Syntax errors and run-time errors reported by translators
Name:
Date:
Class:
A
Quick Questions
Shade in the A or B circle for each question.
1. Which line contains a syntax error? A: print("Hello" B: print("Hello")
2. A student types pritn("Hi") instead of print("Hi"). What kind of error is this?
3. What does a translator usually report when it finds a syntax error?
4. A program runs, then crashes on the line result = 10 / 0. What type of error is this?
5. When does a run-time error happen?
B
Match the Pairs
Draw a line connecting each item on the left to its match on the right.
| Left column | Right column | |
|---|---|---|
| 1print("Hi" | ASyntax error: the colon is missing after the condition. The translator reports it and shows the line before the program runs. | |
| 2result = 10 / 0 | Bpritn("Score") | |
| 3A misspelt keyword breaks the rules of the language, so the translator reports a syntax error | CA run-time error: the code is valid, but the program crashes when this line runs | |
| 4A logic error gives the wrong output but no error message, because the code follows the rules | DA syntax error: the closing bracket is missing, so the translator reports the error and its line number | |
| 5if age > 18 print("Adult") | Eaverage = a + b / 2 | |
| 6total = 5 print(totl) | FRun-time error: the variable name is misspelt, so the program stops when this line runs. The fix is to type total. |
C
Definitions
syntax error
D
Fill in the Blanks
Complete each line of code by filling in the missing parts.
1.
# "iff x > 5:" is a syntax error
__ x > 5:
print("Big")
2.
print("Total"
# Translator reports: ______ error, line 1
3.
a = 10
b = 0
print(a _ b) # run-time error
4.
print(10 / 0) # ________ error, not syntax
5.
# Want the average of 4 and 6
print(4 + 6 / 2) # _____ error: prints 7
E
Spot the Error
Shade in the letter of the line that contains an error.
Question 1
A
name = input("Name: "
B
print("Hello " + name)
C
print("Welcome")
Question 2
A
age = 15
B
limit = 18
C
if age < limit
D
print("Too young")
Question 3
A
x = 10
B
y = 2
C
whlie x > y:
D
x = x - y
Question 4
A
total = 100
B
people = 0
C
share = total / people
D
print(share)
Question 5
A
a = 6
B
b = 8
C
avg = a + b / 2
D
print(avg)
Answer Key
Syntax errors and run-time errors reported by translators
Section A: Quick Questions
Q1
A — A: print("Hello" (missing closing bracket)
Q2
B — Syntax error (misspelt keyword)
Q3
B — The error and the line number where it was found
Q4
A — Run-time error (dividing by zero)
Q5
A — Only while the program is running
Section B: Match the Pairs
Q1
print("Hi" → A syntax error: the closing bracket is missing, so the translator reports the error and its line number
Q2
result = 10 / 0 → A run-time error: the code is valid, but the program crashes when this line runs
Q3
A misspelt keyword breaks the rules of the language, so the translator reports a syntax error → pritn("Score")
Q4
A logic error gives the wrong output but no error message, because the code follows the rules → average = a + b / 2
Q5
if age > 18
print("Adult") → Syntax error: the colon is missing after the condition. The translator reports it and shows the line before the program runs.
Q6
total = 5
print(totl) → Run-time error: the variable name is misspelt, so the program stops when this line runs. The fix is to type total.
Section C: Definitions
Q1
syntax error — Code that breaks the rules of the language, like a missing bracket. The translator reports it and its line. A run-time error only occurs when the program runs.Section D: Fill in the Blanks
Q1
# "iff x > 5:" is a syntax error
if x > 5:
print("Big")Q2
print("Total"
# Translator reports: syntax error, line 1Q3
a = 10
b = 0
print(a / b) # run-time errorQ4
print(10 / 0) # run-time error, not syntaxQ5
# Want the average of 4 and 6
print(4 + 6 / 2) # logic error: prints 7Section E: Spot the Error
Q1
A — The closing bracket is missing, which breaks the rules of the language. This is a syntax error and the translator reports it with its line number. It should be name = input("Name: ").
Q2
C — An if statement needs a colon at the end of the line. Without it the translator reports a syntax error on this line. It should be if age < limit:.
Q3
C — The keyword while is misspelt. The translator does not recognise it and reports a syntax error on this line. It should be while x > y:.
Q4
B — With people set to 0, line 3 divides by zero. The code follows the rules of the language, so there is no syntax error. The program crashes with a run-time error only when it runs. It should be people = 4.
Q5
C — Without brackets, b / 2 is worked out first, so the answer is wrong. This is a logic error: the program runs and no error message appears, but the output is incorrect. It should be avg = (a + b) / 2.