Cambridge IGCSE Commerce: Sustainability and Ethics — Practice Questions (0715)

These questions cover all three sections of Topic 6, Sustainability and ethics, in Cambridge IGCSE Commerce (0715, 2028): sustainability in the supply chain, ethics and fair trade, and consumer protection. Most are applied to business scenarios, because Paper 2 bases all its questions on commercial contexts.

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 available free from your board.

Related: Sustainability and ethics study guide and revision notes

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Section A - multiple choice

1. Which action most directly reduces the number of delivery journeys in an online retailer’s supply chain? [1] A free gifts B reducing returns and exchanges C persuasive advertising D loss leaders

2. A business pays cocoa farmers a guaranteed minimum price and a premium for community projects. This is an example of: [1] A debt factoring B fair trade C collective advertising D water stewardship

3. An advert claims a drink “cures colds”, but there is no evidence for this. This is: [1] A misleading advertising B informative advertising C sales promotion D generic advertising

Section B - structured questions

4. State the purpose of sustainability in the supply chain. [2]

5. Verde Foods delivers groceries across a city using diesel vans. It also wraps fruit in plastic. (a) Explain two actions Verde Foods could take to make its logistics more sustainable. [4] (b) Discuss whether Verde Foods should stop using plastic packaging. [6]

6. A phone retailer is considering offering a free repair service and a digital resale marketplace. (a) Explain how each action improves sustainability. [4] (b) Explain one possible disadvantage to the retailer. [2]

7. A textile factory uses large amounts of water from a local river. Explain what water stewardship would involve for the factory. [3]

8. Define ethics in commerce. [2]

9. A supermarket is deciding whether to stock only fair trade bananas. (a) Explain two benefits to the supermarket. [4] (b) Explain one risk to the supermarket. [2]

10. An electronics company sends old products to a country without safe recycling facilities, where they are burned in open dumps. (a) Identify the ethical issue. [1] (b) Explain two ways this could harm the company. [4]

11. Explain two reasons why consumers need protection. [4]

12. Ravi buys a jacket online. The zip breaks after two days. (a) Describe three actions Ravi should take to resolve the problem. [3] (b) Evaluate the actions the seller could take to keep Ravi as a customer. [6]

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Answers

1. B. [1]

2. B. [1]

3. A. [1]

4. To make commercial processes eco-friendly and environmentally responsible [1] for future generations [1].

5. (a) Any two explained: switch to electric vans, lowering emissions [2]; plan routes to reduce distance and fuel [2]; fill vans fully so fewer journeys are needed [2]; group deliveries by area or time slot [2]. [max 4] (b) [6] For stopping: reduces plastic waste and pollution; meets customer demand for eco-friendly shopping; may reduce packaging costs if loose fruit is sold. Against: plastic protects fruit and extends shelf life, so removing it may increase food waste; alternatives such as paper or compostable packaging can cost more; some customers prefer pre-packed goods. Conclusion: reduce plastic where fruit is robust and switch to alternative packaging for delicate items.

6. (a) Free repairs extend the life of phones, so fewer are thrown away and fewer resources are needed for new ones [2]; a resale marketplace lets used phones be bought by new owners instead of being discarded [2]. (b) Any one explained: fewer new phone sales in the short term [2]; cost of repair staff and running the platform [2].

7. Measuring and reducing the amount of water used [1]; treating waste water before returning it to the river [1]; working with the local community so that the water supply is shared fairly and protected [1].

8. Moral principles about right and wrong [1] that guide how a business behaves, beyond what the law requires [1].

9. (a) Any two explained: improved reputation with ethical shoppers [2]; customers willing to pay a higher price [2]; secure, long-term supply from producers [2]. [max 4] (b) Higher buying costs may mean higher prices, so price-sensitive customers buy elsewhere [2].

10. (a) Harmful disposal of products. [1] (b) Any two explained: damage to reputation if the practice is exposed [2]; consumers boycott the brand, reducing sales [2]; legal action or fines [2]; difficulty attracting investors or staff [2]. [max 4]

11. Any two explained: sellers know more about products than buyers [2]; goods may be unsafe or faulty [2]; consumers may be misled by adverts or prices [2]; individuals have less power than large firms in a dispute [2]. [max 4]

12. (a) Any three: keep the receipt or order confirmation [1]; contact the seller promptly with photos of the fault [1]; ask for a repair, replacement or refund [1]; escalate to a manager or consumer protection organisation if not resolved [1]. [max 3] (b) [6] Refund: quick and satisfies Ravi, but the sale is lost. Replacement: keeps the sale and shows quality, but costs delivery and stock. Repair: cheaper and sustainable, but slower and Ravi may be unhappy waiting. Goodwill, such as a voucher or apology: encourages repeat purchase at low cost. Investigating the cause prevents future complaints. Conclusion: a fast replacement plus an apology is likely to keep Ravi as a customer.

A note on exam technique for this topic

Use the business in the question. A generic answer about “being green” earns little; an answer that names Verde Foods’ vans and fruit packaging, and weighs cost against benefit, reaches the higher marks.

Frequently asked questions

How many sustainability actions does 0715 list? Nine, including sustainable materials and logistics, reducing packaging, eco-friendly products, recycling, reducing returns, digital resale, free repairs and water stewardship.

Which ethical issues are named in the syllabus? Misleading advertising and harmful disposal of products, together with the role of fair trade.

Do I need to know specific consumer protection laws? No. The syllabus asks for the reasons for consumer protection and the actions buyers and sellers take to resolve complaints.

Official syllabus

Cambridge IGCSE Commerce (0715) syllabus for 2028 - official syllabus PDF.