Grade 7

Algorithms & Data – Questions & Answers

Short Definitions & Facts

Define algorithm.
→ A step-by-step set of instructions to solve a problem.

1. What is pseudocode?
→ A way of writing algorithms in short, clear steps, independent of
any programming language.

2. What does a flowchart represent?

→ A diagram that shows the steps of an algorithm using symbols.

3. Write the symbol used for decision-making in a flowchart.

→ Diamond (♦).

4. Which pseudocode keywords are used for decision-making?

→ IF, THEN, ELSE.

5. Give one advantage of pseudocode.

→ It is easy to understand and language-independent.

6. What is decomposition?
→ Breaking a problem into smaller sub-problems.

7. What is a constant?
→ A fixed value in a program that does not change during execution.

8. Write an example of a constant in real life.

→ Value of π (pi = 3.14).

9. Name one searching algorithm you studied.

→ Linear Search.

10. What does a linear search do?

→ It checks each item in a list one by one until the required item is
found.

11. Which loop repeats a set of instructions while a

condition is true?
→ WHILE loop.

12. What is selection in algorithms?

→ A construct where decisions are made based on conditions.
 13. State one benefit of decomposition.
→ Easier to solve smaller problems than one big one.

14. What is the purpose of testing an algorithm?

→ To check whether it works correctly for all inputs.

Conceptual Understanding

1. Differentiate between algorithm and pseudocode.

→ Algorithm is a set of step-by-step instructions to solve a problem.
→ Pseudocode is a structured, human-readable way of representing
algorithms.

2. Write two differences between pseudocode and Python.

o Pseudocode is not a real programming language; Python is.

o Pseudocode has no strict rules; Python has defined syntax.

3. Write any two characteristics of good pseudocode.

→ Clear and precise.
→ Shows start and end clearly.

4. Explain the need for searching algorithms.

→ To find specific data within a dataset, e.g., finding a name in a list.

5. State two uses of constants in algorithms.

→ Prevent accidental changes.
→ Value can be updated in one place instead of everywhere.

6. Write two differences between variable and constant.

o Variable values can change; constant values cannot change.

o Constants reduce risk of errors; variables allow flexibility.

7. Differentiate between FOR loop and WHILE loop.

o FOR loop: repeats a fixed number of times.

o WHILE loop: repeats until a condition is false.

8. Why is decomposition important in programming?

→ Makes problem-solving easier and allows teamwork.

9. What are the three parts of a conditional statement?

→ Condition, code if true, code if false.

10. Give two examples where searching algorithms are

needed.
 → Searching for a student’s roll number in records.
→ Searching for a file on a computer.

Detailed Explanations & Applications

1. Explain with example how pseudocode helps in problem-

solving.
→ Pseudocode allows planning before writing code.
Example:

2. INPUT num1, num2

3. sum ← num1 + num2

4. OUTPUT sum

This helps visualize the program before coding in Python.

5. Draw and explain a flowchart to check if a number is even or

odd.
Steps:

o Input number.

o Check condition (number % 2 == 0).

o If true → Output “Even”, else → Output “Odd”.

6. Explain decomposition with an example from daily life.

→ Making a sandwich can be decomposed into:

1. Take bread.

2. Add filling.

3. Place bread on top.

4. Serve sandwich.
In programming, decomposition makes complex problems
easier.

7. Write pseudocode and Python program to calculate area of a

circle using a constant.
Pseudocode:

CONSTANT PI = 3.14

INPUT radius

area ← PI * radius * radius

OUTPUT area
Python:

PI = 3.14

radius = float(input("Enter radius: "))

area = PI * radius * radius

print("Area:", area)

8. Explain with example how linear search works.

→ Linear search checks each element in a list one by one.
Example list: [5, 9, 12, 20].
Search 12 → check 5 → 9 → 12 (found).
Advantage: Simple to use.
Disadvantage: Slow for large lists.

9. Write pseudocode and Python program for a grading

system.
Pseudocode:

INPUT marks

IF marks >= 90 THEN OUTPUT "A"

ELSE IF marks >= 75 THEN OUTPUT "B"

ELSE IF marks >= 50 THEN OUTPUT "C"

ELSE OUTPUT "Fail"

Python:

marks = int(input("Enter marks: "))

if marks >= 90:

print("Grade A")

elif marks >= 75:

print("Grade B")

elif marks >= 50:

print("Grade C")

else:

print("Fail")

10. How do you test an algorithm? Give an example.

→ By running it with different inputs and checking if outputs are
correct.
 Example:
For an algorithm to check even/odd:

o Input 4 → Output Even

o Input 9 → Output Odd

o Input 0 → Output Even

11. Explain with example the difference between

prediction and testing.

o Prediction: Guessing what the output will be.

o Testing: Running the algorithm to verify.

Example: For input 3 in “Even/Odd” algorithm → Prediction:
Odd → Testing confirms output: Odd.

Case Study Based Questions

Case Study 1: School Library System

A school library needs a simple program that allows students to:

1. Enter the name of a book.

2. Check if the book is available in the library list.

3. If available, output "Book Available", otherwise "Not Available".

Questions:

1. (1 mark) Which searching algorithm is most suitable here?

→ Linear Search, as the program checks each book one by one.

2. (2 marks) Write the pseudocode for this program.

INPUT bookName

libraryList ← ["Maths", "Science", "English", "Computing"]

FOR each book IN libraryList

IF book == bookName THEN

OUTPUT "Book Available"

STOP

OUTPUT "Not Available"

3. (3 marks) Write the equivalent Python code.

 libraryList = ["Maths", "Science", "English", "Computing"]

bookName = input("Enter book name: ")

found = False

for book in libraryList:

if book == bookName:

found = True

break

if found:

print("Book Available")

else:

print("Not Available")

Case Study 2: Student Grading System

A teacher wants to design an algorithm to calculate student grades based

on marks.

 Marks ≥ 90 → Grade A

 Marks ≥ 75 → Grade B

 Marks ≥ 50 → Grade C

 Marks < 50 → Fail

Questions:

1. (1 mark) Which algorithm construct is mainly used here?

→ Selection (IF, ELSEIF, ELSE).

2. (2 marks) Write pseudocode for this grading algorithm.

INPUT marks

IF marks >= 90 THEN

OUTPUT "A"

ELSE IF marks >= 75 THEN

OUTPUT "B"
 ELSE IF marks >= 50 THEN

OUTPUT "C"

ELSE

OUTPUT "Fail"

(3 marks) Write Python code and test it with 3 different inputs

(prediction + testing).

marks = int(input("Enter marks: "))

if marks >= 90:

print("Grade A")

elif marks >= 75:

print("Grade B")

elif marks >= 50:

print("Grade C")

else:

print("Fail")

1. Prediction: Input 92 → Output A

2. Prediction: Input 77 → Output B

3. Prediction: Input 40 → Output Fail

Case Study 3: Currency Converter

A program converts US dollars to Indian rupees.

 Use constant exchange rate: 1 USD = 83 INR.

Questions:

1. (1 mark) What programming concept is used for storing the

exchange rate?
→ Constant.

2. (3 marks) Write pseudocode for the program.

CONSTANT rate = 83

INPUT dollars
 rupees ← dollars * rate

OUTPUT rupees

(3 marks) Write the Python program.

RATE = 83

dollars = float(input("Enter amount in USD: "))

rupees = dollars * RATE

print("Amount in INR:", rupees)

Case Study 4: Fitness Tracker – Step Counter

A fitness tracker records steps daily.

 If steps ≥ 10,000 → Output “Goal Achieved”.

 Else → Output “Keep Going!”.

 Repeat for 7 days (use loop).

Questions:

1. (1 mark) Which type of loop is best here?

→ Count-controlled FOR loop (since 7 days are fixed).

2. (5 marks) Write pseudocode.

FOR day = 1 TO 7

INPUT steps

IF steps >= 10000 THEN

OUTPUT "Goal Achieved"

ELSE

OUTPUT "Keep Going!"

NEXT day

(5 marks) Write Python program.

for day in range(1, 8):

steps = int(input(f"Enter steps for day {day}: "))

if steps >= 10000:

print("Goal Achieved")
 else:

print("Keep Going!")

Case Study 5: Pizza Order Billing (Decomposition Example)

A pizza shop wants to automate billing:

1. Input customer name.

2. Input size of pizza (Small = 200, Medium = 350, Large = 500).

3. Add fixed delivery charge = 50.

4. Output final bill.

Questions:

1. (1 mark) Which computational thinking skill is used to break this

problem into parts?
→ Decomposition.

2. (5 marks) Write pseudocode using functions.

FUNCTION get_order

INPUT name

INPUT size

RETURN size

END FUNCTION

FUNCTION calculate_bill(size)

CONSTANT delivery = 50

IF size == "Small" THEN price = 200

ELSE IF size == "Medium" THEN price = 350

ELSE price = 500

RETURN price + delivery

END FUNCTION

FUNCTION display(bill)

OUTPUT "Final Bill: ", bill

END FUNCTION

(10 marks) Write Python program.

def get_order():

name = input("Enter your name: ")

size = input("Enter pizza size (Small/Medium/Large): ")

return size

def calculate_bill(size):

DELIVERY = 50

if size == "Small":

price = 200

elif size == "Medium":

price = 350

else:

price = 500

return price + DELIVERY

def display(bill):

print("Final Bill:", bill)

# Main Program

size = get_order()

bill = calculate_bill(size)

display(bill)