WAEC SSCE - Economics - 1993

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Economics is the social science that studies how individuals, businesses, governments, and societies make choices about the allocation of scarce resources to satisfy unlimited wants and needs. It deals with analyzing how to make choices among alternative uses of resources in order to attain the best possible outcome, given that resources are limited. In other words, economics is concerned with making the most efficient use of limited resources in a world of unlimited wants and needs.

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The occupational distribution of population in most West African countries shows the highest concentration in agriculture and allied industries. Agriculture and allied industries are the main sources of livelihood for many people in West Africa. This includes farming, livestock rearing, fishing, and forestry. These activities are mainly carried out in rural areas and provide employment for a significant portion of the population. In West Africa, the majority of the population lives in rural areas, and agriculture is the primary economic activity in these areas. Many people engage in subsistence farming, which means they grow crops and rear livestock for their own consumption. Others engage in commercial agriculture, producing crops and livestock for sale in local markets or for export. Therefore, due to the high dependence on agriculture and allied industries in West Africa, the occupational distribution of the population shows the highest concentration in these sectors.

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The reason mainly responsible for the inefficient distribution of goods in West African countries is the poor transportation and communication system. Many West African countries have inadequate road, rail, and water transportation systems, which makes it difficult to transport goods from one location to another. This leads to high transportation costs, delays, and damage to goods, all of which contribute to inefficiencies in the distribution process. In addition, poor communication infrastructure makes it difficult to coordinate distribution activities, which can lead to further delays and inefficiencies. Furthermore, the poor transportation and communication systems in West Africa limit the ability of businesses to expand their market reach beyond their immediate vicinity. This creates narrow markets for commodities produced and limits the opportunities for producers to sell their goods in other regions, which can lead to a glut of goods in certain areas and scarcity in others. In summary, the inefficient distribution of goods in West African countries is mainly due to poor transportation and communication systems, which result in high transportation costs, delays, damage to goods, limited market reach, and a glut of goods in some areas and scarcity in others.

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A market equilibrium exists when the demand for a product or service is equal to the supply of that product or service. This means that at the given market price, the quantity of goods or services demanded by consumers is exactly equal to the quantity of goods or services supplied by producers. In other words, there is neither a shortage nor a surplus of goods or services in the market, and all buyers who want to buy at the prevailing price can do so, while all sellers who want to sell at that price can do so as well. At the market equilibrium price, buyers and sellers are satisfied with the quantity and price of the goods or services exchanged, and there is no incentive for either party to change their behavior. Therefore, the market is in a state of balance, and the price of the good or service is stable. In summary, a market equilibrium exists when the quantity demanded equals the quantity supplied at a specific price, and both buyers and sellers are content with the prevailing market conditions.

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Public corporations in West Africa are set up to provide essential services or products to the public that might not be adequately provided by the private sector. They are established with the aim of achieving specific economic, social, or political objectives for the benefit of the citizens. Some of these objectives include the provision of basic amenities like electricity, water, and healthcare, transportation, education, and even the exploration and exploitation of natural resources. While some public corporations may aim to make a profit, their primary goal is usually to provide a particular service or good to the public.

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The answer is "consumer." A middleman is an intermediary in the distribution channel that connects the manufacturer or producer of a product to the end consumer. They play a vital role in getting products from the manufacturer to the end consumer by performing various activities such as storage, transportation, financing, and marketing. A wholesaler is a middleman who buys products in large quantities from the manufacturer and sells them to retailers. A distributor is a middleman who takes care of the entire distribution process, from buying products from the manufacturer to selling them to retailers. An agent is a middleman who connects the manufacturer with potential buyers and earns a commission on each sale. A retailer is a middleman who buys products from wholesalers or distributors and sells them to the end consumer. In contrast, a consumer is the end user who buys the product for personal use and is not a middleman in the distribution channel. They are the final link in the chain of distribution and directly benefit from the services provided by the middlemen in the distribution channel.

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The lack of industries in rural areas of West Africa is primarily due to inadequate infrastructure. Roads, electricity, water supply, and other essential amenities required for setting up and running industries are often absent in rural areas. As a result, it becomes challenging for industries to operate profitably in these areas. Additionally, the low population density and the unsuitability of the rural areas for industries due to factors such as poor soil quality, unfavorable climate, etc., are also contributing factors. However, it is not correct to assume that rural people are not meant to work in industries or are uneducated, as these factors are not the primary reasons for the lack of industries in rural areas.

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Land is a significant factor in terms of its contribution to the economy because it provides the vital resources needed to support various economic activities. For instance, land is used for agricultural purposes, which provides food for both local consumption and export. Also, land is a source of minerals, oil, and gas, which are essential to industrialization and energy production. Additionally, land is used for construction, providing space for residential and commercial buildings, industries, and infrastructure such as highways, railways, and airports. Thus, land is a critical factor in the economy because it provides resources that enrich economic activities and promote growth.

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Land is distinguished as a factor of production because it is a free gift of nature that is not produced by human effort. It refers to all natural resources such as minerals, forests, water, and land itself. Land is limited in supply and can be owned by individuals or the government. Land as a factor of production is significant because it is essential for the production of goods and services in an economy. Without land, production of goods and services would be impossible.

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The statement "Production is not complete until the goods reached the final consumer" is correct. Production involves the creation of goods or services by combining various factors of production, such as labor, capital, and raw materials. However, the ultimate goal of production is to satisfy the needs and wants of consumers. Therefore, production is not considered complete until the goods or services have reached the final consumer and have been consumed or used for their intended purpose. The production process involves various stages, including manufacturing, packaging, transportation, and distribution, all of which are geared towards getting the goods to the final consumer. So, the final stage of production is when the goods have reached the hands of the consumers and have been used or consumed.

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Supply in economics refers to the quantity of a good or service that producers are willing and able to offer for sale at a particular price and at a particular period. It is the amount of goods and services that are available to the market at a given price and time. So, is the correct answer.

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The growth of the population is the increase in the total population of a country over a given period. This increase can be measured in different ways, such as the annual increase in population, the addition to the total population over a given period, or the percentage increase in population in a given year. Population growth occurs when the number of births in a population exceeds the number of deaths, and when there is net migration into the country. Population growth can have both positive and negative effects on a country's economy and society. On the positive side, a growing population can increase the size of the labor force and stimulate economic growth. However, if the rate of population growth is too high, it can strain a country's resources and lead to social and environmental challenges, such as overcrowding and pollution.

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The correct way to calculate total cost is to add the fixed cost and variable cost together. Fixed costs are expenses that do not change with the amount of output, such as rent or salaries, while variable costs are expenses that increase or decrease as the amount of output changes, such as raw materials or labor. Adding the fixed cost to the variable cost gives the total cost of producing a certain amount of output. This is because fixed costs are already incurred and do not change based on the level of output, while variable costs increase or decrease as the level of output changes. Therefore, the correct option is the one that suggests "Addition of fixed cost to variable cost."

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An entrepreneur will locate his industry in a place where the cost of production will be minimized. This is because the cost of production plays a crucial role in determining the profitability of the business. By minimizing the cost of production, the entrepreneur can maximize his profits. Factors such as the availability of raw materials, access to labor, transportation costs, energy costs, and taxes all contribute to the cost of production. Therefore, the entrepreneur will seek to locate his industry in a place where these factors are favorable and the cost of production is minimized.

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The price system refers to a system of resource allocation in which prices are determined through the interaction of supply and demand in the market. In this system, prices play a crucial role in allocating resources to their most valued uses. The prices of goods and services reflect the scarcity of resources and the preferences of consumers, and they act as signals that guide producers and consumers to make decisions about what to produce, how much to produce, and how much to consume. The price system is used in most modern economies as a means of coordinating the activities of producers and consumers, and it is often seen as an efficient way of allocating resources in a market economy.

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The division of labor gives rise to the exchange of goods and services. Division of labor refers to the specialization of tasks and roles within a production process. This means that each worker performs a specific task or set of tasks, rather than each worker performing the entire production process. For example, in a car factory, one worker might specialize in assembling the wheels, while another worker might specialize in installing the engine. When workers specialize in specific tasks, they become more efficient at those tasks. This increases overall productivity and allows for the production of more goods and services. Additionally, the specialized workers can then exchange their goods and services with others who have specialized in different tasks. This leads to the creation of a market where goods and services are bought and sold, and trade is facilitated by the use of money or other means of exchange. Therefore, division of labor is a crucial concept in modern economies because it allows for the creation of a market where goods and services can be exchanged, leading to greater efficiency and increased production.

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Price elasticity of demand is defined as the responsiveness of demand to changes in price. In other words, price elasticity of demand measures how much the quantity demanded of a good or service changes in response to a change in its price. If the quantity demanded of a good or service changes significantly in response to a change in price, then the demand is said to be elastic. On the other hand, if the quantity demanded of a good or service changes only slightly in response to a change in price, then the demand is said to be inelastic. For example, if the price of a luxury car increases by 10%, and as a result, the demand for that car decreases by 20%, then the demand is said to be elastic. This means that consumers are very responsive to changes in price, and a small change in price can have a significant impact on the quantity demanded. Therefore, price elasticity of demand is a measure of how sensitive consumers are to changes in price and is an important concept in economics for businesses and policymakers to consider when making decisions about pricing and taxation.

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The situation in which an increase in demand for certain goods leads to a fall in demand for other goods is known as competitive demand. This occurs when two or more products are in direct competition with each other and are seen as substitutes by consumers. As the demand for one product increases, consumers may shift their purchases away from the competing product, causing a fall in its demand. For example, if the demand for hamburgers increases, it may lead to a fall in demand for hot dogs because they are both considered fast food options and are substitutes for each other.

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Scarcity in economics arises because resources are limited in supply relative to the demand for them. This means that there are not enough resources available to satisfy all of the wants and needs of individuals and society as a whole. Human beings have unlimited wants and needs, but resources, such as land, labor, and capital, are finite. This creates a situation where people must make choices about how to allocate scarce resources among competing uses. In other words, scarcity necessitates that individuals and societies make trade-offs, as they cannot have everything they want due to the limited availability of resources. Scarcity is a fundamental concept in economics, as it drives the study of how individuals, businesses, and governments make decisions about how to allocate scarce resources in order to maximize their utility or well-being.

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One of the advantages of division of labor is that it leads to specialization. When workers are assigned specific tasks based on their skills and abilities, they become experts in those tasks. This increases their productivity, efficiency, and output, and also reduces the time required to complete a task. For example, in a car manufacturing plant, different workers are assigned specific tasks, such as assembling the wheels, installing the engine, or painting the body. By focusing on a specific task, workers become skilled at performing that task quickly and efficiently, reducing the overall production time and increasing output. Specialization also allows for the development of new technologies and techniques that improve production processes. As workers become more experienced in their assigned tasks, they may discover new and more efficient ways of performing them, leading to improvements in productivity and quality. In summary, the advantage of division of labor is that it leads to specialization, which increases productivity, efficiency, and output, reduces production time, and allows for the development of new technologies and techniques.

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Division of labour may be restricted when the market is small. When there is a small market, the demand for goods and services produced may be low, and the number of workers required to produce them may be small. As a result, the division of labor may not be feasible or profitable for the producers. In such situations, producers may not specialize in a particular task, but instead may need to perform multiple tasks to meet their needs. This can limit the potential gains in efficiency and productivity that can be achieved through division of labor.

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The term production generally refers to the process of creating goods and services. It involves transforming inputs (such as raw materials, labor, and capital) into outputs (such as finished products or services). Out of the options given, the one that may not be included in explaining the term production is "use of consumer goods." This is because the use of consumer goods does not involve creating new goods or services. Instead, it involves utilizing products that have already been produced to satisfy individual needs or desires. The other options - provision of services, manufacture of goods, changing raw materials to finishing goods, and making goods available where and when they are needed - are all integral parts of the production process. Provision of services refers to the creation of intangible outputs such as consulting, education, or healthcare. Manufacturing of goods involves the physical creation of products from raw materials. Changing raw materials to finishing goods refers to the transformation of inputs into final products. Making goods available where and when they are needed involves the logistical aspect of production, ensuring that goods are distributed efficiently to meet demand.

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An inferior good is a good for which the demand decreases as consumer income increases. This is because when consumers' income rises, they tend to switch to superior goods or higher quality substitutes, resulting in a decrease in demand for the inferior goods. This is the opposite of normal or superior goods, where the demand increases as income increases. Examples of inferior goods include low-quality goods like instant noodles or used clothing.

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The compulsory cost that a firm has to incur whether it is producing goods or not is referred to as its "fixed cost." Fixed costs are expenses that do not change with the level of production output, such as rent for a factory, salaries for employees, or property taxes. For instance, even if a factory does not produce any goods, it still needs to pay its rent, utilities bills, and other fixed costs. Similarly, if the factory is producing goods, it still needs to pay these fixed costs on a regular basis, regardless of the level of output. In contrast, variable costs change with the level of production output. Raw materials, labor costs, and electricity bills are examples of variable costs. As the level of output increases, variable costs also increase, and vice versa. Therefore, the answer to the question is "fixed cost."

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In economics, the reward for labor is usually in the form of wages. Wages refer to the payment made to workers in exchange for their time and effort spent on producing goods or services. Wages are a form of compensation that varies depending on the skill level, experience, and education of the worker, as well as the demand for their particular job in the market. For example, a highly skilled and experienced worker in a specialized field may earn a higher wage than a worker with less experience and fewer skills. Wages are usually paid on an hourly, daily, or weekly basis, and can be paid in various forms such as cash, check, or direct deposit. They are a vital component of the labor market and play an essential role in determining the supply and demand of labor. In summary, wages are the main form of reward for labor in economics. They are the payment made to workers in exchange for their time, effort, and skills used in producing goods or services, and are a crucial factor in determining the supply and demand of labor in the market.

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An economic system in which the state owns and controls the means of production is known as a socialist economy. In a socialist economy, the government or state owns and controls major industries such as healthcare, education, transportation, and energy. The goal of a socialist economy is to provide equal access to goods and services for all citizens, regardless of their income or social status. The state also controls the distribution of wealth and resources, and the production of goods and services is based on the needs of society rather than the profit motive of individuals or corporations. This means that private property is limited, and individuals cannot accumulate wealth beyond a certain limit. Therefore, a socialist economy is characterized by state ownership and control of the means of production, with the goal of achieving social equality and providing basic needs for all citizens.

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If the price falls below the equilibrium, then the quantity demanded by buyers will increase because they will see the lower price as a better deal. At the same time, the quantity supplied by sellers will decrease because they will not be as motivated to produce or sell at the lower price. This creates a situation where there is excess demand, meaning that buyers want to buy more than there is available for sale. As a result, the answer is that demand will be greater than supply. This excess demand puts upward pressure on prices as buyers are willing to pay more to secure the limited supply. Eventually, the price will increase to the equilibrium level where demand equals supply again, restoring balance to the market.

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A scale of preference is a list of a consumer's wants arranged in order of importance. The purpose of creating a scale of preference is to help the consumer make rational choices by ranking their preferences in a logical and consistent manner. Human beings have unlimited wants, but the resources available to satisfy those wants are limited. Therefore, consumers must make choices about which wants to satisfy and in what order. By creating a scale of preference, the consumer can identify which wants are most important and which wants can be sacrificed if necessary. For example, a person might create a scale of preference for their monthly budget, listing their most important expenses such as rent, food, and transportation at the top of the list, followed by less important expenses like entertainment or luxury items. If the person's budget is limited, they can use their scale of preference to decide which expenses to prioritize and which ones to cut back on. In summary, a scale of preference is a tool that enables consumers to make wise and rational decisions about their choices by arranging their wants in order of importance.

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Robert T. Malthus postulated in his population theory that the population growth rate may out-grow the means of subsistence. In simpler terms, Malthus argued that if the population continued to grow unchecked, it would eventually surpass the ability of the Earth to produce enough resources (such as food, water, and land) to sustain everyone. This would lead to famine, disease, and other forms of suffering. Malthus believed that the only way to avoid this outcome was to limit population growth through measures such as celibacy, delayed marriage, and contraception.

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Sales of shares is not a source of finance for a one-man business. A one-man business is a type of business owned and operated by a single individual. One-man businesses typically have limited access to sources of finance compared to larger businesses. Some sources of finance that a one-man business might consider include money lenders, inheritance, loans from insurance companies, and loans from banks. However, sales of shares is not a viable source of finance for a one-man business, as there are no shareholders to sell shares to. Sales of shares refer to the process of selling ownership in a business to outside investors in exchange for capital. This is a common source of finance for larger businesses, such as corporations, where there are multiple shareholders who own and invest in the business. Therefore, while a one-man business may be able to access various sources of finance, sales of shares are not applicable in this context, as there is only one owner of the business.

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The real cost of a commodity is the alternative that has to be sacrificed or forgone in order to purchase it. This means that when you choose to buy a commodity, you are giving up the opportunity to use that money to buy something else, or to invest it in some other way. This alternative cost is what is considered the real cost of the commodity, because it represents the true value of what you are giving up in order to acquire the commodity. It is important to consider the real cost of a commodity when making purchasing decisions, in order to make the most efficient use of your resources.

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Cooperatives are not motivated mainly by profit. Cooperatives are business establishments owned and operated by a group of individuals with shared interests, such as farmers or workers. They are motivated by the principle of cooperation and mutual assistance, rather than solely by profit. In a cooperative, members pool their resources and share in the profits or benefits generated by the enterprise. The ultimate goal is to benefit the members, rather than to maximize profits for outside investors or owners. While cooperatives may generate profits, these are typically reinvested in the business or distributed among the members, rather than being used solely for the benefit of owners or shareholders.

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A nation with a working population that is insufficient to exploit its resources is said to be under-populated. This means that the country has more natural resources available than it has people to make use of them. As a result, the nation may experience a shortage of labor, leading to a lower level of economic activity than what could be possible if there were more workers available. Under-population can also lead to a decrease in innovation and technological advancements, as there may not be enough people available to research and develop new technologies. Additionally, an under-populated nation may face challenges in maintaining social services, such as healthcare and education, as there may not be enough people to support these systems. However, it's important to note that being under-populated is not necessarily a positive or negative situation, as it depends on a variety of factors, including the country's resources, infrastructure, and economic goals.

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One-man business is popular in West Africa because of several factors such as ease of entry, small capital required, limited entrepreneurial skills needed, and ease of decision making. However, the tendency to become joint-stock companies is not a reason why one-man businesses are popular in West Africa. This is because one-man businesses are owned and operated by a single individual, whereas joint-stock companies involve multiple owners who contribute capital and share in the profits and losses of the business. One-man businesses are attractive to entrepreneurs in West Africa because they offer an opportunity to start a business with minimal resources and limited experience. These businesses can be started with small amounts of capital and require fewer skills compared to larger enterprises. Additionally, the decision-making process is simpler and more efficient since there is only one owner making the decisions. Therefore, while one-man businesses may eventually grow into joint-stock companies, this is not a factor that explains why they are popular in West Africa.

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The location of timber and plywood industries in West Africa is mainly influenced by the presence of a luxuriant forest. This is because the primary raw material for these industries is wood, and a dense forest provides a ready source of timber for logging and processing. While other factors such as availability of transport, good climate, availability of power supply, and adequate labor supply are also important considerations, the presence of a forest is a key factor that determines the location of timber and plywood industries. In areas where forests are abundant, the cost of obtaining raw materials is reduced, which can make the production of timber and plywood more cost-effective. Additionally, the proximity of the forest to the processing plant can reduce transportation costs and increase efficiency. Therefore, the availability of a forest is crucial in determining the location of timber and plywood industries in West Africa.

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