CIE IGCSE | TOPIC 6 ASSESSMENT
AUTOMATED AND EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES: END OF TOPIC REVIEW
Check your understanding of automated systems, robotics and artificial intelligence. Work independently before checking your answers.
BEFORE YOU BEGIN
Suggested time: 25–35 minutes. Complete sections A and B without notes. Write section C answers in your exercise book before revealing the marking guidance.
Sections A and B provide an automatic score out of 11, one point for each fully correct item. Section C has 10 suggested written marks, assessed separately. These are original practice questions, not an official Cambridge paper or grade boundary.
For applied scenarios, record the relevant rule or evidence in your book. Your answers remain only while this page is open.
C | EXAM-STYLE WRITING
Write in your exercise book before revealing the guidance. Section C assesses subject knowledge and gives you practice expressing it clearly. The first table reproduces the command-word meanings supplied from the Cambridge syllabus. The second gives practical writing guidance for this review.
| CIE command word | Meaning from the specification |
|---|---|
| Calculate | work out from given facts, figures or information |
| Compare | identify/comment on similarities and/or differences |
| Define | give precise meaning |
| Demonstrate | show how or give an example |
| Describe | state the points of a topic / give characteristics and main features |
| Evaluate | judge or calculate the quality, importance, amount, or value of something |
| Explain | set out purposes or reasons / make the relationships between things clear / say why and/or how and support with relevant evidence |
| Give | produce an answer from a given source or recall/memory |
| Identify | name/select/recognise |
| Outline | set out the main points |
| Show (that) | provide structured evidence that leads to a given result |
| State | express in clear terms |
| Suggest | apply knowledge and understanding to situations where there are a range of valid responses in order to make proposals / put forward considerations |
The command applies to the subject context. A brief identification does not need an essay; an explanation needs accurate links. Use the guidance below for the four commands in this written review.
| Command word | What your answer should do | Useful writing pattern |
|---|---|---|
| Describe | State the main features or relevant points; for a process, make the sequence clear. | First… Next… Finally… |
| Explain | Give reasons, purposes or clear relationships, supported by relevant subject knowledge. | …because…; therefore…; resulting in…; leading to… |
| Compare | Identify similarities and/or differences, addressing both things on the same basis. | Both…; whereas…; unlike… |
| Evaluate | Make a reasoned judgement about suitability or value in the given context. | A benefit is…; however…; therefore, for this purpose… |
BUILD A CLEAR EXPLANATION
Point → reason or mechanism → consequence. Connectives help show the relationship, but the technical link must be accurate. Adding “because” to an unsupported claim does not make it a good explanation.
Thin answer: “The fan turns on.”
Developed answer: “Because the temperature reading exceeds the upper threshold, the processor issues a command to run the fan motor, resulting in increased ventilation.”
Use because or because of to introduce a cause; therefore, resulting in or leading to to show a consequence. For comparison, use both and whereas. For evaluation, use however and finish with a justified judgement.
Write enough relevant detail for the marks available. Clear, concise sentences are better than padding. These are writing supports, not compulsory phrases or separate official language marks.
12 | AUTOMATIC IRRIGATION
[3 suggested marks]
Describe how a soil-moisture sensor, microprocessor and actuator work together in an automated irrigation system, including repeated checking.
Sample answer: The soil-moisture sensor supplies readings of the soil condition. The microprocessor compares each reading with a programmed target and commands a pump or valve when watering is required. The actuator supplies the physical watering action, and further readings provide feedback so the controller can adjust or stop the output according to its rules.
- Sensor input linked to soil moisture: one mark.
- Processor comparison linked to a programmed watering command: one mark.
- Actuator action and repeated feedback linked to adjustment or stopping: one mark.
Writing focus: describe the sequence and distinct roles. The sensor does not pump water, and the processor does not itself produce the physical flow.
13 | MACHINE-LEARNING EVALUATION
[3 suggested marks]
A classifier performs well on the images used to train it. Explain why this does not guarantee good performance on new images and why suitable separate evaluation examples are useful.
Sample answer: The model was adapted to the training information, so success on those examples may reflect fitting to familiar patterns rather than reliable performance in all conditions. New images can contain features or backgrounds poorly represented in training, leading to incorrect predictions. Therefore suitable examples not used to fit the model help check generalisation and reveal weaknesses that training results alone may hide.
- Training adaptation linked to familiar-case performance rather than a guarantee: one mark.
- Unfamiliar or poorly represented conditions linked to possible errors: one mark.
- Separate evaluation linked to checking generalisation or revealing weaknesses: one mark.
Writing focus: connect the training information, changed conditions and evaluation purpose. Do not claim every model that performs well in training must perform badly later.
14 | TWO EXPERT-SYSTEM COMPONENTS
[2 suggested marks]
Compare the rule base and inference engine in an expert system. Explain their different roles and how they work together.
Sample answer: The rule base stores conditions and conclusions, whereas the inference engine applies relevant rules to the available information. The engine uses the stored rules to determine which conclusion follows when the conditions match.
- Linked comparison of rule storage and rule application: one mark.
- Clear relationship showing the engine uses the rules with available facts to infer a conclusion: one mark.
Writing focus: compare the two on their function rather than listing unrelated features. Neither should be confused with the interface.
15 | WAREHOUSE TRANSPORT ROBOTS
[2 suggested marks]
A warehouse considers robots to carry standard boxes along frequently used routes, but the aisles can become blocked and staff must maintain the equipment. Evaluate their suitability and give a justified judgement.
Sample answer: Robots can reduce repeated manual carrying and support consistent transport along predictable routes. However, blocked aisles can interrupt movement and charging or maintenance can cause downtime. Therefore they may be suitable if routes are kept accessible and support and failure handling are planned, but the benefit should be weighed against cost and disruption for this warehouse.
- Weigh a contextual benefit against a relevant route or upkeep limitation: one mark.
- Give a reasoned suitability judgement linked to the stated conditions: one mark.
Writing focus: connect each factor to the warehouse task and conclude. Do not assume robots never need people or always work in every environment.
CHECK YOUR WRITTEN COMMUNICATION
- Did I answer the command word, rather than just name facts?
- For explain, did I show an accurate reason or cause-and-effect link?
- For compare, did I address both things on the same point?
- For evaluate, did I weigh relevant factors and justify my judgement?
- Did I use precise terms and connectives naturally, without repeating or padding?
Self-assess using the suggested content marks, keeping the written total separate from your automatic score. Use the writing checklist to improve an answer rather than adding unofficial language marks.
YOUR NEXT REVISION STEP
Submit sections A and B to see suggested lessons to revisit.
For written work, revisit control components and feedback, robot roles and AI operation where needed.
This review samples the topic. Also check all seven automation scenarios, all six robot-use areas, robot characteristics and AI definitions using the Topic 6 revision page.
Choose two weak areas, revisit their explanations and attempt fresh examples. Repeating these questions after feedback shows learning rather than an independent assessment.