IGCSE Business: Technology and production of goods and services and related topics (Cambridge 0264) – Practice Questions

These are original questions written for Marlbridge, for revision and practice on this content. They are not reproduced past-paper questions, and they do not replicate the exam’s exact structure, question count or mark tariffs – examination boards hold copyright in their own papers. Use these alongside the official past papers from your board or school.

These questions cover sections 4.2 (Technology and production of goods and services) and 4.3 (Sustainable production of goods and services) of the Cambridge IGCSE Business 0264 syllabus for examination in 2027, 2028 and 2029. All businesses are invented. Revise first with the study guide and the revision notes. The course hub and the printable checklist track your progress. Not sure where to start? Try the free diagnostics.

Questions

1. Define the term automation. [2]

2. Identify two ways technology is changing production methods in manufacturing. [2]

3. Pennistone Bakery has 15 employees and makes 3,000 loaves a day. It buys an automated baking line. Output rises to 3,600 loaves a day with the same 15 employees.

(a) Calculate labour productivity before and after the change. [2] (b) Calculate the percentage increase in labour productivity. [2] (c) Explain one disadvantage of the change for the employees. [2]

4. Explain two advantages of 3D printing for a business that designs prototypes. [4]

5. Halsfield Pharmacy now accepts contactless payments and has added two self-service tills. Analyse one way this could raise productivity at the pharmacy. [3]

6. Tolleshunt Metalworks pays four machine operators £21,000 each a year. A robot costing £120,000 could do their work. The owner would make all four operators redundant.

(a) Calculate the annual wage saving. [1] (b) Calculate the number of years the saving takes to equal the cost of the robot. Give your answer to one decimal place. [2] (c) Evaluate whether the owner should buy the robot. [6]

7. Identify two ways a business can be more sustainable. [2]

8. Distinguish between reusing and recycling, using one example of each. [3]

9. Corlett Garden Centre buys 80,000 plastic plant pots a year at 9p each. A supplier offers pots made from recycled material at 12p each.

(a) Calculate the yearly cost of each type of pot. [2] (b) Calculate the extra yearly cost of the recycled pots. [1] (c) Explain one reason why Corlett might still choose the recycled pots. [2]

10. Explain one advantage and one disadvantage to a business of using environmentally friendly packaging. [4]

11. Mirebeck Laundry has an electricity bill of £18,000 a year. Solar panels costing £27,000 would supply 40% of the electricity it uses.

(a) Calculate the yearly saving on the electricity bill. [1] (b) Calculate the number of years the saving takes to equal the cost of the panels. [2] (c) Recommend, with justification, whether Mirebeck Laundry should fit the panels. [6]

Answers

1. The use of machines or computer-controlled systems [1] to carry out tasks with little or no human input once set up [1]. [2] Examiner insight: A definition earns credit for the idea of little human involvement; “using machines” alone does not separate automation from mechanisation.

2. One method [1] and a second, different method [1], from: automation of tasks; mechanisation, with machines replacing hand work; Computer-Aided Manufacture (CAM); 3D printing. [2] Examiner insight: An “identify” question needs only the names; do not spend time explaining them.

3. (a) Before: 3,000 ÷ 15 = 200 loaves per employee [1]. After: 3,600 ÷ 15 = 240 loaves per employee [1]. [2] (b) Increase = 240 − 200 = 40 [1]; 40 ÷ 200 × 100 = 20% [1]. [2] (c) Some jobs may be lost or the work may change [1], because fewer people are needed to run an automated line, so employees may need retraining or fear redundancy [1]. [2] Examiner insight: Show the formula and the unit “per employee” in part (a); the percentage in part (b) is based on the original figure, not the new one.

4. Advantage one: no special mould or tool is needed for each design [1], so a single prototype is cheaper to produce [1]. Advantage two: a prototype can be made quickly from a digital file [1], so the design can be changed and tested sooner [1]. [4] Examiner insight: Each advantage needs a reason, not just a label; “it is cheaper” alone is a statement, and “cheaper because no mould is needed” is explained.

5. Contactless payment shortens each transaction [1], so staff can serve more customers in the same time [1], and the extra tills mean customers can serve themselves, which lets staff spend time on other work, such as advice [1]. [3] Examiner insight: Analysis means a chain of reasoning from the technology to the effect; and the answer should refer to the pharmacy, not to shops in general.

6. (a) 4 × £21,000 = £84,000 [1]. [1] (b) £120,000 ÷ £84,000 [1] = 1.4 years [1]. [2] (c) Advantage: the saving of £84,000 a year recovers the cost in about 1.4 years, which is quick [1]. The robot may also give steady output [1]. Disadvantage: £120,000 is a large amount to find at once, and the firm may need a loan [1]. Redundancy of four operators may hurt morale of other staff [1]. Judgement: buy, if the firm can afford the cost, because the quick recovery makes it low risk [1] and the saving continues each year the robot works [1]. [6] Examiner insight: Evaluation needs a decision supported by the figures, and a conclusion that is only “it depends” with no reason earns little.

7. One method [1] and a second, different method [1], from: using renewable energy; using fewer resources or producing less waste; reusing; recycling; developing environmentally friendly products; using environmentally friendly packaging. [2] Examiner insight: Two different methods are needed; “recycle paper” and “recycle metal” are the same method.

8. Reusing is using an item again as it is [1], for example refilling a container [1]. Recycling is breaking waste down to make new material [1], for example melting scrap metal. [3] Examiner insight: A distinction needs both terms defined; the two examples must match the right term.

9. (a) Plastic: 80,000 × £0.09 = £7,200 [1]. Recycled: 80,000 × £0.12 = £9,600 [1]. [2] (b) £9,600 − £7,200 = £2,400 [1]. [1] (c) Customers who care about the environment may prefer a garden centre that uses recycled pots [1], which could raise sales or improve its reputation by more than the extra £2,400 [1]. [2] Examiner insight: Convert pence to pounds before multiplying, and tie the reason to Corlett as a garden centre.

10. Advantage: a business can appeal to customers who care about the environment [1], which may improve its reputation and sales [1]. Disadvantage: the packaging may cost more than standard packaging [1], so costs rise or profit falls unless the price is raised [1]. [4] Examiner insight: Give one of each; two advantages cannot earn the disadvantage marks.

11. (a) 40% × £18,000 = £7,200 [1]. [1] (b) £27,000 ÷ £7,200 [1] = 3.75 years [1]. [2] (c) Advantage: saves £7,200 a year, and the saving continues after 3.75 years [1]. Customers may value a greener laundry [1]. Disadvantage: £27,000 is a large cost to pay at the start [1], and the saving takes almost four years, so cash is tied up [1]. Recommendation: fit the panels if the laundry can fund the cost [1], because the saving lasts well beyond 3.75 years and the reputation gain adds to it [1]. [6] Examiner insight: Use both the saving and the time to recover; a recommendation is stronger when it names the condition that would change it.

Where marks are usually lost

• Defining automation as “using machines” with no mention of limited human input.
• Calculating a percentage change on the new figure instead of the original.
• Leaving out units, such as loaves per employee or years.
• Giving advantages of technology when the question asks about a disadvantage for employees.
• Naming a benefit without explaining why it follows.
• Using the same sustainability method twice for a “two methods” question.
• Mixing up reusing and recycling.
• Forgetting to convert pence to pounds.
• Ending an evaluation with a summary of points instead of a decision.

Frequently asked questions

Are these questions from Cambridge IGCSE Business 0264 past papers? No. They are eleven original questions written for Marlbridge on sections 4.2 (Technology and production) and 4.3 (Sustainable production). All businesses are invented, so use the set alongside your board’s official past papers.

Which figure do you divide by when calculating a percentage change? Divide the change by the original figure, not the new one, then multiply by 100. Calculating the percentage on the new figure is a common way to lose the mark.

Why do students lose marks on technology questions about employees? They often give advantages of technology for the business when the question asks about effects on employees, or a disadvantage. Keep businesses and employees separate and answer for the group the question names.

How should an evaluation question on technology or sustainability end? It should end with a clear decision supported by the figures in the question, such as the saving and the time to recover the cost. A summary of points, or “it depends” with no reason, earns little.

What should you check in sustainability cost calculations? Convert pence to pounds before multiplying, show the units in the final answer, such as pounds or years, and tie your reason to the named business.

Next steps

• Go back to the revision notes for any term you missed.
• Reread the study guide.
• Check the course page and the checklist.
• Take the free 10-minute diagnostics.
• Book a free trial class.

Official syllabus

Cambridge IGCSE Business 0264 syllabus for examination in 2027, 2028 and 2029, published by Cambridge University Press & Assessment (Cambridge International Education): sections 4.2.1 and 4.3.1.