WASSCE Economics · Paper 1 style

Supply

One sample question with the full working. 4 more in the app, with instant feedback and repair sessions for the traps below.

Which of the following is likely to cause the supply curve of maize to shift to the left?

AA subsidy to maize farmers
BA drought in maize-growing areas
CImproved fertiliser technology
DA fall in the price of maize

Show the answer and working

Answer: B

Lower output at every price shifts supply leftward.

Trap A Reverses the direction of the effect: Trace the chain step by step (e.g. buying securities → banks gain cash → money supply rises) and check the sign at every link.

Trap C Reverses the direction of the effect: Trace the chain step by step (e.g. buying securities → banks gain cash → money supply rises) and check the sign at every link.

Trap D Confuses a movement along a curve with a shift: Own price changes → movement ALONG the curve. Any other factor (income, tastes, price of related goods, costs) → SHIFT of the curve.

Traps in Supply

Reverses the direction of the effect
Trace the chain step by step (e.g. buying securities → banks gain cash → money supply rises) and check the sign at every link.
Confuses a movement along a curve with a shift
Own price changes → movement ALONG the curve. Any other factor (income, tastes, price of related goods, costs) → SHIFT of the curve.
Picks a closely related concept
Learn related terms as contrasting pairs with one-line definitions, and identify which one the stem describes.
Misreads price ceilings and floors
A maximum price set BELOW equilibrium causes shortage (black markets); a minimum price ABOVE equilibrium causes surplus.
Gives only part of the answer
List every component in the definition (GDP = C + I + G + (X − M)) and tick them off before answering.
Confuses movement along and shift of the demand curve
A change in the good's OWN price causes movement ALONG the curve. Changes in income, tastes, prices of related goods etc. SHIFT the curve.
Errors in finding market equilibrium
At equilibrium Qd = Qs. Solve for P, then substitute to find Q. If price is above equilibrium, Qs > Qd → surplus (excess supply); below equilibrium, Qd > Qs → shortage (excess demand).

Practise Supply (4 questions)Send to your class on WhatsApp