IGCSE Business Studies 0450 · Topic 2

People in business: past paper questions

247 real questionsasked in 10 of the last 10 exam series2019–2026usually: Explain, Justify, Identify, Consider, Outline

Real questions on people in business

The newest 20 of 247 written questions. Open one to see it on the real paper.

0450/11 · May/June 2026 · Q3a[2]
Define ‘democratic leadership style’.
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0450/11 · May/June 2026 · Q3b[2]
Identify two functions of management. function function
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0450/11 · May/June 2026 · Q3d[6]
Explain one advantage and one disadvantage of SDY using induction training for its new employees. advantage explanation disadvantage explanation
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0450/11 · May/June 2026 · Q3e[6]
Explain two methods of external recruitment a business could use. Which is likely to be the best method for a business to use? Justify your answer.
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0450/12 · May/June 2026 · Q1a[2]
Define ‘bonus’.
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0450/12 · May/June 2026 · Q1b[2]
Identify two reasons why people work. reason reason
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0450/12 · May/June 2026 · Q1c[4]
Outline two advantages to APL of using external recruitment. advantage advantage
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0450/12 · May/June 2026 · Q1d[6]
Explain two leadership styles APL’s managers could use. leadership style explanation leadership style explanation
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0450/12 · May/June 2026 · Q2d[6]
Explain two methods of advertising Amina could use for her products. method explanation method explanation
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0450/13 · May/June 2026 · Q2c[4]
Outline two financial methods of motivation CCH could use for its production employees. method method
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0450/13 · May/June 2026 · Q2e[6]
Do you think the advantages to a business of using on-the-job training are greater than the disadvantages? Justify your answer.
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0450/13 · May/June 2026 · Q3d[6]
Explain two methods of communication CNR could use to inform its employees about the merger. method explanation method explanation
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0450/22 · May/June 2026 · Q4a[8]
Explain two reasons why training employees is important to KE. reason explanation reason explanation
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0450/23 · May/June 2026 · Q1b[12]
Consider the advantages and disadvantages for KH of using internal or external recruitment when recruiting a new operations manager. Should KH use internal or external recruitment? Justify your answer. internal recruitment external recruitment recommendation
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0450/12 · February/March 2026 · Q2c[4]
Identify four stages in the recruitment process.
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0450/12 · February/March 2026 · Q2d[6]
Explain one advantage and one disadvantage to LMB of using on-the-job training. advantage explanation disadvantage explanation
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0450/12 · February/March 2026 · Q2e[6]
Do you think using email is the best method for a business to use to communicate with its employees? Justify your answer.
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0450/11 · October/November 2025 · Q3c[4]
Outline two advantages of Vicki delegating tasks to her employees. Advantage 1: Advantage 2:
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0450/11 · October/November 2025 · Q3e[6]
Explain two methods of training a business might use. Which is likely to be the best method for a service business to use? Justify your answer.
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0450/11 · October/November 2025 · Q4e[6]
Explain two methods of promotion a business might use for its products. Which method is likely to be the best for a large business to use? Justify your answer.
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What examiners said

Comprehensive responses • Many candidates could identify four relevant stages. Typical correct answers included job description, person specification, advertising the vacancy and interviewing. Limited responses • Some candidates described activities rather than identify the stage. For example, ‘listing the tasks they will need to do’ instead of job description. • A common misconception was to ass...
— Examiner report, February/March 2026, 0450/12 Q2(c) (Cambridge)

Comprehensive responses • Candidates who understood the concept of on-the-job training were able to explain both an advantage and disadvantage of this method of training. Typical correct answers focused on points such as its low cost could reduce its expenses and the fact that bad habits could be passed on by the trainer which could lower quality or damage its reputation. • Application was frequen...
— Examiner report, February/March 2026, 0450/12 Q2(d) (Cambridge)

Comprehensive responses • Candidates showed good knowledge and analysis of communication methods. For example, explaining how emails having a written record that could help avoid misunderstandings. • A comprehensive answer could have considered the advantages and disadvantages of using emails and then decided whether the advantage discussed were greater/less than the disadvantage discussed. Anothe...
— Examiner report, February/March 2026, 0450/12 Q2(e) (Cambridge)

Practise this topic

Answer these questions online and get each one marked against the official mark scheme, with what you missed and how to fix it.

Practise people in business

In the syllabus

1 0450.2.1.1.01 — The concept of human needs, e.g. Maslow’s hierarchy

The concept of human needs, e.g. Maslow’s hierarchy
Key motivational theories: Taylor and Herzberg

2 0450.2.1.1.02 — Key motivational theories: Taylor and Herzberg

Key motivational theories: Taylor and Herzberg

3 0450.2.1.2.01 — Non-financial methods, e.g. job enrichment, job rotation, teamworking, training, opportunities for promotion

Non-financial methods, e.g. job enrichment, job rotation, teamworking, training, opportunities for promotion
Recommend and justify appropriate method(s) of motivation in given circumstances

4 0450.2.1.2.02 — Recommend and justify appropriate method(s) of motivation in given circumstances

Recommend and justify appropriate method(s) of motivation in given circumstances

5 Draw, interpret and understand simple • Simple hierarchical structures: levels of

Roles and responsibilities of directors, managers, supervisors, other employees in an organisation and inter-relationships between them

6 The role of management: • Functions of management, e.g. planning,

Importance of delegation; trust versus control

7 Leadership styles: • Features of the main leadership styles,

Recommend and justify an appropriate leadership style in given circumstances

8 0450.2.3.1.01 — Difference between internal recruitment and external recruitment

Difference between internal recruitment and external recruitment
Main stages in recruitment and selection of employees
Recommend and justify who to employ in given circumstances
Benefits and limitations of part-time employees and full-time employees

9 0450.2.3.1.02 — Main stages in recruitment and selection of employees

Main stages in recruitment and selection of employees

10 0450.2.3.1.03 — Recommend and justify who to employ in given circumstances

Recommend and justify who to employ in given circumstances

11 0450.2.3.1.04 — Benefits and limitations of part-time employees and full-time employees

Benefits and limitations of part-time employees and full-time employees

12 The importance of training and the methods • Importance of training to a business and to

Benefits and limitations of induction training, on-the-job training and off-the-job training

13 0450.2.3.3.01 — Understand situations in which downsizing the workforce might be necessary, e.g. automation or reduced demand for products

Understand situations in which downsizing the workforce might be necessary, e.g. automation or reduced demand for products
Recommend and justify which employees to make redundant in given circumstances

14 0450.2.3.3.02 — Recommend and justify which employees to make redundant in given circumstances

Recommend and justify which employees to make redundant in given circumstances

15 0450.2.4.1.01 — Benefits and limitations of different communication methods including those based on information technology (IT)

Benefits and limitations of different communication methods including those based on information technology (IT)
Recommend and justify which communication method to use in given circumstances

16 0450.2.4.1.02 — Recommend and justify which communication method to use in given circumstances

Recommend and justify which communication method to use in given circumstances

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