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Edexcel GCSE Computer Science (1CP2) Exam Questions

Build a practice paper from 693 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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3 questions · 5 marks

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1Multiple 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).

2Describe2 marksTranslators Swap Remove

High-level code can be translated by a compiler or by an interpreter.

Describe how a compiler translates high-level code differently from an interpreter.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • The compiler translates the whole program/complete source code in one go (1) whereas the interpreter translates one line/statement at a time (1)
  • The compiler translates all of the source code before any of it is run/executed (1) but the interpreter translates each line/statement as it reads it (1)
  • The interpreter translates one line/statement at a time (1) and the compiler translates the whole program/source code together (1)

Accept the compiler point and the interpreter point in either order.

Do not accept responses about object code/executable files, when the translated code is executed, how errors are reported, or speed/memory use.

Do not accept 'the interpreter executes/runs each line' on its own, without saying that it translates one line/statement at a time.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

A compiler translates the whole program in one go, while an interpreter translates one line at a time.

Why: Whole program translated in one go (1) and interpreter translates one line at a time (1).

Some marks1/2

A compiler translates the whole program in one go.

Why: Whole program translated in one go (1); no linked point about the interpreter translating a line at a time.

No marks0/2

A compiler produces an executable file, but an interpreter does not.

Why: Describes the output, not the amount translated at a time; object code/executable files are not accepted.

3Convert2 marksDenary to Binary Conversion Swap Remove

Computer systems manipulate bit patterns.

Convert the denary number 140 to 8-bit binary.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

Award one mark for each correct nibble in the correct order:

  • 1000 (1)
  • 1100 (1)

0 marks if the response is not 8-bit binary.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

1000 1100

Why: 140 = 128 + 8 + 4: both nibbles are correct (2).

Some marks1/2

1000 1101

Why: Converts 141 instead (a slip in adding up the place values). The first nibble is correct (1); the second is not.

No marks0/2

0011 0001

Why: The bits are written in reverse, smallest place value first. Neither nibble is correct.

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