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A-LevelComputer ScienceAlgorithm design and problem-solving9618/23 · Oct/Nov 2021 · Q212 Marks

An algorithm to sort a 1D array into ascending order is described as follows: • move the largest value to the end • keep repeating until the array is sorted. Apply the process of stepwise refinement to this algorithm in order to produce a more detailed description. Write the more detailed description using structured English. Your explanation of the algorithm should not include pseudocode statements.

  1. (a)An algorithm to sort a 1D array into ascending order is described as follows: • move the largest value to the end • keep repeating until the array is sorted. Apply the process of stepwise refinement to this algorithm in order to produce a more detailed description. Write the more detailed description using structured English. Your explanation of the algorithm should not include pseudocode statements.[6]
  2. (b)The program flowchart shown describes a simple algorithm. [Figure 2.1 - Flowchart] Write pseudocode for the simple algorithm shown on page 6.[6]

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Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (Oct/Nov 2021). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

  1. [1] One mark for reference to:
  2. The use a variable as an index to the array
  3. A loop to iterate through the array
  4. An Inner loop (with a reducing range)
  5. Test if current element is greater than next element
  6. if so then swap elements
  7. Description of swap
  8. Attempt at efficient algorithm
  9. Max 6 marks
  10. [1] One mark per point:
  11. Initialisation of Count AND Flag
  12. WHILE ... ENDWHILE // REPEAT ... UNTIL loop
  13. including both conditions
  14. Call ReBoot () AND increment Count inside the loop
  15. Assign return value from Check() to Flag inside the loop
  16. Final test of Flag AND call to Alert(27) not in a loop

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About this question

Topic
Algorithm design and problem-solving, A-Level Computer Science (syllabus 9618). Structured question, 12 marks.
Source
A-Level Computer Science, Oct/Nov 2021 Paper 2 Variant 3, question 2.

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