ECONOMICS
PAPER 1
GRADE 12 
NSC EXAMS
PAST PAPERS AND MEMOS NOVEMBER 2018

INSTRUCTIONS AND INFORMATION 

1.  Answer FOUR questions as follows in the ANSWER BOOK: 
   SECTION A: COMPULSORY
   SECTION B: Answer TWO of the three questions.
   SECTION C: Answer ONE of the two questions.
2.  Answer only the required number of questions. Answers in excess of the  required number will NOT be marked. 
3. Number the answers correctly according to the numbering system used in this  question paper. 
4. Write the question number above each answer. 
5. Read the questions carefully. 
6. Start EACH question on a NEW page. 
7. Leave 2–3 lines between subsections of questions.
8. Answer the questions in full sentences and ensure that the format, content  and context of your responses comply with the cognitive requirements of the  questions. 
9. Use only black or blue ink. 
10. You may use a non-programmable pocket calculator.
11. Write neatly and legibly.

QUESTIONS 

SECTION A (COMPULSORY) 
QUESTION 1 30 MARKS – 20 MINUTES 
1.1 Various options are provided as possible answers to the following questions.  Choose the answer and write only the letter (A–D) next to the question  numbers (1.1.1 to 1.1.8) in the ANSWER BOOK, e.g. 1.1.9 D. 
1.1.1 An open economy is best described as a … sector economy. 

1. one
2. two 
3. three
4. four 

1.1.2 Investment is an example of a/an ... in the circular flow model. 

1. leakage
2. injection
3. withdrawal
4. loss 

1.1.3 Fiscal policy is an action taken by government in respect of  taxation and ... to influence economic activity. 

1. exchange control
2. money supply
3. expenditure
4. credit control 

1.1.4 Economies of scale are associated with … 

1. mass production.
2. limited output. 
3. long-term average cost increases.
4. ncreased wastage. 

1.1.5 Production by the citizens of a country, locally and abroad, is called  the … product. 

1. gross national 
2. gross domestic 
3. net national 
4. net domestic 

1.1.6 A physically enclosed area next to a harbour or airport where  production for exports is encouraged through incentives, is known  as the … 

1. spatial development initiatives. 
2. industrial development zone. 
3. special economic zone. 
4. foreign investment grant.

1.1.7 The comparison of a country's export prices with import prices by  means of indexes is referred to as the … 

1. exchange rate.
2. conditions of trade.
3. terms of trade.
4. inflation rate. 

1.1.8 Economic development is measured in terms of the … 

1. per capita gross domestic product. 
2. increase in the productive capacity. 
3. nominal gross domestic product. 
4. money supply. (8 x 2) (16) 

1.2 Choose a description from COLUMN B that matches the item in COLUMN A.  Write only the letter (A–I) next to the question numbers (1.2.1 to 1.2.8) in the  ANSWER BOOK. 

1.3 Give ONE term for EACH of the following descriptions. Write only the term  next to the question numbers (1.3.1 to 1.3.6) in the ANSWER BOOK.  Abbreviations, acronyms and examples will NOT be accepted. 
1.3.1 A systematic record of all trade and financial transactions between  one country and other countries for a particular period of time 
1.3.2 Money paid by the government to a person/institution without any   counterperformance 
1.3.3 When a product is sold on a foreign market at a price that is lower  than the cost of production in the country of origin 
1.3.4 Increase in the productive capacity of a country 
1.3.5 The rate at which commercial banks borrow money from the South  African Reserve Bank 
1.3.6 The policy that aims to stabilise prices by combating  inflation (6 x 1) (6) 

TOTAL SECTION A: 30

SECTION B 
Answer any TWO of the three questions in this section in the ANSWER BOOK.
QUESTION 2: MACROECONOMICS
40 MARKS – 30 MINUTES 2.1
Answer the following questions. 
2.1.1 Name the TWO financial markets in the circular-flow model. (2 x 1) (2) 
2.1.2 What effect will a decrease in income levels have on international  trade? (1 x 2) (2) 
2.2 Study the graph below and answer the questions that follow. 
EXCHANGE RATES – THE RAND IS AT THE MERCY OF THE MARKET 

2.2.1 Identify the exchange rate system in the graph above. (1) 
2.2.2 What was the original rand/dollar exchange rate before the  demand for US dollars increased? (1) 
2.2.3 Briefly describe the term exchange rate. (2) 
2.2.4 How has the increased demand for US dollars affected the value of  the rand? (2) 
2.2.5 What could the South African Reserve bank do to strengthen the  value of the rand against the dollar? (2 x 2) (4) 
2.3 Study the table below and answer the questions that follow.   

 [Source: Quarterly Bulletin SARB, June 2017] 
2.3.1 Identify the factor of production in the table above that receives the  biggest portion of the national income. (1)   
2.3.2 Which method was used to calculate the figures above? (1)
2.3.3 Briefly describe the term basic prices. (2)
2.3.4 Briefly explain how subsidies can influence production. (2) 
2.3.5 Calculate the gross domestic product at market prices (A).  Show ALL calculations. (4) 
2.4 Briefly discuss pricing policy and parastatals as problems of public sector  provisioning. (2 x 4) (8) 
2.5 Calculate the change in aggregate income if there is an injection of R20 billion into the economy with a marginal propensity to save of 0,3. Show how the  multiplier effect could influence the government to create more jobs. 
Show ALL calculations. (8) [40]

QUESTION 3: ECONOMIC PURSUITS 40 MARKS – 30 MINUTES 
3.1 Answer the following questions. 
3.1.1 Name any TWO redress policies that South Africa has used since  1994. (2 x 1) (2) 
3.1.2 What effect will increased urbanisation have on the economy?   (1 x 2) (2) 
3.2 Study the cartoon below and answer the questions that follow. 

[Adapted from www.wikipedia, 2016] 
3.2.1 Name any ONE agricultural product exported to countries in the  north. (1) 
3.2.2 Give any reason for the poor economic conditions of the countries  in the south. (1) 
3.2.3 Briefly describe the term North-South divide. (2) 
3.2.4 Explain standards of living of countries in the Northern  Hemisphere. (2) 
3.2.5 What positive impact will globalisation have on the North-South  divide? (2 x 2) (4)
3.3 Study the extract below and answer the questions that follow. 

3.3.1 What positive effect could small business development have on  markets? (1) 
3.3.2 Why is it important that the government provides financial aid to  SMMEs? (1) 
3.3.3 Briefly describe the term economically active population. (2) 
3.3.4 Briefly explain how the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)  supports small business development in South Africa. (2) 
3.3.5 How can the establishment of more SMMEs be promoted in  South Africa? (2 x 2) (4) 
3.4 How can the Critical Infrastructure Programme (CIP) and the  Foreign Investment Grant (FIG) improve industrial development in South  Africa? (2 x 4) (8) 
3.5 Evaluate the potential success of special economic zones in South Africa. (8) [40]

QUESTION 4: MACROECONOMICS AND ECONOMIC PURSUITS  
 40 MARKS – 30 MINUTES
4.1 Answer the following questions. 
4.1.1 Give any TWO examples of production indicators. (2 x 1) (2) 
4.1.2 Why do developed countries favour the idea of free trade?  (1 x 2) (2) 
4.2 Study the graph below and answer the questions that follow. 

4.2.1 Identify the curve in the graph above. (1)
4.2.2 At what tax rate will government revenue be maximised? (1) 
4.2.3 How much revenue will the government receive if the tax rate  is 100%? (2) 
4.2.4 What effect will a decrease in the tax rate from 65% to 45% have  on tax revenue? (2) 
4.2.5 What consequences could a 1% VAT increase have on the  different role players in the South African economy? (2 x 2) (4) 
4.3 Study the bar graph below and answer the questions that follow.
GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT – AN ECONOMIC INDICATOR 
 
[Adapted from Stats SA GDP, 2017] 
4.3.1 Which figure indicates that the GDP growth rate was not  satisfactory? (1) 
4.3.2 Identify the sector that contributed least to the GDP above. (1) 
4.3.3 Give a reason why trade performed so poorly in respect of the  total GDP. (2) 
4.3.4 Why are only real GDP figures used to compare economic  production that occurred in different years? (2) 
4.3.5 What can the South African government do to ensure a better  economic growth performance? (2 x 2) (4) 
4.4 Briefly discuss health as a social indicator. (4 x 2) (8) 
4.5 How can developing countries ensure the survival of labour-intensive  industries in a global economy? (8) [40] 

TOTAL SECTION B: 80

SECTION C 
Answer any ONE of the two questions in this section in the ANSWER BOOK. 
Ensure that your answer follows the structure indicated below in order to obtain  maximum marks: 

QUESTION 5: MACROECONOMICS 40 MARKS – 40 MINUTES  

• Discuss ALL the features underpinning the forecasting of business cycles,  excluding the economic indicators. (26 marks)
• Why is price stability important to prevent extreme fluctuations in business cycles?  (10 marks) [40]   

QUESTION 6: ECONOMIC PURSUITS 40 MARKS – 40 MINUTES  

• Discuss the demand-side approach in promoting economic growth. (26 marks) 
• Evaluate the success of the expanded public works programme to reduce poverty  and unemployment. (10 marks) [40] 

TOTAL SECTION C: 40
GRAND TOTAL:  150