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Edexcel GCSE Computer Science (1CP2) Exam Questions

Build a practice paper from 631 exam-style questions, each with its mark scheme and example answers. Print it, or answer it on paper and then open the mark schemes. Or browse the questions by topic.

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4 questions · 5 marks

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1Multiple choice1 markCompression Swap Remove

Identify the statement that describes lossless compression.

[1 mark]
  • AData is encrypted so that it cannot be read by others
  • BData is permanently removed to make the file smaller
  • CNo data is lost and the original file can be recreated
  • DThe file is split into packets that are sent separately
Mark scheme
  • C No data is lost and the original file can be recreated (1)
  • The only correct answer is C. The correct answer is no data is lost and the original file can be recreated.
  • A is not correct because encryption hides data and does not make the file smaller
  • B is not correct because permanently removing data is lossy compression
  • D is not correct because splitting a file into packets is part of transmission, not compression
Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks1/1

C No data is lost and the original file can be recreated

Why: Correct option (1).

No marks0/1

B Data is permanently removed to make the file smaller

Why: Near miss: this is lossy compression, not lossless, so no mark.

No marks0/1

D The file is split into packets that are sent separately

Why: Misconception that compression is packet switching; no mark.

2Multiple choice1 markCompression Swap Remove

A student downloads a compressed music file and then decompresses it.

Identify what is meant by decompression.

[1 mark]
  • AData is encrypted so that it cannot be read
  • BData is permanently removed to reduce the file size
  • CData is restored to its original format
  • DData is stored using fewer bits
Mark scheme
  • C Data is restored to its original format (1)
  • The only correct answer is C. The correct answer is data is restored to its original format.
  • A is not correct because encryption changes data so that it cannot be read without a key; it does not restore the data
  • B is not correct because permanently removing data to reduce the file size is lossy compression, not decompression
  • D is not correct because storing data using fewer bits is compression, not decompression
Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks1/1

C Data is restored to its original format

Why: Correct option (1).

No marks0/1

D Data is stored using fewer bits

Why: Near miss: this describes compression, not decompression.

No marks0/1

B Data is permanently removed to reduce the file size

Why: Misconception: this describes lossy compression, not decompression.

3Multiple choice1 markUnits & Conversion Swap Remove

Units of data storage can be binary or decimal.

Identify the unit of storage that is equivalent to 1024 gibibytes.

[1 mark]
  • AGibibyte
  • BMebibyte
  • CTebibyte
  • DTerabyte
Mark scheme
  • C Tebibyte (1)
  • The only correct answer is C. The correct answer is tebibyte.
  • A is not correct because a gibibyte is 1024 mebibytes
  • B is not correct because a mebibyte is 1024 kibibytes
  • D is not correct because a terabyte is 1000 gigabytes
Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks1/1

C Tebibyte

Why: Correct: 1024 gibibytes make one tebibyte (1).

No marks0/1

A Gibibyte

Why: Near miss: a gibibyte is 1024 mebibytes, not 1024 gibibytes (0).

No marks0/1

D Terabyte

Why: Typical misconception: uses the decimal terabyte (1000 gigabytes) instead of the binary tebibyte (0).

4Explain2 marksUnits & Conversion Swap Remove

A server stores a large amount of data.

The capacity of the server is 16 TiB. Explain one benefit of giving the capacity in tebibytes rather than in bytes.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

It is easier to read because 16 TiB has fewer digits than the same capacity written in bytes, which would be a very long number.

Why: Point that the number is easier to read (1); linked reason that the byte count would have many more digits (1).

Some marks1/2

It uses fewer digits.

Why: States the benefit of fewer digits (1); no linked reason about a tebibyte being 1024^4 bytes so the byte count is very long (0).

No marks0/2

Because a tebibyte is bigger than a byte.

Why: States a fact about the unit, which the mark scheme does not accept on its own; no point about fewer digits or readability, so no mark.

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