APCSP Computational Thinking Practices 2

Question 1

A programmer notices that a function she wrote to find the maximum value in a list returns the wrong answer when the list contains duplicate values. Which computational thinking practice is she applying when she identifies and isolates this specific scenario?

Accepted Answer

Debugging

Answer

Debugging involves identifying, isolating, and correcting errors in a program, including finding edge cases like duplicate values.

Question 2

Which of the following best describes the concept of 'abstraction' in computational thinking?

Accepted Answer

Removing unnecessary details to focus on essential features

Answer

Abstraction means hiding irrelevant details and focusing only on the information necessary to solve the problem at hand.

Question 3

A student wants to simulate how a virus spreads through a school. She models each student as a node and each contact as an edge. What type of computational model is she using?

Accepted Answer

Graph-based model

Answer

A graph-based model uses nodes and edges to represent relationships, making it ideal for modeling contact networks like disease spread.

Question 4

Which of the following is an example of 'decomposition' as a computational thinking strategy?

Accepted Answer

Splitting a music app into separate modules for playback, search, and playlists

Answer

Decomposition is the process of breaking a complex problem or system into smaller, more manageable parts.

Question 5

When evaluating a computational artifact, a student considers whether the program produces the correct output for all possible inputs, including unexpected ones. What practice does this represent?

Accepted Answer

Testing and verification

Answer

Testing and verification involves running a program against various inputs, including edge cases, to confirm it behaves correctly.

(APCSP) AP Computer Science Principles Practice Test

(APCSP) AP Computer Science Principles Practice Test

APCSP Computational Thinking Practices 2