A shopkeeper sells you 900 grams of rice claiming it is 1 kg, and a trader adds a hidden 'service charge' to your bill after the purchase. Both are examples of the same broader problem in the marketplace. What is that problem, and why does it occur?
Generated by claude-sonnet-4-6 · 2026-06-26 13:26 · grounding rag
Model Answer
The broader problem is exploitation of consumers in the marketplace through unfair trade practices.
- The shopkeeper selling 900 g as 1 kg is an example of false weighing (underweighing).
- Adding a hidden service charge is an example of adding charges not mentioned before.
Both are forms of unfair trade practices described in the textbook.
Why it occurs: Markets do not work fairly when producers/sellers are few and powerful while consumers are scattered and purchase in small amounts. Sellers try to shift all responsibility onto buyers, and rules/regulations are often not followed. Consumers are also not always aware of their rights, making them vulnerable to such exploitation.
Source: The Consumer in the Marketplace, Chapter 5
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Explanation
- The examiner expects you to name the problem (unfair trade practices / consumer exploitation) and link both examples to it — don't just describe the examples.
- The "why it occurs" part should mention power imbalance between sellers and consumers, lack of awareness, and weak enforcement of rules — all key textbook points.
- Avoid writing a long list; 3-mark answers need precise, direct points. Two tight paragraphs or 4–5 crisp lines are ideal.