Practice Data Description Questions for AS Macroeconomics
The second question in the new AQA Unit 2 macro paper is a data identification
question worth eight marks. This short exercise is designed to give you a little practice
in writing good answers in a limited time frame.
Extract A:
Index of Production for Manufacturing and Oil and Gas Industries
Index
Index of output, seasonally adjusted, 2003=100
110
110
105
105
100
100
95
95
90
90
85
85
80
80
75
75
70
70
65
65
03
04
Manufacturing
05
06
07
08
09
Oil and gas extraction
Source: UK Statistics Commission
Using Extract A, identify two features in the data for production in manufacturing and
oil& gas industries over the period shown. (8 marks)
Technique Tips
Identify a feature of the data and then support with actual data in your answer. The
examiner will award up to 2 marks for each valid point made (one mark for
identification and one mark for supporting reference(s) to the data).
For example you might choose one or two of the points mentioned below as a
framework for your answer:
Perhaps comment on the volatility (or stability) of the data
Is there an underlying trend over the period of data shown?
What is the range of the data (e.g. peaks and troughs?)
What is the percentage range of the data (do a simple calculation?)
What was the ‘best’ performance or the ‘worst’ over the time period shown?
Look for points of comparison and/or points of contrast
Now try these three examples:
Extract 1
Consumer Price Inflation for Goods and Services
Annual Percentage Change, source: ONS
6
6
Percent
5
5
Inflation in Services
4
4
3
3
2
2
1
1
0
0
-1
-1
-2
-2
Inflation in Goods
-3
-3
02
03
04
05
06
07
08
Source: Reuters EcoWin
Using Extract 1, identify two features in the data for consumer price inflation over the
period shown. (8 marks)
Extract 2:
Dollar-Sterling Exchange Rate
US Dollars per £1
US dollars per £1, daily closing exchange rate
2.15
2.15
2.10
2.10
2.05
2.05
2.00
2.00
1.95
1.95
1.90
1.90
1.85
1.85
1.80
1.80
1.75
1.75
1.70
Jan
1.70
Mar
May
Jul
06
Sep
Nov
Jan
Mar
May
Jul
07
Sep
Nov
Jan
Mar May
08
Source: Reuters EcoWin
Using Extract 2, identify two features in the data for the value of UK sterling against
the US dollar over the period shown. (8 marks)
Extract 3
Capital Investment Spending as a share of GDP
%
Per cent of GDP for each country
35.0
35.0
30.0
30.0
25.0
25.0
20.0
20.0
15.0
15.0
Q1
Q3
03
Q1
Q3
04
Slovak Republic
Q1
Q3
05
Q1
Q3
Q1
06
United Kingdom
Q3
07
Q1
Q3
08
Ireland
Source: EuroStat
Using Extract 3, identify two features in the data for capital investment spending as a
percentage of GDP over the period shown. (8 marks)