KS4 - Programming Learner worksheet
Lesson 1 - Translators
Programming languages
Introduction
These questions have been designed to check your understanding of high-level
and low-level languages, with attention to translators.
You will need:
● Activity 2 ‘Lost in translation’ handout
Q1 Match the definition to the description:
High-level language Represented by 0s and 1s. This is
the only language that a computer
can execute.
Low-level language Executes the programs that
programmers write in high-level
languages.
Interpreter Translates a program into an
executable file that will work
independently from the source
code.
Compiler Written in machine code or
assembly language, this can be
quickly executed by a computer.
Translator Translates and executes a program
one line at a time.Like the source
code, it is always required for the
code to execute.
Machine code Written in formal, structured
English; this type of programming
language is easier for humans to
read, maintain, and debug.
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KS4 - Programming Learner handout
Lesson 1 - Translators
Q2 Write example code for each language listed below:
(Note for the assessor: A learner could write many variations here, but
there should be key characteristics for each example given)
Machine code 0 and 1
Assembly Words like rwgrph
language
Any high-level FORTRAN
language
Q3 If a program written in assembly language uses 400 lines of code, how many
lines of machine code will there be?
Answe 400 LINES
r:
Q4 What is needed in order to translate assembly language to machine code?
Answe Translator
r:
Q5 Machine code is specific to the CPU (fill in
the blank)
Q6 Who first conceived the idea of a compiler?
Answe Grace
r:
Q7 List three reasons why high-level languages are more suitable for
programmers than low-level languages?
Reason It is written in English
1
Reason It is easier to understand
2
Reason It is faster to write
3
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KS4 - Programming Learner handout
Lesson 1 - Translators
Q8 Why are translators necessary?
It is necessary to translate assembly language
Q9 Compare and contrast compilers to interpreters.
Compiler and translator both translate low level language to a language that is
easier to understand by the user.
THE compiler translates the languages and produces an executable file that can
be easily read by the user
While the interpreter translates it line by line to the user and the user must have
an interpreter anytime he/she wants to read the language
Explorer task
Create a mind map of all the key terms listed on the ‘Lost in translation’
handout.
Page 3 Last updated: 14-05-21
KS4 - Programming Learner handout
Lesson 1 - Translators
Resources are updated regularly — the latest version is available at: ncce.io/tcc.
This resource is licensed under the Open Government Licence, version 3. For more information on
this licence, see ncce.io/ogl.
Page 4 Last updated: 14-05-21
