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S4 Economics: Opportunity Cost and the PPC – Intermediate Practice (10 Questions)
S4 Economics: Opportunity Cost and the PPC – Intermediate Practice (10 Questions)
Ten items focus on shifts and measurement: one-sided technical progress, more resources, moving along versus shifting the curve, straight-line curves, slope calculations and comparative advantage.
Quick answer 1. outward only along that axis; 2. the whole curve shifts out; 3. reallocation versus a change in capacity; 4. constant marginal opportunity cost; 5. 1 unit of Y; 6. 4/3 units of Y; 7. 2 units of Y; 8. country A; 9. it may become attainable; 10. more resources also shift it.
01 Paper details (check answers afterwards)
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Questions | 10 questions |
| Suggested time | about 25 minutes |
| Difficulty mix | Foundation 3 · Intermediate 4 · Challenge 2 · Error redo 1 |
| Chapter | Chapter: S4 Economics | Opportunity Cost and the PPC: scarcity, choice and growth |
| Level | S4 |
02 Questions (10 items)
- FoundationTechnical progress raises productivity in only one of the two goods. How does the curve change?
- FoundationA rise in population and capital accumulation changes the curve how?
- FoundationWhat is the difference between moving along the curve and shifting the whole curve?
- IntermediateWhat does a straight-line production possibility curve imply?
- IntermediateOn the curve, moving from (0, 100) to (20, 80), what is the opportunity cost of one unit of X in units of Y?
- IntermediateFrom (20, 80) to (50, 40) on the same curve, what is the opportunity cost of one more unit of X?
- IntermediateIn one hour a worker can produce either 10 units of X or 5 units of Y. What is the opportunity cost of 4 units of X?
- ChallengeCountry A can make 6 units of X or 2 units of Y per hour; country B can make 3 units of X or 3 units of Y. Which has the lower opportunity cost of X?
- ChallengeAfter the curve shifts outward, what happens to a combination that was previously outside it?
- Error redoA student claims the curve shifts outward only because of technical progress. What is wrong?
03 Answers and one-line notes
| # | Answer | One-line note |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | It shifts outward only along that good axis, while the intercept on the other axis is unchanged. | Only one good benefits, so the maximum output of the other good stays the same. |
| 2 | The whole curve shifts outward. | Capacity for both goods rises, so both intercepts increase. |
| 3 | Moving along the curve reallocates existing resources; shifting the curve changes the quantity of resources or technology. | The first changes only the mix, while the second changes productive capacity itself. |
| 4 | Constant marginal opportunity cost. | A straight line arises only when resources are perfectly transferable between the two goods. |
| 5 | 1 unit of Y, since 20 units of X cost 20 units of Y and 20 divided by 20 is 1. | The absolute slope of the curve is the marginal opportunity cost. |
| 6 | 4/3 units of Y, about 1.33, because 30 more units of X cost 40 units of Y. | This segment is steeper than the previous one, which is exactly rising opportunity cost. |
| 7 | 2 units of Y, since one unit of X equals 0.5 units of Y and 4 times 0.5 is 2. | The output ratio within the same hour gives the rate at which one good trades off against the other. |
| 8 | Country A, where one unit of X costs one third of a unit of Y, against one whole unit of Y in B. | Comparative advantage follows the lower opportunity cost, not the larger absolute output. |
| 9 | It may become attainable. | Growth raises productive capacity, so combinations once impossible can be produced. |
| 10 | More resources, such as labour, capital or natural resources, also shift it outward. | Technology and resource quantity are separate routes, and both push the curve outward. |
04 What to do after marking
- After marking, redo only the wrong items and write down which step went wrong (formula, unit, or misread number).
- Repeat the same item two days later; move to the next paper only when both attempts are correct.
- Parents only need the answer and note columns; there is no need to explain every item.
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