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A-Level Economics · J-curve diagram question

George Chantry, professional A-Level Economics tutor

Which point is the TROUGH — the deepest the deficit gets?

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The diagram

J-curve diagram for A-Level Economics on a labelled grid, every point lettered

The answer

Point B. T₁, point B: dearer imports on barely-changed volumes have done their worst. From here contracts roll off and the balance climbs. The trough is the bottom of the J — point B, at time T₁. Point A is where the depreciation happens, and the crucial exam point is that the deficit deepens AFTER it. That lag is the whole reason the diagram exists.

Test yourself properly

This is one of 6 questions on the j-curve diagram — every corner lettered, every wrong answer diagnosed.

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