix prices and limit supply and competition.
Collusion is illegal in South Africa, and is liable to large fines by the Competition
Commission.
Price Leadership
At times collusion can be in the form of price leadership, which is an unspoken
agreement among firms.
Price leadership (tacit/implicit collusion) involves one firm serving as a price
leader while another follow.
While the price leader changes its price the other do the same.
(Accept any other relevant correct response.) Max. 13
Copyright reserved Please turn over
Downloaded from hlayiso.com
(EC/JUNE 2021) ECONOMICS P2 15
Prices and production levels
It is difficult to draw the demand curve, marginal revenue curve and marginal
cost curve, because oligopolist take into account the reaction of its rivals
A kinked demand curve is used to explain prices and quantities in oligopoly
markets.
This demand curve consists of two sections – the top section that relates to high
prices has a very elastic slope and the bottom section that relates to lower
prices has very inelastic slope.
This model is based on the assumption that each business believes that if it
raises its prices, others will not follow but if it cuts its prices other businesses
will cut their prices.
KINKED DEMAND CURVE
Price/cost/revenue
MC1
D
22 MC2
20
f
16
g
D
MR
0 4 10 14 Quantity
Mark allocation
Correct drawing and labelling of kinked demand curve = 1 mark
Indication of Kink in the demand curve = 1 mark
Correct drawing and labelling marginal cost curves = 1 mark
Marginal revenue curve = 1 mark
Max. 4 marks
If the oligopolist wants to increase its profit by increasing the price to R22, the
quantity demanded will fall to 4 unit, then total revenue fall to R88.
Other oligopolists will not follow the lead, the firm that increases the price will lose
its customers to those that did not increase the price.
If the oligopolist reduces the price from R20 to R16, output will increase to 14 units
and total revenue to R224. Other firms will feel forced to cut their prices
because they will lose customers if they do not.
The oligopolist will produce where MR=MC, at price R20 and quantity 10.
This confirms that prices in an oligopoly are rigid. Max. 13
(Accept any other correct relevant response.) (26)
Copyright reserved Please turn over
Downloaded from hlayiso.com
16 ECONOMICS P2 (EC/JUNE 2021)
ADDITIONAL PART
Collusion between oligopolies occur because:
it is an effort to reduce uncertainty – they can enjoy the advantage of higher profit
and limit other businesses to enter the market (to control the market / to form a
collective monopoly)
the cost of doing business in an oligopoly market is very high, that is why these
firms use non-price competition such as advertising, and this can cost a very large
amount of money
firms are mutually interdependent and large amounts of money is often required to
monitor one another’s actions
it increases the firms’ total cost of doing business
this often makes firms to engage in cooperation with one another instead of
competing even though it is illegal in South Africa
(Accept any other relevant correct response.) (5 x 2) (10)
CONCLUSION
There is an element of interdependency in an oligopoly as the decisions taken by
each firm in an oligopoly depends on decision taken by each of the other firms.
(Accept any other relevant conclusion.) (2)
[40]
Copyright reserved Please turn over
Downloaded from hlayiso.com
(EC/JUNE 2021) ECONOMICS P2 17
QUESTION 6: MICROECONOMICS
Discuss in detail state intervention as a consequence of market failure
under the following headings:
- Direct control (6)
- Imperfect market (8)
- Government involvement in production (12) (26 marks)
Justify the implementation of minimum wages by the government.
(10 marks) [40]
INTRODUCTION
Market failure means that the best available resources or optimal production
outcomes has not been achieved.
(Accept any other correct relevant introduction.) (2)
BODY
MAIN PART:
Direct control
Government can choose to pass laws in an attempt to control and constrain the
behaviour of businesses and individuals, who generate negative externalities.
Government often imposes taxes on the production of alcohol and tobacco.
These are often called sin taxes.
Advertising by the tobacco industry is prohibited and alcohol may not be sold to
persons under the age of 18 years.
The government could require firms to fit anti-pollution equipment that cleans
poisonous by-products before they are dumped in rivers.
(Accept any other correct relevant response.) Max. 6
Imperfect markets
Businesses operating in non-competitive markets maximise their profits by supplying
less than the optimal quantity of goods or service at a high price
The government can deal with the effects of imperfect markets by:
Taxing the firm’s economic profit
Imposing price controls (maximum prices), thus reducing the firm’s economic
profit and ensuring that more people are able to consume the product
Introducing a competition policy to try to increase the level of competition
between firms and to make it easier for new firm to enter the industry
In South Africa, the government established the Competition Commission, the
Competition Tribunal and the Competition Appeal Court to ensure that the level
of competition is not eroded but enhanced
Allowing competition from abroad, through the removal or reduction of tariffs, to
restrain the harmful practises of local monopolies
(Accept any other correct relevant response.) Max. 8
Copyright reserved Please turn over
Downloaded from hlayiso.com
18 ECONOMICS P2 (EC/JUNE 2021)
Government’s involvement in production
Governments themselves are involved in producing goods and services
Governments approach to missing markets is to supply the desired goods
directly. Taxes are raised to finance the provision of such goods.
Community goods are provided free of charge, for example defence, police and
street lighting
Some collective goods are provided for a user fee, such as refuse removal,
waste disposal and sewerage drainage.
The provision of some other collective goods is subsidised, for example public
transport and clean water
If the macroeconomic objectives of the government are not achieved, that can
be perceived as market failure and the government can intervene either on the
demand side or supply side
On the demand side, the government can intervene with macroeconomic
policies, that is, monetary and fiscal policies
The supply side approach focuses on the capability of the economy and policies
that attempt to expand the stock of factors of production and infrastructure to
improve the flexibility of factor markets.
(Accept any other correct relevant response.) Max. 12 (26)
ADDITIONAL PART
Justify the implementation of minimum wages by government:
When government enforces minimum wages, it means workers have to be paid a
certain amount and not anything less
The minimum wage is set below equilibrium, leading to a decrease in demand and
an increase in supply of labour
The application of minimum wage laws is needed to improve a redistribution of
income; to redress inequality (gap between wealthy and poor) and to
improve the standard of living for the affected group of labour
Government tried to protect domestic workers and farm workers from exploitation
by employees because unskilled labourers cannot negotiate wages
Although minimum wages could lead to increased unemployment because
employers are reluctant to employ people at this wage, protection of the employed
is justifiable
(Accept any other relevant response.) (10)
CONCLUSION
Although the government cannot fulfil the supply of all community goods,
there will always be a need to satisfy the aspirations of the entire society.
(Accept any other relevant conclusion.) (2)
[40]
TOTAL SECTION C: 40
GRAND TOTAL: 150
Copyright reserved Please turn over
Study this subject
Recommended for this subject

Memorandum
Economics Grade 12 P1 NSC June Exemplar 2021 Memo (English)

Question paper
Economics Grade 12 P1 NSC June Exemplar 2021 QP (Eng)
%202021%20Preparatory%20Question%20Paper_hlayiso.com_--0e1a3563-e2f5-403a-ba99-428d634c0725/v1-ae32c0b72b7919797622/card.webp)
Question paper
Economics Grade 12 P2 Gauteng Mock 2021 Question Paper (Eng)

Memorandum
Economics Grade 12 P1 Eastern Cape Mock 2021 Memo (English)

Question paper
Economics Grade 12 P2 NW June 2025 Question Paper (English)

Question paper
Economics Grade 12 P2 Eastern Cape June 2023 QP (Eng)
More from Grade 12 Economics

Question paper
Economics Grade 12 P1 Free State Mock 2025 Question Paper

Question paper
Economics Grade 12 P1 Mpumalanga Mock 2025 Question Paper

Question paper
Economics Grade 12 P2 Mpumalanga Mock 2025 Question Paper
_hlayiso.com_--cb8af277-aab9-4fba-8e76-5924dcaf1941/v1-2f8e9b7acbc676448fd6/card.webp)
Question paper
Economics Grade 12 Eastern Cape June 2024 Question Paper

Question paper
Economics Grade 12 P1 Eastern Cape Prelim 2024 QP (Eng)

Question paper