CXC PAST QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

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PRINCIPLES OF BUSINESSMay 17, 2011 at 1:00 pm (P.O.B Lessons)1) The first
question is a compulsory 10 marks question, taken from May June 2002 past
paper(General). Question1. It involves Economic Systems and Government
Control of Business Activity.(a) List TWO types of economic systems. (2mks)(b)
Explain the differences between the types of economic systems listed in (a)
above. (4mks)(c) Suggest two ways by which the government of your country can
control business activity. (4mks)Total 10 marksBefore reading the discussion and
guidelines to answering the question, you may wish to plan an answerthat you
would give to the question. Remember, there may be other possible answers than
the onessuggested.DISCUSSION AND GUIDELINES(a) Any two types of economic
systems can be listed, for example, the free economic system and theplanned
economic system. This part of the question does not require any expansion or
explanation.

(b) The characteristics or features of the economic systems listed can be used to
show the differencesbetween them.Conjunctions such as whereas, on the
other hand, while and however should be used to indicate yourreference to the
opposite feature for the other economic system. For example, in the free
economy,most of the scarce resources are owned and allocated by private
individuals and firms while in theplanned economy, scarce resources are owned
and allocated by the government.The marks allotted for this part of the question
would indicate that a minimum of two differences isrequired.
(c) Governments’ control of business activity can come in many forms including:
* Legislation the passing of laws that businesses should abide by.* Price
controls Government stated maximum prices for selected goods and services*
Nationalisation Direct ownership and control of industries by the Government,
for example, wheremonopolies are exploiting consumers.* Increased taxation
To reduce monopoly profits.Registration and other legal requirements for setting
up of businesses.* Employment of inspectors to monitor the affairs of businesses
e.g. price inspectors and sanitaryinspectors.* Setting up of government
agencies such as The Bureau of Standards to monitor the quality of
goodsproduced and imported.
 Remember, you are asked to suggest only two ways.
2) Now let’s move on to another question. CXC past paper May/June 2003
(General), Question 1.
(a) List TWO functions of a business. (2 marks)(b) Briefly describe TWO of the
following types of business organisations:(i) Partnership(ii) Public Limited
Company(iii) Co-operative (4 marks)(c) State TWO advantages which the Public
Limited Company has over the Partnership type of business.(4 marks)Total 10
marks.DISCUSSION AND GUIDELINE ANSWER
(a) Any TWO functions of a business can be listed e.g.to sell goods and services to
satisfy people’s wants
and to provide employment for people. Expansion on and explanation of the
functions is not required.(b) The TWO types of businesses can be described by
defining them and /or outlining their features orcharacteristics. For e.g. in
describing the partnership one might say that a partnership is formed withtwo to
20 members who pool their resources together to run a business with a view
to making a profit.

Remember, you are asked to suggest only two ways.

2) Now let’s move on to another question. CXC past paper May/June 2003
(General), Question 1.
(a) List TWO functions of a business. (2 marks)(b) Briefly describe TWO of the
following types of business organisations:(i) Partnership(ii) Public Limited
Company(iii) Co-operative (4 marks)(c) State TWO advantages which the Public
Limited Company has over the Partnership type of business.(4 marks)Total 10
marks.DISCUSSION AND GUIDELINE ANSWER
(a) Any TWO functions of a business can be listed e.g.to sell goods and services to
satisfy people’s wants
and to provide employment for people. Expansion on and explanation of the
functions is not required.(b) The TWO types of businesses can be described by
defining them and /or outlining their features orcharacteristics. For e.g. in
describing the partnership one might say that a partnership is formed withtwo to
20 members who pool their resources together to run a business with a view
to making a profit.

Partnerships are normally required to sign a Deed of Partnership and register with
the Registrar of Companies.(c) The advantages which the Public Limited Company
has over the Partnership type of business includesthe fact that:* A larger number
of part owners, since the Public Limited Company has a minimum of
sevenshareholders and no maximum.* More capital can be raised than in a
partnership since an appeal can be made to the general publicthrough the Stock
Exchange.* The Public Limited Company is a separate entity from the shareholder
owners, therefore, theindividual shareholders cannot be sued, the company must
be sued.* The Public Limited Company has a Board of Directors elected by the
shareholders.* These companies may enjoy economies of scale.* Risk is spread
over many shareholders.Remember, you are asked to state only TWO advantages
of the Public Limited Company over thePartnership.3) CXC past paper May/June
2003 (General) Que

Short Story Example: CXC 2001 Award winning essay by

Vanessa Chee of St Joseph'sConvent. Write a story based on the picture

As my bare feet trudged through the sludge of human and animal waste, a
terrible stench permeated the air. The putrid stench of garbage, feces, and dead
animals clung even to myclothes; the stench of poverty and despair went deep
inside me, wrapping around my lungs sothat I could barely breathe.I took a good
long look at the pathetic shack I had called home for all of my sixteen years on
thiswretched earth. Broken bricks of concrete lay on the ground with no real
purpose. Perhaps theyhad been bought with no real purpose. Perhaps they had
been bought with the real intention of one day building a home; now they
remained as simply bricks, the cruel symbol of a brokendream, a foundation that
was never built.The shack was wooden; the sinews and tired etchings of the
wood told a story of their own. Thegalvanized door screeched and swung with the
wind - my welcome home. Jagged edges of woodwere everywhere, protruding
out above the galvanized door, projecting out and above the four square holes
that were supposed to be windows. Even the light that streamed in seemed
reluctantto enter. The beams of sunlight were not rays of hope; they were merely
citizens under the law of physics which governed them, demanding that they
illuminate the damp dirt that formed thefloor of my home. The light only drew
attention to the deep darkness that lay everywhere.I closed my eyes and stifled a
scream. I was barren even of tears to shed. I did not want to livehere. Surely God
had created me for a purpose other than to enjoy the destitution of poverty
or appreciate the squalor that surrounded me. I had to believe that God was
good, that He was onmy side. I had no one else. My father would be returning
soon. Every day I prayed that he wouldnever return. God never seemed to hear
my prayers.Would he be returning with another man? Another ogling lusting
buffoon who would try totouch me ... who would start ripping at the little cloth I
wore? Would he flash the money and bring rum as payment to my father?
That was the moment I made my decision. Contemplatinganother night of fighting
and screaming and running, yet another night of knowing the weight of

my father's blows; contemplating that made me decide to leave. The only

thing that had held me back was the single promise I had made to my dying
mother - to take care of him to make surethat my father and my brother did
not starve.I went to the corner of the shack where the angel of my life, my four
year old brother, laysleeping. I gently touched his shoulders. He awakened
instantly. "Nathan", I said, "wake up.We're leaving." His unquestioning response
indicated that he knew my meaning. We packed our few things and left. I washed
him as best as I could with the river water that lay nearby. I thencleaned myself,
wiping away the surface dirt and donning my only other item of clothing, asimple
black dress.Together we walked, with bare feet, along the gravel of the road that
led to life. I held my brother's hand and smiled. I wondered what he was thinking.
His tiny hand squeezed minetightly. "It's okay, Edwina," he whispered quietly. "I
trust you."
CXC 2007 short story question: Write a short story in which you use the words, "Thephone
rang once and stopped. It rang again. This was it now."
CXC award winning answer
 by Grace-Ann Collins of Ardenne High School, Jamaica:Beads of sweat slowly
trickled down my face, the numbing feeling of guilt stealthilycreeping up my
spine. I sat in my western looking living room on the cowboy patterned
sofa,shaking from head to toe. The dingy brown, the room had been painted, it
seemed nauseating atthis moment or was it the fact that the walls of the room
seemed to be closing in on me."I wish they would," I thought.My mind drifted to
two hours earlier that day in my classroom. Life seemed less complex then."Come
on Susan! There is no one here. Why can't you just this once kiss me?"My
boyfriend Zack pleaded desperately with me getting more agitated with each
secondthat was added to his wait. My eyes admiringly drank him in from head to
toe. "What was wrongwith me?" I thought. Zack was expertly molded in every
way possible and yet still I found it sohard to indulge in anything with
him physically, because of fear of being caught.His caramel brown skin seemed to
seep all over him. He was tall, with full, luscious pink lips, breath-taking glassy
black eyes, and curly dark hair. The desire in his eyes drew me in, like afisherman
reeling in his catch."Zack, you know physical contact at school is forbidden, and
my parents have a lot to do withmy not doing anything with you. If I was caught I
could not bear to face their anger anddisappointment."

"I know Susan, but we've been together for three months. I'm sure this one time
wouldn't hurt,and I promise we won't get caught."I looked up at him
questioningly, praying for the Lord to restore my sense of judgment, as I wason
the verge of surrendering to him. As though sensing my wavering in thought, Zack
leanedover unto my chair and placed his nose directly on mine. The scent of
flower scented soap softlycaressed my nostrils mixed with the baby powder smell
it seemed of his youthful perfection. Myheart hammered against my ribcage,
almost arresting the air which tried in vain to enter my body. I leaned in towards
him, and shakily pressed my lips against his."What are you doing?!!" A loud,
accusing male voice came crashing between Zack and me. Ifroze. "Susan James
and Zachary Elliott?!! This is totally unbelievable!" the voice continued. Iturned
reluctantly to face a tall, dark man, clad in a grey suit with a repulsive tie, staring
angrilyat me. It was Mr Forbes, our school Principal."I was .......," I started to say. I
was however interrupted by Mr. Forbes. "Head home now, thetwo of you, and
wait for me to call your parents."The phone rang once and stopped. It rang again.
This was it now.Like an alarm clock, all my nerves spiraled my body into an
unhealthy vibration. My mind was jogged back to reality. I could taste the
breakfast I had eaten that morning re-entering my mouth."Susan!!""Huh!!" I
replied completely out of touch with everything. "Answer the phone!!" my
mother bellowed from the kitchen. My stomach, rotated 360 degrees, and
knotted into a terrible bow.The phone kept ringing. "Susan! Susan!..... Susan!"My
mind seemed to be playing tricks on me. The voice which kept calling my name
seemed to be transforming into that of a male's. A hand tenderly rested on my
shoulder and gently shook it."Susan, are you OK?" I turned to look at my enquirer,
and to my surprise I was staring right intoZack's face. The school bell was ringing
uncontrollably. "Susan, I just asked you if you'd kissme, and you totally zoned out
for about five minutes. Aren't you going to answer me?""Oh.... I don't think we
should do that just yet. I have a funny feeling about the outcome.”"But Susan,
we've been ...." he started. "I know, but I'm not ready," I interrupted. "OK, I
respectthat" he replied, "I'll wait" quite to my surprise. I hadn't expected this
response.We got up from our desks and walked towards the door. "Huuuhhh!!"
I was finally able to breathe. "Thank God it was just a daydream", I thought.
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