📚 Year 8 AQA Economics: Case Study Practice Exercise | 八年级AQA经济：案例分析实战演练
Welcome to this case study practice exercise designed for Year 8 students studying AQA Economics. Through realistic scenarios, you will learn how to apply economic concepts such as scarcity, choice, opportunity cost, demand, supply, and market equilibrium. Each case study is followed by questions and guided explanations to help you think like an economist. By the end of this exercise, you will feel confident in tackling any case-study question in your assignments and tests.
欢迎参加本次为八年级AQA经济课程设计的案例分析实战演练。通过真实场景，你将学习如何应用稀缺性、选择、机会成本、需求、供给和市场均衡等经济学概念。每个案例后都配有问题和引导性解释，帮助你像经济学家一样思考。在本次练习结束时，你将能够自信地应对作业和测验中的任何案例分析题。
1. Understanding Case Studies in Economics | 理解经济学中的案例分析
In AQA Economics, a case study is a short description of a real-life or made-up situation involving businesses, consumers, or governments. It gives you data and context so that you can apply economic ideas instead of just recalling definitions. The exam expects you to identify the main problem, use the correct economic terminology, and suggest possible solutions or outcomes.
在AQA经济中，案例分析是对涉及企业、消费者或政府的真实或虚构情境的简短描述。它为你提供数据和背景，使你能够应用经济理念，而不仅仅是回忆定义。考试要求你识别主要问题，使用正确的经济术语，并提出可能的解决方案或结果。
For Year 8, case studies usually focus on small-scale decisions—like whether to open a lemonade stand, how much to produce, or what happens when cinema ticket prices change. You must always read the information carefully, underline key figures, and think about which economic concepts are being tested.
对八年级学生来说，案例研究通常聚焦于小规模决策——比如是否开设柠檬水小摊、生产多少，或者电影票价格变化时会发生什么。你必须始终仔细阅读信息，在关键数字下划下划线，并思考考察了哪些经济学概念。
Every case study will involve basic concepts from the AQA specification: scarcity, choice, opportunity cost, factors that affect demand and supply, and market equilibrium. Practising these real-world examples will train your brain to spot the economics in everyday life.
每个案例分析都会涉及AQA考纲中的基本概念：稀缺性、选择、机会成本、影响需求与供给的因素以及市场均衡。练习这些真实世界的例子将训练你的大脑在日常生活中发现经济学。
2. Case Study 1: The Lemonade Stand Decision | 案例一：柠檬水小摊的决策
Lena is 13 years old and wants to set up a lemonade stand during the summer holidays. She has £20 in savings and can use her family’s kitchen equipment for free. Each cup of lemonade requires lemons, sugar, water, and a paper cup. She calculates that the ingredients for one cup will cost £0.40. Lena estimates she can sell 30 cups a day if she charges £1 per cup. However, if she runs the stand, she won’t be able to spend that week at her friend’s birthday trip, which she was really looking forward to.
莉娜13岁，想在暑假期间开设一个柠檬水小摊。她有20英镑的积蓄，可以免费使用家里的厨房设备。每杯柠檬水需要柠檬、糖、水和纸杯。她计算出每杯饮料的材料成本为0.40英镑。莉娜估计如果每杯定价1英镑，她每天能卖出30杯。然而，如果她经营小摊，就无法参加她非常期待的朋友生日旅行。
This is a classic economic decision. Lena has limited resources—time, money, and ingredients. She also faces a trade-off: the income from the stand versus the enjoyment of the trip. We need to help her make the best choice by using economic reasoning.
这是一个经典的经济决策。莉娜的资源有限——时间、金钱和原料。她还面临权衡：小摊的收入与旅行的乐趣。我们需要运用经济推理帮助她做出最佳选择。
Questions to think about: What is the scarce resource here? What is the opportunity cost of running the stand? If the weather forecast predicts rain for half the week, how might that affect her decision?
需要思考的问题：这里的稀缺资源是什么？经营小摊的机会成本是什么？如果天气预报预测那周有一半时间下雨，这将如何影响她的决定？
3. Identifying Scarcity and Choice | 识别稀缺性与选择
Scarcity means that there are not enough resources to satisfy all our wants. In Lena’s case, the most obvious scarce resource is time: only one week is available, and she cannot be in two places at once. Money is also scarce—her £20 savings are finite and must cover ingredients for the lemonade or could be used for something else.
稀缺性意味着没有足够的资源来满足我们所有的欲望。在莉娜的例子中，最明显的稀缺资源是时间：只有一周的时间可用，她无法同时身处两地。金钱也是稀缺的——她的20英镑积蓄是有限的，必须用来支付柠檬水的原料，或者可以用于其他事情。
Another scarce resource might be her energy and attention: running a stand requires concentration and hard work. Every economic agent—consumers, producers, governments—faces scarcity, which forces them to make choices.
另一种稀缺资源可能是她的精力和注意力：经营小摊需要专注和努力。每一个经济主体——消费者、生产者、政府——都面临稀缺性，这迫使他们做出选择。
The choice here is between earning profit from lemonade sales and attending the friend’s trip. Lena must rank her preferences and pick the option that gives her the highest satisfaction. In economics, we call this ‘maximising utility’.
这里的选择是在通过销售柠檬水赚取利润与参加朋友的旅行之间。莉娜必须对自己的偏好进行排序，并选择能带给她最大满足感的选项。在经济学中，我们将此称为“效用最大化”。
By identifying scarcity and clearly stating the choices, we are already starting to think like an economist. The next step is to measure what is given up.
通过识别稀缺性并清楚地陈述选择，我们已经开始像经济学家一样思考了。下一步是衡量所放弃的东西。
4. Calculating Opportunity Cost | 计算机会成本
Opportunity cost is the value of the next best alternative that you give up when making a choice. For Lena, the next best alternative to running the lemonade stand is going on the trip with her friend. So the opportunity cost of the stand is the enjoyment and memories of that trip.
机会成本是你在做选择时放弃的次优选项的价值。对莉娜来说，经营柠檬水小摊的次优选项是和朋友一起去旅行。因此，小摊的机会成本就是那次旅行的乐趣和美好回忆。
We can also think about opportunity cost in money terms. If she does not work at the stand, she gives up potential profit. Let’s calculate it: revenue per day = 30 cups × £1 = £30. Ingredient cost per day = 30 cups × £0.40 = £12. Daily profit = £30 – £12 = £18. Over 5 sunny days, total profit = £18 × 5 = £90. So the financial gain from the stand is £90. If the trip costs £0 but gives her joy worth, say, £120 in her mind, then the stand’s opportunity cost is £120, which is higher than the profit. That might steer her towards the trip.
我们也可以用货币形式考虑机会成本。如果她不经营小摊，她就放弃了潜在利润。我们来计算一下：每日收入 = 30 杯 × 1 英镑 = 30 英镑。每日原料成本 = 30 杯 × 0.40 英镑 = 12 英镑。每日利润 = 30 英镑 – 12 英镑 = 18 英镑。在 5 个晴天里，总利润 = 18 英镑 × 5 = 90 英镑。因此小摊的经济收益是 90 英镑。如果旅行免费，但在她心里带来的快乐价值，比如说 120 英镑，那么小摊的机会成本就是 120 英镑，这高于利润。这可能会促使她选择旅行。
In exam questions, always identify the two options clearly and state the opportunity cost in full sentences. Even when numbers are involved, remember that cost includes non-monetary factors such as time and happiness.
在考试题目中，始终清楚地识别两个选项，并用完整的句子陈述机会成本。即使涉及数字，也要记住成本包括时间和幸福感等非货币因素。
5. Case Study 2: Supply of Handmade Bracelets | 案例二：手工手链的供给
Raj is a student who makes friendship bracelets at home. He sells them to classmates for £2 each. Right now, he can produce 10 bracelets a week using materials that cost £0.80 per bracelet. Raj’s parents offer to buy him a better bead set that would cut material cost to £0.50 per bracelet, but it will take him a few weeks to learn to use it efficiently. Meanwhile, a school club is willing to buy as many bracelets as he can make at £3 each.
拉杰是一名学生，他在家制作友谊手链，以每条2英镑的价格卖给同学。目前，他每周可以制作10条手链，每条的材料成本为0.80英镑。拉杰的父母提出给他买一套更好的珠子套装，这将使每条的材料成本降至0.50英镑，但他需要几周时间才能熟练使用。同时，一个学校俱乐部愿意以每条3英镑的价格购买他能制作的所有手链。
This case study introduces the concept of supply—the quantity of a good that a producer is willing and able to sell at different prices. The data allow us to explore changes in costs, technology, and prices.
这个案例引入了供给的概念——生产者在不同价格下愿意且能够出售的商品数量。这些数据使我们能够探索成本、技术和价格的变化。
Key questions: What factors are affecting Raj’s supply of bracelets? How will the new bead set affect his production? Draw a supply curve before and after the cost reduction, using a simple supply schedule.
关键问题：哪些因素在影响拉杰的手链供给？新的珠子套装将如何影响他的生产？用一个简单的供给表画出成本下降前后的供给曲线。
6. Understanding the Law of Supply | 理解供给法则
The law of supply states that, all else being equal, as the price of a good rises, the quantity supplied increases. Producers are motivated by profit, so a higher price means they can cover costs and earn more per unit. First, let’s create a supply schedule for Raj before the new bead set, assuming he can adjust his working hours:
供给法则指出，在其他条件不变的情况下，当商品价格上升时，供给量增加。生产者受利润驱使，因此更高的价格意味着他们可以覆盖成本并每件赚取更多利润。首先，让我们为拉杰在获得新珠子套装之前创建一个供给表，假设他可以调整工作时间：
| Price per bracelet (£) | Quantity supplied (bracelets per week) |
|---|---|
| 1.00 | 5 |
| 2.00 | 10 |
| 3.00 | 15 |
This table shows a direct relationship: when price doubles from £1 to £2, supply doubles from 5 to 10. The supply curve slopes upwards.
这张表显示了一种正向关系：当价格从1英镑翻倍到2英镑时，供给量从5翻倍到10。供给曲线向上倾斜。
Now, with the new bead set, Raj’s costs fall. This means he is willing to supply more at every price because profit per bracelet increases. For instance, at £2, he might now supply 14 bracelets instead of 10. This is a rightward shift of the supply curve, caused by a change in a non-price determinant—technology/costs.
现在，有了新的珠子套装，拉杰的成本下降了。这意味着在每一个价格下他都愿意供给更多，因为每条手链的利润增加了。例如，在2英镑的价格下，他可能现在供给14条而不是10条。这是供给曲线向右移动，由非价格决定因素——技术/成本——的变化引起。
Other factors that shift supply include changes in the number of producers, taxes, subsidies, and expectations of future prices. Always distinguish between a movement along the supply curve (caused by a change in price) and a shift of the supply curve (caused by other factors).
导致供给曲线移动的其他因素包括生产者数量的变化、税收、补贴以及对未来价格的预期。始终要区分沿着供给曲线的移动（由价格变化引起）和供给曲线的移动（由其他因素引起）。
7. Case Study 3: Demand for Cinema Tickets | 案例三：电影票的需求
A group of friends wants to go to the cinema. The normal ticket price is £8. If the price rises to £10, two of them decide to wait for the movie to stream online instead. When a new blockbuster is released and becomes very popular, even at £10, all five friends want to go. Also, one of the friends receives an increase in her pocket money and is now willing to pay for snacks at the cinema.
一群朋友想去看电影。正常票价为8英镑。如果票价上涨到10英镑，其中两人决定等着在网上观看影片。当一部新的大片上映并变得非常受欢迎时，即使票价是10英镑，所有五个朋友都想去。此外，其中一个朋友的零花钱增加了，现在愿意在电影院购买零食。
This case study allows us to explore demand—the quantity of a good or service that consumers are willing and able to buy at various prices. Notice how price changes affect how many tickets are bought, and how other factors (tastes, income) shift the entire demand.
这个案例使我们能够探究需求——消费者在不同价格下愿意且能够购买的商品或服务的数量。注意价格变化如何影响购买的门票数量，以及其他因素（偏好、收入）如何移动整个需求曲线。
We can build a demand schedule for the group. Then we can analyse what happens to demand when the movie becomes a hit or when a friend’s income rises.
我们可以为这个小组构建一个需求表。然后分析当电影大热或当朋友的收入增加时需求会发生什么变化。
8. The Law of Demand and Demand Shifts | 需求法则与需求移动
The law of demand says that, ceteris paribus, as price increases, quantity demanded falls. It is based on two effects: the substitution effect (consumers switch to cheaper alternatives) and the income effect (higher prices reduce purchasing power). With cinema tickets, if the price rises to £10, some friends substitute to streaming—a cheaper alternative.
需求法则指出，在其他条件不变的情况下，当价格上涨时，需求量下降。它基于两种效应：替代效应（消费者转向更便宜的替代品）和收入效应（更高的价格降低了购买力）。对于电影票，如果价格上涨到10英镑，一些朋友会转向流媒体——一种更便宜的替代品。
Now, when the new blockbuster creates a buzz, the friends’ tastes and preferences change. This is a non-price determinant of demand. Even at £10, all five want to go, meaning demand has increased—the demand curve shifts to the right. Similarly, the friend who receives more pocket money experiences an increase in income (for a normal good), so she demands more cinema trips.
现在，当新的大片引起轰动时，朋友们的品味和偏好发生了变化。这是需求的非价格决定因素。即使票价是10英镑，所有五个人都想去，这意味着需求增加了——需求曲线向右移动。同样，那个获得更多零花钱的朋友经历了收入的增加（对于正常商品），因此她对电影的需求增多了。
We can show these shifts using a demand schedule:
| Price (£) | Original Qd | New Qd (hit movie) |
|---|---|---|
| 8 | 5 | 5 |
| 10 | 3 | 5 |
Here, at £10, quantity demanded increased from 3 to 5. The demand curve shifted rightwards. Always label the axes (price and quantity) and draw arrows to show the direction of shifts in your diagrams.
在这里，价格为10英镑时，需求量从3增加到5。需求曲线向右移动。在图表中始终标注坐标轴（价格和数量），并用箭头标出移动的方向。
Other demand shifters include changes in the price of related goods (complements and substitutes), future price expectations, and the number of consumers. For example, if online streaming prices fall sharply, the demand for cinema tickets might shift left as people choose the cheaper substitute.
其他需求变动因素包括相关商品（互补品和替代品）价格的变化、对未来价格的预期以及消费者数量的变化。例如，如果在线流媒体价格急剧下降，电影票的需求可能向左移动，因为人们选择了更便宜的替代品。
9. Bringing Supply and Demand Together: Market Equilibrium | 供需结合：市场均衡
Equilibrium occurs where the quantity supplied equals the quantity demanded at a given price. Let’s combine our lemonade stand case with a demand scenario. Suppose Lena has decided to run the stand and faces the following market schedule for her neighbourhood:
均衡发生在给定价格下供给量等于需求量的点。让我们把柠檬水小摊案例与一个需求情景结合起来。假设莉娜决定经营小摊，并面对她所在社区的以下市场安排：
| Price per cup (£) | Quantity demanded (cups/day) | Quantity supplied (cups/day) |
|---|---|---|
| 0.50 | 50 | 10 |
| 1.00 | 30 | 30 |
| 1.50 | 15 | 45 |
At £1.00, Qd = Qs = 30. This is the equilibrium price. Below equilibrium (£0.50), there is excess demand (shortage) of 40 cups (50 demanded but only 10 supplied). This would push prices up as buyers compete. Above equilibrium (£1.50), there is excess supply (surplus) of 30 cups, leading producers to lower prices to sell their stock.
在1.00英镑的价格下，需求量 = 供给量 = 30。这就是均衡价格。低于均衡价格（0.50英镑）时，存在超额需求（短缺）40杯（需求50杯但仅供给10杯）。这将导致价格因买家竞争而被推高。高于均衡价格（1.50英镑）时，存在超额供给（过剩）30杯，促使生产者降低价格以出售库存。
Case study questions often ask you to identify whether there is a shortage or surplus at a given price and to predict how the market will adjust. Use the diagram (a simple graph with two crossing lines) and describe the process: excess demand → prices rise → suppliers increase quantity → new equilibrium.
案例分析题常常要求你识别在给定价格下是否存在短缺或过剩，并预测市场将如何调整。使用图示（两条交叉线的简单图表）并描述过程：超额需求 → 价格上涨 → 供给者增加数量 → 新的均衡。
Shifts in either curve will change the equilibrium. For instance, if a hot summer day increases demand for lemonade, the demand curve shifts right, raising both equilibrium price and quantity.
任一曲线的移动都会改变均衡。例如，如果炎热的夏日增加了对柠檬水的需求，需求曲线向右移动，均衡价格和均衡数量都会上升。
10. Applying Economic Analysis: How to Answer Case Study Questions | 应用经济分析：如何回答案例分析题
A structured approach will help you score high marks. Follow these steps:
一个系统化的方法将帮助你获得高分。请遵循以下步骤：
1. Read and highlight – pick out the numbers, key actions, and any economic words like ‘cost’, ‘price’, ‘choice’.
1. 阅读并标记——找出数字、关键行为以及任何如“成本”、“价格”、“选择”之类的经济词汇。
2. Identify the concept – is it about scarcity? Demand? Supply? Opportunity cost? Often more than one concept matters.
2. 识别概念——是关于稀缺性吗？需求？供给？机会成本？通常不止一个概念相关。
3. Draw a diagram if needed – a simple demand-supply graph or a flowchart of choices. Label clearly and show shifts with arrows.
3. 必要时绘制图表——简单的供需图或选择流程图。清晰标注并用箭头显示移动。
4. Explain using ‘because’ – don’t just say ‘demand increases’. Explain why: ‘demand increases because the weather improved consumers’ preferences for cold drinks.’
4. 使用“因为”进行解释——不要只说“需求增加”。解释原因：“需求增加是因为天气提高了消费者对冷饮的偏好”。
5. Link to the data
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