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Edexcel GCSE Computer Science (1CP2) Exam Questions

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3 questions · 6 marks

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1Describe2 marksMemory Management Swap Remove

A user closes a program that is running on a computer.

Describe how the operating system manages the main memory that the program was using.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • The memory (that was) used by the program is freed/released/marked as free (1) so it can be allocated/reused by another program/process (1)
  • The operating system's memory allocation table/record (of memory in use) is updated (1) to show that the program's memory locations/blocks are now free/available (1)
  • The program's instructions/data are removed/overwritten in main memory (1) so the space they used is no longer reserved for that program (1)
  • The memory pages/blocks allocated to the program are returned to the list of free pages/blocks (1) that can be used when the next program is loaded (1)

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

Do not award two marks for the same idea described twice (e.g. the memory is freed and added to a list of free blocks); the two marks must come from two different linked descriptions.

Do not accept responses about closing the program window, stopping/terminating the program/process, saving the file or deleting the program from secondary storage/the hard disk.

Ignore statements that main memory is 'managed'/'cleaned up' with no development.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

The operating system updates its memory allocation table to show that the memory locations the program was using are now free, so another program can be loaded into them.

Why: The memory allocation table/record is updated (1) linked to showing the program's memory locations are now free/available (1).

Some marks1/2

The operating system frees up the memory the program was using.

Why: The memory used by the program is freed/released (1), but there is no linked development of what this allows.

No marks0/2

The operating system deletes the program from the hard disk to free up memory.

Why: This confuses main memory with secondary storage; deleting the program from secondary storage is named in the 'Do not accept' line, so no creditworthy point is made.

2Describe2 marksFile Management Swap Remove

A user saves a new file into a folder that already contains files.

Describe how the operating system prevents a new file overwriting an existing file.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • Checks/compares the new file (name)/filename against the names of files already in the folder/directory (1) to see if the name is already in use (1)
  • Refuses to save/allow the new file when the (file) name already exists (1) so the existing file is not replaced/overwritten (1)
  • Prompts/asks the user to choose/enter a different (file) name (1) so both files can be saved without one replacing the other (1)

A point without a linked development can earn one mark.

For both marks, the development must follow/associate with the point.

Do not accept responses about defragmentation.

Do not accept the operating system making a backup copy, or warning the user that a file may be overwritten, without saying that the (file) name is checked or the new file is not saved.

Do not accept responses about process management or saving files to RAM.

Do not award a second mark for repeating the question, e.g. 'it stops the new file overwriting the existing file'.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

It checks the new file name against the names of files already in the folder to see whether the name is already in use.

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

Some marks1/2

It checks the file name against the names already in the folder.

Why: Creditworthy point (1) on its own; no linked development, so one mark.

No marks0/2

It defragments the disk so there is room for the new file.

Why: Defragmentation is not accepted by the mark scheme.

3Explain2 marksPurpose & Function of Operating Systems Swap Remove

A computer stores many files on its hard drive.

Explain one reason why an operating system needs file management.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • The operating system keeps a record of where each file is stored (1) so files can be found/retrieved later (1)
  • The operating system keeps files in separate storage locations (1) so files are not overwritten/lost (1)
  • The operating system allocates files to folders/directories (1) so it can keep track of the files stored on the disk (1)
  • The operating system deletes/moves files (1) so storage space is freed/reused (1)

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

Do not accept 'it manages files'/'it organises files' without expansion as to what is managed or organised.

Do not accept 'so files are managed/organised' as the linked reason.

Do not accept 'so the computer works' as the linked reason.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

The operating system keeps a record of where each file is stored on the disk, so a program can find and open the file later.

Why: Linked point (1) and reason (1): record of file location and retrieval.

Some marks1/2

The operating system keeps a record of where each file is stored.

Why: Point (1) only; no linked reason given.

No marks0/2

The operating system manages the files so the files are managed.

Why: Repeats the question ('manages files') and the expansion restates the point ('so the files are managed'); no creditworthy point under the Do not accept lines.

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

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Character Sets 18 questions Images 19 questions Sound 19 questions

2.3 Data storage and compression

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Compression 18 questions Units & Conversion 6 questions

3.1 Hardware

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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

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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

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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

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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

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Data Protection Act 17 questions Impact of AI 18 questions Intellectual Property 18 questions Software Licences 18 questions

5.3 Cybersecurity

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Malware 18 questions Social Engineering 18 questions

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