Market Structure Short Answer Bank (Higher Level)

Following on from my earlier blog today with the essay bank I have put together a selection of short answer questions from previous IB higher papers that focus on the theory of the firm. The short answer paper is Paper 2, lasts one hour, and candidates have to answer three ten mark questions from a choice of five.

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Market Stucture Essay Bank (Higher Level)

To tie in with the revision sheets I am currently producing on market structures I have put together an essay bank of questions that have appeared on the topic over the last few years. I am sure you don’t need reminding but the essay paper is Paper 1 and you have one hour to write one essay from a choice of four. Part a) is worth 10 marks and part b) 15 marks. After each essay I have put the year the question is from and whether it is the May or November sitting. e.g. (M08) = May 2008.

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IB Higher Level- Monopolistic Competition

Although this is a market structure that makes pretty infrequent appearances on the IB higher level papers it is still worth knowing the fundamentals. I have produced a two-sided worksheet to aid you with your revision. I have found that my classes really like the video clips that I have linked in the document.

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IB Higher Level- Perfect Competition

A revision worksheet for the higher level micro topic perfect competition.

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IB Higher Level - Theory of the Firm Diagram Quiz

A ten question diagram quiz on one of the major higher level topics for IB students

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Calling all Upper Sixth Economists

I expect that many of you have or are just about to head off for your revision packed Easter break before your final IB exams in early May.

I would very much like the material found on the blog over the coming weeks to be driven by you. If you want some help with past paper questions or theory content from the syllabus then do drop me a line, I can then produce relevant material to your revision needs.

Over the next couple of days I will be producing revision worksheets for the major micro higher level topic The Theory of the Firm and posting on the blog. Keep logging on!

Adam Smith and the Credit Crunch

Adam Smith is often considered the ‘the father of capitalism’ but what would he have thought of the current credit crunch?

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The Middle Years Program

There was an article in last week’s Sunday Times by the Master of Wellington College, Anthony Seldon, that may be of interest to IB coordinators. It is a piece that argues strongly in favour of the IB as a qualification and specifically the Middle Years program (Yr9 - 11) as an alternative to GCSEs. Wellington will offer the MYP from September 2009.

The IBO website has more detailed information about the MYP.

Pupils on the Credit Crunch

In the lead up to the G20 schools from around the world have been discussing the financial crisis and how they have been directly or indirectly affected by it. This looks like a great project for IB teachers and students to get involved with.

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Students interview Darling

A group of ten students from Exmouth Community College in Devon interview the UK Chancellor Alistair Darling about the credit crunch and who is to blame.

New Zealand

Just over two weeks ago one of my best friends flew out to New Zealand for six months to play in their domestic rugby season. He is intending to supplement his income from rugby by getting a part time job. A report on the BBC website this morning indicates that this may be harder than he first thought.

The New Zealand economy shrank at its fastest rate in 17 years in the last three months of 2008. Its GDP fell by 0.9%, the most since 1992. The decline is being led by a stuttering manufacturing sectot. The IMF expects a 2% decline in GDP in 2009. New Zealand was last in recession in 1998.

The UK Banking Crisis in 76 Seconds

An excellent 76 second video clip of the UK banking crisis from the Daily Politics Show website. A good lesson opener to a review of the credit crunch. Remember IB examiners love to see the use of real world economic examples.

Ethiopia Coca-Cola Drought

Ethiopia’s capital Addis Ababa has run out of Coca-Cola as the credit crunch hits.

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Economist Audio/Visual

It is well worth having a look at The Economist audio/visual section of their website.It is full of excellent material that can bring a different take to your lessons or revision.

The link can be found here.

Economics of the Yangtze River Delta

Whilst reading The Telegraph online this morning I came across an excellent series of articles on the economics of the Yangtze River Delta.

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Wallace and Gromit’s Cheesy Exports

The Yorkshire cheese Wensleydale, the favourite snack of the animated characters Wallace and Gromit has helped fuel a surge in UK food exports.

 

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The Swiss Economic Outlook

The Swiss economy will shrink by 2.2% this year, a much deeper recession than first forecast by its government.

 

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No Longer an Indirect Effect

A recent spate on articles, this blog included has talked of the indirect effects on the African economy of the recent global crisis. Research released today suggests that this effect will be far more direct.

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Macro Diagram Quiz

A macro diagram quiz that I used with one of my classes this morning.

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Global Biz Worksheet

A work sheet to be used with Peter Day latest edition of Global Biz (on Fairtrade) that I highlighted in my blog yesterday.

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Peter Day and Fair Trade

The latest edition of GlobalBiz presented by Peter Day considers the issue of Fairtrade. Only 23mins long and could be easily used in a lesson or set for homework (to listen to!)

 

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IB Economics Week 7

The week 7 revision ticklist for U6th IB economists and teachers.

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Follow up Resources African Slowdown

I have created some additional resources to be used alongside the ‘African Slowdown” blog.

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African Slowdown

Although not at the heart of the current economic crisis the winds of the current storm are beginning to be felt on African shores.

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Golden Ratio

What is it and why is it so important?

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Golden Mean

The Golden Mean
People find the Fibonacci Rectangle aesthetically pleasing to the eye.
This short film looks at the significance of 0.618 in a number of areas. It is an excellent introduction to thinking about the implications of this number.

click here for the link to The Golden Mean (6mins 57)

Great New Blog for Development Economics

A fantastic new resource from the BBC that promises to be full of development economics.

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Bridge to Sicily

In an attempt to boost Italian economic performance the Italian govenment has revived plans to build a bridge linking mainland Italy to Sicily.

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Development Video Clips

Following on from my blog yesterday about the flower exporting industry in Zambia there are two excellent video clips on the BBC web site today.

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Declining Zambian Flower Exports

The slowing global economy has hit the demand for roses from Zambia threatening the livelihoods of hundreds of workers.

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Deflation Short Answer

An outline answer of a deflation short answer question.

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Can Maths and Ethics be Related?

(Time saving Truth from Falsehood)

What are the implications for humankind if mathematics is involved in ethics?
Is our knowledge of right or wrong subjective or objective? Is ethical knowledge possible?
Price’s mathematical expression of the evolutionary purpose of altruism poses many questions.

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Great Video Clip

A great topical clip from the Daily Politics Show website.

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Poverty and the Credit Crunch

A report published today by UNSECO highlights the fact the current global economic crisis is hitting the income of the world’s poorest the most.

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Crowding Out Short Answer

An outline answer for a short answer question from the November 2001 Higher Level Economics paper.

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Dairy Milk Goes Fairtrade

A colleague today pointed out an article that ties in nicely with my previous Fairtrade blogs.

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Income Tax Short Answer Question

An outline answer of Q4 from Higher Level Paper 2, May 2008.

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Exam Question Resources

Alongside the revision worksheets for IB students and teachers I will also be developing a bank of suggested answers for past IB exam questions.

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Verbal and Non Verbal Communication

Children communicate in a non verbal way often because they do not have the emotional maturity or the linguistic skills to speak about their feelings. This is painfully obvious in those children who have been emotionally damaged.

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What is Language

In My Language highlights the different methods of communication.
The author is autistic and has a different way of communicating with the world. It causes us to ask difficult questions of ourselves.
This is brings into the fore questions about the purpose of language, what is the function of communication as well as highlighting whether words are a necessary part of our interaction with the world.

Click here for the link

Development Economics Book

One again this week The Sunday Times Culture section has a review of a book that may be of interest to students and teachers currently covering the development economics section of the IB syllabus.

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Marshall-Lerner and the J Curve

A revision worksheet for the higher level topic (Section 4.7) the J-Curve and Marshall-Lerner condition.

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IB Economics Week 6

The week 6 revision ticklist for IB U6th economists

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More Fair Trade News

Following on from my last blog at the start of the week there was an interesting article on the BBC website this week focusing on a recent report from the Fairtrade Foundation.

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Fairtrade Fortnight

Whilst listening to the radio yesterday my attention was drawn to a piece highlighting a two week event that begins today that promises to be full of development economics.

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Lewis Dual Sector Model

A revision worksheet on the Lewis Dual Sector Model.

The_Lewis_Dual_Sector_Model.pdf

Development Economics Charts

A resource that I make regular use of is the Daily Chart on the Economist website.

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Development Economics Book

Whilst reading the Sunday papers today I came across a book recommendation that might be a useful resource when teaching the pros and cons of aid as a development strategy.

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IB Economics Week 5

Here is the U6th week 5 revision ticklist for students and teachers alike.

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African Fractals

Here is an example of maths being discovered after it had been invented!

 

 

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