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Edexcel GCSE Computer Science (1CP2) Exam Questions

Build a practice paper from 604 exam-style questions, each with its mark scheme and example answers. Print it, or answer it on paper and then open the mark schemes. Or browse the questions by topic.

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3 questions · 5 marks

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1Multiple choice1 markImages Swap Remove

Two images are displayed at the same physical size. Image A has a higher resolution than image B.

Identify what this means.

[1 mark]
  • AImage A has more bits per pixel
  • BImage A has more colours
  • CImage A has more pixels per inch
  • DImage A uses less storage
Mark scheme
  • C Image A has more pixels per inch (1)
  • The only correct answer is C. The correct answer is more pixels per inch.
  • A is not correct because bits per pixel is the colour depth
  • B is not correct because more colours is caused by a higher colour depth, not a higher resolution
  • D is not correct because a higher resolution usually needs more storage, not less
Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks1/1

C Image A has more pixels per inch

Why: Correct option; resolution is the concentration of pixels, such as pixels per inch (1).

No marks0/1

B Image A has more colours

Why: More colours is an effect of colour depth, not resolution; no mark.

No marks0/1

A Image A has more bits per pixel

Why: Bits per pixel is the colour depth, not the resolution; no mark.

2Short recall2 marksUnits & Conversion Swap Remove

A solid state drive has a capacity of 5 gibibytes.

Give an expression to calculate the number of bits in 5 gibibytes. You do not need to do the calculation.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

Award one mark for each of:

  • 5 × 1024^3 / 5 × 1024 × 1024 × 1024 / 5 × 2^30, for the number of bytes (1)
  • A fully correct expression with × 8 to convert bytes to bits, in any order, e.g. 5 × 1024^3 × 8, 8 × 5 × 2^30 (1)

Accept 5 × 1 073 741 824 × 8.

Accept 5 × 2^33 or 42 949 672 960 as a fully correct expression (2 marks).

Do not accept 5 × 1000^3 × 8, which uses decimal multiples.

Do not accept ÷ 8, which converts bits to bytes.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

8 × 5 × 2^30

Why: 5 × 2^30 is the number of bytes (1) and × 8 converts bytes to bits (1).

Some marks1/2

5 × 2^30

Why: Correct number of bytes using the binary multiple 2^30 (1), but no conversion to bits.

No marks0/2

5 × 1000^3 × 8

Why: Uses decimal 1000^3 instead of binary 1024^3, so the expression is not fully correct; no creditworthy point.

3Describe2 marksTranslators Swap Remove

A high-level program must be translated into machine code before it can be run.

Describe how a compiler and an interpreter differ in when the translated code is executed.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

Award up to two marks for a linked description such as:

  • The interpreter executes each line as soon as it has been translated (1) so translation and execution happen together/at the same time (1)
  • The compiler translates the whole program first (1) and the machine code is run later/separately (1)
  • The interpreter translates the code and runs it while the program is running (1) whereas the compiler does not run the code it produces (1)
  • The compiler produces translated code that is executed only after all the translation has finished (1) but the interpreter executes each line immediately (1)

Allow 'translates one line at a time' where it is linked to executing each line immediately.

Do not accept answers that only state that a compiler is faster/an interpreter is slower, without reference to when execution happens.

Do not accept answers that only give object code, error reporting or portability, without reference to when execution happens.

Do not accept the compiler executing the program as it translates it.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

The compiler translates the code first and the program is executed afterwards, but the interpreter executes each line as soon as it has been translated.

Why: Compiler translates the whole program first and it is executed afterwards (1) and interpreter executes each line as soon as it is translated (1).

Some marks1/2

The interpreter executes each line immediately after translating it.

Why: Correct interpreter timing (1); no comparison with when the compiler's translated code is executed.

No marks0/2

The compiler executes the program line by line as it translates it.

Why: Reverses the two translators; a compiler does not execute the program it translates, so no mark.

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