Standard Indicator
7.4.4
Answering the Economic Questions
Purpose
Students will describe why and how different economic systems
(traditional, command, market, mixed) in countries of Africa, Asia,
and the Southwest Pacific answer the basic economic questions
of what to produce, how to produce, and for whom to produce.
Materials
For the teacher: copy of Black Line Master (BLM) Teaching Tool,
pen, index card for each group of 3 students, chalk, chalkboard
For each student: copy of BLM Economic Answers, pencil
Activity
A. Pre-Activity Preparation
1. On each index card, write one of the countries listed in the
“Countries to Research” section of the BLM Teaching Tool
and its type of economic system.
2. Place library books on hold for students to use in their research.
(continued)
Standard 4 / Curriculum Framework / Activity 4
Indiana Social Studies Grade 7 Standards Resource, February 2003
ACTIVITY
Have each group of
three students share
their research with
another group of three
students. Direct the
groups of six students
to compare and
contrast the economic
systems they
researched. Instruct
students also to discuss
how historical events
affected the economic
system they researched.
connecting
across the
curriculum
Science
Instruct students to
review their research
to look for examples
of technological
advancement or
influence. Direct
students to write an
explanation of
technology’s role in
shaping the economic
system of the country
that they researched.
Standards Links
7.4.2, 7.4.6
page 175
Standard 4
B. Pre-Activity Discussion
1. Remind students that different countries have different
economies, or ways of allocating economic resources, goods,
and services.
2. Write the following words on the chalkboard: “traditional,”
“command,” “market,” and “mixed.” Ask students to define
these four economic systems.
3. Discuss with students the distinctions between the economic
systems and write the definitions from the BLM Teaching Tool
on the chalkboard.
4. Tell students to remember that no economy fits the exact
definition of a traditional, command, or market economy
(e.g., even market economies have some government spending;
likewise, even command economies have some private enterprise).
5. Ask students to name the three basic economic questions that are
answered by every economic system.
6. As students say them, write on the chalkboard the questions:
What to produce?
How to produce?
For whom to produce?
extending
THE
Activity (continued)
C. Researching Economic Systems
1. Tell students that they will be researching how different
economic systems in the countries of Africa, Asia, and the
Southwest Pacific answer the basic economic questions.
2. Explain to students that they will also be describing why the
economic systems answer the questions the way they do.
Tell students that studying a country’s history provides insights
about its economic system.
3. Pass out the BLMs Economic Answers and instruct students
to read them silently.
4. Have students form groups of three and give each group an index
card that lists the country they are to research and the country’s
economic system.
5. Take students to the library and help them conduct research
using the books you placed on hold and the Web sites listed on
the BLM Teaching Tool.
6. Provide students with enough time to complete their BLMs.
7. When all students have finished their BLMs, have each group
take a turn sharing their timelines and the way that the country
they researched answers the three major economic questions.
Questions for Review
Basic Concepts and Processes
As the groups share their research, ask them:
Name several types of economic systems.
Describe the differences between a market economy and
a mixed economy.
Standard 4
What type of economic system is used in the country
you researched?
Explain how resources are allocated in that country.
Explain how events in the history of the country you researched
led to its current economic system.
page 176
Standard 4 / Curriculum Framework / Activity 4
Indiana Social Studies Grade 7 Standards Resource, February 2003
Teaching Tool
Countries to research:
Market economy: Singapore, Sri Lanka, Australia
Traditional economy: Ethiopia, Rwanda, Federated States of Micronesia
Command economy: Libya, Vietnam, North Korea
Mixed economy: Tunisia, Burma, South Korea
Definitions:
Market economy: resources are allocated by individuals
Traditional economy: resources are allocated based on customs and tradition
Command economy: resources are allocated by the government or other central authority
Mixed economy: resources are allocated by some combination of traditional, command, or market systems
Web site References:
www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook
The CIA World Factbook has a section titled “Country Listings,” which contains detailed information
about each country’s government and economy.
www.economist.com
Click “Country Briefings” at this site to learn about individual countries. Valuable information can
be found by checking out a country’s “Factsheet.”
www.infoplease.com/countries.html?link=hpbtm
Read profiles of different countries at this Web site.
allafrica.com/business
The business section of allAfrica.com can be searched for articles pertaining to a particular country’s
economy.
www.investaustralia.gov.au
Learn more about Australia’s economy by visiting Invest Australia.
Standard 4 / Curriculum Framework / Activity 4
Indiana Social Studies Grade 7 Standards Resource, February 2003
Black Line Master 1
page 177
Teaching Tool
Teacher Directions
On each index card, write one of the countries listed in the “Countries to Research” section of the
BLM Teaching Tool and its type of economic system. Give each group of three students an index
card that lists the country they are to research and the country’s economic system.
Discuss with students the distinctions between the different kinds of economic systems and
write the definitions from the BLM Teaching Tool on the board.
Take students to the library and help them conduct research using the books you placed
on hold and the Web sites listed on the BLM Teaching Tool.
Answer Key
Not applicable.
Black Line Master 1
page 178
Standard 4 / Curriculum Framework / Activity 4
Indiana Social Studies Grade 7 Standards Resource, February 2003
Name:
Economic
Answers
Name the country that you are researching. ___________________________________________
How does this country answer the question of what to produce (what kind of goods and services
should be produced)?
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
How does this country decide how to produce (what productive resources are used to produce goods
and services)?
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
How does this country decide for whom to produce (who gets to have the goods and services)?
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
Name the country’s economic system. _______________________________________________
How do you know? ____________________________________________________________
On the back of this sheet, create a timeline that shows the evolution of your country’s
economic system.
Standard 4 / Curriculum Framework / Activity 4
Indiana Social Studies Grade 7 Standards Resource, February 2003
Black Line Master 2
page 179
Economic Answers
Teacher Directions
Tell students that they will be researching how different economic systems in the countries of
Africa, Asia, and the Southwest Pacific answer the basic economic questions. Explain to students
that they will also be describing why the economic systems answer the questions the way they do.
Tell students that studying a country’s history provides insights about its economic system. Pass
out the BLM Economic Answers and instruct students to read them silently. Have students form
groups of three and give each group an index card that lists the country they are to research and
the country’s economic system.
Take students to the library and help them conduct research using the books you placed on hold
and the Web sites listed on the BLM Teaching Tool. Provide students with plenty of time to
complete their BLMs. When all students have finished their BLMs, have each group take a turn
sharing their timelines and the way that the country they researched answers the three major
economic questions.
Answer Key
Answers will vary.
Black Line Master 2
page 180
Standard 4 / Curriculum Framework / Activity 4
Indiana Social Studies Grade 7 Standards Resource, February 2003