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Edexcel GCSE Computer Science (1CP2) Exam Questions

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4 questions · 9 marks

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1Multiple choice1 markEmbedded Systems Swap Remove

Modern cars contain many embedded systems.

Identify what the embedded system that controls the cruise control does.

[1 mark]
  • AIt controls the interior lights
  • BIt displays a map for the driver
  • CIt keeps the car at a constant speed
  • DIt sounds an alarm if the car is broken into
Mark scheme
  • C It keeps the car at a constant speed (1)
  • The only correct answer is C. The correct answer is it keeps the car at a constant speed.
  • A is not correct because controlling the interior lights is done by a different embedded system in the car
  • B is not correct because displaying a map for the driver is done by the satellite navigation system
  • D is not correct because sounding an alarm is done by a different embedded system in the car
Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks1/1

C It keeps the car at a constant speed

Why: Correct option: this is the function of the embedded system that controls the cruise control (1).

No marks0/1

B It displays a map for the driver

Why: Near miss: displaying a map is the function of the satellite navigation system, which the mark scheme says is not correct, so no mark.

No marks0/1

A It controls the interior lights

Why: Misconception: the interior lights are controlled by a different embedded system, so no mark.

2Multiple choice1 markImages Swap Remove

Identify the smallest identifiable area of a bitmap image.

[1 mark]
  • AColour depth
  • BFile size
  • CPixel
  • DResolution
Mark scheme
  • C Pixel (1)
  • The only correct answer is C. The correct answer is pixel.
  • A is not correct because colour depth is the number of bits used to store the colour of each pixel
  • B is not correct because file size is the amount of storage an image takes up, not an area of the image
  • D is not correct because resolution is a measure of the number of pixels in an image (such as its width × height), not the smallest identifiable area
Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks1/1

C Pixel

Why: Correct option; a pixel is the smallest identifiable area of a bitmap image (1).

No marks0/1

D Resolution

Why: Resolution is a measure of the number of pixels in an image, not the smallest identifiable area; no mark.

No marks0/1

A Colour depth

Why: Colour depth is the number of bits used to store each pixel's colour, not the smallest identifiable area; no mark.

3Short recall1 markSecondary Memory Swap Remove

Data is stored on optical discs as pits and lands.

Name the component in an optical disc drive that reads this data.

[1 mark]
Mark scheme

Award one mark for:

  • Laser (1)

Allow laser beam

Do not accept read/write head

Do not accept pits

Do not accept lands

Do not accept reflective surface

Do not accept magnet/magnetic

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks1/1

Laser

Why: Laser is the creditworthy answer (1).

No marks0/1

A read/write head

Why: Read/write head is not accepted by the mark scheme; it reads magnetic media, not optical discs, so no marks are awarded.

No marks0/1

Pits and lands

Why: Pits and lands are what the laser reads, not the component that reads the data, so the mark scheme does not accept them.

4Discuss6 marksTranslators Swap Remove

A company writes a photo editing program in a high-level language. The company will sell the finished program to customers. Each customer will install the program on their own computer and run it many times.

Discuss whether the company should use a compiler or an interpreter to translate the program before it is sold.

Your answer should include:

  • the output of each type of translator
  • whether the program has to be translated each time it is run
  • what the customer needs on their computer to run the program.
[6 marks]
Mark scheme

Indicative content

The output of each type of translator

  • A compiler translates the whole program in one go and produces object code.
  • The object code is saved as an executable file, which is already in machine code so the processor can run it directly.
  • An interpreter does not produce object code, so no translated file exists for the company to save and sell.
  • An interpreter translates one line at a time and executes it immediately, but that translation is not kept.

Whether the program has to be translated each time it is run

  • Compiled code is translated once, so the executable can be run as many times as the customer likes without being translated again.
  • If the source code is edited, the whole program has to be compiled again to produce a new executable.
  • An interpreted program is translated again every time it is run, so a customer who runs the program often waits for translation at every run.
  • An executable runs faster than interpreted code because it is already in machine code.

What the customer needs on their computer to run the program

  • A customer who installs the executable needs no compiler on their computer, so the program will run straight away.
  • If the company supplied the source code instead, the customer would need an interpreter installed, and it would have to be an interpreter for their type of computer.
  • A customer given only the executable does not have the source code, so cannot change the program.

Conclusion

  • A compiler is the better choice for this company, because the executable can be sold and the customer runs it without it being translated again and without being given the source code.
  • Using an interpreter would mean supplying the source code to customers and translating the program on every run.

Levels

  • Level 0 (0 marks): No rewardable content.
  • Level 1 (1–2 marks): Basic, independent points are made, showing elements of understanding of key concepts/principles of computer science. (AO1) The discussion will contain basic information with little linkage between points made or application to the context. (AO2)
  • Level 2 (3–4 marks): Demonstrates adequate understanding of key concepts/principles of computer science. (AO1) The discussion shows some linkages and lines of reasoning with some structure and application to the context. (AO2)
  • Level 3 (5–6 marks): Demonstrates comprehensive understanding of key concepts/principles of computer science to support the discussion being presented. (AO1) The discussion is well developed, with sustained lines of reasoning that are coherent and logically structured, and which clearly apply to the context. (AO2)

Level 3 responses must cover all three bullets for this company's program, including translating once rather than on every run, and reach a conclusion.

Do not accept 'a compiler fixes errors' (a compiler reports syntax errors at the end of translation, it does not fix them) or 'a compiler is easier to use' with no link to output, translation or the customer. Do not accept answers about translating to assembly language.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks6/6

The company should use a compiler. A compiler translates the whole program in one go and produces object code, which is saved as an executable file. This executable is already in machine code, so the customer's processor can run it directly. The program is translated only once, so a customer who runs the program many times does not wait for it to be translated again, and it runs faster than interpreted code would. An interpreter produces no object code, so the company would have nothing to sell as an executable. The customer would have to be given the source code and would need an interpreter installed on their computer, and the program would be translated again every time it was run.

Why: Level 3. Covers the output of both translators (executable from the compiler, no object code from the interpreter), the effect of translating once rather than on every run, and what the customer needs on their computer, all applied to the company selling the program, with a clear conclusion.

Some marks3/6

A compiler produces an executable file, which the company can save and sell to its customers. An interpreter does not produce an executable file, so the customer would need the source code and an interpreter installed on their computer to run the program. This means a compiler is better for the company, because customers can just run the file they are given.

Why: Level 2. Gives the output of both translators and links this to what the customer needs, with a conclusion, but never says the compiled program is translated once while an interpreted one is translated on every run, so the reasoning is not developed enough for Level 3.

No marks0/6

The company should use a compiler because it is easier to write programs with a compiler and it fixes the errors in the program before the customers get it.

Why: Level 0. No creditworthy point: 'easier to write programs' is not linked to the output, the translation each run or the customer, and 'fixes the errors' is a misconception, as the mark scheme's guidance says a compiler only reports errors at the end of translation.

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 14 questions Impact of AI 4 questions

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