Edexcel GCSE Computer Science (1CP2) Exam Questions

• B To reduce the time taken to transmit a file (1)
• The only correct answer is B. The correct answer is to reduce the time taken to transmit a file.
• A is not correct because compression reduces file size, which can reduce the number of packets sent
• C is not correct because lossy compression can reduce the quality of a file
• D is not correct because encryption, not compression, can make a file harder to open

• C 8192 (1)
• The only correct answer is C. The correct answer is 8192.
• A is not correct because 1024 is the number of bytes in a kibibyte
• B is not correct because 8000 is the number of bits in 1000 bytes
• D is not correct because 8 388 608 is the number of bits in a mebibyte

Award one mark for:

• 2048 (1)
• 2 × 1024 (1)
• 2^11 (1)

Allow 2048 bytes.

Do not accept 2000, which is the number of bytes in two decimal kilobytes.

Do not accept 1024, which is the number of bytes in one kibibyte.

Do not accept 16, which is the number of bits in two bytes.

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

• Lossy compression permanently removes/discards some of the data (1) whereas lossless compression keeps all of the original data so the file can be restored/rebuilt exactly (1)
• Lossy compression cannot reproduce/recreate the original file exactly (1) whereas lossless compression can decompress the file back to its original form (1)
• Lossy compression can make a file smaller than lossless compression (1) because more of the original data is removed/discarded (1)
• Lossy compression is used for images/sound/video (1) whereas lossless compression is used where all the original data must be kept, such as program files (1)

Allow one mark for a correct statement about one type of compression only, e.g. 'lossy compression permanently removes some data', with no comparison or development.

Do not accept 'lossy compression loses quality' on its own unless it states that data/information is removed or lost permanently.

Do not accept 'lossy is better' or 'lossless is safer' with no described difference.

Do not award a smaller file size on its own; it must be linked to data being removed or to no data being lost.

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

• No data/instructions are removed (1) so the program still works/runs correctly after decompression (1)
• The original file can be recreated exactly (1) so all the code/instructions are present when the program is run (1)
• Lossy compression would permanently remove some data (1) so the program would not execute correctly/could crash (1)
• Every instruction is needed for the program to run (1) so the code must not be changed/lost (1)

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

Allow 'no data/instructions are removed/lost' on its own as the point mark (1); the second mark needs the consequence for the program, e.g. it still works/runs correctly, or all the instructions are present.

Award credit for a contrast with lossy compression only when the loss of data is linked to the program failing/not running correctly.

Do not accept 'lossless is better quality'/keeps the quality without saying that data/instructions are not lost.

Do not accept 'it makes the file smaller'/'downloads faster'/'transmits faster' as a reason for using lossless, as both types of compression reduce file size.

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

• The capacity is easier to read/write (1) because a tebibyte is 1024^4 bytes so the same capacity in bytes would have many more digits (1)
• The number is shorter (1) because writing 16 TiB instead of 17 592 186 044 416 bytes uses far fewer digits (1)
• There is less chance of making a mistake when copying the value (1) because a long byte count of many digits is easy to mistype (1)

For both marks, the expansion must follow/associate with the statement and must refer to the number of digits/length of the value.

Allow 'fewer digits'/'shorter number'/'less chance of error' on its own for the first mark; the second mark needs the linked reason that a tebibyte is 1024^4 bytes, so the value in bytes would be very long/have many more digits.

Do not accept 'it is bigger'/'tebibytes are larger' on its own, as this does not give a benefit of using them.

Do not accept 'easier' on its own without saying what is easier, e.g. fewer digits/shorter number.

Do not accept 'because tebibytes are used for large storage' without a reason about the number of digits/readability.

Indicative content

How lossy compression makes the files smaller

• Some of the data in the file is permanently removed, so the file that is stored is smaller.
• The data that is removed is the data that a person is least likely to notice, such as sounds outside the range of human hearing or small differences in colour in a photograph.
• Removing data means a much higher compression ratio is possible than with lossless compression.

The effect on the photographs and audio

• The original file cannot be reproduced exactly when it is decompressed.
• Photographs may show artefacts, such as blocks or noise where there are contrasting colours, so they are lower quality.
• Some of the sound is lost, so parts of the audio guide may be less clear to listen to.
• If the company later wants to use the photographs at a larger size, it cannot recover the lost detail.

The benefits to the company and its visitors

• The smaller images load faster, so each page of the website appears more quickly for a visitor.
• The audio can be streamed, so a visitor can play the guide without waiting for the whole file to download.
• Less bandwidth is used by the web server, so it can cope with more visitors at the same time.
• Less storage space is needed on the server for the photographs and audio files.

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 both the effect on the files and the benefits.

Do not accept the idea that lossy compression keeps all of the original data.