Benchmarks and up-to-date reviews

Name:

Date:

Class:

Quick Questions

Shade in the A or B circle for each question.

1. What is a benchmark?

A A standard test that gives a score so you can compare performance

B A number printed on the box that the seller makes up

2. Two GPUs are both tested with the same game scene. Which is the better comparison?

A Compare the colour of their cases

B Compare their benchmark scores from that same test

3. Which review source is more trustworthy for choosing a CPU?

A An independent review site that tests parts and shows its benchmark results

B An advert that says 'the fastest ever!' with no test results

4. A CPU has a higher GHz number than another CPU. What does a benchmark tell you?

A How fast each CPU really performs in a test, which may not match the GHz order

B The CPU with the higher GHz always wins, so no test is needed

5. You find a review of a graphics card from six years ago. How should you treat it?

A Trust it fully, because hardware never really changes

B Be careful: hardware changes every year, so look for a current review too

Match the Pairs

Draw a line connecting each item on the left to its match on the right.

Left column		Right column
1CPU benchmark score: 18,500		AA standard test result that shows how fast a processor really performs, so you can compare it with other CPUs
2GPU benchmark: 95 fps in Test Game		BSpec numbers alone do not show real performance. A CPU with a lower GHz can still beat it on a benchmark.
3Trustworthy review sources test parts themselves and are updated recently		CThe review is out of date. Hardware changes every year, so you need current reviews from trusted sources.
4Last year's specs go out of date because newer parts are released every year		DA measured result from running the same game scene on a graphics card, showing real gaming performance
5Buy it: 4.5 GHz means it is the fastest CPU		E2022 GPU: 8 GB \| 2025 GPU: 16 GB faster
6Use a 2019 review to pick a 2025 laptop		FReview: tested 2025, same test, independent lab

Definitions

benchmark

Fill in the Blanks

Complete each line of code by filling in the missing parts.

score = _________("CPU-A")

cpuA = 14500 cpuB = 12800 print(cpuA _ cpuB)

specYear = 2022 if specYear _ 2025: print("Out of date")

trusted = ["TechLab", "BenchHub"] print("TechLab" __ trusted)

gpuScores = [8200, 9100] print(___(gpuScores))

Spot the Error

Shade in the letter of the line that contains an error.

Question 1

A cpu_a = 12400

B cpu_b = 9800

C if cpu_a > cpu_b:

D print("CPU A is slower")

Question 2

A scores = [9800, 12400, 11000)

B best = max(scores)

C print("Top score:", best)

Question 3

A year = 2025

B review_year == 2021

C if review_year < year:

D print("Review is old")

Question 4

A gpu_score = 15000

B old_score = 11000

C gain = gpu_score + old_score

D print("Gain:", gain)

Question 5

A site = "TechLab Reviews"

B trusted = ["TechLab Reviews"]

C if site in trusted

D print("Use this review")

Answer Key

Benchmarks and up-to-date reviews

Section A: Quick Questions

A — A standard test that gives a score so you can compare performance

B — Compare their benchmark scores from that same test

A — An independent review site that tests parts and shows its benchmark results

A — How fast each CPU really performs in a test, which may not match the GHz order

B — Be careful: hardware changes every year, so look for a current review too

Section B: Match the Pairs

CPU benchmark score: 18,500 → A standard test result that shows how fast a processor really performs, so you can compare it with other CPUs

GPU benchmark: 95 fps in Test Game → A measured result from running the same game scene on a graphics card, showing real gaming performance

Trustworthy review sources test parts themselves and are updated recently → Review: tested 2025, same test, independent lab

Last year's specs go out of date because newer parts are released every year → 2022 GPU: 8 GB | 2025 GPU: 16 GB faster

Buy it: 4.5 GHz means it is the fastest CPU → Spec numbers alone do not show real performance. A CPU with a lower GHz can still beat it on a benchmark.

Use a 2019 review to pick a 2025 laptop → The review is out of date. Hardware changes every year, so you need current reviews from trusted sources.

Section C: Definitions

benchmark — A standard test that gives a score so you can compare real performance of parts like a CPU or GPU. Hardware changes yearly, so check current, trusted reviews, not just spec numbers.

Section D: Fill in the Blanks

score = benchmark("CPU-A")

cpuA = 14500
cpuB = 12800
print(cpuA > cpuB)

specYear = 2022
if specYear < 2025:
    print("Out of date")

trusted = ["TechLab", "BenchHub"]
print("TechLab" in trusted)

gpuScores = [8200, 9100]
print(max(gpuScores))

Section E: Spot the Error

D — CPU A has the higher benchmark score (12400 vs 9800), so it is faster. The message should say "CPU A is faster".

A — A list must open with [ and close with ]. The line ends with ) instead of ], which is a syntax error.

B — A single = stores a value in a variable. == only compares, so review_year is never created. It should be review_year = 2021.

C — To find how much the benchmark score improved you subtract the old score from the new one. It should use - not +.

C — An if statement must end with a colon. It should be: if site in trusted: