Written by Tom Furber, economics tutor. | Published 20th October 2022 | Updated 20th August 2026.
For one-to-one guidance on writing 9, 15 and 25 mark questions, please check out my A-Level Economics tutoring!
Below is a model answer for a 9 mark questions in AQA Economics A-level.
Contents
What is required for a 9 mark response?
I recommend the following answer structure:
- Definition of one or two key terms, usually those in the question.
- Basic point.
- Evidence from extract.
- Draw diagram
- Explain / chain of analysis, including referring to the diagram.
Example question
This question is adapted from my AQA Economics style practice papers for the 2022 summer exams.
The question is:
“Using extract B, explain why pollution may represent a market failure”
I have picked a relatively simple 9 mark question to focus on the exam technique principles.
Example response
Market failure is when the market does not allocate resources efficiently. Pollution can cause a negative externality in production. A negative externality is a harm to a third party not directly involved in the transaction.
Pollution from the production process of a car plant could spill into nearby rivers. This could harm the fish supply in the rivers, reducing the income for fishermen. Pollution from industry for example may lead to “global temperatures rising more than 1.5 degrees celsius above pre-industrial levels” according to extract B. This could lead to rising sea levels which could lead to flooding and the displacement of production. Car manufacturers may not take into account this harm to third parties when deciding how much to produce, leading to overproduction of cars in the free market.
The diagram shows a negative externality in production. Consider the market for cars. A negative externality in production means the marginal social cost of car production exceeds the marginal private cost. The free market produces where marginal private cost = marginal private benefit at q. But the socially optimal quantity occurs where marginal social cost = marginal social benefit at q1. This means the free market overproduces cars by q-q1, meaning there is a misallocation of resources, in other words market failure. This leads to a welfare loss as shown by the area ABE.
Commentary
The answer starts with two definitions of key terms. Then it follows with a worded explanation, then a diagrammatic explanation.
The explanations are sound and the answer also refers to the context.
This answer would likely be worth full marks or close to it.
Common mistakes in 9 mark questions
- Writing too much. There is an opportunity cost to answering in more detail than necessary in the 9 mark question. You give up time you can spend on the more valuable 25 mark questions and the 15 mark question. Students often end up leaving too little time for their longer answer questions and can end up getting lower marks as a result.
- Not referring to extract. For some reason this is one of the components students typically tend to forget. One reference to the extract, which can either be a quote or the use of
- Forgetting one of the other major components, such as the chain of analysis and a diagram where required.
Related question
How should you answer 25 mark questions?
You should know what a model answer looks like for the 25 mark questions.
Application, analysis and evaluation are the key skills to master.
I recommend looking at sample answers, writing your own answers and getting your answers reviewed by teachers.
More model answers and resources for AQA Economics A Level students
To see more resources suitable for AQA Economics A Level students, click the blue buttons below:
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