CIPS Level 3 – Advanced Certificate in Procurement and
Supply Operations
Socially Responsible
Procurement [L3M5]
Sample Exam Questions (Objective Response)
The correct answer will be listed below each question
L3M5 Sample Questions V3 Sept 2020
Q1. Which of the following would be typical sustainability focused criteria used in procurement and supply
decision-making?
a. Social and environmental
b. Suppliers and planet
c. Products and people
d. Waste and policies
LO: 1
AC: 1.1
Correct answer: A
Q2. Procurement decisions and policies which consider the needs of the present as well as future generations
are focused on which of the following?
a. Profit
b. Sustainability
c. Competition
d. Risk
LO: 1
AC: 1.1
Correct answer: B
Q3. Promoting good corporate citizenship is likely to contribute directly to which of the following for the
procurement organisation?
a. Supplier rationalisation
b. Cost reduction
c. Technological development
d. Brand reputation
LO: 1
AC: 1.2
Correct answer: D
Learning outcome (LO) Assessment criteria (AC) The correct answer is listed below each question
Q4. An environmental impact of increased transportation is most likely to be …
a. reduced profit
b. atmospheric emissions
c. loss of resource
d. fewer accidents
LO: 2
AC: 2.2
Correct answer: B
Q5. Drag and drop the correct option into the blank space.
An organisation’s is the total amount of its greenhouse gas emissions created in support
directly and indirectly of its business activities
carbon footprint
environmental pollution
waste generation
corporate impact
LO: 2
AC: 2.2
Correct answer: carbon footprint
Q6. Which of the following is a key metric that can be used to measure and report on sustainability practices
in the supply chain?
a. Volume of defects
b. Revenues generated
c. Lead times
d. Use of local labour
LO: 3
AC: 3.3
Correct answer: D
Learning outcome (LO) Assessment criteria (AC) The correct answer is listed below each question
Q7. Which of the following is the most appropriate method of monitoring CSR (Corporate Social
Responsibility) compliance within the supply chain?
a. Stage payments
b. Audit visits
c. Pre-qualification questionnaires
d. Company reports
LO: 4
AC: 4.1
Correct answer: B
Q8. Constructing a new national distribution centre in a rural location is likely to meet resistance from local
people due to which of the following factors?
a. Employment creation
b. Visual intrusion
c. Utilisation of fuel
d. Waste removal
LO: 2
AC: 2.2
Correct answer: B
Q9. Which of the following is an example of a social factor which might impact approaches to reporting on
sustainability?
a. Demographic trends
b. Changes in interest rates
c. Emerging technologies
d. Environmental legislation
LO: 3
AC: 3.3
Correct answer: A
Q10. An organisation designing its procurement processes to achieve positive social outcomes is most likely to
encourage which of the following within its supply chains?
a. Adherence to ethical codes of conduct
b. Increased utilisation of local workers
c. Elimination of unnecessary processing
d. Use of quality management system
LO: 3
AC: 3.1
Correct answer: B
Learning outcome (LO) Assessment criteria (AC) The correct answer is listed below each question
Q11. A procurement team has specific goals focusing on increasing organisational profitability, environmental
impact and social contribution. The team’s goals are focused on which of the following concepts?
a. Triple bottom line
b. Sustainable supply chain
c. Responsible procurement
d. Carbon footprint reduction
LO: 3
AC: 3.2
Correct answer: A
Q12. Procurement practices should be fully inclusive and encourage the participation of disadvantaged and
minority groups. In satisfying these requirements, the procurement practices will meet which type of
outcomes?
a. Financial
b. Environmental
c. Social
d. Emissions
LO: 3
AC: 3.1
Correct answer: C
Q13. Which of the following should be used to ensure that potential new suppliers will meet the procurement
organisation’s minimum standards for CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) when bidding within a tender
process?
a. Supplier appraisals
b. Supplier management
c. Supplier preferencing
d. Supplier frameworks
LO: 4
AC: 4.1
Correct answer: A
Learning outcome (LO) Assessment criteria (AC) The correct answer is listed below each question
Q14. Which of the following is an example of a social KPI (Key Performance Indicator) for measuring and
monitoring CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) compliance?
a. Number of items of equipment serviced each month
b. Percentage of items returned by customers due to defects
c. Percentage of employees represented by a trade union
d. Number of hours machine down time each working day
LO: 4
AC: 4.1
Correct answer: C
Q15. A procurement organisation has decided to refocus its contract selection and award criteria away from
price, delivery and quality in favour of more sustainable supply chain practices. It is most likely to focus on
which of the following criteria to achieve this goal?
a. Last three years’ credit ratings
b. Plans to reduce carbon emissions
c. Ability to fulfil the required volumes
d. Processes to ensure zero defects
LO: 1
AC: 1.1
Correct answer: B
Q16. A buyer is examining information on the loudness of new transportation equipment and the amount of
movement that may be experienced nearby when it is running at full speed. The buyer is concerned mostly
about which of the following?
a. Atmospheric emissions and fumes
b. Visual intrusion and land-take
c. Air and water pollution
d. Vibration and noise
LO: 2
AC: 2.2
Correct answer: D
Learning outcome (LO) Assessment criteria (AC) The correct answer is listed below each question
Q17. Measuring which of the following is an example of an environmental metric?
a. Demographic changes
b. Levels of community involvement
c. Greenhouse gas emissions
d. Donations to local schools
LO: 3
AC: 3.3
Correct answer: C
Q18. Implementing basic human rights and providing fair working conditions are examples of which element
of the ‘three pillars of social responsibility’?
a. Planet
b. Profit
c. People
d. Products
LO: 3
AC: 3.2
Correct answer: C
Q19. Globalisation has had a detrimental impact on the environment because of which of the following?
a. Increasing the need to transport materials
b. Reducing demand levels from consumers
c. Increasing international tariffs on goods
d. Reducing supply chain complexity
LO: 2
AC: 2.1
Correct answer: A
Learning outcome (LO) Assessment criteria (AC) The correct answer is listed below each question
Q20. Government support for more use of greener modes of transport has led to an increased demand for
which of the following?
a. Petrol vehicles
b. Diesel vehicles
c. Electric vehicles
d. Hybrid vehicles
LO: 2
AC: 2.3
Correct answer: C
Learning outcome (LO) Assessment criteria (AC) The correct answer is listed below each question
