CAIE A-Level Business 1.2 Business structure Question Bank
Practise business structure questions on economic sectors and ownership forms using definitions, features and case-based analysis.
- Syllabus
- 2026–2028
- Course
- Business 9609
- Level
- AS
Practise business structure questions on economic sectors and ownership forms using definitions, features and case-based analysis.
Define the term quaternary sector.
Define the term quaternary sector.
Indicative content
Responses may include:
AO1 Knowledge and understanding
Clear understanding 2 marks
- economic activity based on the intellectual or knowledge-based economy
- consists of industries providing information services, such as computing, ICT (information and communication technologies), consultancy (offering advice to businesses) and R&D (research, particularly in scientific fields)
Partial understanding 1 mark
- sector of production
- 4th economic sector
- subset of tertiary sector
- ICT/R&D/computing
Accept all valid responses.
Post Scent (PS)
PS is a private limited company operating in country H . It sells perfume for men and women using its own website. PS purchases the perfume in large quantities from various manufacturers and then sells it in smaller quantities to its customers. Most of the perfumes are sold in glass bottles.
PS has two main ways in which it sells perfume:
- A website where customers can purchase a range of perfumes. The perfumes are priced to be lower than high street competitors.
- A subscription service where customers pay a monthly fee for a mystery perfume to be delivered each month.
All of PS's products are delivered to customers' homes using the postal service. The packages can be left in a mailbox or in a safe place outside of the home. PS has an aim to improve the sustainability of its operations.
PS uses incremental budgeting. Table 1.1 shows the budgeted and actual cost and revenue data for 2023.

Table 1.1 Budgeted and actual cost and revenue data for 2023 (\$000)
The directors of PS have decided that the business needs a Marketing Manager. The role
The directors have shortlisted five suitable applicants and plan to invite them all to an assessment centre as part of the recruitment process.
Identify one feature of a private limited company.
Identify one feature of a private limited company.
Responses may include:
Any feature of a private limited company , including:
- limited liability
- shareholders
- incorporated
- shares not traded on stock exchange/publicly
- must make accounts publicly available
- separate legal identity
- continuity
- sells shares to people they know (invited).
Accept all valid responses.