# Economics Grade 12 P2 NSC November 2017 Question Paper (Eng)

> Grade 12 Economics Paper 2 question paper from the NSC November Exam 2017 (English), 12 pages. Read online or download the free PDF.

- Page: https://www.hlayiso.com/library/economics-p2-nov-2017-eng/97718aaf-03c5-4de7-bf9a-ca5e6e811f85
- Updated: 2026-09-27
- Subject: Economics
- Grade: Grade 12
- Document type: Question paper
- Year: 2017
- Exam period: NSC November Exam
- Paper: 2
- Curriculum: CAPS
- Pages: 12

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Economics · Grade 12 · NSC November Exam · 2017. Question paper, 12 pages. Read online or download the PDF.

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### Page 1

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                                   NATIONAL
                              SENIOR CERTIFICATE

                                       GRADE 12

                             ECONOMICS
                               ECONOMICS
                                       PAPER
                                         P2 1
                     MACROECONOMICS & ECONOMIC PURSUITS
                               NOVEMBER 2017
                                MARCH 2016

MARKS: 150

TIME: 2 hours

                        This question paper consists of 12 pages.

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Economics/P2                                2                         DBE/November 2017
                                           NSC

INSTRUCTIONS AND INFORMATION

1.        Answer FOUR questions as follows in the ANSWER BOOK:

          SECTION A: COMPULSORY
          SECTION B: Answer TWO of the three questions.
          SECTION C: Answer ONE of the two questions.

2.        Answer only the required number of questions. Answers in excess of the
          required number will NOT be marked.

3.        Number the answers correctly according to the numbering system used in this
          question paper.

4.        Write the question number above each answer.

5.        Read the questions carefully.

6.        Start EACH question on a NEW page.

7.        Leave 2–3 lines between subsections of questions.

8.        Answer the questions in full sentences and ensure that the format, content
          and context of your responses comply with the cognitive requirements of
          the questions.

9.        Use only black or blue ink.

10.       You may use a non-programmable pocket calculator.

11.       Write neatly and legibly.

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Economics/P2                                   3                         DBE/November 2017
                                              NSC

SECTION A (COMPULSORY)

QUESTION 1                                                   30 MARKS – 20 MINUTES

1.1       Various options are provided as possible answers to the following questions.
          Choose the answer and write only the letter (A–D) next to the question
          number (1.1.1–1.1.8) in the ANSWER BOOK, for example 1.1.9 D.

          1.1.1       The perfect competitor must be able to cover its … costs to prevent
                      a shut-down.

                      A    average variable
                      B    average
                      C    labour
                      D    fixed

          1.1.2       Goods which are non-excludable and non-rival are known as …
                      goods.

                      A    consumer
                      B    capital
                      C    community
                      D    scarce

          1.1.3       When a business does NOT produce at the lowest possible cost, it
                      relates to … inefficiency.

                      A    allocative
                      B    consumer
                      C    goods
                      D    productive

          1.1.4       The nature of a product under conditions of monopolistic
                      competition is …

                      A    homogeneous.
                      B    differentiated.
                      C    static.
                      D    environmentally friendly.

          1.1.5       An example of products on which environmental tax is charged,
                      is …

                      A    car seats.
                      B    car tyres.
                      C    roof tiles.
                      D    clothes.

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Economics/P2                                     4                              DBE/November 2017
                                                NSC

          1.1.6        The main purpose of South African Tourism (SAT) is to promote
                       South Africa as a tourist destination … tourists.
                       A      to domestic and international
                       B      only to domestic
                       C      only to international
                       D      only to business
          1.1.7        Managing the environment in such a way that it remains in its
                       present condition, is known as …
                       A      scenery.
                       B      management.
                       C      conservation.
                       D      preservation.
          1.1.8        The statement 'too much money chasing too few goods' describes
                       … inflation.
                       A      hyper
                       B      supply
                       C      demand-pull
                       D      wage                                                      (8 x 2)       (16)
1.2       Choose a description from COLUMN B that matches the item in COLUMN A.
          Write only the letter (A–I) next to the question number (1.2.1–1.2.8) in the
          ANSWER BOOK.
                       COLUMN A                                 COLUMN B
          1.2.1      Explicit costs             A     encourages people to buy new
                                                      products from the same range
          1.2.2      Cartel
                                                B     labour intensive and employs many
          1.2.3      Branding                         skills
                                                C     consequence of deforestation
          1.2.4      Missing markets
                                                D     actual expenditure that a business
          1.2.5      Cost-push inflation              incurs for inputs in the production
                                                      process
          1.2.6      Tourism industry           E     incomplete because it cannot meet
                                                      the demand for certain goods
          1.2.7      Soil erosion
                                                F     businesses in the same industry
          1.2.8      Command and control              come to an agreement to determine
                     measures                         quantities and prices
                                                G     occurs when the price of raw
                                                      materials increases
                                                H     easily available credit
                                                I     involves setting maximum permitted
                                                      levels of resource use, for example
                                                      tons of fish caught
                                                                                       (8 x 1)        (8)

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Economics/P2                                 5                           DBE/November 2017
                                            NSC

1.3       Give ONE term for each of the following descriptions. Write only the term next
          to the question number (1.3.1–1.3.6) in the ANSWER BOOK.

          1.3.1       An example of tacit collusion where a dominant firm will set the
                      price and the others will follow

          1.3.2       Costs paid by the consumer that are NOT included in the market
                      price

          1.3.3       The period in which the perfect competitor can make economic
                      profit

          1.3.4       Prices on certain goods that are set or controlled by government,
                      for example petrol

          1.3.5       Tourists visiting museums, art galleries and areas that depict
                      a certain lifestyle, for example the Apartheid museum

          1.3.6       The release of harmful gases into the atmosphere           (6 x 1)       (6)

                                                                  TOTAL SECTION A:             30

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Economics/P2                                     6                         DBE/November 2017
                                                NSC

SECTION B
Answer any TWO of the three questions in this section in the ANSWER BOOK.
QUESTION 2: MICROECONOMICS                                       40 MARKS – 30 MINUTES
2.1       Answer the following questions.
          2.1.1       Give any TWO examples of positive externalities.              (2 x 1)       (2)
          2.1.2       Why do people in rural areas sometimes pay higher prices for
                      goods and services than those living in urban areas?  (1 x 2)               (2)
2.2       Study the graphs below and answer the questions that follow.

                                             THE MONOPOLY
      Price
      Revenue

                                                         The prices of goods and
                                                         services in a monopoly market
                                                         are subject to the highest
                                                         revenue it can obtain and the
          R50                                            demand for the product.
          R40

                              MR                                 dd=AR

      Revenue                          100     120        Quantity

                     Highest revenue
                        obtainable

                                                            TR

                                       100     120
                                                         Quantity

          2.2.1       Identify any factor that can influence the prices of goods and
                      services for the monopoly.                                                  (1)
          2.2.2       At what price must the monopolist sell to obtain maximum
                      revenue?                                                                    (1)
          2.2.3       What is the nature of the product of a typical monopolist?                  (2)
          2.2.4       Which curves are required to determine how much profit the
                      monopolist will make?                                                       (2)
          2.2.5       Why will you discourage the monopolist from increasing the price
                      of the product drastically?                              (2 x 2)            (4)

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Economics/P2                                 7                            DBE/November 2017
                                            NSC

2.3       Study the information below and answer the questions that follow.

                                  A COST-BENEFIT SCENARIO

                                                    Below are the cost-benefit analysis
                                                    (CBA) findings relating to different
                                                    projects for a specific community.

                                                       ALTERNATIVE     COSTS         BENEFITS
                                                                     (R millions)   (R millions)
                                                      A – road          100             50
                                                      B – park          150            200
                                                      C – hospital      120            200
                                                      D – airport        80            100
                                                            [Adapted from www.google.co.za]

          2.3.1       In the information above, who is more likely to use a CBA when
                      making decisions?                                                            (1)

          2.3.2       Identify ONE project in the data above that the government is
                      considering for this community.                                              (1)

          2.3.3       Give a reason why a CBA will NOT be of use to the mechanic in
                      the cartoon.                                                                 (2)

          2.3.4       According to the data above, which project would be best for the
                      community?                                                                   (2)

          2.3.5       Why do you think it is important to do a CBA when deciding about
                      large projects?                                           (2 x 2)            (4)

2.4       Explain the nature of the product and market entry as characteristics of
          perfect competition.                                             (2 x 4)                 (8)

2.5       How will a monopolistic competitor, like KFC, compete with other fast-food
          chicken outlets to increase its market share?                                            (8)
                                                                                                   [40]

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Economics/P2                                    8                               DBE/November 2017
                                               NSC

QUESTION 3: CONTEMPORARY ECONOMIC ISSUES                          40 MARKS – 30 MINUTES

3.1       Answer the following questions.

          3.1.1       Give any TWO examples of transport infrastructure needed for
                      tourism.                                              (2 x 1)                     (2)

          3.1.2       How can a reduction in income tax rates contribute to demand-pull
                      inflation?                                                (1 x 2)                 (2)

3.2       Study the extract below and answer the questions that follow.

                                HEADLINE AND CORE INFLATION

          The consumer price index (CPI) is an important instrument for measuring
          headline inflation. Headline inflation rose from 5,8 per cent in June 2016 to a
          peak of 6,4 per cent in December 2016, with no indication that it is about to
          slow down. The main reason for that was the hike in maize and wheat prices
          caused by the severe drought.

          The gradual increase in both headline and core inflation, despite a weaker
          currency, suggest that inflation expectations remain well anchored, although
          at the upper end of the 3%–6% band.

                                                     [Adapted from Mail & Guardian, February 2017]

          3.2.1       Identify the index used to measure South Africa's inflation rate.                 (1)

          3.2.2       Give the main reason for the increase in the CPI inflation above.                 (1)

          3.2.3       Briefly describe the term core inflation.                                         (2)

          3.2.4       How can the South African Reserve Bank ensure that the CPI
                      fluctuates within the 3%–6% band?                                                 (2)

          3.2.5       Calculate the percentage change in the inflation rate between
                      June 2016 and December 2016. Show ALL calculations.                               (4)

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Economics/P2                                   9                           DBE/November 2017
                                              NSC

3.3       Study the information below and answer the questions that follow.

                     INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE SYSTEM HAS THE POTENTIAL
                                TO STIMULATE THE ECONOMY

         Researchers and traditionalists believe that Aloe Ferox, an indigenous plant,
         has the potential to benefit people in the rural and urban areas in South Africa.
         The plant, popularly known as Ikhala, can be found on rocky hills, grassy and
         dry lands. It is used for medicinal purposes for both humans and animals.
         The idea is to exploit the huge international demand for Aloe Ferox products.

                                                              [Adapted from www.google.co.za]

          3.3.1        Identify the African name for the plant, Aloe Ferox, in the extract
                       above.                                                                      (1)

          3.3.2        According to the information above, what is the reason for the high
                       international demand for Aloe Ferox products?                               (1)

          3.3.3        Briefly describe the term indigenous knowledge system.                      (2)

          3.3.4        How can commercial use of Aloe Ferox contribute to government
                       revenue?                                                                    (2)

          3.3.5        How can Aloe Ferox plants be used to reduce unemployment in
                       rural and urban areas?                               (2 x 2)                (4)

3.4       Explain the government's use of subsidies and permits as measures to
          ensure environmental sustainability.                          (2 x 4)                    (8)

3.5       How effective has inflation targeting in South Africa been to ensure price
          stability?                                                                               (8)
                                                                                                   [40]

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Economics/P2                                  10                           DBE/November 2017
                                             NSC

QUESTION 4: MICROECONOMICS AND CONTEMPORARY ECONOMIC ISSUES
                                         40 MARKS – 30 MINUTES

4.1       Answer the following questions.

          4.1.1       State any TWO ways in which households can benefit from
                      tourism.                                         (2 x 1)                     (2)

          4.1.2       How will a national minimum wage influence the supply of labour?
                                                                                  (1 x 2)          (2)

4.2       Study the illustrations below and answer the questions that follow.

                     A FEW COMPANIES DOMINATE THE CEMENT INDUSTRY
                                    IN SOUTH AFRICA

                                                             [Adapted from www.google.co.za]

          4.2.1       Identify the products produced by the businesses above.                      (1)

          4.2.2       Which market structure is depicted above?                                    (1)

          4.2.3       Why will a new business find it difficult to enter into this type of
                      market?                                                                      (2)

          4.2.4       What does interdependency of businesses in this market structure
                      imply?                                                                       (2)

          4.2.5       Explain, without the use of a graph, why businesses in this industry
                      will be reluctant to decrease the price of their product.    (2 x 2)         (4)

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Economics/P2                                   11                         DBE/November 2017
                                              NSC

4.3       Study the cartoon below and answer the questions that follow.

                                      Good for you
                                      and the country!

                                                               [Adapted from www.google.co.za]

          4.3.1       Identify any TWO holiday attractions that people on this bus are
                      going to visit.                                           (2 x 1)          (2)

          4.3.2       Briefly describe the term tourism.                                         (2)

          4.3.3       How can local communities benefit from nearby tourist attractions?         (2)

          4.3.4       Which strategies can be used to promote tourism in South Africa?
                                                                                 (2 x 2)         (4)

4.4       Explain the negative effects of inflation on investors and people with a fixed
          income.                                                                (2 x 4)         (8)

4.5       Explain, by means of a neatly labelled graph, the impact of maximum prices
          on the market.                                                                         (8)
                                                                                                 [40]

                                                                   TOTAL SECTION B:              80

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Economics/P2                                     12                            DBE/November 2017
                                                NSC

SECTION C

Answer any ONE of the two questions in this section in the ANSWER BOOK.
Your answer will be assessed as follows:

                                                                                        MARK
                            STRUCTURE OF ESSAY
                                                                                     ALLOCATION
Introduction
The introduction is a lower-order response.                                              Max. 2
•    A good starting point would be to define the main concept related to the
     question topic.
•    Do not include any part of the question in your introduction.
•    Do not repeat any part of the introduction in the body.
•    Avoid saying in the introduction what you are going to discuss in the body.
Body
Main part: Discuss in detail/In-depth discussion/Examine/Critically discuss/            Max. 26
Analyse/Compare/Evaluate/Distinguish/Differentiate/Explain
Additional part: Give own opinion/Critically discuss/Evaluate/Critically evaluate/
Draw a graph and explain/Use the graph given and explain/Complete the given
                                                                                        Max. 10
graph/Calculate/Deduce/Compare/Explain/Distinguish/Interpret/Briefly debate/
How/Suggest
Conclusion
Any higher-order conclusion should include:                                              Max. 2
• A brief summary of what has been discussed without repeating facts already
    mentioned
• Any opinion or value judgement on the facts discussed
• Additional support information to strengthen the discussion/analysis
• A contradictory viewpoint with motivation, if required
• Recommendations
TOTAL                                                                                      40

QUESTION 5: MICROECONOMICS                                       40 MARKS – 40 MINUTES

•   Explain, with the aid of THREE separate graphs, the following short-run equilibrium
    positions in a perfect market:
    − Economic profit (10 marks)
    − Economic loss (8 marks)
    − Normal profit (8 marks)                                              (26 marks)
•   How successful is the competition policy in promoting a more competitive
    economy?                                                                (10 marks)             [40]

QUESTION 6: CONTEMPORARY ECONOMIC ISSUES                          40 MARKS – 40 MINUTES

•   Discuss the FIVE environmental problems and the international measures taken to
    solve these problems in order to ensure a sustainable environment.   (26 marks)
•   How does South Africa use conservation to ensure a sustainable environment?
                                                                          (10 marks)               [40]

                                                                         TOTAL SECTION C:          40
                                                                            GRAND TOTAL:           150

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