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Economic growth and the economic cycle: AQA A‑Level Economics questions

Every AQA A-Level Economics exam question on 4.2.3.1 Economic growth and the economic cycle, 2020–2025, with its mark scheme and examiner’s report.

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686 questions

  1. Q05

    June 2025 · Paper 2

    4.2.3.1 Economic growth and the economic cycle
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Paper 2, question 05: Using the data in Extract D (Figure 3), calculate the difference between the percentage increase in GDP for Japan and the USA between 2001 and 2023. Give your a

  2. Q11

    June 2025 · Paper 3

    1 mark4.2.3.1 Economic growth and the economic cycle
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Paper 3, question 11: Figure 2 shows the long-run trend rate of unemployment and the actual rate of unemployment in a country over a period of time. Figure 2 At which one of the foll

  3. Q02

    June 2025 · AS Paper 2

    1 mark4.2.3.1 Economic growth and the economic cycle
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 AS Paper 2, question 02: In an economy, the number of people in work is unchanged but the rate of growth of labour productivity slows from 2.3% to 0.4%. It can be concluded that there w

  4. Q05

    June 2025 · AS Paper 2

    1 mark4.2.3.1 Economic growth and the economic cycle
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 AS Paper 2, question 05: Which one of the following statements concerning short-run economic growth and long-run economic growth is correct? [1 mark] A Short-run growth is inflationary

  5. Q06

    June 2025 · AS Paper 2

    1 mark4.2.3.1 Economic growth and the economic cycle
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 AS Paper 2, question 06: When an economy goes into a recession, there is most likely to be an increase in [1 mark] A business uncertainty. B imports. C inflation. D tax revenue.

  6. Q07

    June 2024 · Paper 2

    4.2.5.1 Fiscal policy4.2.3.1 Economic growth and the economic cycle
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Paper 2, question 07: Extract E (lines 17–18) states: ‘A low rate of corporation tax has also contributed to both short-run and long-run economic growth.’ With the help of a diagram,

  7. Q09

    June 2024 · Paper 2

    15 marks4.2.3.1 Economic growth and the economic cycle
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Paper 2, question 09: Explain possible reasons why a country may enter a recession. [15 marks] Essay 1 In November 2022, the Bank of England warned there was a risk that the UK was h

  8. Q16

    June 2024 · Paper 3

    1 mark4.2.3.1 Economic growth and the economic cycle
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Paper 3, question 16: An economy's long-run trend rate of economic growth in real gross domestic product (GDP) is 2.8% per annum. In 2018, the economy's actual real GDP was equal to

  9. Q08

    June 2024 · AS Paper 2

    1 mark4.2.3.1 Economic growth and the economic cycle
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 AS Paper 2, question 08: Figure 1 shows the rate of unemployment in an economy over a period of time. Figure 1 At which one of the following points was the economy most likely to be in

  10. Q13

    June 2023 · Paper 2

    4.2.3.1 Economic growth and the economic cycle
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Paper 2, question 13: Explain possible causes of economic growth. [15 marks] Essay 3 According to the Office for National Statistics, the UK’s real gross domestic product (GDP) incre

  11. Q14

    June 2023 · Paper 2

    4.2.3.1 Economic growth and the economic cycle4.2.1.4 Uses of national income data
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Paper 2, question 14: Evaluate the view that economic growth usually leads to an improvement in living standards. [25 marks] Essay 3 According to the Office for National Statistics,

  12. Q11

    June 2023 · Paper 3

    1 mark4.2.3.1 Economic growth and the economic cycle
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Paper 3, question 11: An economy operating at its long-run productive capacity at the start of 2020 has a trend rate of growth of 6% per year. Real GDP increases by 2% in 2021 and 10

  13. Q07

    June 2023 · AS Paper 2

    1 mark4.2.3.1 Economic growth and the economic cycle
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 AS Paper 2, question 07: Which one of the following is most likely to be used to identify a phase of the economic cycle? [1 mark] A Firms’ capacity utilisation B Structural unemployment

  14. Q10

    June 2023 · AS Paper 2

    1 mark4.2.2.4 Aggregate demand and the level of economic activity4.2.3.1 Economic growth and the economic cycle
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 AS Paper 2, question 10: Table 3 shows the planned change in government spending, the size of the output gap and the size of the multiplier in four economies, W, X, Y and Z. Table 3 Cha

  15. Q12

    June 2023 · AS Paper 2

    1 mark4.2.3.1 Economic growth and the economic cycle
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 AS Paper 2, question 12: Table 4 shows the percentage change in real GDP in an economy in the four years 2016 to 2019. Table 4 Year Change in real GDP (%) 2016 4.2 2017 3.1 2018 2.6 201

  16. Q15

    June 2023 · AS Paper 2

    1 mark4.2.3.1 Economic growth and the economic cycle4.2.3.2 Employment and unemployment
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 AS Paper 2, question 15: An economy experiences a low trend rate of economic growth, no output gap and a fall in total hours worked. In these circumstances, which one of the following c

  17. Q27

    June 2023 · AS Paper 2

    4.2.3.1 Economic growth and the economic cycle
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 AS Paper 2, question 27: Define ‘economic recovery’ Extract E (line 17). [3 marks] Context 2 Total for this context: 50 marks INTERNATIONAL TRADE Extract D: UK monthly balance of trade

  18. Q31

    June 2023 · AS Paper 2

    4.2.3.1 Economic growth and the economic cycle4.2.2.3 The determinants of aggregate demand
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 AS Paper 2, question 31: Extract F (lines 1–2) states: ‘Many economists believe that the trade balance reflects the strength or weakness of a country’s international competitiveness’. E

  19. Q11

    June 2022 · Paper 2

    4.2.3.1 Economic growth and the economic cycle4.2.3.4 Possible conflicts between macroeconomic policy objectives
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2022 Paper 2, question 11: Explain the main problems for an economy of having a large positive output gap. [15 marks] Essay 2 In 2018, the European Commission estimated that Bulgaria and

  20. Q22

    June 2022 · Paper 3

    1 mark4.2.3.1 Economic growth and the economic cycle
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2022 Paper 3, question 22: Table 3 shows different combinations of performance for three macroeconomic indicators. Which one of the combinations, A, B, C or D, is most likely to indicate
All 29 questions on Economic growth and the economic cycle, as a list
  1. June 2025, Paper 2, Q05 (2 marks): Using the data in Extract D (Figure 3), calculate the difference between the percentage increase in GDP for Japan and the USA between 2001 and 2023. Give your a
  2. June 2025, Paper 3, Q11 (1 mark): Figure 2 shows the long-run trend rate of unemployment and the actual rate of unemployment in a country over a period of time. Figure 2 At which one of the foll
  3. June 2025, AS Paper 2, Q02 (1 mark): In an economy, the number of people in work is unchanged but the rate of growth of labour productivity slows from 2.3% to 0.4%. It can be concluded that there w
  4. June 2025, AS Paper 2, Q05 (1 mark): Which one of the following statements concerning short-run economic growth and long-run economic growth is correct? [1 mark] A Short-run growth is inflationary
  5. June 2025, AS Paper 2, Q06 (1 mark): When an economy goes into a recession, there is most likely to be an increase in [1 mark] A business uncertainty. B imports. C inflation. D tax revenue.
  6. June 2024, Paper 2, Q07 (9 marks): Extract E (lines 17–18) states: ‘A low rate of corporation tax has also contributed to both short-run and long-run economic growth.’ With the help of a diagram,
  7. June 2024, Paper 2, Q09 (15 marks): Explain possible reasons why a country may enter a recession. [15 marks] Essay 1 In November 2022, the Bank of England warned there was a risk that the UK was h
  8. June 2024, Paper 3, Q16 (1 mark): An economy's long-run trend rate of economic growth in real gross domestic product (GDP) is 2.8% per annum. In 2018, the economy's actual real GDP was equal to
  9. June 2024, AS Paper 2, Q08 (1 mark): Figure 1 shows the rate of unemployment in an economy over a period of time. Figure 1 At which one of the following points was the economy most likely to be in
  10. June 2023, Paper 2, Q13 (15 marks): Explain possible causes of economic growth. [15 marks] Essay 3 According to the Office for National Statistics, the UK’s real gross domestic product (GDP) incre
  11. June 2023, Paper 2, Q14 (25 marks): Evaluate the view that economic growth usually leads to an improvement in living standards. [25 marks] Essay 3 According to the Office for National Statistics,
  12. June 2023, Paper 3, Q11 (1 mark): An economy operating at its long-run productive capacity at the start of 2020 has a trend rate of growth of 6% per year. Real GDP increases by 2% in 2021 and 10
  13. June 2023, AS Paper 2, Q07 (1 mark): Which one of the following is most likely to be used to identify a phase of the economic cycle? [1 mark] A Firms’ capacity utilisation B Structural unemployment
  14. June 2023, AS Paper 2, Q10 (1 mark): Table 3 shows the planned change in government spending, the size of the output gap and the size of the multiplier in four economies, W, X, Y and Z. Table 3 Cha
  15. June 2023, AS Paper 2, Q12 (1 mark): Table 4 shows the percentage change in real GDP in an economy in the four years 2016 to 2019. Table 4 Year Change in real GDP (%) 2016 4.2 2017 3.1 2018 2.6 201
  16. June 2023, AS Paper 2, Q15 (1 mark): An economy experiences a low trend rate of economic growth, no output gap and a fall in total hours worked. In these circumstances, which one of the following c
  17. June 2023, AS Paper 2, Q27 (3 marks): Define ‘economic recovery’ Extract E (line 17). [3 marks] Context 2 Total for this context: 50 marks INTERNATIONAL TRADE Extract D: UK monthly balance of trade
  18. June 2023, AS Paper 2, Q31 (10 marks): Extract F (lines 1–2) states: ‘Many economists believe that the trade balance reflects the strength or weakness of a country’s international competitiveness’. E
  19. June 2022, Paper 2, Q11 (15 marks): Explain the main problems for an economy of having a large positive output gap. [15 marks] Essay 2 In 2018, the European Commission estimated that Bulgaria and
  20. June 2022, Paper 3, Q22 (1 mark): Table 3 shows different combinations of performance for three macroeconomic indicators. Which one of the combinations, A, B, C or D, is most likely to indicate
  21. June 2022, AS Paper 2, Q18 (1 mark): An economy experiencing a high rate of short-run economic growth is likely to have an increase in A firms’ spare capacity. B job vacancies. C spending on unempl
  22. June 2022, AS Paper 2, Q26 (25 marks): Extract C (lines 2–4) states: ‘…the Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, had promised to make the 2020s a “decade of prosperity and opportunity”. If this is to be ach
  23. November 2021, Paper 2, Q07 (9 marks): Extract E (line 14) states: ‘Investment in R&D has been an important driver of economic growth and industrial progress.’ With the help of a diagram, explain how
  24. November 2021, Paper 3, Q22 (1 mark): Which one of the following combinations of possible shocks: A, B, C, or D, is most likely to move an economy from a negative output gap to a positive output gap
  25. November 2021, Paper 3, Q25 (1 mark): In 2019, an economy operating at full capacity on its long-run aggregate supply curve grew at its trend growth rate of 5% per annum. It had a national income of
  26. November 2020, Paper 3, Q32 (15 marks): Explain how a sustained slowdown in the world economy is likely to affect living standards in the UK. [15 marks] Section B Answer all questions in this section.
  27. November 2020, AS Paper 2, Q15 (1 mark): Figure 4 shows the performance of an economy through time. Figure 4 As the economy moves from point A to point B, it can be concluded that A the economy has com
  28. November 2020, AS Paper 2, Q26 (25 marks): Extract C (line 1) states: ‘So, is the changing retail industry and the decline in the high street bad news for the economy?’ Use the extracts and your knowledg
  29. November 2020, AS Paper 2, Q30 (4 marks): Extract F (lines 4–5) states: ‘As more workers receive higher in-work income, consumption would be expected to rise, leading to short-run economic growth.’ Draw

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