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Edexcel GCSE Computer Science (1CP2) Exam Questions

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3 questions · 14 marks

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1Explain2 marksFetch Decode Execute Cycle Swap Remove

The CPU carries out the fetch-decode-execute cycle.

Explain one reason why the address bus is used in the fetch stage of the fetch-decode-execute cycle.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • The address bus carries the address of the next instruction (1) so the CPU can locate/fetch it from main memory/RAM (1)
  • The address bus carries the address of the memory location to be read (1) so the instruction/data stored there can be located/accessed (1)
  • The CPU needs to know where the next instruction is stored (1) so the address bus sends the address to main memory/RAM (1)

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

Allow 'from the program counter/PC' as part of the point for one mark, e.g. the address bus carries the address from the program counter (1), but the second mark needs the destination or purpose (e.g. to locate/fetch the instruction in main memory/RAM).

Do not award the second mark for naming the program counter/PC alone.

Do not accept answers that say the address bus carries data/instructions from main memory to the CPU, as these travel on the data bus.

Do not accept answers that say the address bus stores the address.

Do not allow an answer that only restates that the address bus carries addresses without saying which address or why it is needed.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

The address bus carries the address of the next instruction from the program counter to main memory, so that the CPU can locate the instruction that is to be fetched.

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

Some marks1/2

The address bus carries the address of the next instruction from the program counter.

Why: Point only (1); the second mark is not awarded because the destination/purpose of locating or fetching the instruction is missing.

No marks0/2

It carries the instruction from main memory back to the CPU so that it can be decoded.

Why: Misconception: instructions travel on the data bus, which the mark scheme's Do not accept line covers.

2Discuss6 marksPrimary Memory Swap Remove

An employee is writing a report on a laptop. There is a power cut and the laptop turns off. When power is restored, the employee cannot find the report file.

Discuss the role of RAM in this situation.

Your answer should include:

  • why the report was lost
  • the difference between RAM and secondary storage
  • how the employee could prevent this in future.
[6 marks]
Mark scheme

Indicative content

Why the report was lost

  • The report was being created and edited in RAM, which is volatile.
  • Volatile memory loses its contents when the power supply is removed.
  • The power cut removed the power, so the data in RAM was lost.
  • The report had not been saved to secondary storage before the power cut.
  • Only data that had been saved to secondary storage would remain after the power cut.

The difference between RAM and secondary storage

  • RAM is volatile and holds data temporarily while the computer is on.
  • Secondary storage is non-volatile and keeps data permanently when the power is off.
  • RAM is directly accessible by the CPU and is much faster than secondary storage.
  • Secondary storage has a larger capacity and is cheaper per gigabyte than RAM.
  • RAM holds the programs and data currently in use; secondary storage holds files for long-term storage.

How the employee could prevent this in future

  • The employee should save the report regularly to secondary storage, such as the hard drive or a USB flash drive.
  • The employee could enable autosave or autosave/recovery features in the word processor.
  • The employee could use cloud storage that saves changes automatically.
  • The employee could use an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) or battery to keep the laptop on during a power cut.
  • The employee should not rely on RAM to keep work permanently.

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)

Additional guidance

  • Level 3 responses must explain that RAM is volatile and contrast this with non-volatile secondary storage.
  • Do not award marks for stating that the report was lost from secondary storage unless it had been saved there.
Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks6/6

The report was lost because it was being held in RAM, which is volatile memory. RAM only keeps its contents while the computer has power. When the power cut happened, the laptop turned off and everything in RAM was lost, including the unsaved report. RAM is different from secondary storage because secondary storage is non-volatile and keeps data permanently even when the power is off. For example, the hard drive would still contain the report if it had been saved. RAM is also much faster than secondary storage and is used for programs and data currently in use. To prevent this in future, the employee should save the report regularly to the hard drive or use autosave. They could also save to cloud storage, which saves automatically, or use a UPS to keep the laptop running during a power cut.

Why: Comprehensive understanding of RAM volatility, clear contrast with non-volatile secondary storage, and well-linked prevention methods applied to the employee's situation.

Some marks4/6

The report was lost because it was in RAM. RAM is temporary memory and it loses data when the power goes off. Secondary storage is permanent, so if the employee had saved the report it would still be there. RAM is faster than secondary storage. To prevent it, they should save their work.

Why: Adequate understanding shown through the volatility of RAM and the difference from permanent secondary storage, but the answer lacks detail about why the report was specifically lost and gives only a brief prevention method.

No marks0/6

The report was lost from the hard drive because the power cut erased it. RAM is permanent storage, so the report should have been saved there. The employee should buy more RAM to stop this happening again.

Why: No creditworthy points. The answer wrongly says the report was lost from the hard drive and that RAM is permanent storage, and it suggests more RAM will prevent power-loss data loss. These are misconceptions.

3Discuss6 marksEmbedded Systems Swap Remove

A technology company is developing a new fitness tracker. The tracker is worn on the wrist and monitors the wearer's heart rate, the number of steps taken and their sleep. It has a rechargeable battery and a touch screen.

Discuss the use of embedded systems in the fitness tracker.

Your answer should include:

  • what an embedded system is.
  • the functions embedded systems perform in the tracker.
  • why an embedded system is suitable for this device.
[6 marks]
Mark scheme

Indicative content

What an embedded system is

  • An embedded system is a computer system that forms part of a larger device, such as the fitness tracker.
  • It performs a single, dedicated or specific task rather than being a general purpose computer.
  • It is often built around a microcontroller, which contains the processor, RAM and ROM on a single chip.
  • Its software is held in ROM so the tracker can run its program as soon as it is switched on.

Functions in the tracker

  • Monitoring the heart rate using a sensor and processing the readings so that they can be displayed on the screen.
  • Counting steps using an accelerometer and using the count to calculate the distance walked or the calories burned.
  • Tracking sleep by monitoring the wearer's movement during the night.
  • Controlling the touch screen so that the user can move between displays.
  • Managing the battery, for example stopping the charging when the battery is full and saving power when the tracker is idle.
  • Sending the collected data to a smartphone using Bluetooth so that it can be viewed in an app. Accept any other specific function of the fitness tracker that an embedded system could control.

Why an embedded system is suitable for this device

  • It has low power consumption, so the battery lasts longer between charges, which matters for a device that is worn all day.
  • It is small and light, so it can be fitted into a wristband.
  • Its dedicated function means it does not need a full operating system, so it is reliable and does not need restarting.
  • The program is small and stored in ROM, so the tracker needs only a small amount of memory.
  • It can be optimised for its specific tasks, so it responds quickly to the readings from its sensors.
  • The low cost per unit keeps the tracker affordable for the customer.

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)

Additional guidance

  • Level 3 responses must cover what an embedded system is, the functions it performs in the tracker and why it is suitable for the tracker.
  • Do not award installing new software/apps, functions the tracker does not perform (such as playing music) or 'it is like a phone'.
Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks6/6

An embedded system is a computer system that forms part of a larger device and performs a single, dedicated task. In the tracker it is built around a microcontroller, which has the processor, RAM and ROM on one chip, and its program is stored in ROM so it runs as soon as the tracker is switched on. The embedded system monitors the heart rate using a sensor and processes the readings before showing them on the screen. Another function counts the steps using an accelerometer and uses that count to work out the distance walked and the calories burned, and further functions monitor movement at night to track sleep and send the data to a smartphone by Bluetooth. The embedded system also controls the touch screen and manages the battery so that charging stops when it is full and power is saved when the tracker is idle. An embedded system is suitable because it has low power consumption, so the battery lasts longer between charges, which matters for a device that is worn all day and cannot be charged constantly. It is also small and light, so it fits into a wristband, and because it is dedicated to a few tasks it does not need a full operating system, so it is reliable and can be optimised to respond quickly to its sensors. Keeping the cost low also makes the tracker affordable for the customer.

Why: Comprehensive definition including the microcontroller and ROM (AO1), a range of functions each applied to the tracker (heart rate, steps, sleep, Bluetooth, touch screen, battery), and suitability points developed with reasons (low power for a device worn all day, small size for a wristband, dedicated design for reliability and quick response). Sustained lines of reasoning, all three bullets covered: Level 3 (5-6) clearly met.

Some marks2/6

An embedded system is a small computer inside a device. In a fitness tracker it can monitor your heart rate and count your steps. It is suitable because it is small and does not use much power.

Why: Basic independent points only: a basic definition, two functions and one basic suitability point, with no development and almost no application to the tracker (no explanation of why small size or low power matter). Level 1 (1-2 marks), upper end because there are several independent correct points, but no linkage or reasoning for Level 2.

No marks0/6

An embedded system is a computer that you can install apps on. The fitness tracker uses it to play music and send texts. It is suitable because it is like a phone.

Why: The definition is the opposite of an embedded system (it cannot install new software), the functions are ones the tracker does not perform and 'it is like a phone' is not a suitability point. No rewardable content: Level 0 (0 marks).

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

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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

4.2 Network security

Build a paper on this topic 36
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

Build a paper on this topic 71
Data Protection Act 17 questions Impact of AI 18 questions Intellectual Property 18 questions Software Licences 18 questions

5.3 Cybersecurity

Build a paper on this topic 36
Malware 18 questions Social Engineering 18 questions

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