Level 1: Core Concepts (Aiming for a Pass / 'S' to 'C')

These prompts check your memory of the fundamental facts and definitions.

1. Define: What is an algorithm?

2. Identify: A student is calculating the total cost of three books. What are the inputs, the process, and the output?

3. List: Name the three basic control structures in programming.

4. Draw: Draw the flowchart symbols for START/END, PROCESS, and DECISION.

5. Define: What is a 'variable' in a program?

6. Identify: Look at the following list of data. Which are Integers and which are Strings? (42, "Colombo", -100, "Grade 11")

7. Recall: What is the purpose of pseudo-code?

Level 2: Application & Explanation (Aiming for 'C' to 'B')

These prompts ask you to explain concepts and apply them to simple scenarios.

1. Explain: What is the main difference between the Selection (IF/THEN) and Repetition (LOOP) control structures? Provide a simple, real-world example for each.

Trace: Read the following pseudo-code and write down the final value of Total.
BEGIN

Total = 10

Count = 3

Total = Total + Count

DISPLAY Total

END

1. 
   

2. Apply: You need to write a program that checks if a student has passed an exam. The pass mark is 50. Write the pseudo-code using an IF...THEN...ELSE structure to display "Pass" or "Fail".

3. Explain: Why are data types (like Integer, Real, String) important in programming?

4. Convert: Draw a simple flowchart that shows the process of adding two numbers and displaying the result. Then, write the corresponding pseudo-code for it.

Level 3: Analysis & Design (Aiming for 'B' to 'A')

These prompts challenge you to design solutions and analyze problems, just like the high-mark questions on the exam.

1. Design: A program needs to ask the user for 10 numbers, one by one, and then display the total sum of those numbers.

• a) Draw a complete flowchart for this process.

• b) Write the complete pseudo-code for this solution.

1. Analyze & Compare: Explain the difference between a FOR loop and a WHILE loop. Describe a specific problem where a FOR loop would be better, and another problem where a WHILE loop would be the only correct choice.

2. Problem-Solving: Design the pseudo-code for a program that finds the largest of three given numbers (num1, num2, num3).