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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

The operating system is held in main memory while the computer is running.

Describe how the operating system stops a running program from overwriting memory that is not its own.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • It keeps a record of which memory addresses/areas belong to each program and to the operating system (1) so it knows which addresses a program is allowed to use (1)
  • Each program is given its own area of main memory (1) so a program cannot write to the addresses used by another program or by the operating system (1)
  • The memory used by the operating system is marked as protected/reserved (1) so a program that tries to write to it is blocked/causes an error (1)
  • The address a program writes to is checked against the record of its allocated area (1) and the write is stopped if the address is outside that area (1)

Allow the memory being protected to be that of the operating system or of another program.

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

Do not award generic answers such as 'the operating system manages memory' or 'the operating system keeps track of memory'.

Do not award responses about stopping programs using too much memory or allocating memory, as these are not about protecting memory being overwritten.

Do not award responses about virtual memory, paging or moving processes to secondary storage.

Do not award responses about firewalls, antivirus software or passwords.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

The operating system gives each program its own area of main memory so that a program cannot write to the addresses used by another program or by the operating system.

Why: Each program is given its own area of main memory (1) linked to it not being able to write to the addresses used by another program or the operating system (1).

Some marks1/2

The operating system gives each program its own area of main memory.

Why: Each program is given its own area of main memory (1), but there is no linked development saying how this stops a program overwriting memory that is not its own.

No marks0/2

The operating system stops a program overwriting memory by moving it into virtual memory when it uses too much.

Why: This describes virtual memory and limiting how much memory a program uses, not protecting memory from being overwritten, so neither bullet applies and the Do not award lines rule it out.

2Describe2 marksLow and High Level Languages Swap Remove

A device driver is software that allows the operating system to control a piece of hardware. Device drivers are often written in a low-level programming language.

Describe one reason why a low-level programming language is suitable for writing a device driver.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • Instructions can manipulate/control the hardware/memory/registers directly (1) so the driver can control the specific device it is written for (1)
  • The code is written for one specific processor/architecture (1) so it works with the exact hardware it will control (1)
  • The programmer controls exactly how memory/registers are used (1) so the code is efficient and needs little memory, which suits a device that has limited memory (1)
  • Each instruction maps to one machine code instruction (1) so the driver code is small enough to fit in the memory of the device (1)

Extra detail, such as naming the device the driver controls, is not needed to earn the marks.

Do not accept 'it is closer to machine code' on its own: it must be developed to show how this helps the driver, e.g. it can control the hardware directly.

Do not accept 'it is faster/quicker' with no link to the hardware/device, e.g. the device responds quickly.

Do not accept 'it is easier to learn', 'it is easier to debug' or 'it takes less time to write'.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

Low-level instructions can manipulate the hardware and memory directly (1) so the driver can control the specific device it was written for, such as a sound card (1).

Why: Point about direct control of hardware/memory (1) linked to controlling the specific device (1). The named device is extra detail and is not needed.

Some marks1/2

Low-level instructions can manipulate the hardware directly.

Why: Correct point (1) but no linked development saying how this helps the device driver.

No marks0/2

It is closer to machine code so it runs faster than a high-level language.

Why: 'Closer to machine code' is not developed into how this helps the driver, and 'runs faster' is not linked to the hardware/device, so no mark.

3Explain2 marksProtocols & Layers Swap Remove

Two computers exchange data over a network.

Explain why network protocols are needed for the two computers to communicate.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • Devices (can) understand/interpret the data they receive (1) because they follow the same set of rules for communication (1)
  • Data is sent in an agreed format/structure (1) so the receiving device can interpret/understand it correctly (1)
  • Devices (can) connect/communicate successfully (1) because they agree how the data is transmitted, such as the type of signal used (1)
  • Errors (can) be detected/handled (1) because both devices follow the same rules for checking the data (1)

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

Do not accept 'so devices can talk/communicate with each other' or 'so they can understand each other' without saying they follow the same rules/agreed format.

Do not accept an answer that only states protocols are a set of rules, without saying what this allows (e.g. the data can be understood/interpreted).

Do not accept a faster connection/speed as a reason why protocols are needed.

Do not accept naming a protocol (e.g. TCP/IP, HTTP, Wi-Fi) without an explanation of why it is needed.

Do not accept a description of what a protocol does (e.g. 'TCP splits data into packets') without saying why this is needed.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

Devices can understand the data they receive (1) because they follow the same set of rules for communication (1).

Why: Linked point (1) and reason (1): following the same rules is what lets the devices understand the data.

Some marks1/2

Data is sent in an agreed format (1).

Why: Point (1) identified, but no linked reason saying what the agreed format achieves.

No marks0/2

Protocols are needed so the connection is faster (0) because more data can be sent at once.

Why: Speed is not a reason protocols are needed, so there is no creditworthy point or linked reason.

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 14 questions Impact of AI 4 questions

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