Social Science (087) — AI-generated practice question

Individual consumers often find themselves in a weak position in the marketplace due to the following reasons:

1. Unequal power: Large companies have huge wealth, power and reach and can manipulate the market in various ways.
2. False information: Companies pass on false information through media to attract consumers, making it hard for consumers to make informed choices.
3. Seller's attitude: When a complaint is made, sellers shift all responsibility onto the buyer, saying "If you didn't like it, go elsewhere."
4. Scattered consumers: Markets do not work fairly when producers are few and powerful, while consumers purchase in small amounts and are scattered.

Source: The Consumer in the Marketplace, Chapter 5

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The examiner expects you to explain the power imbalance between large companies and individual consumers. Key points to hit: companies' wealth/power/reach, false information through media, seller dodging responsibility, and scattered/small-scale consumers vs. powerful producers. Quoting or paraphrasing the textbook directly scores well. Four clear points fit a 3-mark answer neatly — avoid writing an essay.