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‘A’ Paper 2 Question Guide

Overview

The ‘A’ question 4 part answer has two main variations. You may be asked to apply to the case study.

⏰ Timing🎓Assessment % Final Grade
8 minsKnowledge 4 marks

Application 4 marks
OR Analysis    
4 marks
10%

Four part ‘A’ questions on Paper 2 always require 4 knowledge points, but the explanation may require application or analysis.

In the first example there is no reference to the case study in the question. Therefore, you can explain without any reference to the case study.

There are two main variations of ‘A’ 8 mark questions on Paper 2. We will look at the two part ‘A’ question first.

⏰ Timing🎓Assessment % Final Grade
8 minsKnowledge 2 marks
Application 2 marks
Analysis 4 marks
10%

Example ‘A’ Four Part Question ANALYSIS

  1 (a) Explain four reasons why a person may set up their own business.              
Reason 1: ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Explanation: ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………… …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Reason 2: ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Explanation: ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………… …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Reason 3: ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Explanation: ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………… …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Reason 4: ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Explanation: ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. [8]    

In this question, four different reasons why a person may set up a business are required.

KnowledgeReason 1To be own boss
AnalysisExplanationSo have independence from others and make own decisions
KnowledgeReason 2To make profit
AnalysisExplanationMay get a higher income than working for another business
KnowledgeReason 3To gain recognition and status
AnalysisExplanationTo be well known and respected as a successful entrepreneur
KnowledgeReason 4Redundancy means loss of job
AnalysisExplanationSo setting up business replaces the income that was lost

Example ‘A’ Four Part Question APPLICATION

  1 (a) Explain four characteristics that make Mustafa a successful entrepreneur.  
Characteristic 1:…………………………………………………………………………………………………… …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
Characteristic 2: …………………………………………………………………………………………………. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
Characteristic 3: …………………………………………………………………………………………………. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
Characteristic 4: …………………………………………………………………………………………………. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. [8]

In the second example there is a reference to the case study in the question. The questions asks about Mustafa, and his skateboarding business. Therefore, you must explain each characteristic using information from the case study.

Each part of the four characteristics refers to the Mustafa’s business, designing, producing and selling skateboards.

KnowledgeCharacteristic 1Hard worker
Application prepared to do all the work himself by making all the skateboards at his home and selling them at the park.
KnowledgeCharacteristic 2Creative
Application Designed the skateboard himself.
KnowledgeCharacteristic 3Risk Taker
Application gave up a well-paid job and risked losing his home.
KnowledgeCharacteristic 4Effective communication skills
Application Persuades others to buy his skateboard with video commercials.
⭐⭐⭐Top Tip Paper 2 ⭐⭐⭐
4 Part ‘A’ Questions  
Be careful to avoid repetition, it can be challenging to find four different points.   Before starting each part of your answer check to make sure you aren’t just repeating what you have already written. Think about how each explanation will be distinct from the other parts of your answer.

Example ‘A’ Two Part Question ANALYSIS

Michaela owns the Funky Moves Dance Studio in Main City in country X. The Dance Studio offers individual and group dance classes.
Economic growth in country X has been high for the last few years.

The Dance Studio is very busy and Michaela is considering taking on a partner to help manage the
business and give her more free time. However, she has been a sole trader for 8 years and wants the business to stay small. She believes the personal contact with customers is important for success.

3 (a) Explain two reasons why Michaela wants her business to stay small. [8]

Reason 1: …………………………………………………………………………………………………… …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
Explanation: …………………………………………………………………………………………………. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
Reason 2: …………………………………………………………………………………………………. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
Explanation: …………………………………………………………………………………………………. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. [8]
KnowledgeReason 1Reason she wants her business to stay small
ApplicationExplanationRelevant reference to the case study
AnalysisExplanation of the reason she wants her business to stay small
Further AnalysisFurther explanation of the reason she wants her business to stay small
KnowledgeReason 2Another reason she wants her business to stay small
ApplicationExplanationRelevant reference to the case study
AnalysisExplanation of the reason she wants her business to stay small
Further AnalysisFurther explanation of the reason she wants her business to stay small

Example ‘A’ Two Part Question APPLICATION

We start with a knowledge point for the relevant reason:

Reason 1: Stay her own boss

Then explain using application to the case study, Michaela’s dance studio:

Explanation: as Bethany has run the business successfully for 8 years and she does not want anyone telling her what to do or disagreeing with her decisions.

We finish by taking the analysis one step further by explaining the impact of staying small on the business:

The business idea is all her own and so he does not want any conflict which might cause important decisions to be delayed.

Complete the same combination of knowledge, application, analysis and further analysis for the second reason.

KnowledgeReasonKeep personal contact with customers.
ApplicationExplanationIf the dance studio expands
AnalysisMichaela will spend more time working on the management tasks rather than leading dance classes personally.
Further AnalysisThis may lead to customers feeling that they are not getting the same service as before, so they use a competitor dance studio, and Michaela loses revenue.

Top Tip

⭐⭐⭐Top Tip Paper 2 ⭐⭐⭐
2 Part ‘A’ Questions
Remember to take your analysis one step further by using connective phrases like, “this means that” and “this will lead to”.
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