Compare and contrast in IB Economics

What your response needs

Similarity by criterion → difference by the same criterion → economic significance.

• At least one relevant similarity
• At least one relevant difference
• Matched criteria rather than separate mini-essays

A worked economics example

Question: Compare and contrast a tariff and an import quota.

An incomplete response: A tariff is a tax. A quota is a limit.

A more complete response:

Both restrict imports and tend to raise the domestic price.

A tariff creates government revenue, whereas quota rent goes to licence holders unless permits are auctioned.

A quota sets a maximum import volume, which determines imports when the limit is binding, while imports under a tariff can vary as demand changes.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Providing differences but no similarity
• Using unmatched comparison points

Try it yourself

Read the question and its mark allocation before deciding how much detail to include. A response structure helps you organise your answer; it is not a script to memorise.

Practise compare and contrast · choose a unit and paper

Compare command terms and assessment objectives · Using Econograms in class

More command term guides

About this guidance

These explanations and examples are original Econograms study guidance. They are not official IB questions or markschemes, and Econograms is not endorsed by the International Baccalaureate. Follow the wording and requirements of the question set by your teacher or examination.