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Computer Science for IGCSE & O level - Algorithm Design And Problem Solving (Section 1)

1
What is a 'sub-system'?
Answer
(A)
A part of the main system that performs a single action
2
What is the key difference between validation and verification?
Answer
(C)
Validation ensures data is reasonable, verification ensures it is accurate
3
What does the term 'scope' refer to in programming?
Answer
(B)
The visibility or accessibility of variables within a program.
4
What is the key characteristic of a 'recursive' algorithm?
Answer
(B)
It calls itself within its own definition.
5
What is the main advantage of using a modular approach in software design?
Answer
B
C
6
What is the primary purpose of breaking down a complex problem into smaller sub-problems (decomposition)?
Answer
(B)
To simplify the problem and make it easier to solve.
7
Which of the following is the purpose of 'Maintenance' in the program development life cycle?
Answer
(D)
All of the mentioned options
8
What is the primary purpose of the standard method 'counting' in algorithm design?
Answer
(C)
To count the number of occurrences of certain conditions or items.
9
In the context of programming, what does 'scope' refer to?
Answer
(B)
The part of the program where a variable is accessible.
10
Which symbol is commonly used in flowcharts to represent input or output?
Answer
(C)
Parallelogram
11
What are the main components of an algorithm?
Answer
A
B
C
12
In pseudocode, what does 'OUTPUT' usually indicate?
Answer
(C)
Displaying information to the user.
13
Identify the types of test data that should be used when testing the algorithm:
Answer
A
B
C
D
14
What is a characteristic of Extreme data?
Answer
(C)
The largest and smallest values
15
What is the purpose of an 'array' data structure?
Answer
(A)
To store a collection of elements of the same data type.
16
What is a fundamental characteristic of the pseudocode?
Answer
(C)
It is written in simple and easy-to-understand language
17
What is a 'constant' in programming?
Answer
(B)
A value that is fixed and cannot change during program execution.
18
In programming, what does the acronym 'FIFO' stand for?
Answer
(A)
First-In, First-Out
19
What would be a use case for a 'stack' data structure?
Answer
A
B
20
In the context of program design, what does 'testing' involve?
Answer
(B)
Identifying and fixing errors.
21
What is the purpose of documentation in the program development life cycle?
Answer
(B)
To provide instructions and descriptions for the program.
22
What does the term 'iteration' represent in an algorithm?
Answer
(B)
The repetition of a set of instructions.
23
In a flowchart, what symbol is used to indicate the beginning and the end?
Answer
(B)
Oval
24
Which of the following can be used as a validation check?
Answer
A
B
C
25
What is the purpose of a 'format check' in data validation?
Answer
(B)
To verify the data has the correct structure and pattern.
26
In which of the following scenarios, would a check digit be MOST useful?
Answer
(C)
Verifying a bank account number
27
What is the purpose of the 'Process' component in a computer system?
Answer
(C)
To perform tasks using input data
28
Which validation check would be most appropriate for verifying that a user has entered a valid postal code?
Answer
(C)
Format check
29
What is the function of the 'Analysis' stage?
Answer
(C)
Identifying what is needed to solve the problem
30
What type of operator is used in pseudocode for comparing the values?
Answer
A
C
D
31
What is the purpose of a 'process' symbol in a flowchart?
Answer
(D)
To represent an action or calculation.
32
In pseudocode, what is the purpose of indentation?
Answer
(A)
To improve the readability
33
What does the term 'pseudocode' refer to?
Answer
(C)
An informal language used to describe the steps of an algorithm.
34
Which of the following is an example of abnormal data?
Answer
(C)
A negative number
35
Which type of check verifies that the data entered conforms to a pre-defined pattern?
Answer
(C)
Format check
36
What is a 'trace table' used for?
Answer
(B)
To track the values of variables as an algorithm executes.
37
What does the term 'algorithm' refer to in computer science?
Answer
(B)
A set of instructions to solve a specific problem.
38
What does the term 'iteration' describe in programming?
Answer
(B)
The repetition of a set of instructions.
39
What is the primary purpose of using test data?
Answer
(C)
To discover errors
40
What is a key principle of good algorithm design?
Answer
(C)
Efficiency and clarity.
41
Why is it important to test an algorithm with boundary data?
Answer
(B)
To check if the algorithm handles extreme values correctly.
42
What is the purpose of testing different scenarios with the same algorithm?
Answer
(D)
To find the logic errors that might lead to incorrect calculations for specific inputs.
43
Which of the following describes the action taken when an 'IF' statement's condition is true?
Answer
(B)
The code within the 'THEN' block is executed.
44
Which data validation check verifies that data falls within an acceptable pre-defined set of values?
Answer
(D)
Lookup check
45
What is a 'logic error' in programming?
Answer
(C)
An error in the program's logic that causes incorrect output.
46
What is the primary goal of data validation?
Answer
(B)
To ensure that the data entered into a program is accurate and reliable.
47
What control structure would you use to repeatedly execute a block of code as long as a condition is true?
Answer
(C)
WHILE...DO...ENDWHILE
48
What is the function of 'process' in a flowchart?
Answer
(B)
To perform a calculation.
49
What data type would typically be used to store someone's age?
Answer
(B)
Integer
50
Which type of data should be used in algorithm testing to identify how algorithm would handle unusual values?
Answer
(D)
Abnormal data