0450_s05_ms_1
UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE INTERNATIONAL EXAMINATIONS
International General Certificate of Secondary Education
MARK SCHEME for the June 2005 question paper
0450 BUSINESS STUDIES
0450/01 Paper 1, maximum raw mark 100
This mark scheme is published as an aid to teachers and students, to indicate the requirements of the examination. It shows the basis on which Examiners were initially instructed to award marks. It does n ot in dicate the details of the discussion s that took place at an Examin ers’ meetin g before markin g began. An y substan tial chan ges to the mark scheme that arose from these discussion s will be recorded in the published Report on the Examination.
All Examin ers are in structed that altern ative correct an swers an d un expected approaches in can didates’ scripts must be given marks that fairly reflect the relevan t kn owledge an d skills demonstrated.
Mark schemes must be read in con jun ction with the question papers an d the Report on the Examination.
?CIE will not enter into discussion or correspondence in connection with these mark schemes.
CIE is publishin g the mark schemes for the Jun e 2005 question papers for most IGCSE an d GCE Advanced Level and Advanced Subsidiary Level syllabuses and some Ordinary Level syllabuses’.
Grade thresholds for Syllabus 0450 (Business Studies) in the June 2005 examination.
minimum mark required for grade:
maximum
mark
A C E F
available
Component 1 100 67 44 28 N/A
The threshold (minimum mark) for B is set halfway between those for Grades A and C.
The threshold (minimum mark) for D is set halfway between those for Grades C and E. Grade A* does not exist at the level of an individual component.
JUNE 2005
IGCSE
MARK SCHEME
MAXIMUM MARK: 100
SYLLABUS/COMPONENT: 0450/01
BUSINESS STUDIES
Paper 1
The scheme indicates how marks are awarded as well as indicating what assessment skills are being tested.
k= knowledge
u= understanding
ap= application
an= analysis
e= evaluation
1(a) (i) A fixed cost is a cost that is unrelated to output [1k plus 1u]. Simple response such as does not vary [1]. An acceptable example of a fixed cost [1]. [2] (ii) $16 000 [1u]. $ sign not needed.[1]
(iii)$48 000/10 000 [1] = $4.8 [2an][2]
(iv) unit cost = $6.4 [1] plus 50% = $3.2 [1] = $9.6 [1] [1k/1u/1a]. If $4.8 plus 50% = $7.2 [2] i.e. 50% mark up on direct cost per unit not full cost per unit. 1 mark
for correct method but numerical errors. [3]
(b)Method used is full cost mark up. This ensures that all costs are covered and
thus profit is made on what is sold. However fails to consider competitors
prices or market conditions. Thus unlikely to be the best [2k + 2ap + 2e].
Identifies method [1 – 2]
Analyses method [1 – 2]
Evaluates method [1 – 2][6]
(c)If machinery is old then probably less efficient than new machines. Furthermore
probably carries higher repair and maintenance costs. [2] marks for
identification of advantages [k]/[2] marks for [an]/[2] marks for [ap]. [6]
2(a) (i) 1.5m [2] i.e. 10% of 15m [1] [k/ap] m needed for full marks. [2] (ii)$540m [2] i.e. 30% of $1800m [1] [k/ap] m needed for full marks but not $. [2]
(b)Employees might be misleading because they are only one resource
input/capital intensive business replaces people by machines/productivity could
rise and hence less labour needed but business has not been reduced in size.
[1k/1ap/2e]
identification of method [1]
explanation/analysis of method [1]
evaluation of method [1-2][4]
(c) 3 marks per idea explained. 1 mark per idea identified. Objectives might be to
create jobs/improve access of service/improve quality of service/increase
affordability of service [2k/4an]. [6]
(d)Business activity can harm the environment because -
pollution/noise/visual/atmospheric/negative externalities. But can have a
positive impact – beautifying/enhancing. Thus impact is not always damaging
[2k/2ap/2e].
identification of impact [1-2]
analysis of impact [1-2]
evaluation of impact [1-2][6]
Conclusions should be drawn showing evaluation of issues. Evaluative
comments must show reasoned judgement. Some consideration is always
needed for full marks.
3 (a) (i)Current asset is an asset that can be turned into cash quickly and with certainty
[2]. Simple answer such as ready cash [1] [k/u]. [2]
(ii) 1.5 [2] ca/cl [1] [1k/1ap] 3: 2 [1]. [2]
(b) (i)Identify [2] explain [2]. Sources retained profit/sale of assets/better cash flow
management [2k/2ap]. [4] (ii)Use of figures to arrive at conclusion [3]. General discussion [2/1]. No because 78.5% of capital already comes from debt. Thus further debt
undesirable/cost of borrowing/impact on profits [2an/1/ap/2e].
general discussion [1-2]
use of data and contextual analysis [1-3] [5]
(c) (i)14.3% [3]. 1 for method [1k/2ap] or for inaccurate answer e.g. 14%. The %
sign must be included to gain full marks. [3] (ii) Cash and profit not the same. Cash represents available funds. Profit is an accounting surplus. A profit might be declared but debtors are outstanding.
Furthermore purchase of assets might lead to cash shortages not matched by
any corresponding P/L item [2k/2an].
reason it occurs [why] [1]
showing how it creates the difference [1–3][4]
4(a) 1 mark per point identified [3] plus further mark for explanation [3] access to larger markets/image boosted/size/features/cost effective [3k/3ap].
awareness of opportunities [1-3]
explanation of opportunities [1-3][6]
(b)Technology creates opportunities e.g. cost savings/new methods/new
products/new markets. It has also created problems e.g.
training/cost/breakdowns [2k/2an/2e].
identification of benefits/disadvantages [1-2]
analysis of points made [1-2]
evaluative comments showing judgement [1-2][6]
(c) (i) Structure is an indication of the relationships between employees in an
organisation often showing hierarchy and areas of responsibility. Reference to
things like functional areas also acceptable. Simple answer such as shows way
the business is organised [1] [1k/1u]. [2] (ii) Span of control refers to the number of subordinates directly accountable to an individual [1k/1u]. To gain full marks reference to Fig. 2 necessary. [2] (iii)Problems of a narrow span of control are over supervision/lack of delegation/top heavy business/costly [2k/2an].
identification of problems [1-2]
analysis of problems [1-2] [4] 5 (a) (i)Downswing in level of economic activity [2k]. L imited appreciation such as a
fall in an economy [1][1k]. [2] (ii) Recession implies less economic activity and probably falling profits. Thus fewer businesses investing money/thus less demand for computers [4/3]. Ideas
but not well linked [2/1] [2an/2ap].
identification of recession and sales [1-2]
application in context [1-2] [4]
(b)Identify [3] explain [3]. Entry barriers/no demand/unknown in market/local
competition/distribution c hain/agents l acking/exchange rate movements [3k/3an].
For reason to be accepted it must have direct relevance to the process of
exporting.
identification of problems [1-3]
explanation of problems [1-3][6]
(c) (i)Sales on y axis: time on x axis [1]. Stages are launch/growth/maturity/decline
[2]. Alternative terms such as saturation also acceptable [3k]. [3]
(ii) Disadvantages of a short product life cycle are that cash inflows are brief/new product innovation is constantly necessary/if sales are not rapid break even
may not be reached/left with outdated stock [3an/2ap].
identification of disadvantages [1-3]
explanation of disadvantages [1-2] [5]