CAIE A-Level Economics 6.1.2 Specialisation and Free Trade

CAIE A-Level Economics 6.1.2 Specialisation and Free Trade
Cambridge International AS & A Level Economics 9708 syllabus for exams in 2026, 2027 and 20282026–2028

Practise showing consumption beyond a domestic PPC through specialisation and trade and evaluating market access, efficiency, dependency, adjustment and distributional effects.

How this is tested

  • use a trading possibility curve to show attainable consumption after specialisation and exchange
  • explain gains through larger markets, competition, scale, choice and lower opportunity cost
  • evaluate dependency, price volatility, structural job loss and unequal distribution of gains

Question 1(e)

[Maximum number: 6]

How do we make sure cocoa bean farmers get paid a living wage?

Chocolate is very big business.

Content removed due to copyright restrictions.

Perhaps the long-term solution is to reduce the country's dependence on cocoa bean exports and diversify into other products that can offer more and better paid job opportunities.

Assess the advantages and disadvantages of Ivory Coast continuing to specialise in the production and export of cocoa beans.

Answer one question.

EITHER