📚 Case Study Practical Drill: WJEC Year 7 Economics | 案例分析实战演练：WJEC七年级经济学
This article will guide you through the essential skills needed to tackle case study questions in WJEC Year 7 Economics. You will learn how to read scenarios, spot economic ideas, and write answers that show real understanding. Each section combines clear explanation in English with a parallel Chinese version, so you can build confidence in both languages and master the exam technique.
本文将引导你掌握应对WJEC七年级经济学案例题所需的核心技能。你将学会如何阅读情境、识别经济概念，并写出展现真正理解的答案。每一节都配有中英文对照说明，帮助你在两种语言中建立信心，并精通应试技巧。
1. What Is a Case Study in Economics? | 经济学中的案例研究是什么？
A case study is a short story about a real or made-up situation. It often involves a person, a family, a business, or a community facing a choice about how to use limited resources. Your job is to read the story, find the economic problem, and explain it using the terms you have learned.
案例研究是一段关于真实或虚构情境的简短故事。它通常涉及一个人、一个家庭、一家企业或一个社区面临如何使用有限资源的选择。你的任务是阅读故事，找出经济问题，并用你学过的术语加以解释。
2. Key Economic Concepts to Keep in Mind | 需要牢记的关键经济概念
Before diving into a case study, make sure you are comfortable with these fundamental ideas. They will pop up again and again: scarcity, choice, opportunity cost, needs and wants, goods and services, producers and consumers, and the basic idea of supply and demand.
在深入案例研究之前，请确保你熟悉这些基本概念。它们会反复出现：稀缺性、选择、机会成本、需要与想要、商品与服务、生产者与消费者，以及供给与需求的基本概念。
- Scarcity means there are not enough resources to satisfy all our desires. | 稀缺性意味着没有足够的资源来满足我们所有的愿望。
- Choice is the decision we make because of scarcity. | 选择是因稀缺性而做出的决定。
- Opportunity cost is the next best alternative we give up when we choose. | 机会成本是我们在选择时所放弃的次优替代方案。
- Needs are essentials for survival; wants are extras we desire. | 需要是生存必需品；想要是我们期望的额外事物。
- Goods are physical items; services are activities done for you. | 商品是实物；服务是为你完成的活动。
- Producers make or sell goods and services; consumers buy and use them. | 生产者制造或销售商品和服务；消费者购买并使用它们。
- Supply is how much producers offer; demand is how much consumers wish to buy. | 供给是生产者提供的数量；需求是消费者希望购买的数量。
3. Step 1: Read the Case Carefully | 第一步：仔细阅读案例
Start by reading the whole case study once without taking notes. Get a feel for the situation, the people involved, and the main problem. Then read it again, this time underlining any numbers, dates, names, or key phrases that show decisions about money, time, or resources.
首先通读整个案例，先不做笔记。了解情境、涉及的人物和主要问题。然后再读一遍，这次划出任何显示有关金钱、时间或资源决策的数字、日期、人名或关键短语。
4. Step 2: Identify the Economic Problem | 第二步：识别经济问题
After reading, ask yourself: 'What is the main economic issue here?' It might be a person choosing between two things, a business deciding what to produce, or a community sharing a limited resource. Write the problem down in one clear sentence using an economic term, such as 'This case shows scarcity because the family has limited time and money.'
读完后扪心自问：“这里的主要经济问题是什么？”可能是一个人要在两件事之间做选择，一家企业决定生产什么，或一个社区共享有限资源。用一句清晰的话写下这个问题，并使用经济术语，例如：“这个案例显示了稀缺性，因为家庭的时间和金钱有限。”
5. Step 3: Apply the Right Economic Terms | 第三步：应用正确的经济术语
Now go back to your list of key concepts. Which ones fit this story? If someone cannot have both a new phone and a holiday, that is choice and opportunity cost. If a farmer has to decide between growing wheat or corn on limited land, that is scarcity and trade-off. Label each part of the story with the correct term.
现在回到你的关键概念清单。哪些适用于这个故事？如果某人无法同时拥有新手机和度假，那就是选择和机会成本。如果农民必须在有限土地上决定种小麦还是玉米，那就是稀缺性和权衡取舍。用正确的术语为故事每个部分贴上标签。
6. Step 4: Analyse Causes and Effects | 第四步：分析原因和影响
For higher marks, do not just name the concept; explain why it happens and what the result is. For example: 'Because the family's income is low (cause), they must choose between buying shoes or paying the electricity bill (choice). The opportunity cost of new shoes is the electricity bill they give up.'
想获得更高分数，不要仅仅说出概念名称；要解释它为何发生以及结果是什么。例如：“由于家庭收入低（原因），他们必须在买鞋或付电费之间选择（选择）。买新鞋的机会成本是他们放弃的电费。”
7. Step 5: Make Decisions or Evaluate Options | 第五步：做出决定或评估选项
Some questions will ask you to pick the best option and justify it. Think about the pros and cons of each choice. Use 'because' to link your decision to an economic reason. For instance: 'The school should hire the cheaper bus company because it saves money that can be spent on more educational resources.'
有些题目会要求你挑选最佳选项并证明其合理性。思考每个选择的利弊。用“因为”把你的决定与经济理由联系起来。例如：“学校应该聘请更便宜的巴士公司，因为省下的钱可以用于更多教育资源。”
8. Case Study Example 1: The Lemonade Stand | 案例分析实例1：柠檬水小摊
Read this short case: 'Emily has £10 to spend on ingredients. Sugar costs £2 per kg and lemons cost £3 per kg. With £10 she can buy 2 kg of sugar and 2 kg of lemons, or 1 kg of sugar and 3 kg of lemons. She wants to make as many cups of lemonade as possible. Each cup needs 50 g sugar and 50 ml lemon juice (from about 0.1 kg of lemons). What combination should she choose?'
阅读这个简短案例：“艾米丽有10英镑购买原料。糖每公斤2英镑，柠檬每公斤3英镑。用10英镑她能买2公斤糖和2公斤柠檬，或1公斤糖和3公斤柠檬。她想制作尽可能多的柠檬水。每杯需要50克糖和50毫升柠檬汁（来自约0.1公斤柠檬）。她该选择哪种组合？”
n calculate the number of cups each bundle can make. The first bundle gives 2 kg sugar = 2000 g ÷ 50 g = 40 cups; 2 kg lemons = 2000 g ÷ 100 g = 20 cups. The limiting factor is lemons, so only 20 cups possible. The second bundle: 1 kg sugar = 1000 g ÷ 50 g = 20 cups; 3 kg lemons = 3000 g ÷ 100 g = 30 cups. Limiting factor is sugar, so 20 cups as well. Actually both give 20 cups? s. The opportunity cost of choosing one over the other is zero extra cups, but perhaps one saves a little money or leaves spare ingredients. This shows how careful calculation reveals that different choices sometimes lead to the same outcome.
首先识别经济概念：金钱的稀缺性、两种组合之间的选择、选择一种组合而放弃另一种的机会成本。接着计算每种组合能制作多少杯。第一种组合：2公斤糖 = 2000克 ÷ 50克 = 40杯；2公斤柠檬 = 2000克 ÷ 100克 = 20杯。限制因素是柠檬，所以只能做20杯。第二种组合：1公斤糖 = 1000克 ÷ 50克 = 20杯；3公斤柠檬 = 3000克 ÷ 100克 = 30杯。限制因素是糖，所以也是20杯。实际上两种组合都做20杯。选择其中一种的机会成本是零额外杯数，但也许一种能省点钱或留下多余原料。这表明仔细计算有时会揭示不同选择其实结果相同。
9. Case Study Example 2: The School Trip Decision | 案例分析实例2：学校旅行决定
Read: 'Year 7 students can vote for a trip to either the zoo (£8 per student) or a museum (free entry). The school has a budget of £320 for transport. Hiring a coach costs £200 for the zoo (50 seats) and £150 for the museum (50 seats). There are 45 students. If they choose the zoo, the school must ask for a parental contribution of £5 per student. Which trip should they choose from an economic viewpoint?'
阅读：“七年级学生可以投票选择去动物园（每位学生8英镑）或博物馆（免费进场）。学校交通预算为320英镑。租一辆大巴去动物园费用为200英镑（50座），去博物馆为150英镑（50座）。共有45名学生。如果选择动物园，学校必须请家长每人贡献5英镑。从经济学角度看，该选哪个旅行？”
problem is about costs, budget constraints, and consumer choice. Total cost for zoo: coach £200 + entry 45 × £8 = £200 + £360 = £560. School pays transport £200, parents pay £360 total? Actually budget £320, so if parents contribute £5 each = £225, still not enough for £560. They need £240 more? Wait, the £5 per student is a parental contribution asked by school, maybe to cover entry? The case says 'the school must ask for a parental contribution of £5 per student' – unclear. We can interpret: The school's budget is £320 for transport only? Or total? Usually budget for trip includes everything. Let's rewrite a clearer version: The school budget is £320 total. Zoo: transport £200, entry £8 × 45 = £360, total £560. Parental contribution £5 × 45 = £225. School pays £560 - £225 = £335, which is over budget by £15. Museum: transport £150, entry free, total £ ing leftover funds for other educational supplies. Opportunity cost of choosing zoo is the £ ve been spent on books. The choice involves opportunity cost and scarcity of public funds.
经济问题涉及成本、预算约束和消费者选择。动物园总费用：交通200英镑 + 门票45 × 8英镑 = 200 + 360 = 560英镑。家长贡献5 × 45 = 225英镑。学校需支付560 - 225 = 335英镑，超出预算320英镑，缺15英镑。博物馆：交通150英镑，免费进场，总计150英镑，远在预算内。所以博物馆便宜得多，使用有限的学校资金更少，剩余资金可用于其他教育用品。选择动物园的机会成本是差额170英镑，本可购买书籍。这个选择涉及机会成本和公共资金的稀缺性。
10. Case Study Example 3: The Village Market | 案例分析实例3：村庄市场
Read: 'A small village has one market stall selling bread. Every morning at 8 am the baker brings 50 loaves. Villagers usually buy 40 loaves by noon. On Saturdays, visitors increase demand to 60 loaves. The baker cannot bake more because his oven is small. What problem arises on Saturdays? Suggest two possible solutions using economic thinking.'
阅读：“一个村庄只有一个卖面包的市场摊位。每天早上8点，面包师带来50条面包。村民通常在中午前买走40条。到了周六，游客使需求增加到60条。面包师无法烤更多，因为烤箱很小。周六会出现什么问题？运用经济学思维提出两种可能的解决方案。”
Problem: excess demand (shortage) on Saturdays because supply is fixed at 50 loaves but demand rises to 60. This is an example of supply being inelastic in the short run. Solutions: (1) Raise the price on Saturdays – higher price may reduce some demand and increase the baker's revenue; this uses the demand and supply mechanism. (2) The baker could take pre-orders during the week, allowing him to plan better and perhaps find a way to bake an extra 10 loaves by borrowing a neighbour's oven or baking earlier. This introduces the idea of innovation and rationing.
问题：周六出现超额需求（短缺），因为供给固定在50条，而需求增至60条。这是短期内供给缺乏弹性的例子。解决方案：（1）周六提高价格——更高价格可能减少部分需求并增加面包师收入；这运用了供求机制。（2）面包师可在周内接受预订，以便更好规划，或许通过借用邻居烤箱或提早烘焙来多烤10条。这引入了创新和配给的概念。
11. Common Mistakes to Avoid in Case Studies | 案例分析中应避免的常见错误
One frequent mistake is retelling the story without analysis. The examiner knows the case; you must show you can interpret it. Another mistake is using economic terms incorrectly or simply listing them without linking to the evidence. Also, avoid one-sided answers: always consider the alternative and mention opportunity cost. Finally, do not skip the numbers – calculations often provide crucial support for your argument.
常见错误之一是复述故事而不分析。考官已知道案例内容；你必须展示你能解读它。另一个错误是错误使用经济术语，或简单罗列术语而不与证据联系。此外，避免片面的回答：始终考虑替代方案并提及机会成本。最后，不要跳过数字——计算常常为你的论点提供关键支持。
12. Practice Makes Perfect: Tips for Improvement | 熟能生巧：改进建议
To improve, try creating your own short case studies from daily life. Describe a choice your family made at the supermarket, and write a paragraph analysing it with key terms. Exchange cases with a friend and test each other. Remember to time yourself: a typical Year 7 case study question should take about 10-15 minutes. The more you practise, the quicker you will spot scarcity, choice, and opportunity cost in any situation.
为求进步，尝试从日常生活中创造你自己的简短案例。描述你家在超市做的一个选择，并写一段用关键术语分析的文字。与朋友交换案例并互相测试。记得计时：典型的七年级案例题大约需要10到15分钟。练习得越多，你就会越快地在任何情境中发现稀缺性、选择和机会成本。
Published by TutorHao | Economics Revision Series | aleveler.com
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