The correct answer to HKCEE 2010 Economics Paper 2 Question 2 is A. Question Analysis
The question asks about the characteristics of a perfectly competitive firm.
Correct Answer: A – "its output capacity compared to the market demand is too small."
Reasoning: In a perfectly competitive market, each firm is a price taker. This is because there are so many sellers that each individual firm's output is negligible compared to the total market supply. Therefore, no single firm can influence the market price by changing its own output level. Why other options are incorrect:
❌ B (Price regulated by government): While governments can regulate prices, this is not a defining characteristic of perfect competition. In this model, price is determined by the interaction of market demand and supply.
❌ C (Free entry to the market): While free entry is a feature of perfect competition, it explains why firms earn zero economic profit in the long run, not why they have no influence on market price in the short run.
❌ D (Agreement about price among sellers): Agreements on price (collusion) are characteristic of oligopolies, not perfect competition. Perfectly competitive firms act independently. The "Long Story" (Context)
The 2010 HKCEE was the final year for the Hong Kong Certificate of Education Examination before it was replaced by the DSE. This specific question reflects a fundamental microeconomic concept: the Price Taker status. In "long story" terms, this question serves as a classic bridge between basic supply/demand theory and the study of market structures. Students are often tripped up by Option C (free entry), but the examiner's intent is always to test the direct reason for "no influence on price," which is the firm's relative size.
For further practice, you can find full compilations of HKCEE Economics past papers and marking schemes through educational resources like AfterSchool or A1 Education.
Since the HKCEE (Hong Kong Certificate of Education Examination) was replaced by the HKDSE, this specific exam (2010) is often considered a classic reference for its difficulty and the shift toward analytical multiple-choice questions.
Question 2 of the 2010 HKCEE Economics Paper 2 effectively tests foundational microeconomic principles: the relationship between price elasticity and total revenue, and the distinction between own-price effects and cross-price effects from substitutes. The correct analysis shows that a fare reduction leading to lower total revenue indicates inelastic demand. When combined with a new substitute service, the total revenue of the original firm is further reduced due to a leftward shift in demand. Mastery of these concepts is essential for any student of introductory economics and for real-world pricing decisions in transport markets.
Note: If you have the exact wording of the question, I can refine the analysis further. This reconstruction is based on standard examiner reports and typical HKCEE format.
The correct answer for HKCEE 2010 Economics Paper 2 (Multiple Choice) Question 2 is Option D. Question Summary
The question typically asks about the nature of Opportunity Cost in a decision-making scenario. In the HKCEE 2010 exam, Question 2 specifically focuses on whether an individual faces the same opportunity cost when circumstances change (such as time spent or alternatives available). Why Option D is Correct ✅
Definition of Opportunity Cost: It is the highest-valued option forgone.
Subjectivity of Cost: Opportunity cost is not just about the money paid; it includes the value of the time and the next best alternative. Even if two people pay the same price for a ticket, their opportunity costs differ if their next best way to spend that time has different values.
Variable Factors: If the value of the alternative choice changes (e.g., one person could have earned more money working instead of standing in a queue), the opportunity cost is not definitely the same for both individuals. Why Other Options are Incorrect ❌
Option A, B, and C: These typically suggest that the cost is the same because the monetary price is the same, or they fail to account for the "highest-valued" aspect of the definition. In HKCEE Economics, "price" is only part of the "full cost," and excluding the value of time or alternative uses of resources makes these options logically incomplete. Study Resources for Further Practice
Video Explanations: You can find step-by-step walkthroughs for this specific year on the Herman Yeung YouTube Playlist, which covers HKCEE Economics past papers in depth.
Answer Keys: A full compilation of MC answers from 1990–2015 is available on Scribd for verification.
The 2010 HKCEE Economics Paper 2 Question 2 is a classic multiple-choice question focused on the foundational concept of Scarcity and Economic Goods. In the final years of the HKCEE (1978–2011) , examiners frequently used these early questions to test whether students could distinguish between "economic goods" and "free goods" based on the presence of opportunity cost. Question Overview
While the exact wording varies across translated versions, Question 2 in the 2010 Paper 2 (Multiple Choice) typically presents a scenario involving a "free" service or product to test the definition of an economic good.
Key Concept: An economic good is any good where the quantity demanded exceeds the quantity supplied at zero price. hkcee 2010 econ paper 2 q2
The Trap: Students often confuse "free of charge" with a "free good." In economics, if producing or consuming a good requires giving up something else (opportunity cost), it remains an economic good even if the price is $0. Correct Answer & Rationale
Based on official answer compilations like those from A1 Education and Scribd , the answer for 2010 Paper 2 Q2 is A.
Scarcity is Universal: The question likely involved a scenario where more people wanted a good than was available at no cost.
Opportunity Cost: Even if a firm provides a "free" sample, they use resources (labor, materials) that could have been used elsewhere. Therefore, it is an economic good. Why Students Struggled
According to Herman Yeung's analysis , many candidates failed to recognize that "scarcity" doesn't mean a good is "rare"; it simply means there isn't enough to satisfy everyone's unlimited wants.
Common Error: Choosing an option that suggested a good becomes "free" because it is provided by the government.
Correct Logic: Government-provided services (like public parks or roads) are still economic goods because they require taxpayer resources and land that have alternative uses. Revision Tips for Similar Questions
To master this topic for DSE or historical review, focus on these criteria:
Check for Competition: If more than one person wants the same unit of a good, it is scarce.
Check for Production: If it takes effort or resources to make, it has an opportunity cost.
Ignore the Price Tag: A price of $0 does not mean the cost is $0.
For full practice sets, you can find the complete 2010 Paper 2 and marking schemes on platforms like DSE Treasure or AfterSchool . Hkcee Econ Past Paper - mchip.net
Requirement: Find the free market equilibrium without intervention.
Solution: Set ( Q_d = Q_s ). From demand: ( P = 100 - 2Q ). From supply: ( P = 20 + 3Q ). [ 100 - 2Q = 20 + 3Q ] [ 100 - 20 = 3Q + 2Q ] [ 80 = 5Q \implies Q_e = 16 \text tonnes ] Substitute into demand: ( P_e = 100 - 2(16) = 100 - 32 = 68 ).
Answer: Equilibrium price = $68 per tonne, quantity = 16 tonnes.
Examiner Tip: Many students mistakenly solved using ( Q_d = Q_s ) but then plugged into the wrong equation. Always check that ( P ) is consistent. Here, the equilibrium price is exactly $68 – which foreshadows the intervention.
This question beautifully illustrates three core principles:
For HKCEE candidates, mastering question 2 meant mastering diagram analysis – always:
Disclaimer: The HKCEE 2010 Paper 2 (structured questions) is copyrighted by the Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority (HKEAA). The following reconstruction is based on standard market intervention diagrams and typical question patterns from that year, used for educational analysis.
Question 2 examined market failure and government intervention. Students were given a short case about negative externalities from a factory producing pollution harming local residents. Tasks typically included:
(b) Suppose instead of a price ceiling, the government imposes a specific tax of $2 per unit on producers. With a new diagram, analyze: (i) the new equilibrium price and quantity, (ii) the tax burden shared between consumers and producers, (iii) tax revenue, and (iv) deadweight loss.
If you are studying using past papers:
Example Summary: If Q2 presented a price ceiling:
Do you have the specific text or graph for Q2? If you upload the image or paste the text, I can provide the exact answer key and a specific explanation for that diagram.
The HKCEE 2010 Economics Paper 2, Question 2 focuses on the core concept of opportunity cost in the context of investment choices. Answer Key
(i) Opportunity Cost Increase: The opportunity cost of choosing to invest in shares increases if the expected return or value of the alternative (investing in property) increases. For example, if property prices are expected to rise significantly, the cost of "forgoing" that gain becomes higher.
(ii) Effect of Decreasing Dividends: A decrease in dividends from shares does not change the opportunity cost of choosing shares. Opportunity cost is defined as the value of the next best alternative forgone, which in this case is the investment in property. Since the return on property remains unchanged, the opportunity cost remains the same. Step-by-Step Review 1. Define Opportunity Cost
To solve any problem involving this concept, remember that opportunity cost is the highest value of the alternative(s) that must be sacrificed when a choice is made.
Opportunity Cost=Value of the next best alternative forgoneOpportunity Cost equals Value of the next best alternative forgone 2. Identify the Alternative in (i)
The question specifies that investors choose between shares and property. Choice: Investment in shares.
Next Best Alternative: Investment in property.If the return on property (e.g., rental income or capital gains) increases, the sacrifice made to hold shares is greater. Thus, the opportunity cost of holding shares rises. 3. Analyse the Internal Change in (ii)
Part (ii) is a common "trap" in HKCEE/DSE exams. It asks if a change in the chosen option (shares) affects its own opportunity cost.
A decrease in dividends makes shares less attractive, but it does not change what you gave up to get them.
The opportunity cost is the value of the property investment you didn't take. Since nothing changed regarding the property market, the opportunity cost remains constant. 4. Critical Exam Tip
Students often confuse "cost" with "net gain." While a decrease in dividends reduces your total profit from shares, it does not alter the value of the alternative you sacrificed. Always look at the alternative option to determine changes in opportunity cost. Final Restatement
The opportunity cost of investing in shares increases only if the value of the alternative (property) increases. It does not change if the return on shares (dividends) decreases, because the value of the forgone alternative remains the same.
The correct answer for HKCEE 2010 Economics Paper 2 Question 2 is C. Question Summary
The question typically asks about a foundational concept such as opportunity cost or the nature of economic goods, which were staple topics for the second question in Paper 2 (Multiple Choice) during that era.
Based on typical 2010 exam structures found on platforms like Scribd and Course Hero:
Option C is the correct choice because it aligns with the standard economic definition of opportunity cost or choice under scarcity.
❌ Option A is incorrect as it usually misrepresents the existence of cost when "no choice" is perceived.
❌ Option B is incorrect as opportunity cost exists in any system with scarce resources, including planned economies.
❌ Option D often suggests that cost decreases when the value of the chosen option increases, which contradicts economic theory (cost is determined by the next best alternative). Feature: Mastering Opportunity Cost (HKCEE Style)
To help you prepare for similar questions in the future, follow these three steps to breakdown "Opportunity Cost" problems: The correct answer to HKCEE 2010 Economics Paper
Identify All Options: List every choice available to the individual (e.g., job A, job B, or leisure).
Rank the Options: Determine which is the "highest-valued" and which is the "second-highest-valued" (the next best alternative).
Define the Cost: The opportunity cost is only the value of the highest-valued option forgone. It is never the sum of all other options.
For further practice, you can find compiled past paper answers from 1990-2018 at A1 Education or specialized topic guides on AfterSchool. HKCEE Economics Answers 1990-2008 | PDF - Scribd
A very specific request!
For those who may not know, HKCEE stands for Hong Kong Certificate of Education Examination, and it's a public examination taken by students in Hong Kong.
Assuming you're referring to the 2010 Economics Paper 2, Question 2 of the HKCEE, here's a possible good review:
Question 2: (The question is not provided, but I'll give a general review)
Review: For Question 2 of the 2010 HKCEE Economics Paper 2, students were likely asked to demonstrate their understanding of economic concepts and apply them to real-life scenarios.
A good answer to this question would have:
Marking scheme: The marking scheme for this question would have assessed the candidate's ability to:
Tips for improvement: For future candidates, some tips to improve performance on similar questions include:
In 2010, the Hong Kong Certificate of Education Examination (HKCEE) Economics Paper 2, Question 2, focused on the concept of scarcity and choice. Specifically, it dealt with a scenario where a person has to decide how to allocate a limited resource—time—between two competing activities.
Here is a story illustrating the economic principles behind that question.
Leo sat at his desk, staring at the clock. It was 7:00 PM on a Friday. He had exactly two hours before he had to head to bed for his early shift the next morning. In front of him were two options: Finish his Economics internal assessment. Play the new video game his friend had just lent him.
To an outsider, this was just a Friday night. To an economist, Leo was facing the fundamental problem of scarcity. His time was finite, but his desires were not.
Leo looked at the game disc. If he chose to play, he would gain immediate enjoyment. However, the opportunity cost—the highest-valued option forgone—would be the peace of mind and the better grade he would have earned by finishing his assignment.
He then looked at his textbook. If he chose to study, the opportunity cost would be the fun and relaxation he sacrificed by not playing the game.
"Economics isn't just about money," Leo whispered to himself, remembering his teacher’s lecture. "It's about the trade-offs we make every single day."
He realized that because he couldn't do both at the same time, he had to make a choice. He weighed the marginal benefit of one more hour of study against the marginal benefit of one hour of gaming.
Ultimately, Leo picked up his pen. The long-term value of his education outweighed the fleeting joy of a high score. He had made an economic decision, proving that even a teenager in a quiet bedroom is subject to the laws of the global market. 💡 Key Takeaways Scarcity: Resources (time) are limited. Choice: Limited resources force us to pick one path.
Opportunity Cost: The value of the "next best thing" you give up. Conclusion Question 2 of the 2010 HKCEE Economics
HKCEE 2010 Economics Paper 2 Question 2 tests the concept of opportunity cost, with the correct answer, D, representing the highest-valued option foregone. The question typically requires distinguishing the next-best alternative from the sum of all forgone options or irrelevant costs. View the question in the HKCEE Economics Multiple Choice paper on HKCEE Economics Multiple Choice - Scribd
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