Answering 2-Mark Questions (Edexcel A Level Economics A)

How Do I Answer an Edexcel A-Level Economics 2-Mark Question?

• These questions appear in Papers 1 and 2 only

• There may be at least two of these questions in Section A, but there could be none at all

• In these questions, you are asked to explain a key term or undertake a calculation in relation to the context

• It could be a calculation, reason, cause, implication, benefit or drawback

• These questions are awarded either

  • One mark for knowledge and one mark for application OR

  • One mark for knowledge and one mark for analysis OR

  • Two marks for application

Example

Steps to answer the question

1. Identify the key concept or factor being asked

   • E.g. price elasticity of supply

2. Focus on the factor explicitly mentioned in the question and apply it to the context

3. State the knowledge point (1 mark) by clearly stating the factor

   • E.g. "The availability of land to build on varies across the UK"

4. Provide a brief analysis (1 Mark) by using economic reasoning

   • E.g. "In London, there is hardly any spare land... so the PES of new builds will be price inelastic"