AS & A Level Business 9609 · Topic 6

Business and its environment (A Level): past paper questions

82 real questionsasked in 7 of the last 10 exam series2019–2025usually: Evaluate, Analyse, Discuss, Explain, Define

Real questions on business and its environment (a level)

The newest 20 of 82 written questions. Open one to see it on the real paper.

9609/11 · October/November 2025 · Q5a[8]
Analyse two benefits to a business of using a vertical merger for growth.
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9609/13 · October/November 2025 · Q3a[2]
Define the term hostile takeover.
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9609/21 · October/November 2025 · Q1a(ii)[3]
Explain the term dynamic business environment.
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9609/22 · October/November 2025 · Q1a(ii)[3]
Explain the term multinational business.
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9609/23 · October/November 2025 · Q1d[12]
Evaluate whether a joint venture is the most appropriate way for SF to grow.
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9609/31 · October/November 2025 · Q1[8]
Analyse two likely impacts on PPP of the changing external influences.
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9609/32 · October/November 2025 · Q5[12]
Evaluate the likely impact on KTJ of fluctuations in the exchange rate of country B’s currency.
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9609/11 · May/June 2025 · Q5a[8]
Analyse two ways business enterprise can help the development of a country.
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9609/22 · May/June 2025 · Q2d[12]
Evaluate the most likely reason for Kaia’s objectives to change over the next five years.
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9609/33 · May/June 2025 · Q1[8]
Analyse two ways the external influences referred to in lines 8–12 may impact on WCP.
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9609/13 · October/November 2024 · Q5a[8]
Analyse two reasons why a business might decide to grow internally (organically).
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9609/13 · October/November 2024 · Q5b[12]
‘Even a friendly merger between two social media companies may not be successful.’ Evaluate this view. OR
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9609/13 · October/November 2024 · Q6b[12]
Evaluate whether the contribution of the managers in a new hospital will have the most influence on its performance.
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9609/21 · October/November 2024 · Q1c[8]
Analyse two roles that FE has in the development of country Z.
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9609/23 · October/November 2024 · Q1a(i)[1]
Identify one potential risk to a business.
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9609/33 · October/November 2024 · Q1[8]
Analyse two threats to AFF from changes in its external environment.
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9609/31 · May/June 2024 · Q5[12]
Evaluate the extent to which corporate social responsibility (CSR) should influence GBS’s decision to expand into new land.
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9609/32 · May/June 2024 · Q5[12]
Evaluate the impact on SF of country B becoming a member of the NFTA international trading agreement.
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9609/33 · May/June 2024 · Q1[8]
Analyse two impacts on SCC of the changing external influences in country Z. ,
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9609/12 · February/March 2024 · Q6b[12]
‘The most important objective of a public sector energy supplier is the environmental objective.’ Evaluate this view.
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What examiners said

Most candidates showed clear understanding of a dynamic business environment, but this was not awarded any marks when stated as a definition. There were many different and correct ways to earn the marks. And many candidates gave a well-developed and reasoned answer. Application in this question does not mean using a named business or industry. The effect on the whole business or any functional are...
— Examiner report, October/November 2023, 9609/11 Q4 (Cambridge)

This question was quite well answered by many candidates. Good responses demonstrated a good understanding of technological change in this context, typically responses related to the opportunities offered by being leaders in the innovative paint technologies, versus the cost. However, the question was wide and other approaches, such as technological innovation in marketing and distribution could a...
— Examiner report, October/November 2023, 9609/31 Q2 (Cambridge)

Some candidates started their answer by giving a definition of the ‘economic environment’. This was rewardable with an AO1 Knowledge mark. However, as the focus of the question was on the impact of the two changes referred to in the case study no definition of the ‘economic environment’ was necessary. Most candidates correctly identified that depreciation of the exchange rate would increase the c...
— Examiner report, October/November 2023, 9609/32 Q1 (Cambridge)

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In the syllabus

6.1.1 Political and legal

the advantages and disadvantages of privatisation in a given situation
the advantages and disadvantages of nationalisation in a given situation
how a government might use the law to seek to control: employment practices, conditions of work (including health and safety), wage levels, marketing behaviour, competition, location decisions, particular goods and services
the impact of changes in political and legal factors on business and business decisions

6.1.2 Economic

how government might intervene to help businesses and encourage enterprise
how government might intervene to constrain business activity
how government might deal with market failure
the key macroeconomic objectives of governments: low unemployment, low inflation, economic growth
how macroeconomic objectives and performance of an economy can have an impact on business activity
government policies used to achieve macroeconomic objectives: monetary, fiscal, supply-side and exchange rate policies
the impact of changes in these government policies on business and business decisions

6.1.3 Social and demographic

the impact of and issues associated with corporate social responsibility (CSR), e.g. accounting practices, paying incentives for the award of contracts, social auditing
why businesses need to consider the needs of the community including pressure groups
demographic changes at a local, national and global level
the impact of social and demographic change on business and business decisions

6.1.4 Technological

the impact of technological change on business and business decisions

6.1.5 Competitors and suppliers

the impact of competitors and suppliers on business and business decisions

6.1.6 International

the importance of international trading links and their impact on business and business decisions
how international trade agreements might have an impact on businesses
the role of technology in international trade
the advantages and disadvantages that a multinational might bring to a country
relationships between multinationals and governments

6.1.7 Environmental

how physical environmental issues might influence business behaviour
how a business and its stakeholders may use an environmental audit
the impact of the growing importance of sustainability on business and business decisions

6.2.1 Developing business strategy

the meaning and purpose of business strategy
the meaning and purpose of strategic management: analysis, choice and implementation
approaches to develop business strategy, including: – blue ocean strategy – scenario planning – SWOT analysis – PEST analysis – Porter’s five forces – core competence framework – Ansoff matrix – force field analysis – decision trees

6.2.2 Corporate planning and implementation

the meaning and importance of corporate planning
the meaning of corporate culture and its impact on business decision-making
the meaning and importance of transformational leadership
the management and control of strategic change
the meaning and importance of contingency planning and crisis management

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