O Level Business Studies 7115 · Topic 2

People in business: past paper questions

138 real questionsasked in 10 of the last 10 exam series2019–2025usually: Explain, Identify, Justify, Outline, Consider

Real questions on people in business

The newest 20 of 138 written questions. Open one to see it on the real paper.

7115/11 · October/November 2025 · Q1a[2]
Define ‘trade union’.
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7115/11 · October/November 2025 · Q3c[4]
Outline two advantages of Vicki delegating tasks to her employees. Advantage 1: Advantage 2:
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7115/11 · 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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7115/11 · October/November 2025 · Q4c[4]
Outline one way MTL could act ethically with each of the following stakeholder groups: Employees: Customers:
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7115/12 · October/November 2025 · Q1b[2]
Identify two reasons why a business might reduce the size of its workforce. Reason 1: Reason 2:
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7115/12 · October/November 2025 · Q1c[4]
Outline, with reference to BEI, the difference between redundancy and dismissal.
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7115/12 · October/November 2025 · Q1d[6]
Explain one advantage and one disadvantage of BEI making employee A redundant. Advantage: Explanation: Disadvantage: Explanation:
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7115/12 · October/November 2025 · Q2c[4]
Identify four functions of management. Function 1: Function 2: Function 3: Function 4:
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7115/21 · October/November 2025 · Q3b[12]
Using Appendix 2 and other information, consider the three employees that LB could make redundant. Which employee should LB choose? Justify your answer. • Naga • Reeta • Amy Naga: Reeta: Amy: Recommendation:
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7115/21 · October/November 2025 · Q4a[8]
Explain two factors LB’s managers should consider when deciding which method of communication to use to inform its employees about the expansion plans. Factor 1: Explanation: Factor 2: Explanation:
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7115/22 · October/November 2025 · Q1b[12]
Consider the following two methods Kathryn could use to communicate with her suppliers. Which method should Kathryn use if an order is needed quickly? Justify your answer. • • Telephone calls Emails Telephone calls: Emails: Recommendation:
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7115/11 · May/June 2025 · Q3a[2]
Define ‘dismissal’.
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7115/11 · May/June 2025 · Q3d[6]
Explain two advantages of LFK training its employees. Advantage 1: Explanation: Advantage 2: Explanation:
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7115/11 · May/June 2025 · Q3e[6]
Do you think the advantages of external recruitment for a business are greater than the disadvantages? Justify your answer.
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7115/12 · May/June 2025 · Q2d[6]
Explain two advantages to FLD of using internal recruitment when recruiting new managers. Advantage 1: Explanation: Advantage 2: Explanation:
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7115/12 · May/June 2025 · Q2e[6]
Do you think job rotation is the best method for a large business to use to motivate its employees? Justify your answer.
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7115/12 · May/June 2025 · Q4e[6]
Explain two methods of communication a business could use to communicate with its suppliers. Which is likely to be the best method to use? Justify your answer.
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7115/21 · May/June 2025 · Q1b[12]
Consider each of the following three methods PF could use to motivate its employees. Which method should PF use? Justify your answer. • • • Paying bonuses Piece‑rate Job rotation Paying bonuses: Piece‑rate: Job rotation: Recommendation:
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7115/22 · May/June 2025 · Q1b[12]
Consider the following two benefits for TSE of having a well-motivated workforce. Which benefit is likely to be the most important to TSE? Justify your answer. • • Reduced absenteeism Lower labour turnover Reduced absenteeism: Lower labour turnover: Conclusion:
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7115/11 · October/November 2024 · Q1b[2]
Identify two reasons why people work. Reason 1: Reason 2:
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What examiners said

Very few candidates provided clear and precise definitions of this term. A mark of one was common as responses identified that this involved some sharing of tasks or authority. The weakest responses stated that this meant delegating tasks which was considered too vague for credit.
— Examiner report, October/November 2023, 7115/11 Q4(a) (Cambridge)

Many candidates provided two correct answers, most frequently such candidates identified controls over dismissal and discrimination. Weaker responses lost marks by providing unclear general answers related to paying wages rather than minimum wages.
— Examiner report, October/November 2023, 7115/11 Q4(b) (Cambridge)

This part (c) question was one of the most challenging for candidates. The strongest responses identified two of the four key functions of management which were then clearly applied to the context. Many candidates provided descriptive answers which failed to clearly name these functions. Such answers could not be credited.
— Examiner report, October/November 2023, 7115/11 Q4(c) (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.

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In the syllabus

2.1.1 The importance of a well-motivated workforce: • Why people work and what motivation means

The benefits of a well-motivated workforce: labour productivity, reduced absenteeism and labour turnover
The concept of human needs, e.g. Maslow’s hierarchy
Key motivational theories: Taylor and Herzberg

2.1.2 Methods of motivation: • Financial rewards, e.g. wage, salary, bonus,

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

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

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

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

Importance of delegation; trust versus control

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

Recommend and justify an appropriate leadership style in given circumstances

2.3.1 Recruitment and selecting employees: • Recruitment and selection methods

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

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

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

2.3.3 Why reducing the size of the workforce might • Difference between dismissal and redundancy

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

2.4.1 Why effective communication is important and • Effective communication and its importance to

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

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