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Question
Explain the following diagram with reference to the concept of Giffen goods.

The demand curve can slope upwards from left to right. Give one argument in support of this statement.
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Solution
Giffen products are inferior items whose demand increases as the price of a good rises. This is an exception to the Law of Demand.
For example, a commodity such as jowar is a requirement for poor people. When its price rises. Consumers are obliged to reduce their use of other items such as milk and meat, and since jowar is the cheapest, they will buy and consume more of it.
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RELATED QUESTIONS
State with reason whether you agree or disagree with the following statement:
When the price of Giffen goods falls, the demand for it increases.
Statements that explain Giffen’s paradox:
- It is an exception to the law of demand.
- It is applicable to inferior or low quality goods.
- Demand increases when the prices of inferior goods fall
- It was identified by Prof. Alfred Marshall.
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Questions:
- Diagram’ A ‘represents _____in demand (1m)
- Diagram ‘B’ represents _____in demand (1m)
- In diagram ‘A’ movement of demand curve is in_____ direction (1m)
- In diagram ‘B’ movement of demand curve is in______ direction (1m)
PASSAGE
Mona visits a shopping mall near her residence. She shops for monthly groceries which include rice, wheat, sugar, cooking oil and pulses. She purchases additional quantities of sugar much more than her monthly requirement anticipating that prices may rise in the coming days due to festivities.
She observes two different qualities of tur dal out of which one quality is inferior and the other is superior. She does not purchase the low quality tur dal even though its price is comparatively lower. Instead she prefers to buy superior quality tur dal.
- Identify the exception to the law of demand in the given passage with reference to purchase of additional quantities of sugar much more than monthly requirement anticipating that prices may rise in the coming days due to festivities (1mark)
- Identify the kind of good with reference to low quality tur dal (1mark)
- Express your personal opinion based on the above information. (2 marks)
State with reason whether you agree or disagree with the following statement:
When price of Giffen goods fall, the demand for it increases.
State with reasons whether you agree or disagree with the following statement:
There is a direct relationship between the price of Giffen goods and its demand.
When price of Giffen goods fall, the demand for it increases.
State with reason whether you agree or disagree with the following statement:
When price of Giffen goods fall, the demand for it increases.
In which exception to the law of demand does the consumer equate price and quality.
Which exception to the law of demand is primarily based on consumer beliefs about product quality?


