Social Science (087) — AI-generated practice question

Individual consumers are often in a weak position in the marketplace for the following reasons:

1. Unequal power: Large companies have huge wealth, power and reach, while consumers purchase in small amounts and are scattered.
2. Manipulation: Powerful companies can manipulate the market and pass false information through media to attract consumers.
3. No accountability of sellers: When a complaint is made, sellers shift all responsibility onto the buyer, refusing to accept liability after a sale.
4. Unfair trade practices: Traders indulge in practices like selling adulterated/defective goods or adding hidden charges.

Source: The Consumer in the Marketplace, Chapter 5

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The examiner expects you to identify the power imbalance between large companies and individual consumers as the central idea, then support it with 2–3 specific reasons from the textbook. Key phrases to use: "huge wealth, power and reach", "scattered consumers", "false information", and "shift responsibility onto the buyer". Avoid generic statements — link each point directly to how companies or sellers exploit this weakness.