Edexcel GCSE Computer Science (1CP2) Exam Questions

• A Desktop computer (1)
• The only correct answer is A. The correct answer is Desktop computer.
• B is not correct because a microwave oven uses an embedded system, built into it, to control a dedicated function
• C is not correct because a washing machine uses an embedded system, built into it, to control a dedicated function
• D is not correct because a traffic light uses an embedded system, built into it, to control a dedicated function

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

• Keeps a record/index of where each file is stored on the disk (1) so the file can be found and opened later (1)
• Allocates space on the disk for each file (1) so files are stored without overwriting each other (1)
• Provides facilities to name file(s) and organise them into folder(s)/directories (1) so the user can find and manage their files (1)

Do not accept responses about process management, peripheral management or user management.

Do not accept bare statements of storing/saving, e.g. 'it stores files', 'it saves files' or 'it keeps files safe', with no development.

Do not award a mark for responses that repeat the question, e.g. 'it manages files', with no development.

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

• The processor/CPU can only execute machine code/binary instructions (1) so the assembly instructions must be converted into machine code before the program can run (1)
• Each assembly instruction/mnemonic matches/corresponds to one machine code instruction (1) so each line must be replaced with the machine code the processor executes (1)
• The program is written using mnemonics (1) that must be translated into machine code for the processor to carry out the instructions (1)
• The hardware/processor does not understand assembly language directly (1) so it must be translated into machine code that the processor can execute (1)

Do not accept 'assembly language is a low-level language'.

Do not accept 'it is hard to understand' or 'it is not English'.

Do not accept benefits, such as 'machine code runs faster' or 'the program will run more quickly'.

Do not accept 'an assembler/a translator converts it' on its own, with no reference to the processor only being able to execute machine code/binary.

Do not accept responses about high-level languages or about compilers/interpreters.

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

• Data can avoid a busy/congested link (1) because the router can choose another path (1)
• Data can still arrive if a link fails (1) because the router sends it another way (1)
• Data can take the shortest/fastest path (1) because the router compares the routes and chooses the one with the fewest hops/least traffic (1)

For both marks, the expansion must follow/associate with the statement.

Allow other valid benefits with a linked reason, e.g. traffic can be shared across routes/load balanced (1) because the router can send some packets by another path (1)

Do not accept 'the route is always the same' as this is not a benefit of choosing a route.

Do not accept 'routers are fast' or 'packets are sent faster' on its own: the reason must say how the route is chosen, e.g. avoiding congestion or using a routing table.