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 identified in part (1) 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.
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:
These estimates are based on samples taken throughout the year from random sections of the lake.
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 2 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.
In a small shop two people prepare and sell bread rolls. The space for preparing the bread rolls is small. This space includes a sink and a cash register. Each of the ingredients used to fill the bread rolls is kept in a separate bowl with its own fork or spoon. Sometimes the bowls need to be refilled.
Preparing a bread roll requires the following steps:
After that, the roll is ready for payment and collection.
Even when the shop is busy, each person only prepares one bread roll at a time.
A larger restaurant is already using simulation software for the preparation of their dishes.
The restaurant has a menu with eight possible dishes. These dishes may require a number of steps such as cutting, mixing, boiling and grilling to prepare them, as well as different cooking times. The restaurant has a cook and an assistant who prepare one dish at the time.
Describe how the two people could improve the efficiency of their work, without compromising on the quality of service to the customers.
Explain the difference between a model and a simulation.
Identify three elements that the simulation software might consider, in addition to the information already described above.
Outline two problems with the shop's current method of preparation that could affect the time it takes the two people to prepare an order.
The simulation program will group all orders received in an interval of 10 minutes. The program will then produce a sequence of all the cooking steps so that these orders can be completed as quickly as possible. Once the kitchen has completed the orders for one interval, it is ready to accept orders for the next interval.
Customers are impressed by the rapidity of service, but not by the quality of prepared food.
Suggest two elements that the software simulation may have not considered that may lead to complaints from the customers.
Compare the process of tweening with the process of morphing.
Explain why animators have to be aware of the degree of realism provided by their animations in order to avoid the uncanny valley effect.
A financial institution simulates loan default rates under various economic conditions.
Outline two benefits of using simulations for financial planning.
Describe one rule that could be used to simulate loan defaults.
Explain one limitation of using such simulations to predict financial trends.
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 identified in part (1) 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.
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:
These estimates are based on samples taken throughout the year from random sections of the lake.
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 2 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.
In a small shop two people prepare and sell bread rolls. The space for preparing the bread rolls is small. This space includes a sink and a cash register. Each of the ingredients used to fill the bread rolls is kept in a separate bowl with its own fork or spoon. Sometimes the bowls need to be refilled.
Preparing a bread roll requires the following steps:
After that, the roll is ready for payment and collection.
Even when the shop is busy, each person only prepares one bread roll at a time.
A larger restaurant is already using simulation software for the preparation of their dishes.
The restaurant has a menu with eight possible dishes. These dishes may require a number of steps such as cutting, mixing, boiling and grilling to prepare them, as well as different cooking times. The restaurant has a cook and an assistant who prepare one dish at the time.
Describe how the two people could improve the efficiency of their work, without compromising on the quality of service to the customers.
Explain the difference between a model and a simulation.
Identify three elements that the simulation software might consider, in addition to the information already described above.
Outline two problems with the shop's current method of preparation that could affect the time it takes the two people to prepare an order.
The simulation program will group all orders received in an interval of 10 minutes. The program will then produce a sequence of all the cooking steps so that these orders can be completed as quickly as possible. Once the kitchen has completed the orders for one interval, it is ready to accept orders for the next interval.
Customers are impressed by the rapidity of service, but not by the quality of prepared food.
Suggest two elements that the software simulation may have not considered that may lead to complaints from the customers.
Compare the process of tweening with the process of morphing.
Explain why animators have to be aware of the degree of realism provided by their animations in order to avoid the uncanny valley effect.
A financial institution simulates loan default rates under various economic conditions.
Outline two benefits of using simulations for financial planning.
Describe one rule that could be used to simulate loan defaults.
Explain one limitation of using such simulations to predict financial trends.