Pseudocode, flowcharts and program code
Name:
Date:
Class:
A
Quick Questions
Shade in the A or B circle for each question.
1. Which is true about pseudocode?
2. A Paper 2 question says 'Write an algorithm in pseudocode'. Which answer is correct?
3. Which Paper 2 question allows you to answer in Python, Visual Basic or Java?
4. Which of these is a valid choice of language for the 15-mark scenario question?
5. Which line is written in Cambridge pseudocode?
B
Match the Pairs
Draw a line connecting each item on the left to its match on the right.
| Left column | Right column | |
|---|---|---|
| 1total ← total + mark | AIF mark >= 50 THEN OUTPUT "Pass" ELSE OUTPUT "Fail" ENDIF | |
| 2total = total + mark | BThe keywords are in lower case, but Cambridge pseudocode needs IF, THEN, OUTPUT and ENDIF in upper case. Precision matters. | |
| 3Pseudocode keywords must be written in upper case in the Cambridge format | CIF mark >= 50 THEN | |
| 4A flowchart shows a decision as a diamond with Yes and No branches, matching an IF in pseudocode | DPython's print() is program code. Paper 2 answers must use pseudocode such as OUTPUT, except the 15-mark question, which allows Python, VB or Java. | |
| 5if mark >= 50 then output "Pass" endif | EPseudocode: the Cambridge assignment arrow stores a new value in the variable | |
| 6print("Pass") in a Paper 2 pseudocode answer | FProgram code (such as Python): the equals sign is used for assignment |
C
Definitions
pseudocode
D
Fill in the Blanks
Complete each line of code by filling in the missing parts.
1.
Total _ 0
2.
______ Total
3.
_____(Total)
4.
IF Score ≥ 50 THEN
OUTPUT "Pass"
_____
5.
if Score >= 50_
print("Pass")
E
Spot the Error
Shade in the letter of the line that contains an error.
Question 1
A
DECLARE Total : INTEGER
B
Total = 0
C
INPUT Score
D
Total ← Total + Score
E
OUTPUT Total
Question 2
A
INPUT Age
B
if Age >= 16 THEN
C
OUTPUT "Allowed"
D
ENDIF
Question 3
A
total = 0
B
for n in range(5):
C
total ← total + n
D
print(total)
Question 4
A
# Add two numbers
B
INPUT A
C
INPUT B
D
OUTPUT A + B
Question 5
A
Total ← 0
B
FOR Count ← 1 TO 5
C
Total ← Total + Count
D
ENDFOR
E
OUTPUT Total
Answer Key
Pseudocode, flowcharts and program code
Section A: Quick Questions
Q1
A — It is a planning format for an algorithm, not tied to one programming language
Q2
A — Use the Cambridge pseudocode format, e.g. total ← total + 1
Q3
B — The 15-mark scenario question
Q4
A — Java
Q5
B — FOR Count ← 1 TO 10
Section B: Match the Pairs
Q1
total ← total + mark → Pseudocode: the Cambridge assignment arrow stores a new value in the variable
Q2
total = total + mark → Program code (such as Python): the equals sign is used for assignment
Q3
Pseudocode keywords must be written in upper case in the Cambridge format → IF mark >= 50 THEN
Q4
A flowchart shows a decision as a diamond with Yes and No branches, matching an IF in pseudocode → IF mark >= 50 THEN OUTPUT "Pass" ELSE OUTPUT "Fail" ENDIF
Q5
if mark >= 50 then output "Pass" endif → The keywords are in lower case, but Cambridge pseudocode needs IF, THEN, OUTPUT and ENDIF in upper case. Precision matters.
Q6
print("Pass") in a Paper 2 pseudocode answer → Python's print() is program code. Paper 2 answers must use pseudocode such as OUTPUT, except the 15-mark question, which allows Python, VB or Java.
Section C: Definitions
Q1
pseudocode — Cambridge's fixed format for planning an algorithm before it is written as program code. Paper 2 answers must use it, except the 15-mark question, which allows Python, VB or Java.Section D: Fill in the Blanks
Q1
Total ← 0Q2
OUTPUT TotalQ3
print(Total)Q4
IF Score ≥ 50 THEN
OUTPUT "Pass"
ENDIFQ5
if Score >= 50:
print("Pass")Section E: Spot the Error
Q1
B — Cambridge pseudocode assigns a value with the arrow ←, not =. The line should be Total ← 0.
Q2
B — Pseudocode keywords must be written in upper case. The line should start with IF, not if.
Q3
C — This is Python, which is allowed in the 15-mark question. Python uses = for assignment. The arrow ← belongs only in pseudocode. It should be total = total + n.
Q4
A — A comment in Cambridge pseudocode starts with //. The # symbol is Python comment style. It should be // Add two numbers.
Q5
D — A pseudocode FOR loop is closed with NEXT followed by the loop variable, not ENDFOR. The line should be NEXT Count.