# Economics Grade 12 P2 Eastern Cape Mock 2017 Memo (English)

> Grade 12 Economics Paper 2 memorandum from the Eastern Cape Mock Exam 2017 (English), 16 pages. Read online or download the free PDF.

- Page: https://www.hlayiso.com/library/gr12-econ-p2-sept2017-memo-eng/b41307cd-c265-468c-89f5-2ccfcb09b9b6
- Updated: 2026-09-27
- Subject: Economics
- Grade: Grade 12
- Document type: Memorandum
- Year: 2017
- Exam period: Eastern Cape Mock Exam
- Paper: 2
- Curriculum: CAPS
- Pages: 16

Breadcrumbs: [Home](https://www.hlayiso.com/) › [Library](https://www.hlayiso.com/library) › [Grade 12](https://www.hlayiso.com/library/grade-12) › [Economics](https://www.hlayiso.com/library/grade-12/economics) › [Economics Grade 12 P2 Eastern Cape Mock 2017 Memo (English)](https://www.hlayiso.com/library/gr12-econ-p2-sept2017-memo-eng/b41307cd-c265-468c-89f5-2ccfcb09b9b6)

## About this document

Economics · Grade 12 · Eastern Cape Mock Exam · 2017. Memorandum, 16 pages. Read online or download the PDF.

Read it free online on the page above; download the PDF from there.

## Document text

Text extracted from the PDF. Layout, diagrams and tables may not survive extraction.

### Page 1

Downloaded from hlayiso.com

                        NATIONAL
                   SENIOR CERTIFICATE

                          GRADE 12

                    SEPTEMBER 2017

                   ECONOMICS P2
                 MARKING GUIDELINE

MARKS:   150

               This marking guideline consists of 16 pages.

### Page 2

Downloaded from hlayiso.com
2                                     ECONOMICS P2                          (EC/SEPTEMBER 2017)

 SECTION A(COMPULSORY)

 QUESTION 1

 1.1    MULTIPLE-CHOICE QUESTIONS
        1.1.1 D  social benefits exceed social costs.
        1.1.2 B  explicit
        1.1.3 D  normal
        1.1.4 A  suffering an economic loss.
        1.1.5 C  inbound
        1.1.6 B  unadjusted CPI
        1.1.7 C  low growth, high unemployment and high inflation.
        1.1.8 C  eradicate                                                       (8 × 2)   (16)

 1.2    MATCHING ITEMS
        1.2.1 F    occurs when average revenue is less than average variable
                    costs

        1.2.2    H      transfer of ownership of assets from the private sector to the
                         public sector

        1.2.3    G      set by governments to protect consumers against exploitation

        1.2.4    A      paid by society which is not included in the actual price of
                         goods and services

        1.2.5    B      occurs when the marginal rate of taxation is higher, even
                         when real income remains unchanged

        1.2.6    C      an American travelling through South Africa to Kenya

        1.2.7    D      it is about to keep the resources that are non-renewable intact

        1.2.8    I      Vredefort dome                                            (8 × 1)    (8)

 1.3    GIVE A CONCEPT
        1.3.1 Minimum wages 

        1.3.2    Biodiversity 

        1.3.3    Pollution / Air Pollution / Green house gases 

        1.3.4    Collusion 

        1.3.5    Administered prices 

        1.3.6    Price taker                                                      (6 × 1)    (6)
                                                                                             [30]

                                                                   TOTAL SECTION A: 30

Copyright reserved                                                              Please turn over

### Page 3

Downloaded from hlayiso.com
(EC/SEPTEMBER 2017)                        ECONOMICS P2                                     3

 SECTION B

 Answer any TWO of the three questions from this section in your ANSWER BOOK.

 QUESTION 2: MICRO ECONOMICS

 2.1    2.1.1    Name any TWO characteristics of oligopolistic markets.
                   Products can be homogenous or differentiated 
                   Barriers make it difficult to enter the market 
                   Producers have considerable control over prices 
                   Oligopolies are interdependent 
                   Buyers and sellers have incomplete information 
                 (Accept any other relevant response)                 (Any 2 × 1)            (2)

        2.1.2    Why is it only possible in the long run to vary all factors of
                 production?
                   In the long run firms shall have acquired profit to enable them to
                     expand their plant 
                   There will be enough time for new business to enter into the
                     market 
                   The mobility of factors of production improve in the long-run 
                 (Accept any other correct relevant answer)                  (Any 1 × 2)     (2)

 2.2                  SHORT RUN EQUILIBRIUM OF A PERFECT MARKET

        2.2.1    Which market structure is depicted in the graph above?
                 Perfect market                                                             (1)

        2.2.2    Identify profit maximisation point in the above graph.
                 Point a                                                                    (1)

        2.2.3    Briefly describe the demand curve in the graph above.
                 The demand curve is horizontal / perfectly elastic                        (2)

        2.2.4    Briefly explain the output level of a perfect competitor.
                   A perfectly competitive firm can sell any number of units of output
                    at exactly the same price 
                   The firm can sell more / less than100 units at price R6 
                 (Accept any other correct answer)                            (Any 1 × 2)    (2)

Copyright reserved                                                            Please turn over

### Page 4

Downloaded from hlayiso.com
4                                     ECONOMICS P2                          (EC/SEPTEMBER 2017)

        2.2.5    Calculate the profit/loss of the individual firm above. Show ALL
                 calculations.
                 Profit = TR – TC                       AR – AC × units
                        = (100 × 6) –(100 x 4)               = 6 – 4 x 100 
                                                    OR
                        = 600 – 400                           = 200 
                        = 200                                                               (4)

 2.3    DATA RESPONSE

                                      MARKET FAILURE
        Unemployment has been rising in South Africa for the past three decades,
        leading to an official unemployment rate of 27,7%. This implies a jobless total
        of 8,49 million, with more than 40% of the rural population unemployed and the
        development of a growing pool of workers who are excluded from the labour
        market.

        The South African economy is facing market failure with labour supply
        increasingly outstripping demand, due to a lack of information and other
        factors.
                                                     [Source: htp//www.opensadnu.uct.ac.za]

        2.3.1    What is the official unemployment rate in South Africa?
                 27,7%                                                                       (1)

        2.3.2    Identify a reason for market failure mentioned in the extract
                 above.
                 Lack of information                                                         (1)

        2.3.3    Explain why more labourers are being excluded from the labour
                 market.
                  More companies are closed down due to economic decline 
                  Mining sector is laying off workers 
                  The farming sector is affected by drought as a result workers lose
                     their jobs 
                  Unfair competition in the textile industry
                 (Accept any other correct relevant response)              (Any 2 × 2)        (4)

        2.3.4    How can the market failure mentioned in the extract above be
                 resolved?
                  The DTI provides information and assistance to broaden the
                     participation. 
                  The government makes businesses supply certain information on
                     the packaging of their products. 
                 (Accept any other correct relevant response)           (Any 2 × 2)           (4)

Copyright reserved                                                               Please turn over

### Page 5

Downloaded from hlayiso.com
(EC/SEPTEMBER 2017)                       ECONOMICS P2                                       5

 2.4    Explain free competition and nature of the product as characteristics of
        perfect markets.
        FREE COMPETITION:
         Buyers must be free to buy whatever they want from any firm and in any
             quantity 
         Sellers must be free to sell what, how much and where they wish 
         There should be no state interference and no price control 
         Buyers should not form groups to obtain lower prices 
         Sellers should not combine to enforce higher prices           (max 2 × 2)(4)
        NATURE OF THE PRODUCT:
         All products sold in a specific market are homogenous 
         They are exactly the same in quality and appearance 
         It makes no difference to a buyer where or from whom he / she buys the
             product                                                   (max 2 × 2)(4)
        (Accept any other correct relevant answer)                               (2 × 4)      (8)
        (Allocate a maximum of 4 marks for the mere listing of facts / examples)

 2.5    With the aid of a diagram explain why oligopolists are reluctant to
        participate in price competition.
                                KINKED DEMAND CURVE

                                                               Maximum 4 marks for graph
            Suppose the oligopolist is selling at the original / present price of R10 and
             10 units of output are sold. Total revenue is R20 × 10 = R200 
            If the firm tries to increase profit by increasing the price by R2 to R22,
             quantity demanded would fall to 8 units and total revenue would decrease
             to R176 (R22 × 8) 
            If the firm tries to increase profit by reducing the price by R12 to R8 and
             increasing its total sales, total revenue would be R88 
            The oligopolist is therefore faced with a difficult decision because in both
             instances it will not benefit 
            Increasing the price of goods or reducing the price to increase sales will
             not lead to greater revenue earned 
        (Accept any other correct relevant answer)
        (Allocate a maximum of 2 marks for the mere listing of facts / examples)              (8)
                                                                                             [40]

Copyright reserved                                                             Please turn over

### Page 6

Downloaded from hlayiso.com
6                                      ECONOMICS P2                            (EC/SEPTEMBER 2017)

 QUESTION 3:         CONTEMPORARY ECONOMIC ISSUES

 3.1    3.1.1    Name TWO positive effects that tourism will have on our
                 economy.
                 It will increase the following:
                   economic growth / GDP 
                   employment opportunities 
                   investment 
                   the standard of living of the poor                (Any 2 × 1)               (2)

        3.1.2    How does air pollution effect the environment?
                 Air pollution contributes towards:
                  global warming 
                  depletion of the ozone layer 
                  acid rain 
                  greenhouse gases                                            (Any 1 × 2)     (2)

 3.2    Study the information below and answer questions that follow.

                              CULTURAL TOURISM AT ITS BEST

        The world tourism organisation claims that cultural tourism accounts for 37% of
        global tourism and continues to grow at 15% per year. Destinations should
        leverage what makes their societies unique and invest in developing cultural
        tourism, because it allows travellers to enjoy local rituals and taking home
        photos of shared memories and unique experiences. By embracing cultures,
        South Africa can boost economic growth.
                                                      [www.solimarinternational.com June 2015]

        3.2.1    What type of tourism is portrayed in the picture above?
                 Cultural tourism                                                               (1)

        3.2.2    At what rate is cultural tourism growing worldwide?
                 15%                                                                            (1)

        3.2.3    Briefly describe the term Indigenous Knowledge Systems.
                 Indigenous knowledge systems refers to local knowledge or a
                 traditional way of doing things that is unique to a given culture or
                 society                                                                       (2)

Copyright reserved                                                                  Please turn over

### Page 7

Downloaded from hlayiso.com
(EC/SEPTEMBER 2017)                       ECONOMICS P2                                       7

        3.2.4    Explain ONE reason for growth in the tourism industry.
                   Increased disposable income 
                   Less working hours; so more time to travel 
                   An awareness of leisure and recreation 
                   Improved transport, communication and accommodation
                     facilities 
                   Increased advertising and promotion 
                   Enjoying the benefits of holidays and travel 
                   Easily obtainable foreign exchange 
                 (Accept any other correct relevant answer)             (Any 2 × 1)          (2)

        3.2.5    How can South Africa use its world heritage sites more
                 effectively to promote tourism?
                 World heritage sites can be promoted by:
                  advertising through various types of media 
                  advertising sites domestically and abroad 
                  create excitement around these sites, by for example inviting well
                    known artists 
                  keeping the sites well cared for 
                 (Accept any other correct relevant answer)                (Any 2 × 2)       (4)

 3.3    Study the information below and answer questions that follow.

                        ENEMY NUMBER ONE FOR OUR ECONOMY

        Rising prices for energy, food, commodities and other goods and services affect
        the entire economy. Inflation impacts the cost of living, cost of doing business,
        borrowing money and every other facet of the economy. When the economy is
        healthy, there is low unemployment and wage increases as business demand
        labour to meet the growing economy.
                                                              [Adapted from: www.Cartoons]

        3.3.1    Who is the number one enemy for our economy depicted in the
                 cartoon above?
                 Inflation                                                                  (1)

        3.3.2    What happens to the economy according to the cartoon above?
                 It decreases / slows down                                                  (1)

        3.3.3    Briefly describe the term hyperinflation?
                 An inflation rate above 50% / People lose confidence in the value of
                 money and start bartering goods and services                              (2)

Copyright reserved                                                            Please turn over

### Page 8

Downloaded from hlayiso.com
8                                       ECONOMICS P2                           (EC/SEPTEMBER 2017)

        3.3.4    How can taxation be used to reduce inflation?
                 Taxes are increased to reduce the buying power                                (2)

        3.3.5    What is the relation between inflation and wage demands?
                  as prices increases the real wage decreases 
                  as a result workers demand higher wages 
                  the higher the inflation the higher the demand for wages 
                 (Accept any other relevant answer)                        (Any 2 × 2)           (4)

 3.4    Discuss income and infrastructure as benefits of tourism to households.
        Households:
         Income: members of households receive income by acquiring jobs in the
             tourism industry 
         Many households are indirectly involved in tourism as employees in the
             hotel industry, financial institutions, transport and trading industries,
             businesses that provide services to tourists.  So tourism also
             contributes to the incomes of these households. 
         Entrepreneurs from households that operate as curio producers,
             musicians, interpreters and tour guides also earn income from tourism.
                                                                                   (2 x 2) (4)
         Infrastructure: infrastructure built for tourists is available both for tourists
             and local people’s use. 
         Infrastructure is built to promote tourism, but is ultimately used by
             households. 
         for e.g., roads that are built to improve access to a region for a special
             event will continue to benefit the local population long after the event is
             over.                                                               (2 x 2) (4)
        (Accept any other correct relevant answer)
        (Allocate a maximum of 4 marks for the mere listing of facts / examples)                 (8)

 3.5    What role does South Africa play in alleviating the negative effects of
        global warming?
        South Africa alleviates the effects by:
         committing voluntary commitment to combat climate change.
         reducing greenhouse gases by 34% by 2020 
         playing a leading role in international climate negotiations 
         greening its cities with actions like reducing energy load in buildings 
         creating a recycling economy 
         restoring wetlands and protecting previous water resources 
         supporting programmes also forms part of international climate initiative 
        (Accept any other correct relevant answer)
        (Allocate a maximum of 2 marks for the mere listing of facts / examples)
                                                                              (Any 4 × 2)         (8)
                                                                                                 [40]

Copyright reserved                                                                  Please turn over

### Page 9

Downloaded from hlayiso.com
(EC/SEPTEMBER 2017)                        ECONOMICS P2                                           9

 QUESTION 4           MICROECONOMICS AND CONTEMPORARY ECONOMIC
                      ISSUES

 4.1    4.1.1    Name TWO examples of renewable resources.
                  Timber 
                  Agricultural products 
                  Recycling water 
                  Electricity generated by wind                                (Any 2 × 1)      (2)

        4.1.2    What is the purpose of inflation targeting?
                 The purpose of inflation targeting is to create price stability  (1 × 2)       (2)

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

                           WATER CRISIS IN THE EASTERN CAPE

        Large parts of the Eastern Cape have been gripped by drought and water
        shortage so severe that rivers, dams and boreholes are bone-dry.

        Farmers are recording millions of rand’s in losses due to spoilt crops and
        unproductive livestock, while others are raking up even more debt just to be
        able to feed their animals.

        The areas that have been hit hard in the province are the Joe Gqabi and the
        Chris Hani districts, as well as Mhlontlo district.

        This has placed food security in the country under threat as many maize and
        lucerne crops have been destroyed.
                                                           [Source: http//www.heraldlive.co.za]

        4.2.1    Which serious problem is currently experienced in the Eastern
                 Cape?
                 Shortage of water                                                               (1)

        4.2.2    Why is food security threatened in the country?
                 Maize and lucerne crops have been destroyed                                     (1)

        4.2.3    How can the public sector use education to ensure
                 environmental sustainability?
                  Incorporating topics on the protection of the environment in the
                    school curriculum 
                  People should be made aware of environmental issues and the
                    consequences of their actions 
                  Education play an important role in improving people’s ability to
                    manage the environment                               (Any 2 × 2)            (4)

Copyright reserved                                                                Please turn over

### Page 10

Downloaded from hlayiso.com
10                                     ECONOMICS P2                          (EC/SEPTEMBER 2017)

        4.2.4    What can the government do to solve the water crisis in the
                 country?
                  The government should ensure speedily leak detection and
                     repair 
                  There should be pressure management of water to avoid bursting
                     of pipes 
                  Pipes should be protected from any danger 
                  There should be water management programme to avoid
                     unauthorised connection 
                  Encourage water harvesting – install water tanks to conserve rain
                     water 
                  Municipalities should encourage wise use of water, e.g. not to
                     wash cars with hosepipes 
                 (Accept any other correct relevant answer)               (Any 2 × 2)          (4)

 4.3    Study the extract below and answer questions that follow.

                              MONOPOLISTIC COMPETITION
        Monopolistic competition as a market structure was first identified in the 1930s
        by the economist Edward Chamberlin.

        Many small businesses operate under conditions of monopolistic competition,
        including independently owned and operated high-street stores and
        restaurants.

        In the case of restaurants, each one offers something different and possesses
        an element of uniqueness, but all are essentially competing for the same
        customers.
                                                  [Adapted from: www.economicsonlinne.co.uk]

        4.3.1    Who was the first economist to identify monopolistic
                 competition?
                 Edward Chamberlin                                                            (1)

        4.3.2    Give an example of a business operating in a monopolistic
                 market.
                  Restaurants 
                  Kentucky fried chicken 
                  Link Pharmacy 
                 (Accept any correct relevant answer)                                          (1)

        4.3.3    Briefly describe the hybrid structure as a feature of monopolistic
                 competition.
                  Monopolistic competition is a combination of perfect competition
                    and a monopoly
                  There are many sellers of differentiated products, and that each
                    market is a relatively small in relation to the market as a whole 
                  Every monopolistic competitive business has a certain degree of
                    monopolistic power and is actually a mini monopoly in that it is the
                    only producer of that specific brand or variant product 
                                                                               (Any 2 × 2)     (4)

Copyright reserved                                                                Please turn over

### Page 11

Downloaded from hlayiso.com
(EC/SEPTEMBER 2017)                        ECONOMICS P2                                       11

        4.3.4    How can restaurants use differentiated strategies to attract more
                 customers?
                  Quick and better service to customers 
                  Clean and healthy environment 
                  Consistent and good preparation of recipe 
                  Awarding of discounts and loyalty points to regular customers 
                  Special programs for children for example playing games and
                    birthday parties 
                 (Accept any other correct relevant answer)                 (Any 2 × 2)        (4)

 4.4    Explain externalities as a cause of market failures without a graph.
            Externalities are costs not included in the pricing of goods / services, and
             consequently there is a difference between the private costs / benefits
             and the social costs / benefits of production.
            Private costs / internal costs are cost of producing the good or service
             which translates into the prices that consumers pay.
            Private benefits are internal benefits that accrue to those who produce
             goods and buy these goods, e.g. producing a bicycle (for producer) and
             using the bicycle(consumer).
            Social costs these are total costs incurred by society as a whole. Social
             cost = private costs plus external costs.
            Social benefits include the total benefit experienced by society as a
             whole. Social benefits = private benefits plus external benefits.
            Negative externalities are things like pollution, tobacco smoking and
             alcohol abuse. The costs of negative externalities are paid by society
             rather than by the producers. 
            Positive externalities are the positive effects of products to third parties
             which are not paid for.
            Negative externalities are often over-produced while positive externalities
             are under-produced. This leads to market failure.
        (Accept any other correct relevant answer)
        (Allocate a maximum of 4 marks for the mere listing of facts / examples
                                                                                (Any 4 × 2)    (8)

 4.5     How has the implementation of minimum wages benefited workers in
         South Africa?
         Minimum wages benefited workers by:
         Increasing their buying power to afford more goods and services 
         Improving their living standards by being able to satisfy more wants
         Improving the distribution of income to those people who received very low
             wages in the past
         Protecting workers from being exploited by employees 
        (Accept any other correct relevant answer)
         (Allocate a maximum of 2 marks for the mere listing of facts / examples)              (8)
                                                                                              [40]

                                                                    TOTAL SECTION B:           80

Copyright reserved                                                              Please turn over

### Page 12

Downloaded from hlayiso.com
12                                     ECONOMICS P2                          (EC/SEPTEMBER 2017)

 SECTION C

 Answer ONE of the two questions from this section in the ANSWER BOOK.

                      STRUCTURE OF ESSAY                                   MARK ALLOCATION
 INTRODUCTION
   A good starting point would be to define a concept or key word that
     appears in the question.
   Include other sentences to support the topic.
                                                                                  Max. 2
   Do not include in your introduction any part of the question.
   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/
                                                                                 Max. 26
     Critically discuss/Analyse/Compare/Evaluate/Distinguish/
     Differentiate/Explain/Assess/Debate
  Additional part: Give own opinion/Critically discuss/Evaluate/
     Critically evaluate/Draw a graph and explain/Use the graph given
     and explain/ Complete the given graph/Calculate/                            Max. 10
     Deduce/Compare/Explain/Distinguish/Interpret/Briefly debate/
     How?/Suggest
 CONCLUSION
 Any relevant higher order conclusion that should include:
  A brief summary of what has been discussed/analysed without
     repeating facts already mentioned in the body
  An opinion or valued judgment on the facts discussed
                                                                                  Max. 2
  Additional support information to strengthen the discussion/ analysis
  A contradictory viewpoint with motivation, if so required
  Recommendations
                                TOTAL                                               40

Copyright reserved                                                               Please turn over

### Page 13

Downloaded from hlayiso.com
(EC/SEPTEMBER 2017)                      ECONOMICS P2                                    13

 QUESTION 5: MICROECONOMICS

 A monopoly is one of the extreme ends of our market structures and is an
 integral part of our economy.

        Examine the characteristics of a monopoly as a market structure.                 (26)
        Why, in your opinion, is a monopoly an undesirable type of market
         structure?                                                                       (10)

 INTRODUCTION

 A monopoly exists when there is one seller of a good or service for which there is no
 close substitute. 
 (Accept any relevant introduction)                                                        (2)

 BODY

  Number of businesses 
    - Exists when one large business can supply the entire market at a lower price
      than two or more similar ones.
    - It represents the entire industry 

  Nature of product 
    - The product of the monopoly is unique and has no close substitutes 
    - e.g. Eskom and the rail transport 

  Entrance and exit 
   - There are barriers to entry, some producers are unable to enter the market. 
   - Government sometimes use patents, which are licences and copy rights for
      people who invent products, to protect them against competition. 
   - Legal restrictions are also used to give one firm exclusive rights to produce a
      particular product or to provide a particular service
   - e.g. Post Office 

  Control over prices 
   - A monopoly has full control over price of product or a service. 
   - They control price by manipulating output and can restrict their output to create
      a shortage which causes an increase in price. 
   - The monopolist also withholds information from consumers 

  Demand Curve 
   - Monopolists are faced with demand curves for their product, because the law
      of demand applies
   - As the monopolist is the only supplier, it can decide on what point on the
      demand curve they wish to be.

  Economic Profit 
   - It is possible for the monopolist to make economic profit both in the short and
      the long run. 
   - This is because it faces no completion from new entrance as a result of barriers
      to entry. 

Copyright reserved                                                          Please turn over

### Page 14

Downloaded from hlayiso.com
14                                    ECONOMICS P2                          (EC/SEPTEMBER 2017)

 (A maximum of 8 marks may be allocated for mere listing of facts / examples)
 (Accept any other correct relevant response)                                                (26)

 ADDITIONAL PART

 Monopolies may be undesirable because:
  they sets a price higher than in a competitive market, leading to a fall in
     consumer surplus.
  they are allocative inefficient because at the quantity it sells, price is greater than
     marginal cost.
  it is also productively inefficient because it is not the lowest point on the average
     cost curve. 
  it may also have fewer incentives to cut costs because of a lack of
     competitors.
  the cost curves of a monopoly will be higher than they would if there was more
     competitive pressure.
  they lack the incentives to develop new products and offer a good quality
     service
  they make supernormal profit and this can be said to be an inequitable and
     unfair distribution of resources in society.
  they tend to exploit the consumers because they rely only on the firm for the
     product / service since there are no close substitutes for the product.
 (Accept any other relevant correct response)                                    (Max 10)    (10)

 CONCLUSION:

 Monopolies are crucial in as far as providing unique goods and services, but
 inefficient in that they tend to provide less at high prices and exploit consumers in
 the process
 (Accept any relevant conclusion)                                                             (2)
                                                                                             [40]

Copyright reserved                                                              Please turn over

### Page 15

Downloaded from hlayiso.com
(EC/SEPTEMBER 2017)                     ECONOMICS P2                                     15

 QUESTION 6: CONTEMPORARY ECONOMIC ISSUE

 In today’s declining economic climate, all the sectors of the economy are adversely
 affected by the negative effects of inflation.

        Analyse the causes of cost push inflation.                                      (26)
        What impact does inflation have on the households?                              (10)

 INTRODUCTION

 Cost push Inflation is caused by an increase in the costs of goods and services that
 are important in the economy and which no alternative exists.                          (2)

 MAIN BODY

 CAUSES OF COST-PUSH INFLATION
    Increase in Wages: 
     -    In South Africa, increase in wages constitute more than 50% of Gross Value
          Added at basic prices
     -    If the increase in wages is not accompanied by an increase in production,
          the cost of production will rise 
     -    Producers will increase the prices of their products to offset the high cost
          of production
    Key inputs / increase in prices of imported capital goods 
       - When the prices of key inputs that are imported increase, domestic cost of
          production increases especially in the manufacturing sector 
    Exchange rate depreciation 
     -    A decrease in the value of the rand will result in an increase in prices of
          imports 
    Profit margins 
     -    When firms increase profit margins, the prices that consumers pay also
          increase 
     -    Sometimes firms use their market power to push up prices 
    Productivity 
     -    Less productive factors of production will lead to increased cost per
          unit 
     -    Strikes and stay-aways often reduce production output and can result in
          price increases 
    Natural disasters 
     -    Natural disasters such as drought, flood and global warming can increase
          the cost of production 
     -    This is often the case in relation to food prices 
 (A maximum of 8 marks may be allocated for mere listing of facts / examples)            (26)

Copyright reserved                                                         Please turn over

### Page 16

Downloaded from hlayiso.com
16                                    ECONOMICS P2                          (EC/SEPTEMBER 2017)

 ADDITIONAL PART
 What impact does inflation have on the households?
 Households are often stressed by the high rates of inflation because of the following:
 • inflation affects the distribution of real income.
 • people on fixed incomes suffer as the purchasing power of their incomes(their real
   income) decrease as price levels rise.
 • people whose incomes rise faster than the rate of inflation experience an increase
   in their real wage
 • inflation tends to result in a more unequal distribution of income as those on lower
   incomes find their wages do not rise as quickly as those on higher incomes.
 • in times of high inflation households tend to purchase real assets(e.g. houses,
   gold, antiques, paintings etc) that retain their real value since their prices rise
   faster than the inflation rate.
 • as employees nominal wages increase with inflation their real wage(the
   purchasing power of nominal wages) may remain constant. 
 • under progressive tax system increased nominal wages may put wage earners
   into higher tax brackets(higher marginal tax rate).
 • the percentage on income paid in tax rises even though real wages remain
   constant.
 (Accept any other correct relevant answer)                                       (Max 10)   (10)

 CONCLUSION
 Inflation is very detrimental to the economy, amongst other things it leads to the
 depreciation of the rand and it hits hard on the poor, lowering the standard of living in
 the process. 
 (Accept any other correct relevant higher order conclusion)                                  (2)
                                                                                             [40]

                                                                   TOTAL SECTION C:           40
                                                                      GRAND TOTAL:           150

Copyright reserved                                                              Please turn over

## Related documents

- [GR12 ECON P2 Sept2017 QP Eng](https://www.hlayiso.com/library/gr12-econ-p2-sept2017-qp-eng/ee07c430-a1b8-4462-a224-b9f4533baf78) — Economics · QP · 2017 · Eng
- [ECONOMICS P1 GR12 MEMO SEPT2017 English](https://www.hlayiso.com/library/economics-p1-gr12-memo-sept2017-english/3bc2ac92-e0de-4198-91d6-d15849198b39) — Economics · Memo · 2017 · Eng
- [Grade 12 NSC Economics P2 Preparatory 2017 Possible Answers](https://www.hlayiso.com/library/grade-12-nsc-economics-p2-preparatory-2017-possible-answers/779e706d-0501-401b-86fa-ad09b22489ec) — Economics · Memo · 2017
- [Grade 12 NSC Economics P2 (Afrikaans) Preparatory 2017 Possible Answers](https://www.hlayiso.com/library/grade-12-nsc-economics-p2-afrikaans-preparatory-2017-possible-answers/bda96458-ebe4-44b9-92e5-333e776e1614) — Economics · Memo · 2017 · Afr
- [Economics P2 Nov 2017 Memo Eng](https://www.hlayiso.com/library/economics-p2-nov-2017-memo-eng/75fe79dc-5067-4113-aa9a-b15a64821265) — Economics · Memo · 2017 · Eng
- [ECONOMICS P2 MEMO GR 12 SEPT2014 ENG](https://www.hlayiso.com/library/economics-p2-memo-gr-12-sept2014-eng/1843478e-2caf-42f7-8958-2e260cc3449c) — Economics · Memo · 2014 · Eng

## More from Grade 12 Economics

- [ECONOMICS P2 GR12 QP JCT 2025 AFR D watermark](https://www.hlayiso.com/library/economics-p2-gr12-qp-jct-2025-afr-d-watermark/3dba3588-624d-493b-bc60-00d7e2783cae) — QP · 2025 · Afr
- [Economics Grade 12 NSC P1 QP September 2025 Free State](https://www.hlayiso.com/library/economics-grade-12-nsc-p1-qp-september-2025-free-state/4def59dd-ebf4-4191-89e7-2b6d4609d6cc) — QP · 2025
- [Economics Grade 12 NSC P1 QP September 2025 Mpumalanga](https://www.hlayiso.com/library/economics-grade-12-nsc-p1-qp-september-2025-mpumalanga/5449d7a4-548e-416d-91b4-1da462710798) — QP · 2025
- [Economics Grade 12 NSC P2 QP September 2025 Mpumalanga](https://www.hlayiso.com/library/economics-grade-12-nsc-p2-qp-september-2025-mpumalanga/efbb0e99-1236-496b-bc64-5b31b3784493) — QP · 2025
- [Economics P1 May-June 2025 Afr](https://www.hlayiso.com/library/economics-p1-may-june-2025-afr/e9c77643-7f83-42e3-b28d-cf84e96050ca) — QP · 2025 · Afr
- [Economics P2 May-June 2025 Afr](https://www.hlayiso.com/library/economics-p2-may-june-2025-afr/4c93e067-5237-46b7-ab21-5c2cea219788) — QP · 2025 · Afr

## Collection

- [Grade 12 past papers](https://www.hlayiso.com/grade-12/past-papers)

---

Hlayiso: free CAPS and IEB past papers, memos, notes and study guides for South African learners. When citing, link the page URL above, not a PDF or /api/ URL.
