JAMB UTME - Commerce - 2024

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Public corporations are established primarily to serve the interests of society, offering critical services and contributing to the economic well-being of the community. Let's explore the functions mentioned:

• Providing essential services to the public: Public corporations often supply necessary services such as water, electricity, transportation, and healthcare. These services are fundamental for daily life and are provided regardless of the ability to pay.


• Providing even development: These corporations aim to facilitate balanced development across various regions, addressing inequalities by ensuring that all areas receive necessary investments and services. This helps in reducing regional disparities.


• Providing employment opportunities: Public corporations generate jobs by employing a large number of people. They offer both direct and indirect employment opportunities, thereby contributing to the overall employment rate of a country.


• Maximizing profits for the board members: Unlike private businesses that aim to generate profits for shareholders, public corporations are not primarily profit-oriented. Their main goal is to serve the public interest efficiently and effectively. Therefore, ensuring high profits for board members is generally not a function of public corporations.

In conclusion, the function that does not align with the objectives of public corporations is maximizing profits for the board members. These entities prioritize public service over profit maximization.

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In insurance, there are several fundamental principles that ensure the contractual agreement between the insurer and the insured is fair and effective. Among these principles, three are well-known:

Insurable Interest: This principle states that the insured must have a financial stake in the object or life insured. The policyholder should suffer a financial loss if the insured event occurs. This ensures that insurance is not a mere gambling proposition.

Utmost Good Faith (Uberrimae Fidei): Both parties involved in an insurance contract are required to disclose all relevant information truthfully. The insured must reveal all material facts, and the insurer should provide honest terms and conditions.

Subrogation: After compensating the insured for a loss, the insurer may step into the shoes of the insured to seek recovery from a third party responsible for the loss. This principle prevents the insured from profiting more than once for the same loss.

On the other hand, the term "Particular Average" is not one of the fundamental principles of insurance. Instead, it is a maritime insurance term used to describe partial loss or damage to a ship or its cargo that is not shared by all parties but borne only by the individual whose cargo was damaged. Therefore, among the options provided, "particular average" is the exception as it is not a principle of insurance.

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The balance of payments (BOP) is a record of all economic transactions between residents of one country and residents of other countries over a specific period. It is divided into three main components, which are: Current, Capital and Monetary movement (financial) account.

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A tariff is a compulsory levy imposed by a government on imported goods only. This means that when products are brought into a country from abroad, a tax or duty is charged by the government on these goods. Tariffs are typically used to protect domestic industries from foreign competition by making imported goods more expensive, encouraging consumers to buy locally produced items. They can also be a source of revenue for the government. By increasing the cost of imports, tariffs influence the prices and choices available to consumers, often making domestic goods more appealing. In summary, tariffs are specifically associated with imports, not exports, foreign exchange earnings, or foreigners working in a particular country.

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The coming together of two or more firms with each of them losing its identity is known as an amalgamation.

An amalgamation occurs when two or more companies combine to form a new entity, and as a result, each of the original companies ceases to exist as an independent entity. The firms essentially merge to create a new organization with a new identity. This is different from other forms such as a holding company where individual companies maintain their identities or a consortium, which is generally a collaboration without the loss of individual identities. It's not similar to a cartel either, as a cartel involves competitors collaborating to set prices or output but still maintaining their distinct identities.

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The breaking down of work into different processes is known as division of labour. This concept involves splitting a job into a series of smaller tasks, with each task assigned to a different worker or group of workers. By doing this, each worker can focus on what they do best, increasing their efficiency and productivity in that particular task.

Here's a simple way to understand it: Imagine a bakery that makes loaves of bread. Instead of one person doing everything from mixing the ingredients, kneading the dough, baking, and packaging, the work is divided among several people. One person may be responsible for mixing the ingredients, while another focuses on kneading the dough, yet another bakes it, and a final person packages the bread. This makes the entire process faster and more efficient, as each worker becomes proficient in their specific task.

The division of labour allows for a more effective use of skills and resources, leading to higher productivity and often resulting in goods being produced more quickly and for less cost.

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A multiple shop, also known as a chain store, is a type of retail business that consists of several locations all managed under the same brand or company. The primary characteristic of a multiple shop is that all the stores offer similar goods. Each store in the chain typically carries the same range of products, regardless of its location. This uniformity assures customers that they will find the same items in each store of the chain, leading to a consistent shopping experience.

For example, if a chain store specializes in clothing, all its branches will sell the same clothing lines, maintaining consistency in style, quality, and price. This is true for other types of goods such as electronics, groceries, and more.

Therefore, among the options given, it is most accurate to say that a multiple shop sells similar goods. This means that whether you visit a store in the chain in one city or another, you can expect to find the same types of products.

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The document sent by suppliers of goods to a prospective buyer, informing him of what to pay if he buys the goods is called an invoice. An invoice is a commercial document that itemizes all the products or services provided by the seller, as well as the prices. It typically includes important details such as the list of goods, quantities, agreed-upon prices, any discounts or taxes, and the total cost that the buyer needs to pay.

Invoices serve multiple purposes: they act as a request for payment, provide a clear record of a sale, and can be used for accounting and taxation purposes. By receiving an invoice, the prospective buyer is informed of the amount they need to pay if they decide to purchase the goods.

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In discussing the rights of consumers, it's important to recognize that these rights are intended to ensure fair treatment, safety, and access to necessary information. Let's look closely at the options provided to determine which one does not align with consumer rights:

• The right to a healthy environment: This is indeed a consumer right. It ensures that products and services do not harm the environment and that consumers can enjoy environmentally sustainable options.
• The right to be informed: Consumers have the right to receive accurate information about products and services, which helps them make informed decisions.
• The right to choose: This right enables consumers to select from a range of products and services at competitive prices.

The right to fix prices: However, this is not a consumer right. **Consumers do not have the right to set or fix the prices of goods and services.** ^Pricing is usually determined by companies, influenced by factors like production costs, market demand, and competition.^ While consumers can compare prices and make choices based on their budget and preferences, the **determination of prices is not within their rights**.

In summary, **the correct answer is that consumers do not have the right to fix prices**. This responsibility lies with businesses and is regulated to prevent practices like price fixing, which can harm consumer interests.

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Persuasive advertisement is the type that induces consumers to purchase goods they do not need. This form of advertising aims to create a desire in the consumer by appealing to their emotions, beliefs, or aspirations. Instead of providing just information about the product, it focuses on convincing the consumer that they will gain certain benefits or status by owning or using the product. This can be achieved through various techniques such as celebrity endorsements, fear of missing out (FOMO), appealing to trends, or showcasing how the product improves one's lifestyle or social standing. By doing this, consumers are often led to believe that they need the product to achieve happiness, success, or social acceptance, thereby encouraging them to make purchases that were originally unnecessary to them.

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To establish an importer's title to goods, the most significant document among the given options is the Bill of Lading.

The Bill of Lading is a legal document issued by a carrier to a shipper. It has multiple roles, including serving as a:

• Receipt for the shipped goods, confirming that the goods are loaded onto a transport vehicle, like a ship.
• Title of document, giving the holder the right to claim ownership of the goods. It functions as a document of title to the goods described in it.
• Contract of carriage that details the terms for transporting the goods from the port of loading to the port of discharge.

The other documents mentioned have different purposes:

• A Cargo Receipt is generally a document acknowledging that the goods have been received. However, it does not serve as a document of title.
• A Way Bill is a non-negotiable document that accompanies goods in transit. It provides information about the shipment, but it is not effective in transferring title.
• An Import License is a governmental document that permits the importation of certain goods into a country. It does not concern ownership or title to the goods themselves.

In summary, the Bill of Lading is the primary document used to establish an importer's title to goods, serving as both an acknowledgment of the shipment and a legal claim to the goods.

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The calculation of **gross profit** is done by taking the total **sales revenue** and subtracting the **cost of goods sold (COGS)**. Hence, the correct formula to calculate gross profit is:

Gross Profit = Sales - Cost of Goods Sold

Let's break it down for clarity:

• **Sales** refers to the total revenue earned from selling goods or services. It is the income received from customers before any costs are deducted.
• **Cost of Goods Sold (COGS)** represents the direct costs attributable to the production of the goods sold. This includes expenses such as the cost of materials and direct labor involved in producing the goods.

The **gross profit** reflects the company's **profitability** related to its core operations, excluding other expenses such as operating expenses, taxes, and interest.

For example, if a company records total sales of $100,000 and its cost of goods sold is $60,000, the gross profit would be:

Gross Profit = $100,000 - $60,000 = $40,000

The gross profit of $40,000 provides insight into the financial **efficiency** of the company's production and sales processes.

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Fishing is an example of the extractive industry. This industry involves activities that extract natural resources from the earth or water bodies. In the case of fishing, it means obtaining fish and other sea creatures from oceans, rivers, and lakes. The extractive industry is characterized by the removal of raw materials from their natural environment without any transformation into other forms before they are further processed, utilized, or consumed.

For example, when fishermen catch fish, they are directly taking resources from nature without altering them. These resources can either be directly consumed or processed into different products, depending on the demand and usage.

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The association that encourages savings for the benefit of its members is known as a Credit and Thrift Co-operative Society.

Let me explain this in simple terms:

• A Credit and Thrift Co-operative Society is a type of organization where members voluntarily come together to save their money on a regular basis.
• The primary purpose of this type of society is to encourage savings among its members. It helps members accumulate their savings in a safe and structured manner.
• These societies also provide members with access to credit or loans. The money saved by the members is used to give loans back to them at low-interest rates, which is beneficial for individuals who may not have easy access to standard banking loans.
• The profits made by the society through lending are typically shared among the members, hence everyone benefits from their collective savings.

In summary, a Credit and Thrift Co-operative Society is all about saving money together as a group and supporting each other financially by providing easy access to loans.

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A Public Limited Liability Company is owned by shareholders. These are individuals or entities that own shares in the company. Each share represents a portion of ownership, so the more shares an individual or entity owns, the more ownership they have in the company. Shareholders have the right to vote on important company matters, including the election of the board of directors and major company policies.

It is important to note that although the shares of a public limited liability company are available for purchase by the general public on the stock exchange, the term "general public" refers to potential or current investors and does not mean that the general public owns the company. Ownership is exclusively linked to those who buy shares, making them shareholders.

Neither the government nor debenture holders own the company. The government may regulate the company but does not hold ownership unless it has explicitly purchased shares. Debenture holders are lenders to the company, holding debt instruments rather than equity, so they do not have ownership rights. Their relationship with the company is typically based on the repayment of debt with interest, rather than ownership.

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Pipelines are one of the easiest and most efficient means of transporting petroleum products. Here is why:

1. Continuous Flow: Pipelines allow for a constant and uninterrupted flow of petroleum products from one location to another. This continuity ensures a steady supply and minimizes delays that can occur with other modes of transportation.

2. Cost-Efficient: Over long distances, pipelines are generally more cost-effective than other transportation methods. This is due to lower operating costs and the ability to transport large volumes of product with minimal energy input once the infrastructure is in place.

3. Safety: Pipelines are considered to be a safer option for transporting petroleum products compared to road or rail. They reduce the likelihood of accidents or spills that can occur with vehicles or trains, making them a preferred choice for minimizing environmental impact.

4. Reliability: Unlike air or road transport, pipelines are less affected by weather conditions, traffic, or other disruptions, which makes them a reliable choice for consistent delivery schedules.

5. Low Environmental Impact: While the construction of pipelines can initially impact the environment, their operation creates fewer emissions compared to repeated vehicle trips. This makes pipelines a more environmentally friendly option in the long term.

Overall, due to these advantages, pipelines are often the preferred method for transporting large volumes of petroleum products over long distances in a safe, cost-effective, and reliable manner.

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An agreement that is enforceable in law is called a contract.

Here's why:

1. A contract is a legal agreement between two or more parties. Each party agrees to do or not to do something in exchange for some benefit, typically referred to as consideration. In simpler terms, it's a promise or set of promises that the law will enforce.

2. For an agreement to be considered a contract, it generally must contain the following elements:

• Offer: One party proposes an arrangement to another.
• Acceptance: The other party agrees to the terms of the offer.
• Consideration: There is something of value exchanged between the parties.
• Mutual Intent: Both parties intend to create a binding agreement.
• Capacity: Both parties must have the legal ability to enter into a contract.
• Legality: The contract's purpose must be legal.

3. Unlike a decree or a declaration which are generally formal statements or orders typically issued by a government or authority, or an offer which is a proposal but not yet binding, a contract actively binds the parties involved and can be enforced by law. If one party fails to fulfill their stipulated duties, the other can seek legal remedies.

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Warehouses that are generally found near a port are known as bonded warehouses.

Bonded warehouses are storage facilities where imported goods are stored until the customs duties are paid.

Key reasons for their location near a port include:

• Proximity to customs facilities: Being near a port, bonded warehouses have easy access to customs offices, facilitating quicker processing and clearance of goods.
• Efficient transport: Ports serve as major hubs for transportation. Goods arriving by sea can be quickly transferred to a nearby warehouse, minimizing delays and reducing transportation costs.
• Duty deferment: Goods stored in a bonded warehouse do not require immediate payment of import duty. Importers can defer payment until the goods are released for sale or use.

Therefore, locating these warehouses near ports helps streamline international trade processes and enhances logistics efficiency.

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The activities involved in transforming raw materials into finished products are related to the manufacturing occupation.

This occupation plays a crucial role in the production process as it focuses on converting raw materials, which could be natural resources or partially processed items, into complete, ready-to-use products.

For instance, consider the process of making a wooden table. Manufacturing involves taking raw wood, cutting, shaping, sanding, assembling, and finally finishing it into a table that is ready for consumers to use.

Manufacturing can take place in various industrial settings, such as factories or plants, where machinery and labor transform inputs into outputs on a large scale.

This is distinct from other types of occupations like:

• Commercial: This involves trading, buying, or selling goods and services but does not involve the creation or transformation of goods.
• Extractive: This refers to the extraction of natural resources from the earth, such as mining or fishing.
• Constructive: This is related to activities that involve building structures, such as construction work.

In summary, manufacturing is the occupation responsible for changing raw materials into finished products, utilizing both technical skills and industrial processes.

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The difference between the higher prices and the lower prices quoted for shares and stocks at the stock exchange is known as "jobbers turn."

Here's a simple explanation:

In the stock exchange, there are individuals known as jobbers who buy and sell stocks. They do not deal directly with the public but with brokers. Jobbers make a profit from the difference between the price at which they are willing to buy a stock (the lower price) and the price at which they are willing to sell it (the higher price). This difference is referred to as the "jobbers turn."

It's important to note that the jobbers turn is essentially the profit margin for the jobber, earned from trading activities. This is not to be confused with terms like commission or brokerage, which refer to fees charged by brokers for facilitating trades. Interest, on the other hand, is the cost of borrowing money, not related to the pricing of shares and stocks.

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When a potential buyer sends a seller a **letter of inquiry**, they are typically asking for information regarding the availability, price, and terms of products or services. In reply to this inquiry, a seller typically sends a **quotation**.

Here is why a **quotation** is the appropriate response:

• Quotation: This is a formal document provided by the seller in response to an inquiry, detailing the price and terms under which goods or services will be supplied. A quotation includes essential information about the price of products, delivery conditions, discount policies, validity period of the offer, and any other relevant details. It serves as a basis for negotiation and is used by buyers to make purchasing decisions.


• Credit Note: This is issued by the seller to the buyer, often used to rectify a post-purchase issue such as an overcharge or a returned item. It is not used to respond to an inquiry.


• Debit Note: This is similar to an invoice and is issued by a buyer to the seller to request a credit note. It indicates that the buyer owes the seller, but like a credit note, it is not used to respond to an inquiry.


• Delivery Note: This accompanies a shipment of goods and provides details about the delivered products. It confirms what was sent or received, but it is not used in response to an inquiry.

In conclusion, a seller sends a quotation in response to a letter of inquiry because it addresses the buyer's questions about pricing and other terms related to potential products or services they might purchase.

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Marketing is a broad concept that involves various activities to promote and sell products or services. Let's briefly explore each option in relation to marketing:

Packaging: This is a marketing function that involves designing and producing the containers or wrappers for a product. The purpose of packaging is to protect the product, facilitate its storage and transport, and make it appealing to consumers.

Distribution: This function refers to the process of getting the product from the manufacturer to the consumer. It involves activities like transportation, warehousing, and supply chain management, ensuring that the product is available to customers at the right time and place.

Advertising: Advertising is a marketing function that focuses on promoting a product or service through various media channels. The aim is to inform potential customers about a product, persuade them to purchase, and build brand awareness.

Insurance: This is not a marketing function. Insurance is a financial service that provides risk management and protection against potential financial losses. While businesses may use insurance to protect their assets, it is not a function aimed at promoting and selling products or services like the other activities mentioned.

In summary, insurance is not a function of marketing. It stands apart as a service focused on risk management rather than the promotion and sale of products or services.

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The sum which the insured pays periodically to his insurance company is called a premium.

Explanation:
When you purchase an insurance policy, whether it's for health, life, car, or any other type of insurance, you agree to pay a certain amount of money at regular intervals to the insurance company. This amount is known as the premium. The premium is the cost you pay to the insurance company so that they will provide you with coverage and financial protection against specified risks.

Insurance companies calculate your premium based on various factors including the type of insurance, the amount of coverage you want, your age, your health (for health or life insurance), and other risk factors. In return for paying your premium, the insurance company promises to cover certain costs or losses as outlined in your policy.

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A bonded warehouse is a secure facility where goods are stored, and duties or taxes are deferred until the goods are removed and sold. These warehouses play a crucial role in international trade.

A bonded warehouse is specifically controlled and supervised by customs authorities. Customs are responsible for the regulation and examination of goods that are imported or possibly exported from the country.

Here is why customs control bonded warehouses:

• Duty Regulation: Customs is in charge of collecting import duties and taxes. By regulating bonded warehouses, customs ensures that these financial obligations are met before goods are released.
• Security and Compliance: Customs ensures that the goods stored in bonded warehouses comply with local and international trade regulations, preventing illegal trade activities.
• Inventory Control: Customs keeps track of stored goods, ensuring that none are lost, swapped, or improperly documented.
• Efficient Trade Facilitation: Customs authorities expedite the clearance process for goods stored in bonded warehouses, reducing delays and enhancing international trade efficiency.

This control by customs is crucial for maintaining transparency and compliance in the import and export of goods, ensuring the appropriate duties are collected and that regulations are respected.

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A ship that does not have a fixed schedule and travels wherever it can find cargoes to carry is known as a tramp ship.

Here's why it is called a tramp ship:

Tramp ships operate differently from other types of vessels, such as liners or ferry boats. They do not follow a set route or schedule. Instead, they are flexible and can go to any port where there is cargo to be transported. This means that their operations are based on demand rather than a predetermined timetable.

To put it simply, a tramp ship is like a freelance vessel that looks for cargo opportunities and travels based on where the work is, rather than sticking to a specific route or timeline. This provides a degree of freedom and responsiveness to market demands that fixed-schedule ships, like liners, do not have.

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In the context of business-related law, let's examine each of the given areas to identify the one that is generally **not directly linked** to business:

• Agency: This area involves the relationship between an agent and a principal. An agent is authorized to act on behalf of a principal in business transactions, making this area heavily related to business.
• Hire Purchase: This is a form of agreement in which goods are leased with an option to purchase at the end of the leasing period. It is commonly used in business to acquire assets, making it relevant to business law.
• Possession: This refers to the control or ownership of property or goods. While it can be related to business in terms of property ownership, **it is primarily a core concept of property law** rather than business law. Therefore, it is **less directly linked** to business transactions compared to the other concepts.
• Contract: This involves legally binding agreements between two or more parties. Contracts are fundamental to all business transactions, making this area highly relevant to business law.

From this analysis, it is clear that the concept of **possession**, although important in its own right, is generally **not as directly related to business** as the other areas mentioned, which are closely involved in business operations and transactions.

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Shares are said to be sold at a discount when they are sold below par value. In finance, the par value of a share is its nominal or face value as stated on the certificate or in the company's financial statements. The par value is typically set when the company is formed and does not usually change.

Selling shares below this par value means that the company is offering them at a lower price than their nominal value. This can occur as a strategy to attract investors when market conditions are tough, or if the company needs to raise capital quickly.

For example: If the par value of a share is $10 and it is sold for $8, it is being sold at a discount of $2 from its par value.

It's important to note that selling shares below par can have implications for a company's perceived financial health and can affect investor confidence. Therefore, companies may do this strategically and with consideration of market reactions.

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Departmental stores, supermarkets, and chain stores are examples of large scale retailers. This is because they operate on a much larger scale compared to typical small shops. Here’s why each of these falls under this category:

• Departmental Stores: These are large retail establishments that offer a wide variety of goods organized into different departments. Each department specializes in one category like clothing, electronics, or groceries, allowing customers to find multiple products under one roof. They usually require a significant amount of space and capital, characteristics of large scale operations.


• Supermarkets: These are giant stores that focus primarily on food and other grocery items, but they often sell various household goods as well. With their self-service model and extensive range of products, they require vast spaces and are generally positioned in well-populated areas to cater to a large number of customers. This makes them typical examples of large scale retailing.


• Chain Stores: These are a series of retail outlets that are under the same brand and management. They follow a standardized approach across different locations, ensuring uniform quality and service. Due to their widespread presence and strategic operations, they are categorized as large scale retailers.

In summary, all these stores are structured to cater to a vast number of customers with extensive offerings, significant inventory, and often require substantial investment and infrastructure, which are defining traits of large scale retailers.

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The body responsible for monitoring the quality of goods supplied is the Nigerian Standards Organization. This organization, also known as the Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON), is charged with setting and ensuring compliance with product quality standards for goods in the country. Their primary role is to develop and implement standards that help safeguard both consumers and the environment by ensuring that products are safe, reliable, and of good quality.

The SON conducts inspections, tests, and other evaluative measures on products to ascertain their quality. Additionally, they educate manufacturers and stakeholders about necessary standards and oversee adherence to these standards in production and distribution processes. Through these activities, the organization aims to protect consumers from harm, fraudulent practices, and low-quality products, while also enhancing the competitiveness of Nigerian goods both locally and internationally.

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A holding company is a corporation that owns enough voting shares in another business to control its management and policies. Control is typically established by owning the majority of the voting stock. In most cases, owning over 50% of the voting shares is considered having sufficient control. Thus, a holding company generally holds shares up to 51% or more in another company to exercise control. To further clarify:

• Owning 51% or more allows the holding company to make significant decisions and influence the strategic direction of the company it holds.

Therefore, a holding company usually holds shares up to and typically beyond 51% in another company to ensure they can steer the business according to their interests and policies.

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Advertising primarily focuses on promoting products or services to potential customers. Here are typical aims of advertising:

• Inspiring public confidence in the goods: Advertising aims to build trust in a product, showing potential customers that it is reliable and worth purchasing.
• Arousing the interest of the public: It creates interest by informing people about the features and benefits of a product, making them curious or eager to try it.
• Attracting the attention of the public: Advertising uses various techniques to capture the audience's attention, making them aware of the product or service.

On the other hand, reducing the cost of the goods produced is NOT an aim of advertising. This is more associated with production processes and cost management strategies within a company. Advertising itself often incurs costs and does not directly reduce production expenses but is intended to increase sales and generate revenue, which can offset costs over time.

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In the context of a public limited company, a prospectus refers to a formal document that is issued by the company to provide essential information to potential investors. It serves as an invitation to the public to buy shares in the company.

The main purpose of the prospectus is to help potential investors make informed decisions about whether or not to invest in the company's shares. It typically contains details such as:

• The nature of the business and its operations.
• The types of shares being offered and their respective terms.
• Financial statements and future business plans.
• Information about the company's management and governance.
• The risks associated with investing in the company.

The prospectus is a crucial document because it ensures transparency and allows investors to assess the potential risks and rewards involved in purchasing shares from the company.

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Closing stock is also known as Ending Inventory. It refers to the amount of inventory or stock that remains unsold at the end of an accounting period. This can include raw materials, work-in-progress, and finished goods. Closing stock is important for financial reporting, as it affects the cost of goods sold and, ultimately, the company's profit. It is calculated by taking into account all the inventory purchases and subtracting the cost of goods that have been sold during the period. To express it simply, closing stock is what is left over after sales have been accounted for.

• The term stock at close can be misleading, as it might imply the price of a stock market asset at the end of a trading day.
• Balance brought forward refers to the balance amount of funds or stock from the previous period brought into the current one, not the ending stock.
• Opening inventory refers to the stock at the beginning of the accounting period, not at the end.
• Stock at beginning is synonymous with opening inventory and is not equivalent to closing stock.

Therefore, the correct and precise term for closing stock is Ending Inventory.

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The term "consumer sovereignty" indicates that the consumer is considered a king in the market. This concept emphasizes the power and freedom consumers have to influence the goods and services that are produced in a market economy. Essentially, businesses strive to fulfill the desires and needs of consumers because their satisfaction and demand determine what should be produced. In this role, the consumer wields the power to make decisions based on preferences, effectively guiding the market dynamics. Companies that understand their consumers well and meet their needs are more likely to succeed.

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The correct option that is NOT a government legislation to protect the consumer is Privatization and Commercialization.

Let me explain this in a simple way:

• Foods and Drugs: These legislations are meant to ensure that food and drug products sold to the public are safe, properly labeled, and effective. They protect consumers from harmful substances and misleading claims.
• Weight and Measure: This type of legislation ensures that products are weighed and measured accurately at the point of sale. It protects consumers from being cheated in terms of quantity and pricing.
• Trade Description: This legislation prevents businesses from providing false or misleading information about products and services. It protects consumers by ensuring that they know exactly what they are buying.

However:

• Privatization and Commercialization: These terms refer to the process through which government-owned businesses and services are transferred to the private sector. This is more about economic policy and restructuring how services are provided, rather than directly protecting consumers. It focuses on improving efficiency and reducing government burden but does not primarily aim to protect consumer rights.

Therefore, while the first three directly aim to protect consumers, Privatization and Commercialization are more about economic management and do not serve as consumer protection legislation.

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The aid to trade that enables a producer and consumer to transact business without physical contact is known as communication.

To understand why, consider the following: Communication is a process that involves the exchange of messages, ideas, and information. With modern technology, such as telephones, emails, and the internet, communication allows people from various locations to interact and conduct business seamlessly. This eliminates the necessity for face-to-face meetings.

For example, a consumer can order a product online and communicate with the seller via chat or email. Similarly, a producer can advertise a product to a global audience through digital platforms without any need for physical presence. These exchanges are facilitated primarily by effective communication.

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In order to determine which of the options does not fit into the group, we should first classify each of them based on their primary nature or sector.

Agriculture involves the cultivation of land and breeding of plants and animals to provide food, fiber, and other products used to sustain and enhance life. It primarily falls under the category of primary industry that deals with the extraction and harnessing of natural resources directly from nature.

Fishing also involves extracting biological resources directly from nature, specifically aquatic life from water bodies. Like agriculture, it is categorized under primary industry and focuses on the direct procurement of resources provided by nature.

Mining is the extraction of minerals or other geological materials from the Earth, and it is considered a part of primary industry as well. It involves the direct extraction of non-renewable resources from nature.

Carpentry, on the other hand, is a skilled trade in which the primary work performed is the cutting, shaping, and installation of building materials during the construction of buildings, ships, timber bridges, etc. Carpentry is considered a part of the secondary industry, which involves manufacturing and processing of raw materials into finished goods or products.

Therefore, Carpentry does not fit into the group because, unlike agriculture, fishing, and mining, it is not a primary industry activity. It belongs to the secondary industry, which focuses on the transformation of raw materials into finished products.

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In an organization, welfare services are those that aim to improve the well-being and satisfaction of employees, providing them with a supportive and healthy working environment. Welfare services often include amenities or benefits that contribute directly to employees' health, happiness, and overall work-life balance.

Let's examine each option:

• Medical Facilities: These are services provided to ensure the health and medical safety of employees. They include health check-ups, medical insurance, and on-site medical care. These are typical examples of welfare services.
• Transportation: Offering transportation facilities or allowances helps employees commute to and from work more comfortably and safely. This is also considered a welfare service as it directly influences the employees' convenience and reduces stress related to commuting.
• Recreational Facilities: These are amenities provided to help employees relax and rejuvenate. They can include gymnasiums, sports facilities, or relaxation areas, designed to enhance employees' physical and mental well-being, thus qualifying as welfare services.
• Training: This refers to providing employees with the knowledge and skills required to perform their job roles effectively. While training is crucial for skill development and professional growth, it primarily serves the organization's interest in increasing productivity and effectiveness rather than the personal welfare or comfort of the employees.

Considering the above definitions, training is NOT typically regarded as a welfare service in an organization. Unlike the other options, which focus on employee well-being, training emphasizes enhancing performance and skill sets to benefit organizational goals.

Answer Details

Working capital is a financial metric that represents the difference between a company's current assets and current liabilities. It is used to assess a company's short-term liquidity and operational efficiency. In calculating working capital, we focus on the **current assets**, which are assets that are expected to be converted into cash or used up within one year.

Among the options provided:

• Furniture and fittings: These are considered **fixed assets** or **non-current assets** because they are used over a long period and are not expected to be converted into cash within a year.
• Stock of raw material: This is a **current asset** because it is expected to be used or sold in the production process within a short period, typically less than a year. Thus, it is part of the calculation of working capital.
• Machinery: Similar to furniture and fittings, machinery is a **fixed asset** as it is used over many years and not sold or consumed within the short term.
• Office equipment: Like furniture and fittings, office equipment is also considered a **fixed asset** for similar reasons.

Therefore, the **stock of raw material** is used in calculating working capital because it is a **current asset**. Working capital is calculated using the formula:

Working Capital = Current Assets - Current Liabilities

In this formula, **current assets** would include items such as stocks of raw material, cash, accounts receivable, etc. As a result, stock of raw material is relevant for determining a company's ability to meet its short-term obligations and manage day-to-day operations.

Answer Details

When considering what items can be sold through vending machines, **the main factor to consider** is whether the item can fit within the confines of the machine and be dispensed in a simple manner without needing additional services. Let's analyze the options:

• Snacks: Snacks are ideally suited for vending machines because they are typically packaged, non-perishable (at least for a short shelf life), and sized appropriately for machine storage and dispensing.
• Tickets: Tickets can be sold through vending machines. They are small, easy to dispense, and do not require special storage conditions.
• Tea: Tea, in terms of tea bags or packets, can be easily sold through vending machines. However, brewed tea would require special vending machines that handle hot liquids.
• Shoes: Shoes are generally not suitable for traditional vending machines. **The size, weight, and variety of options like different sizes make it challenging to store and dispense shoes efficiently.** Specialized machines might accomplish this, but they are not common.

In conclusion, considering the typical size and function of a regular vending machine, **shoes cannot be sold** effectively through standard vending machines, while snacks, tickets, and tea can be dispensed without significant issues.