Practice B.2 Simulations with authentic IB Computer Science (CS) exam questions for both SL and HL students. This question bank mirrors Paper 1, 2, 3 structure, covering key topics like programming concepts, algorithms, and data structures. Get instant solutions, detailed explanations, and build exam confidence with questions in the style of IB examiners.
An airport authority is using a simulation to optimize passenger flow during peak travel seasons.
Outline two benefits of using a simulation to optimize passenger flow.
Identify two data inputs required for this simulation model.
Discuss how data inputs like passenger numbers and terminal layout could affect the simulation’s recommendations.
A research team is simulating the effects of rainfall on agricultural yields across a large geographic area.
Define the term simulation in the context of environmental research.
Outline two factors that could impact agricultural yield in the simulation and explain their significance.
Discuss one limitation of using simulations for predicting environmental outcomes.
A supermarket chain is simulating the impact of new product lines on in-store sales.
Identify two types of data that could be used as inputs in the simulation.
Describe how each data type would influence the results of the simulation.
Discuss one advantage and one disadvantage of using simulations for business decision-making.
A city council is planning to develop a model to simulate traffic flow in an urban area. They aim to reduce congestion and improve traffic signal timing based on traffic data collected from major intersections.
Define the term simulation in the context of traffic flow analysis.
Explain how a simulation differs from a model.
The initial model simulates traffic based on the following variables: number of cars, average speed, and signal timing. Identify two additional variables that would improve the accuracy of the simulation, and explain how each variable influences traffic flow.
Outline the software and hardware requirements necessary to implement this traffic simulation effectively.
Discuss two limitations of using this simulation to make decisions about real-life traffic flow improvements.
The traffic simulation produces data on peak traffic times and congestion points. Explain two test cases that could be used to evaluate the accuracy of the simulation’s predictions.
Ralph owns a furniture store that trades in second-hand furniture, lamps and musical instruments. He buys these items, repairs them where necessary and then resells them. He calculates the value of each item using the information below: - type: furniture, lamp, musical instrument
Copy and complete the following table showing the variables, each variable's data type and range of values that would represent the information shown above.
Using the above rules, construct the pseudocode that will help Ralph in deciding whether to buy an item.
Describe two items that would have a calculated value of more than $90.
Calculate the selling price of a top brand guitar with a volume of 96 dm³ that was damaged. You should show your working.
With the help of a diagram, suggest an appropriate design for a spreadsheet used to calculate the final selling price, following this model.
Identify two tests that should be included in the test plan for this model.
A university is using a simulation to predict enrollment and staffing needs for the next decade.
Identify two advantages of using a simulation for long-term planning.
Describe one rule that could be included in the simulation to calculate future staffing needs.
Outline one limitation of using simulations for predicting enrollment.
Global warming is a term used to describe the increase in mean global temperatures.
There have been numerous computer simulations developed to predict the effects of global warming. One simulation is NASA's Virtual Earth System Laboratory (VESL), which allows users to see how climate change affects glacier size, global sea level and changes to the coastline.
The VESL runs simulations in real time and is an abstraction of reality.
A recent study reported that previous simulations of predicted global sea levels for 2100 were highly inaccurate.
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Outline two reasons why predictions of global sea levels from simulations may not be accurate.
Outline what is meant by the statement “the VESL simulation is an abstraction of reality”.
Outline what is meant by a real-time simulation in the context of a glacier size simulation.
NASA has decided to make its simulation software available for other scientists as well as members of the public.
Evaluate the social and ethical implications of this decision.
Weather forecasters use computer models which are able to simulate future weather patterns. These forecasts were originally limited to the near future. However, modern systems can now produce long range forecasts.
The simulation of the weather forecasting models produces specific data which can be output in a variety of ways.
Suggest two reasons why these simulations have improved both in their accuracy and their range.
Define the term visualization.
Suggest why forecasts become less accurate the more long range they become.
With the help of examples, discuss how the development in the way such data is visualized has made the results of these simulations more accessible to the general public.
Discuss whether historical data can be accurately used to forecast future weather.
A specific type of fish lives and breeds in a lake. It is important that the fish population in the lake has stability and does not decrease too much. Each year people who want to fish from the lake are issued licences under the following conditions. - The estimated number of fish in the lake has not fallen by more than 5% over the last five years.
Outline the steps involved in combining and recording the results from five separate samples taken from the lake in one year.
Identify the variables needed to create a model that can be used to decide whether or not licences should be issued.
Explain how the model from part could be constructed and used. You should make reference to specific software with which you are familiar.
Discuss how the model may be tested and corrected if necessary.
A sports team is using a simulation to plan player workloads throughout the season.
Outline one reason for using a simulation in this context.
Identify two data variables that could be useful in this simulation.
Describe how each variable would influence the simulation results.