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  • Home
  • 1 - Theory of Computer Science
  • 2 - Practical Problem Solving and Programming
  • Pre-Release Material
    • 2018 June >
      • 22 >
        • 22 - Cow Task
        • 22 - Task 1
        • 22 - Task 2
        • 22 - Task 3
  • 1 - Computer Systems (2023)
1 - Theory of Computer Science  /High -Low Level Languages

Exam Questions - High / Low level Languages

It is possible that you may get a question about Low Level languages in your exam.  Here are a few examples of questions from previous papers. Try each of the questions out yourself before clicking on "Reveal answer".

Example Question 1

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Reveal Answer
 (c)
Question (c) is a 1 mark question that requires you to give only one benefit of writing code in a low level language.  This "Low level language" that you need to write a benefit for could be either machine code or Assembly language.  Any of the following points would get you the 1 mark that is on offer:
  1. No need for Compilers or Interpreters
  2. Can address the memory addresses directly
  3. The code is shorter / It requires less storage / RAM
  4. It can be written to run faster.

Example Question 2

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Reveal Answers
(b)
When reading part b it is important to recognize that the question is asking for a translator to translate a HIGH LEVEL LANGUAGE.  This immediately rules our an assembler as they only deal with Assembly language.
There are two acceptable answers to this question, these are:
  1. Interpreter
  2. Compiler

Either of these two translators would earn you 1 mark.

(c)
Part c requires you to explain how the translator translates the program.  It is Very important that you describe the same translator that you described in part (b). Failure to describe your choice from part (b) will result in no marks.

If you Chose Compiler then any three of the following points would have got you marks (Max 3 marks)
  • Translates the whole program as a complete unit / at once
  • Creates an executable file / object code
  • A report / list of errors in the code is created
  • Optimizes the source code to run efficiently

If you Chose Interpreter then any three of the following points would have got you marks (Max 3 marks)
  • Translates a program one line of code at a time
  • Machine code is directly executed
  • Will identify an error as soon as it finds one in a line of code.

Example Question 3

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Reveal Answers
(d)
Question (d) requires you to give two differences between compilers and interpreters. for each point you should try to explain what one does and how the other one is different.  There are a maximum of 2 marks available here and you could gain 1 mark for any of the following points.
  1. Compiler produces object code/ Interpreter does not produce object code.
  2. Compiler translates the whole program in one go / Interpreter translates and executes one line at a time.
  3. Compiler produces "Stand alone code" / Interpreter does not produce "Stand alone code"
  4. Compilation process is slow but once complete the code will run quickly / Interpreted code runs slowly.
  5. A Compiler produces a list of all errors / An interpreter produces an error message each time an error is encountered.


Example Question 4

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Reveal Answer
2 (a)
Question 2 (a) is asking for a simple explanation of the term "High level language".  It is important to note that this question is worth 2 marks so at least two points should be given.

In this case a mark would be awarded for any of the following three points (Max of 2 marks only)
  1. It is closer to human language / Closer to English
  2. It is independent of a particular computer / device / platform // Portable language
  3. An example language such as Python, Java, Ruby (any suitable example)

Example Question 5

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Reveal Answer
(a)
The answer to part (a) of this question is:

B

You should be able to identify that code B is high level due do it using English words and mathematical symbols along with common terminology e.g. the For loop.  Code A is assembly language, you can tell this due to the use of Mnemonics.

(b)
Part (b) of this question asks for one benefit of writing code in a high level language. There are many ways to gain the one mark available here.  If you answered with any of the following points, you would be correct:
  • It is easier to understand / closer to English
  • Easier to Debug than Low level language
  • Easier to test
  • Not machine specific / Portable
  • No need to understand the workings of a computer.

Example Question 6

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Reveal Answer
10

Question 10 tests your knowledge of assembly language by asking you to identify whether 6 statements about it are true or false.

1 mark is awarded for each correct tick.

Answers
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