The role of government: past paper questions
Real questions on the role of government
The newest 20 of 22 written questions. Open one to see it on the real paper.
- 2281/21 · May/June 2026 · Q3a[2]
Define ‘tax’.
See it on the paper → - 2281/21 · May/June 2026 · Q3d[8]
Discuss whether or not a government should subsidise bus transport.
See it on the paper → - 2281/22 · October/November 2024 · Q1g[6]
Discuss whether or not the Jordanian government should spend more on renewable energy.
See it on the paper → - 2281/23 · October/November 2024 · Q2d[8]
Discuss whether or not government intervention can overcome the disadvantages of a market economic system.
See it on the paper → - 2281/23 · October/November 2024 · Q4b[4]
Explain the difference between the private sector and the public sector.
See it on the paper → - 2281/22 · May/June 2024 · Q1b[2]
Identify two qualities of a good tax that the Tunisian government aimed to achieve.
See it on the paper → - 2281/21 · May/June 2023 · Q4c[6]
Analyse how an increase in government spending could increase life expectancy.
See it on the paper → - 2281/22 · May/June 2023 · Q3d[8]
Discuss whether or not a government should try to prevent a rise in unemployment.
See it on the paper → - 2281/22 · May/June 2023 · Q4a[2]
Identify two reasons why a government may set an NMW.
See it on the paper → - 2281/22 · October/November 2022 · Q1e[4]
Analyse how an increase in unemployment may affect the Nigerian government’s budget.
See it on the paper → - 2281/22 · October/November 2022 · Q1h[6]
Discuss whether or not the US government should impose a minimum price on chocolate. Section B Answer any three questions. Each question is introduced by stimulus material. In your answer you may refer to this material and/or to other examples you have studied.
See it on the paper → - 2281/22 · October/November 2022 · Q3b[4]
Explain the difference between a proportional income tax system and a progressive income tax system.
See it on the paper → - 2281/22 · May/June 2021 · Q2d[8]
Discuss whether a government should provide subsidies to families to spend on housing.
See it on the paper → - 2281/23 · October/November 2020 · Q3a[2]
Define privatisation.
See it on the paper → - 2281/23 · October/November 2020 · Q4a[2]
Define deregulation.
See it on the paper → - 2281/23 · October/November 2020 · Q5a[2]
State two functions, other than issuing banknotes and coins, of a central bank.
See it on the paper → - 2281/21 · May/June 2020 · Q4a[2]
Define macroeconomics.
See it on the paper → - 2281/22 · May/June 2020 · Q4a[2]
State two qualities of a good tax.
See it on the paper → - 2281/23 · October/November 2019 · Q3a[2]
Identify the difference between a tax and a subsidy.
See it on the paper → - 2281/21 · May/June 2019 · Q1b[2]
Explain, using information from the extract, whether Russia has a progressive, proportional, or regressive income tax system.
See it on the paper →
What examiners said
This question was answered well. These answers mainly focused on government spending on education and healthcare, explaining how this would increase life expectancy e.g. spending on healthcare would lead to more hospitals, more availability of medicines and greater accessibility to trained staff. Other acceptable answers included: better sanitation and water supply, better welfare support for thos...
— Examiner report, May/June 2023, 2281/21 Q4(c) (Cambridge)
Some candidates wrote about how a government could reduce unemployment. There were also some strong answers. These explained the harm that unemployment may cause to those who experience it, to firms and/or to the economy as well as reasons why a higher rate of unemployment may not be a problem and why it might even provide some advantages. An example of an L3 answer: First, the government should...
— Examiner report, May/June 2023, 2281/22 Q3(d) (Cambridge)
Most candidates identified two relevant reasons why a government may set a national minimum wage. A few candidates, however, revealed some confusion over what a national minimum wage is.
— Examiner report, May/June 2023, 2281/22 Q4(a) (Cambridge)
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