AS & A Level Business 9609 · Topic 1

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

224 real questionsasked in 10 of the last 10 exam series2019–2026usually: Explain, Define, Analyse, Evaluate, Identify

Real questions on business and its environment (as level)

The newest 20 of 224 written questions. Open one to see it on the real paper.

9609/11 · May/June 2026 · Q3a[2]
Define the term ‘corporate social responsibility (CSR)’.
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9609/11 · May/June 2026 · Q3b[3]
Explain one benefit to a business of setting objectives.
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9609/12 · May/June 2026 · Q1a[2]
Define the term ‘intrapreneurship’.
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9609/12 · May/June 2026 · Q1b[3]
Explain one reason why business objectives may change over time.
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9609/13 · May/June 2026 · Q1a[2]
Define the term ‘stakeholder’.
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9609/22 · May/June 2026 · Q1a(ii)[3]
Explain the term public sector.
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9609/22 · May/June 2026 · Q1b(ii)[3]
Explain one reason why PT is important to the development of country A.
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9609/22 · May/June 2026 · Q1d[12]
Evaluate the most likely impact on PT of implementing its plan to improve diversity and equality in the workplace.
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9609/23 · May/June 2026 · Q1a(i)[1]
Identify one feature of a sole trader.
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9609/23 · May/June 2026 · Q1a(ii)[3]
Explain the term ‘public sector’.
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9609/23 · May/June 2026 · Q1b(i)[3]
Refer to Table 1.1 and other information. Calculate JT’s profit per bus in 2025.
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9609/12 · February/March 2026 · Q1a[2]
Define the term public sector.
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9609/12 · February/March 2026 · Q1b[3]
Explain one key element of a business plan.
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9609/12 · February/March 2026 · Q6b[12]
Evaluate whether owners are the most important stakeholders in a private school.
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9609/22 · February/March 2026 · Q1a(ii)[3]
Explain the term ‘quaternary sector of the economy’.
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9609/22 · February/March 2026 · Q2a(i)[1]
Identify one feature of a partnership.
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9609/22 · February/March 2026 · Q2d[12]
Evaluate the most likely impact of the proposed merger on one stakeholder of YV.
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9609/11 · October/November 2025 · Q1a[2]
Define the term public sector.
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9609/11 · October/November 2025 · Q1b[3]
Explain one benefit to a business of having a business plan.
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9609/11 · October/November 2025 · Q5b[12]
‘Risk-taking is the most important quality needed by an entrepreneur to be successful in the clothing design industry.’ Evaluate this view. OR
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What examiners said

Most candidates were able to provide a clear and accurate definition of an intrapreneur with reference to an internal employee thinking and acting like an entrepreneur being given and accepting responsibility to creatively produce new products/projects that will improve the profitability of a business. Weaker answers were unable to distinguish between an intrapreneur and an entrepreneur.
— Examiner report, February/March 2025, 9609/12 Q1(a) (Cambridge)

The majority of answers clearly identified one disadvantage of being a small business with examples such as lack of finance, lack of economies of scale, and lack of market demand as the key disadvantages. Strong answers provided developed application of one disadvantage with two pieces of linked explanation. Weaker answers provided only limited explanation in the form of one piece of explanation....
— Examiner report, February/March 2025, 9609/12 Q1(b) (Cambridge)

Candidates were required to evaluate the significance of improved sustainability for the success of a soft drinks manufacturer. The understanding of the concept sustainability was sound in many cases but partial in others. Some candidates defined it as staying in the market longer, others as part of a triple bottom line approach. Some answers confused it with lean production to improve product cos...
— Examiner report, February/March 2025, 9609/12 Q5(b) (Cambridge)

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In the syllabus

1.1.1 The nature of business activity

the purpose of business activity
the factors of production needed for business activity: land, labour, capital and enterprise
the concept of adding value
the nature of economic activity, the problem of choice and opportunity cost
the dynamic business environment
why businesses succeed or fail
differences between local, national, international and multinational businesses

1.1.2 The role of entrepreneurs and intrapreneurs

the qualities entrepreneurs and intrapreneurs need for success
the role of entrepreneurship in creating and starting up a business
the role of intrapreneurship in the ongoing success of a business
barriers to entrepreneurship
business risk and uncertainty
the role of business enterprise in the development of a country

1.1.3 Business plans

the meaning and purpose of business plans
the key elements of business plans
the benefits and limitations of business plans

1.2.1 Economic sectors

the primary, secondary, tertiary and quaternary sectors and businesses within those sectors
the public and private sectors and businesses within those sectors
the reasons for and consequences of the changing relative importance of these sectors

1.2.2 Business ownership

the main features of different types of business ownership: sole traders, partnerships, private limited companies, public limited companies, franchises, co-operatives, joint ventures and social enterprises
the appropriateness of different types of business ownership
the concepts of unlimited liability and limited liability and their importance
the advantages and disadvantages of changing from one type of business ownership to another

1.3.1 Measurements of business size

the appropriateness of different methods of measuring the size of a business

1.3.2 Significance of small businesses

the advantages and disadvantages of being a small business
the strengths and weaknesses of family businesses
the importance of small businesses and their role in the economy
the role of small businesses as part of the industrial structure in some industries

1.3.3 Business growth

why and how a business might grow internally (organic growth)
the different types of external growth through merger and takeover: horizontal, vertical (backward and forward), conglomerate diversification, friendly merger, hostile takeover
the impact of a merger/takeover on stakeholders
why a merger/takeover may or may not achieve objectives
the importance of joint ventures and strategic alliances as methods of external growth

1.4.1 Business objectives in the private sector and public sector

the objectives of businesses – private sector, public sector, and social enterprises
the importance of business objectives
corporate social responsibility (CSR) and the triple bottom line – economic (financial), social and environmental objectives
the relationship between mission statement, aims, objectives, strategy and tactics

1.4.2 Objectives and business decisions

the different stages of business decision-making and the role of objectives in the stages of business decision-making
how objectives might change over time
the translation of objectives into targets and budgets
the need for communication of objectives and their likely impact on the workforce
SMART (specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, time-limited) objectives
how ethics may influence business objectives and activities

1.5.1 Business stakeholders

individuals or groups with an interest in the activities of a business
internal stakeholders and external stakeholders
the roles, rights and responsibilities of stakeholders

1.5.2 The relative importance and infuence of stakeholders on business activities

the impact of business decisions on stakeholders, and their reactions
the impact of stakeholder aims on business decisions
how and why a business needs to be accountable to its stakeholders
how conflict might arise from stakeholders having different aims and objectives
how changing business objectives might affect its stakeholders

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