Skip to main content
A-LevelComputer ScienceData Structures (Linked Lists)Oct/Nov 2024Paper 4 Q319 Marks

A linked list stores positive integer data in a 2D array. The first dimension of the array stores the integer data. The second dimension of the array stores the pointer to the next node in the linked list. A linked list node with no data is initialised with the integer -1. These nodes are linked together as an empty list. A pointer of -1 identifies that node as the last node. The linked list can store 20 nodes. The global 2D array LinkedList stores the linked list. LinkedList is initialised as an empty list. The data in each node is initialised to -1. Each node's pointer stores the index of the next node. The last node stores the pointer value –1, which indicates it is the last node. The global variable FirstEmpty stores the index of the first element in the empty list. This is the first node in the empty linked list when it is initialised, which is index 0. The global variable FirstNode stores the index of the first element in the linked list. There is no data in the linked list when it is initialised, so FirstNode is initialised to -1. This diagram shows the content of the initialised array. FirstEmpty = 0 FirstNode = -1 Index Data Pointer 0 -1 1 1 -1 2 2 -1 3 3 -1 4 4 -1 5 19 -1 -1

✓ Correct Answer

The correct answer is . This question tests the candidate's understanding of data structures (linked lists) within the Computer Sciencesyllabus. The examiner's mark scheme requires...

📋 Examiner Report & Trap Analysis

Common mistake: 62% of candidates selected the distractor because they confused... The examiner specifically designed this question to test whether students can differentiate between... To secure full marks, candidates must demonstrate...

🔒

Unlock the Examiner's Answer

Sign up for free to reveal the correct answer, the official mark scheme breakdown, and the examiner trap analysis for this question.

Sign Up Free to Unlock →

Join thousands of Cambridge students already using Oracle Prep

About This A-Level Computer Science Question

This structured question appeared in the Cambridge A-Level Computer Science (9618) Oct/Nov 2024 examination, Paper 4 Variant 1. It tests the topic of Data Structures (Linked Lists) and is worth 19 marks.

Oracle Prep provides AI-powered practice for all Cambridge O-Level and A-Level subjects. Our platform includes topic predictions with 87.7% accuracy, AI essay grading, and a comprehensive question bank spanning 25 years of past papers.

© 2026 Oracle Prep — The AI-Powered Cambridge Exam Engine