← IGCSE Computer Science Paper 1

Intelligent behaviour in a computer

A computer does a task that normally needs human thinking, like diagnosing a fault or choosing a game move, but it only simulates thinking and does not truly understand.

Part of: IGCSE Computer Science 0478 — 6.3 Artificial Intelligence — Module 2

Understanding Intelligent behaviour in a computer in IGCSE Computer Science Paper 1

What it does: The program works out a likely fault from the symptoms, copying what a human expert would do when diagnosing a problem. The computer picks a good move from the board, which normally needs human thinking, so it shows intelligent behaviour. Computers simulate thinking by following data and rules. They do not truly understand. Intelligent behaviour is linked to tasks like diagnosing, choosing moves or spotting patterns, not simple fixed steps. AI only simulates thinking. It produces sensible outputs without real understanding, which is the difference between simulation and real understanding.

Common mistakes: The text flat battery must be in quotes so it is stored as a string. Without quotes the computer looks for a variable called flat. It should be fault ← "flat battery". When can_win is true, the game AI should choose the winning move, not block. Line 2 should be move ← WinningMove().

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This module's key terms are also in a printable crossword (Modules 652–661) and word search (Modules 652–678).

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Learning
Duo
A computer program looks at a car's symptoms and suggests which part is faulty. Is this intelligent behaviour?
No, only humans can ever diagnose faultsYes, diagnosing a fault normally needs human thinking
Matches
A chess program understands chess the way a human player does, so it truly thinks.
↓
The program only simulates thinking by following rules and data. It does not truly understand the game like a person.
Applying
Meanings
Term
intelligent behaviour
Meaning
A computer does a task that normally needs human thinking, like diagnosing a fault or choosing a game move, but it only simulates thinking and does not truly understand.
Practice
INPUT symptom
Testing
Gaps
IF fault = "no power"
Check Answer
Spots
1IF battery = 0 THEN
2 fault ← flat battery

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Quick Questions

1. A computer program looks at a car's symptoms and suggests which part is faulty. Is this intelligent behaviour?
A. No, only humans can ever diagnose faults
B. Yes, diagnosing a fault normally needs human thinking ✓
Diagnosing a problem is a task that normally needs human thinking, so a computer doing it shows intelligent behaviour.
2. Which statement about a chess program choosing a good move is correct?
A. It shows intelligent behaviour by choosing a move a human would need to think about ✓
B. It is not intelligent because chess is only a game
Choosing a good move in a game normally needs human thinking, so the program shows intelligent behaviour.
3. Does a computer that shows intelligent behaviour truly understand what it is doing?
A. Yes, it understands just like a human
B. No, it only simulates thinking ✓
Computers simulate thinking by following data and rules. They do not truly understand.
4. Which task shows intelligent behaviour?
A. Recognising a pattern in photos to tell cats from dogs ✓
B. Adding 2 + 2 using a fixed calculator button
Recognising patterns normally needs human thinking. A simple calculation is just a fixed step and needs no thinking.
5. What does intelligent behaviour in a computer mean?
A. Doing a task that normally needs human thinking ✓
B. Having feelings and real understanding like a person
Intelligent behaviour is about what the computer does, not about real understanding or feelings.

Match the Pairs

intelligent behaviour → A computer does a task that normally needs human thinking, such as diagnosing a fault or choosing a game move
simulates thinking → The computer copies the results of human thinking using data and rules, but it does not truly understand what it is doing
Diagnosing a problem is intelligent behaviour because a doctor or engineer would normally need to think to do it → IF symptom = "no power" THEN OUTPUT "Check the battery"
Choosing a move in a game is intelligent behaviour because a human player would need to think ahead → best_move ← CHOOSE_BEST(board)
A chess program understands chess the way a human player does, so it truly thinks. → The program only simulates thinking by following rules and data. It does not truly understand the game like a person.
A calculator adding 2 + 2 is intelligent behaviour because it uses a fixed formula. → Simple fixed calculations do not need human thinking such as diagnosing or choosing. Intelligent behaviour means doing tasks that normally need human thought.

Key Term

intelligent behaviour
A computer does a task that normally needs human thinking, like diagnosing a fault or choosing a game move, but it only simulates thinking and does not truly understand.

Fill in the Blanks

1. IF fault = "no power" THEN OUTPUT "Check the cable" ENDIF
Hint: Type the keyword that starts the action when a diagnosis condition is true.
2. IF newScore > bestScore THEN bestMove ← move ENDIF
Hint: Type the comparison operator that checks whether the new move scores higher than the best one so far.
3. IF shape = "circle" AND colour = "red" THEN OUTPUT "Red ball" ENDIF
Hint: Type the logic operator that needs both parts of the pattern to match.
4. simulatesThinking ← TRUE understands ← FALSE OUTPUT understands
Hint: Type the Boolean value showing the computer does not truly understand.
5. INPUT symptom diagnosis ← lookup(symptom) OUTPUT diagnosis
Hint: Type the keyword that reads the fault description from the user.

Spot the Error

Question 1
A IF battery = 0 THEN
B fault ← flat battery
C ENDIF
D OUTPUT fault
Line B — The text flat battery must be in quotes so it is stored as a string. Without quotes the computer looks for a variable called flat. It should be fault ← "flat battery".
Question 2
A IF can_win THEN
B move ← BlockOpponent()
C ELSE
D move ← BlockOpponent()
E ENDIF
Line B — When can_win is true, the game AI should choose the winning move, not block. Line 2 should be move ← WinningMove().
Question 3
A edges ← 0
B FOR i ← 1 TO 99
C IF a[i] <> a[i+1]
D edges ← edges + 1
E ENDIF
F NEXT i
Line C — An IF statement must end with THEN. Line 3 should be IF a[i] <> a[i+1] THEN so the pattern check (a change between neighbours) works.
Question 4
A IF temp > 38 THEN
B symptom ← "fever"
C ENDIF
D IF symptom ← "fever" THEN
E OUTPUT "See a doctor"
F ENDIF
Line D — A condition must compare values with =, not assign with ←. Line 4 should be IF symptom = "fever" THEN.
Question 5
A understands ← TRUE
B OUTPUT "I can play chess"
C IF understands = FALSE THEN
D OUTPUT "I only simulate"
E ENDIF
Line A — A computer that shows intelligent behaviour only simulates thinking and does not truly understand. Line 1 should set understands ← FALSE.

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