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Edexcel GCSE Computer Science (1CP2) Exam Questions

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6 questions · 10 marks

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1Multiple choice1 markFetch Decode Execute Cycle Swap Remove

Identify the component that stores instructions and data during the fetch-decode-execute cycle.

[1 mark]
  • AArithmetic logic unit
  • BClock
  • CMain memory (RAM)
  • DProgram counter
Mark scheme
  • C Main memory (RAM) (1)
  • The only correct answer is C. The correct answer is main memory (RAM); accept 'main memory', 'RAM' or 'random access memory'.
  • A is not correct because the arithmetic logic unit performs arithmetic and logical operations
  • B is not correct because the clock sends regular pulses to synchronise the components of the CPU
  • D is not correct because the program counter holds the address of the next instruction, not the instructions and data
Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks1/1

C Main memory (RAM)

Why: Correct option: main memory (RAM) stores instructions and data during the fetch-decode-execute cycle (1).

No marks0/1

D Program counter

Why: Near-miss distractor: the program counter holds the address of the next instruction, not the instructions and data (0).

No marks0/1

A Arithmetic logic unit

Why: Misconception: the ALU performs arithmetic and logical operations, so it does not store instructions and data (0).

2Multiple choice1 markSecondary Memory Swap Remove

A company stores films on optical media.

Identify the optical storage medium that can store the most data.

[1 mark]
  • ABlu-ray Disc
  • BCD
  • CDVD
  • DMagnetic tape
Mark scheme
  • A Blu-ray Disc (1)
  • The only correct answer is A. The correct answer is Blu-ray Disc.
  • B is not correct because a CD stores less data than a Blu-ray Disc, up to about 700 MB
  • C is not correct because a DVD stores less data than a Blu-ray Disc, up to about 4.7 GB (single-layer) or 8.4 GB (dual-layer)
  • D is not correct because magnetic tape is not an optical storage medium
Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks1/1

A Blu-ray Disc

Why: Correct option (1): a Blu-ray Disc has the greatest capacity of the optical media.

No marks0/1

C DVD

Why: Near miss scoring 0: a DVD is optical but stores less than a Blu-ray Disc (mark scheme line C). Only A is credited.

No marks0/1

D Magnetic tape

Why: Misconception scoring 0: candidates pick tape for its large capacity but magnetic tape is not an optical storage medium (mark scheme line D).

3Short recall2 marksSecondary Memory Swap Remove

A computer uses secondary storage to keep programs and data.

Give two examples of secondary storage devices that store data using magnetic media.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • Hard disk drive/HDD (1)
  • External/portable hard disk drive (1)
  • Magnetic tape drive (1)
  • Magnetic tape (1)

Allow a named device or the storage media type, e.g. hard disk/hard disc for hard disk drive, tape for magnetic tape

Allow floppy disk/floppy disk drive

Do not accept solid state devices (SSD, USB flash drive/memory stick, SD card/memory card) or optical media (CD/DVD/Blu-ray) as these do not store data using magnetism

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

Hard disk drive and magnetic tape

Why: Hard disk drive (1) and magnetic tape (1) are both magnetic secondary storage, so both marks are awarded.

Some marks1/2

Hard disk drive and SD card

Why: Hard disk drive is magnetic (1); an SD card is solid state, not magnetic, so the second mark is not awarded.

No marks0/2

CD and DVD

Why: Both are optical media, which the mark scheme says not to accept, so no marks are awarded.

4Short recall2 marksSecondary Memory Swap Remove

Computers have both primary storage and secondary storage.

Define the term secondary storage.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • (Storage that is) non-volatile / keeps its data when the power is turned off (1)
  • (Storage that is) used to store programs and data/files (for later use) (1)
  • (Storage that is) not directly accessible by the CPU / not directly accessed by the CPU (1)

Allow both the non-volatile point and the stores programs and data point from one sentence if each idea is clearly stated, e.g. 'non-volatile storage that holds programs and data'.

Allow accessed via the CPU / must be copied into RAM before the CPU can use it for the third point.

Do not accept volatile / loses its data when the power is turned off.

Do not accept a description of primary storage, such as RAM or ROM.

Do not accept capacity.

Do not accept an example device on its own (e.g. hard disk drive).

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

Secondary storage is non-volatile, so it does not lose data when the power is turned off. It is used to store programs and data files for later use.

Why: Non-volatile / keeps data when the power is off (1) and used to store programs and data files (1), each idea clearly stated.

Some marks1/2

Secondary storage is used to store programs and data files.

Why: Stores programs and data/files (1), but nothing is said about it being non-volatile or not directly accessible by the CPU.

No marks0/2

Secondary storage is volatile memory that holds the data the CPU is using at the moment.

Why: Describes primary storage (RAM) and says it is volatile, which the mark scheme says not to accept, so no marks are awarded.

5Describe2 marksSecondary Memory Swap Remove

A computer uses a magnetic hard disk.

Describe how data is stored on a magnetic hard disk.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • A read/write head moves over the surface of the disk (1) to read/write data by detecting or changing the magnetic alignment of areas of the surface (1)
  • The head magnetises areas of the disk surface in different directions (1) so each area represents a binary 1 or 0 (1)
  • Data is stored on concentric circles called tracks (1) which are divided into sectors (1)

Allow one mark for tracks/concentric circles on their own.

For the second mark in the first two bullets, the response must refer to the magnetic alignment/charge being detected or changed, not just that the head reads/writes data.

Do not award a mark for 'it is magnetic' or 'it stores data in binary' with no description of how the data is stored.

Do not accept descriptions of optical storage (e.g. a laser, pits and lands) or solid state storage (e.g. electric charges in chips).

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

The read/write head moves over the magnetic surface and magnetises areas of the disk to store the 1s and 0s.

Why: Head moves over the surface (1) and magnetises areas to represent 1s and 0s (1).

Some marks1/2

The data is stored on tracks on the disk.

Why: Tracks/concentric circles (1), but no development such as tracks divided into sectors.

No marks0/2

It is magnetic and saves the data in 1s and 0s.

Why: Near-miss: 'magnetic' alone and 'data in binary/1s and 0s' with no description of how data is stored, which the mark scheme does not award.

6Explain2 marksFetch Decode Execute Cycle Swap Remove

The von Neumann architecture is used in most computers.

Explain one feature of the von Neumann stored program concept.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • The instructions/program instructions and data are stored together in main memory/RAM (1) so the CPU can fetch each instruction (from its address) and execute it (1)
  • The instructions/program instructions are held in main memory/RAM (1) rather than being built into/part of the hardware, so the computer does not need to be rewired/rebuilt to run a different program (1)
  • The next instruction to be executed/instruction is held in main memory/RAM (1) so the CPU can fetch it using its address before it is decoded and executed (1)

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

A point/statement on its own can only earn one mark.

Do not accept a response that only refers to data being stored in main memory/RAM without referring to the instructions/program instructions.

Do not accept instructions/programs being stored on the hard disk/backing store.

Do not accept 'the program is stored in memory' without saying that it is the instructions/program instructions that are stored there.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

Both the instructions of the program and the data it uses are stored together in the same main memory, so the CPU can fetch each instruction in turn and execute it.

Why: Linked point (1) and reason (1).

Some marks1/2

The instructions of the program are stored in main memory.

Why: Point only (1); no linked reason about fetching/executing the instructions.

No marks0/2

The program is stored on the hard disk and is copied into the CPU when it is run.

Why: Misconception covered by the 'Do not accept' line: the instructions must be stored in main memory/RAM, not on the hard disk/backing store, for the CPU to fetch them.

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

Build a paper on this topic 56
Character Sets 18 questions Images 19 questions Sound 19 questions

2.3 Data storage and compression

Build a paper on this topic 24
Compression 18 questions Units & Conversion 6 questions

3.1 Hardware

Build a paper on this topic 77
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

Build a paper on this topic 124
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

Build a paper on this topic 37
Low and High Level Languages 19 questions Translators 18 questions

4.1 Networks

Build a paper on this topic 138
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

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