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Edexcel GCSE Computer Science (1CP2) Exam Questions

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3 questions · 5 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 marksSound Swap Remove

A sound wave is sampled and the amplitude of each sample is stored using a small number of bits.

Give two limitations of storing the sound in binary when only a small number of bits is available for each sample.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • Only a limited/fixed number of amplitude values can be stored (1)
  • The amplitude of each sample is rounded/approximated to the nearest value that can be stored (1)
  • The recording is less accurate than the original analogue sound/does not match the analogue wave exactly (1)
  • Sounds louder than the highest amplitude that can be stored are clipped/distorted (1)
  • Sounds quieter than the lowest amplitude that can be stored cannot be represented/are lost (1)

Allow quantisation error/noise for the amplitude being rounded to the nearest value that can be stored, but do not award a second mark for the same idea

Allow a stated consequence as a separate mark only when it is a different point from the list, e.g. fewer amplitude values can be stored (1) so very quiet sounds are lost (1)

Do not accept 'lower quality'/'poorer sound' on its own; the answer must say the recording is less accurate than the original/does not match the analogue wave

Do not accept sample rate/sample interval/number of channels (stereo/mono), as these are not limited by the number of bits available for each sample

Do not accept remedies such as 'a larger bit depth would make it more accurate', as these do not describe a limitation

Do not accept answers about file size, compression or playback method

Do not accept a statement that repeats the stem, e.g. 'the sound is stored in binary using a fixed number of bits'

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

The amplitude of each sample has to be rounded to the nearest value that can be stored, and very quiet sounds cannot be represented.

Why: Amplitude rounded to the nearest stored value (1) and quiet sounds cannot be represented (1): two different points from the list.

Some marks1/2

The recording is less accurate than the original sound.

Why: The recording is less accurate than the original analogue sound (1); a second, different limitation is not given.

No marks0/2

The sample rate is too low, so parts of the wave are missed.

Why: Sample rate is not limited by the number of bits per sample, so it is not accepted.

3Explain2 marksSound Swap Remove

The same sound is recorded twice using different sample intervals.

Explain the effect of using a longer sample interval on the digital recording.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • Fewer samples are taken every second (1) so less detail of the sound wave is captured (1)
  • Fewer samples are taken every second (1) so the file is smaller/uses less storage space (1)
  • The wave is measured less often (1) so parts/changes in the wave between samples are missed (1)

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

The 'fewer samples are taken/measured less often' point can only be credited once; the second mark is for a valid expansion linked to it.

Do not accept restating the question, e.g. 'the time between measurements is longer' or 'the sample interval is longer', as either the point or the expansion.

Do not accept 'the sample rate is lower' as the expansion, as this says the same thing as a longer sample interval.

Do not accept 'the sound is lower quality/less accurate' on its own without saying what is lost, e.g. less detail of the wave captured/parts of the wave missed.

Do not accept answers about using fewer bits per sample or about compression, as these do not follow from the sample interval.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

Fewer samples are taken every second, so less detail of the sound wave is captured and the recording is less accurate.

Why: Point (fewer samples each second) (1) with linked reason (less detail of the wave captured) (1).

Some marks1/2

Fewer samples are taken every second.

Why: Creditworthy point (1) but no linked effect on the detail or size of the recording, so only one mark.

No marks0/2

The samples are stored using fewer bits, so the sound is less accurate.

Why: Describes a smaller bit depth rather than a longer sample interval, so no 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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