← IGCSE Computer Science Paper 1

Weighing the advantages and disadvantages of using a robot

Compare a robot's advantages and disadvantages for one task, link each point to a reason with because, then give a conclusion on whether the robot should be used.

Part of: IGCSE Computer Science 0478 — 6.2 Robotics — Module 28

Understanding Weighing the advantages and disadvantages of using a robot in IGCSE Computer Science Paper 1

What it does: The sentence includes an advantage (precision) and a disadvantage (high cost), each linked to a reason with 'because'. It gives only an advantage and ignores disadvantages such as breakdowns or damage to fruit, so it is one-sided. Weighing up needs both advantages and disadvantages, then a conclusion. This answer is one-sided. The conclusion is your decision about the task, supported by a reason, not a repeat of earlier points. A reason must explain why the point is true. Saying it is a robot explains nothing.

Common mistakes: The verdict contradicts the weighing. If the cons outweighed the pros, the robot should not be used. It should say 'pros outweigh'.}. The reason does not support the advantage. A robot arm is precise because it does not shake. It should say 'because no shake'.

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This module's key terms are also in a printable crossword (Modules 642–651) and word search (Modules 632–651).

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Learning
Duo
A student writes: 'Robots on a car assembly line are good because they work all day.' Is this a balanced answer?
Yes - one strong advantage is enough to weigh up the taskNo - it only gives an advantage and has no disadvantage or conclusion
Matches
A robot on a car line is good. It is fast. It is safe. So use it.
↓
The points are not linked to reasons with 'because', and no disadvantages are given, so it is one-sided.
Applying
Meanings
Term
weigh up
Meaning
Compare a robot's advantages and disadvantages for one task, link each point to a reason with because, then give a conclusion on whether the robot should be used.
Practice
Advantage: a robot can weld all day because it does not get tired.
Testing
Gaps
it never gets tired.
Check Answer
Spots
3Con: costly because of set-up
4Verdict: use it, cons outweigh

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Quick Questions

1. A student writes: 'Robots on a car assembly line are good because they work all day.' Is this a balanced answer?
A. Yes - one strong advantage is enough to weigh up the task
B. No - it only gives an advantage and has no disadvantage or conclusion ✓
Weighing up needs both advantages and disadvantages, then a conclusion. This answer is one-sided.
2. Which sentence links a point to a reason correctly for a car assembly line robot?
A. Robots weld consistently because they repeat the same program exactly each time ✓
B. Robots weld consistently and they are used in factories
The word 'because' links the point to a reason that explains it. The other sentence just states facts side by side.
3. A hospital is deciding whether to use a robot surgeon assistant. Which is a disadvantage to include in a balanced answer?
A. The robot is very expensive to buy and can break down during an operation ✓
B. The robot can hold instruments steadily without getting tired
High cost and breakdowns are disadvantages. Steady, tireless work is an advantage.
4. Which is the best way to end an answer about using a robot surgeon assistant?
A. A conclusion such as 'Overall it should be used because it is precise, but a surgeon must supervise it in case it fails' ✓
B. Another advantage, such as 'Robots also never need a break'
A good weighing-up answer finishes with a reasoned conclusion that decides for or against using the robot.
5. A farmer is deciding whether to buy a fruit picking robot. Which answer is balanced?
A. It can pick all night because it needs no rest, and it picks faster than people can
B. It can pick all night because it needs no rest, but it is costly and may bruise fruit it cannot judge well ✓
A balanced answer includes at least one advantage and one disadvantage. The wrong answer gives two advantages only.

Match the Pairs

Advantage: welds car parts the same way every time because it does not get tired. → A point for using a robot on a car assembly line, linked to its reason with 'because'.
Conclusion: Use the robot because the benefits outweigh the cost, but keep a human to check it. → A reasoned final judgement that follows from weighing both sides.
A balanced answer about a robot surgeon assistant gives one advantage and one disadvantage. → It is very precise because it has no shaky hands, but it is costly because the machine is expensive to buy.
A one-sided answer about a farm picking robot only lists the good points. → The robot can work all night because it never needs rest, so it is always the best choice.
A robot on a car line is good. It is fast. It is safe. So use it. → The points are not linked to reasons with 'because', and no disadvantages are given, so it is one-sided.
A farm picking robot costs a lot and can break down. So never use it. → It lists only disadvantages, gives no reasons and reaches a conclusion without weighing any advantages.

Key Term

weigh up
Compare a robot's advantages and disadvantages for one task, link each point to a reason with because, then give a conclusion on whether the robot should be used.

Fill in the Blanks

1. Advantage: a car robot works non-stop because it never gets tired.
Hint: Type the word that links a point to its reason.
2. Advantage: a surgeon robot is very precise. However, it is expensive to buy.
Hint: Type the word that introduces a contrasting point in a balanced answer.
3. Conclusion: the farm should use the robot because it picks fruit all day and night.
Hint: Type the label for the final judgement that ends a weighing-up answer.
4. A one-sided answer gives only one side. A balanced answer gives both sides.
Hint: Type the word for an answer that covers both advantages and disadvantages.
5. Assembly robot: costs a lot to buy, but it saves money over many years.
Hint: Type the linking word that contrasts a disadvantage with an advantage.

Spot the Error

Question 1
A Task: weld car bodies
B Pro: steady because no tiring
C Con: costly because of set-up
D Verdict: use it, cons outweigh
Line D — The verdict contradicts the weighing. If the cons outweighed the pros, the robot should not be used. It should say 'pros outweigh'.}
Question 2
A Pro: precise because it shakes
B Con: errors because of faults
C Verdict: use with a surgeon
Line A — The reason does not support the advantage. A robot arm is precise because it does not shake. It should say 'because no shake'.
Question 3
A Task: pick ripe fruit
B Pro: nonstop because no rest
C Pro: may bruise soft fruit
D Verdict: use it, check fruit
Line C — Bruising fruit is a disadvantage, not an advantage. This line should be labelled 'Con'.
Question 4
A Answer: robot picks fruit
B Pro: fast because no breaks
C Con: costly because of price
D Verdict: use, no cons at all
Line D — The answer becomes one-sided and contradicts the Con on line 3. A balanced answer admits the disadvantage and says it is small. It should say 'cons are small'.
Question 5
A Task: spray-paint cars
B Pro: safe because no fumes
C Con: jobs lost
D Verdict: use, retrain staff
Line C — The point has no reason. Every point needs a 'because' link, such as 'jobs lost because of it'.

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