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Edexcel GCSE Computer Science (1CP2) Exam Questions

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4 questions · 7 marks

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1Short recall1 markSound Swap Remove

To store sound in binary, an analogue sound wave is sampled at regular intervals.

Define the term 'sample rate'.

[1 mark]
Mark scheme

Award one mark for:

  • The number of samples taken per second (1)

Allow captured/recorded for taken.

Allow 'samples per second'.

Allow 'each second' for 'per second'.

Allow Hz/hertz as the unit.

Do not accept the time between samples/sample interval.

Do not accept 'the number of samples' without a per second/time reference.

Do not accept the number of bits used per sample/bit depth.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks1/1

The number of samples taken per second.

Why: States samples per second (1); 'per second' is accepted.

No marks0/1

The time between each sample.

Why: Defines sample interval, not sample rate; do not accept.

No marks0/1

The number of bits used for each sample.

Why: Describes bit depth, not sample rate; do not accept.

2Short recall2 marksCharacter Sets Swap Remove

A computer uses a character set to represent text.

Define the term character set.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

Award one mark for any of the following up to a maximum of two marks:

  • A set/collection of characters (1)
  • (Characters such as) letters, digits and symbols/punctuation (1)
  • Each character is represented by a unique code/binary value (1)
  • A standard set of characters so that text can be exchanged between computer systems (1)

Allow 'a list of characters that a computer can represent' for the first mark.

Do not accept a program/software that converts text into binary.

Do not accept 'a set of binary codes' on its own.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

A set of characters, such as letters, digits and punctuation, where each character is represented by a unique binary code.

Why: Set/collection of characters with examples (1) and each character has a unique code (1).

Some marks1/2

A set of letters and symbols that a computer can use to represent text.

Why: Awarded for the set/collection of characters (1); no creditworthy point saying each character has its own unique code (0).

No marks0/2

A program that converts the keys pressed on a keyboard into binary.

Why: Describes software that converts text, not a set of characters; the Do not accept line applies.

3Explain2 marksImages Swap Remove

Two versions of the same bitmap image are saved. The second version has a higher colour depth.

Explain why the second version may have a larger file size.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • More binary data is stored for each pixel (1) because a higher colour depth uses more bits per pixel (1)
  • Each pixel has a longer binary code (1) so more storage is needed to hold the image (1)
  • More colours can be represented (1) so more bits are needed for each pixel (1)
  • The file contains more bits in total (1) because colour depth is the number of bits per pixel (1)

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

Allow 'more bits per pixel' for one mark.

Do not accept 'more pixels' or 'higher resolution' as the reason, because changing colour depth does not change the number of pixels.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

The second version stores more binary data for each pixel because a higher colour depth uses more bits per pixel.

Why: Linked point (1) and reason (1): more data per pixel because more bits per pixel.

Some marks1/2

The second version uses more bits for each pixel.

Why: One mark for identifying that more bits are stored per pixel; no linked statement about more data or file size.

No marks0/2

The second version has more pixels, so there is more data to store.

Why: A common misconception; colour depth does not change the number of pixels, so no creditworthy point is given.

4Explain2 marksSound Swap Remove

Analogue sound is converted to binary by sampling at regular intervals.

Explain one reason why increasing the sample rate improves the quality of a digitised sound.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • More samples are taken every second / the sample rate is higher (1) so the digital wave follows the shape of the analogue wave more closely (1)
  • The amplitude is measured more often / at shorter intervals (1) so fewer changes in the sound are missed between measurements (1)
  • The sample interval is shorter (1) so less of the sound wave is lost/goes unrecorded between samples (1)
  • More data points are recorded for the same length of sound (1) so the digital representation is a closer copy of the original sound (1)

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

Do not accept 'the quality is better/higher' or 'the sound is clearer' as a point on its own without a reason such as more samples or more detail.

Do not accept 'the samples are more accurate' or 'more data is collected' without saying what becomes more accurate or what the extra data records.

Do not accept 'the file size is larger' as a reason for improved quality.

Do not accept answers about using more bits per sample, as these describe bit depth, not the sample rate.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

More samples are taken every second, so the digital representation follows the shape of the analogue wave more closely.

Why: Point (more samples each second) (1) with linked reason (follows the analogue wave more closely) (1).

Some marks1/2

More samples are taken every second.

Why: Creditworthy point (1) but no linked reason about what the extra samples achieve, so stays on one mark.

No marks0/2

Each sample is stored using more bits, so every measurement is more accurate.

Why: This describes bit depth, not the sample rate, so neither mark is awarded.

Questions by topic

2.1 Binary

Build a paper on this topic 58
Adding Binary Numbers 6 questions Binary and Hexadecimal Basics 10 questions Binary Shifts 6 questions Binary to Denary Conversion 6 questions Binary to Hexadecimal Conversion 6 questions Denary to Binary Conversion 6 questions Denary to Hexadecimal Conversion 6 questions Denary to Negative Binary Conversion 6 questions Hexadecimal to Binary Conversion 6 questions

2.2 Data representation

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Character Sets 18 questions Images 19 questions Sound 19 questions

2.3 Data storage and compression

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Compression 18 questions Units & Conversion 6 questions

3.1 Hardware

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Embedded Systems 17 questions Fetch Decode Execute Cycle 15 questions Primary Memory 15 questions Secondary Memory 15 questions Stored Program Computers 15 questions

3.2 Software

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File Management 18 questions Memory Management 16 questions Peripheral Management 11 questions Process Management 12 questions Purpose & Function of Operating Systems 17 questions Software Basics 13 questions User Management 18 questions Utility Software 19 questions

3.3 Programming languages

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Low and High Level Languages 19 questions Translators 18 questions

4.1 Networks

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Addressing 16 questions LANs & WANs 16 questions Network Speed 5 questions Packet Switching 16 questions Protocols & Layers 17 questions The Internet 16 questions Topologies 17 questions Wired Connections 17 questions Wireless Connections 18 questions

4.2 Network security

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Network Security Risks 18 questions Preventing Network Security Risks 18 questions

5.1 Environmental

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E-waste 17 questions Manufacturing Technology 19 questions

5.2 Ethical and legal

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Data Protection Act 17 questions Impact of AI 16 questions Intellectual Property 12 questions

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