Unit 2: Microeconomics

Topic 2.8: Market Failure — Externalities and Common Pool Resources Questions

Practice 20 exam-style questions for IB Economics Topic 2.8. Review the question stems below, then unlock the full Question Bank to access markschemes, model answers, and AI grading.

1Define2 marks
2026
Define the term common pool resource.
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21 mark
A negative externality of production occurs when:
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31 mark
Education is often cited as a good with positive externalities because:
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41 mark
Overfishing in international waters is an example of:
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5State1 mark
2026
State one regulation a government could use to protect a shared fish stock.
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6Define2 marks
2026
Define the term tradable permits.
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7Identify1 mark
2026
Identify the output at which community surplus is maximised on the diagram.
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8Define2 marks
2026
A text reports that the forest around Talvane’s villages, which anyone may enter to cut wood, is a common pool resource. Define the term common pool resource.
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9Define2 marks
2026
Steelmakers can buy and sell their emission permits. Define the term **tradable permits**.
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10Define4 marks
Define positive externality and give one example of a positive externality of production and one of consumption.
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11State1 mark
2026
State one regulation that could protect a shared fish stock.
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12Define4 marks
Define negative externality and give one example of a negative externality of production and one of consumption.
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131 mark
An example of a negative externality of consumption is:
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14Define2 marks
2026
A text explains that the fumes from Halden’s brick kilns affect villages that have no part in the trade. Define the term negative externality.
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15Draw1 mark
2026
Draw the marginal social benefit curve on the externalities diagram.
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16Define2 marks
2026
Power stations must hold a permit for every tonne of carbon they emit. Define the term **tradable permits**.
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17Define2 marks
2026
The government will raise its carbon tax next year. Define the term **carbon tax**.
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18Define2 marks
2026
Define the term negative externality.
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19Define2 marks
2026
A carbon tax now applies to airlines. Define the term **carbon tax**.
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201 mark
A positive externality of consumption occurs when:
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