An answer repeats the question when it says the question back in statement form. Marks come from what you add: a reason, a detail from the case and an effect.
This page belongs to SPM Business. If your problem is a long answer that circles one point, read Business essay answers that repeat the same point.
What does a repeating answer look like?
Here is an invented case. Pak Hassan owns a bicycle repair shop with savings of RM8 000. He wants RM30 000 to open a second shop.
The question: “Explain why a sole proprietor may find it hard to raise capital.”
A repeating answer: “A sole proprietor may find it hard to raise capital because it is hard for a sole proprietor to get capital.” The sentence uses the question’s words on both sides of “because”, so it gives no reason.
What does a developed answer add?
A developed answer gives a reason, then uses the case, then states the effect.
“A sole proprietor relies mainly on personal savings and loans in the owner’s name. Pak Hassan has RM8 000 but needs RM30 000, so he is RM22 000 short. A lender may hesitate because the shop has only one owner’s record behind it, so the second shop may be delayed.”
The shortfall is RM30 000 − RM8 000 = RM22 000. The answer uses it as evidence.
Which four parts should you write?
Use this order for any “explain” or “why” question.
- Point: answer in your own words.
- Reason: write “because” and name a cause that is not in the question.
- Case: quote a fact from the case.
- Effect: say what happens to the business.
The business case answer planner follows the same four steps.
Why does the repeat happen?
There are three likely causes, and each has a different fix.
- You are unsure of the content, so you fill space with the question. Fix: revise the concept from the chapter lessons.
- You know the content but do not look in the case. Fix: underline two case facts before writing.
- You are rushing in the exam. Fix: practise the four parts on a timer with the timed practice session builder.
What can you do tonight?
Take your last answer that lost marks. Underline each sentence that only restates the question. Replace each with a reason, then add one case fact and one effect.
Record the repair in the mistake log, so you can see whether the same habit returns. The lesson on applying business concepts to a case gives more practice.
When might one-to-one tuition be worth considering?
It may help when you repeat the fix and still restate the question under time pressure. A teacher can read your answer beside the case and show which sentence carries no new information. See online one-to-one Business tuition.