Grade 12 · CAPS

Grade 12 The consumer

Consumer Studies practice questions and a worked example

Grade 12 Consumer Studies questions on the consumer come from the final NSC exam, from multiple choice to eight-mark answers. The questions here ask you to explain consumer protection terms such as the cooling-off period and exemption clauses, recognise scams and pyramid schemes, explain taxes, inflation and interest, and describe how municipalities and households can save water and electricity. They come from the Department of Basic Education’s Grade 12 Consumer Studies NSC papers for November 2022, November 2023 and November 2025, each with the answer from the marking guideline.

Worked example

SECTION B: LONG QUESTIONS QUESTION 2: THE CONSUMER 2.1 State TWO ways of calculating interest on credit agreements.

Answer & explanation

• Simple interest • Compound interest
1. Simple interest is calculated on the original principal amount throughout the entire period of the loan or credit agreement. It is straightforward and does not change over time, making it easy to predict the total interest cost. 2. Compound interest, on the other hand, is calculated on the initial principal and also on the accumulated interest from previous periods. This means that interest is added to the principal at regular intervals, and future interest calculations are based on the new total. Compound interest can lead to a higher total interest cost compared to simple interest, especially over longer periods.

Test your understanding

Try a similar Grade 12 The consumer question and get a useful next step based on your answer.

No account needed to start.

The consumer

Question 1 of 3

SECTION A: SHORT QUESTIONS QUESTION 1 1.1.1 An example of non-renewable energy:
Choose your answer

Learn from each answer, right or wrong.

Try again before revealing the solution.

More practice questions

Explore additional Grade 12 The consumer questions.

  • 2
    SECTION A: SHORT QUESTIONS QUESTION 1 1.1.4 An example of a non-basic service that a municipality may also provide:
  • 3
    SECTION A: SHORT QUESTIONS QUESTION 1 Study the picture below and answer the question that follows. [Adapted from moneytipscoach.com] 1.1.5 The grocery trolleys in the picture above represent the effect of ONE of the following:
  • 4
    SECTION A: SHORT QUESTIONS QUESTION 1 Give ONE term for the following description. 1.2.1 An unknown e-mail requesting personal banking details
  • 5
    SECTION A: SHORT QUESTIONS QUESTION 1 Give ONE term for the following description. 1.2.2 Exonerates a seller from any liability

Common mistakes

  • Calling grey goods illegal. The marking guideline says grey goods come in through unofficial channels but are not illegal, because the necessary duties have been paid.
  • Saying compound interest is charged only on the amount borrowed. In the marking guideline, compound interest is added to the principal amount and to the interest already added.
  • Giving only one side of an “evaluate” question. The marking guideline starts with an overall judgement and gives marks for both positive and negative impacts.

More Grade 12 Consumer Studies topics

Aligned to CAPS Grade 12 Consumer Studies — The consumer. Curriculum source: CAPS for the FET Phase, Department of Basic Education.

Need more help with Grade 12 Consumer Studies?

Work through Consumer Studies one-on-one with a verified tutor.

Find a tutor

Exam preparation

Know what to work on before your exams.

Practise with questions from past papers, track your progress, and discover which topics need more attention.

Set up my exam

Homework Assist

Stuck on a question?

Work through it with Homework Assist.

Try Homework Assist

How Homework Assist works