Paper two is known as the data response paper. You will notice that the format is the same for every question; about a page of data and/or text followed by five questions. Those five questions will always be:

• • • • 2 two-markers

      • 2 four-markers

      • 1 eight-marker

Below we will examine how to answer the three types of questions. (If you go to page 95 of the IB Economics subject guide, it has the basic criteria for each question type.) The generic markscheme appears to the right.

Two-mark Definitions

These are just defining the terms given. Be precise but concise. Students often write far too much for these questions. To get the two marks you have to prove that you have a sound understanding. Rarely you may be asked to list things, like 3 Millennium Development Goals, the 3 basic economic questions, or 3 characteristics of LDCs (Less Developed Countries).

Four-mark Diagrams

More often than not, this will ask you to draw a diagram and explain a piece of economic theory. Two marks are available for the diagram, two for the explanation. We have already looked at how diagrams should be constructed: make sure all diagrams are large, having used a ruler, and are properly titled and labeled. In essence, you drop a mark for every mistake you make. The diagram should come first, under which should be the explanation. In this section, you should take the reader through the journey of the theory. Assume the reader knows some economic definitions, but doesn’t know much about the theories – explain it to them simply and go through the stages. There should be lots of phrases like “…this will lead to an…”, “…this is caused by…”, and “…this is shown in the diagram at the point where…”. This last one is essential: answer the question and constantly refer back to the diagram.

Eight-point Essay

This is an essay question, but you are expected to use the information in the text and/or data. You should be paraphrasing (or occasionally using direct quotes from) the text often or referring to specific data. One easy way to do this is to reference the paragraph from whence the data came (P5 or something like that, for example). Construct your essay in advance using an essay plan. Spending five minutes on this will lead to a much higher quality essay. The essay is an opportunity to show off your higher level skill of evaluation. It is important in essays that you choose depth over breadth. A good essay should contain a small number of key arguments – perhaps no more than two or three – that have been well explained and justified. A bad essay is where a student takes the opportunity to tell the reader everything they have ever learned about the subject. It's best to explain fewer points but in more depth. And be sure you are answering the question that was asked, not taking it off on a tangent.

Additional Eight-mark Tips

DO reference definitions and diagrams already made in parts a, b, or c if they are relevant. That’s legal and saves time.

DO create a new diagram or define new terms if absolutely necessary. But while this is like a Paper 1 15-mark question in terms of the levels of analysis, it is NOT like that question in the definition/diagram department. You have already defined and diagramed in parts a, b, and c of this question. And those diagrams and definitions are pointing you in some direction, so pay attention.

This is perhaps the most difficult of all exam question types to score high marks on. Students who use only information from the text, or don’t use information from the text, will not score above Level 2, and will likely only score high 1/ low 2.