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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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2 questions · 3 marks

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1Multiple choice1 markProcess Management Swap Remove

Identify the component of the operating system that decides which process will run next on the CPU.

[1 mark]
  • AInterrupt
  • BProcess
  • CScheduler
  • DTime slice
Mark scheme
  • C Scheduler (1)
  • The only correct answer is C. The correct answer is scheduler.
  • A is not correct because an interrupt is a signal that needs immediate attention
  • B is not correct because a process is a program that is being executed, not a component of the operating system
  • D is not correct because a time slice is the amount of CPU time a process is given, not what decides which process runs next
Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks1/1

C Scheduler

Why: Correct option: the scheduler is the component that decides which process runs next on the CPU (1).

No marks0/1

D Time slice

Why: A time slice is the amount of CPU time a process is given, not the component that decides which process runs next (0).

No marks0/1

A Interrupt

Why: An interrupt is a signal that needs immediate attention; it does not decide which process runs next (0).

2Describe2 marksFetch Decode Execute Cycle Swap Remove

A computer has an address bus.

Describe the purpose of the address bus in the fetch-decode-execute cycle.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • Carries the address of a memory location (1) that the CPU needs to access/read from or write to (1)
  • Transfers the address of the next instruction (1) to main memory so it can be fetched (1)
  • Carries the address of data/instructions (1) from the CPU to main memory (1) so the correct location is found
  • Is used by the CPU to specify/identify a location in memory (1) by carrying its address along the bus (1)

Award one mark for a correct point even if not developed, e.g. 'it carries the address of a memory location'.

Accept 'the address of the next instruction' without mentioning the program counter, if it is linked to being sent to main memory/to be fetched.

Do not accept responses about carrying data or control signals.

Do not accept responses that say the address bus sends/transfers instructions or data without referring to addresses.

Do not accept vague responses such as 'it carries addresses' without saying what the address is for.

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 it can be fetched.

Why: Linked point (1) and development (1): transfers the address of the next instruction to main memory to be fetched. 'From the program counter' is an accepted extra detail, not required.

Some marks1/2

The address bus carries the address of a memory location.

Why: Correct point (1) but no linked development, e.g. that the CPU needs to access it.

No marks0/2

The address bus carries data between the CPU and RAM.

Why: No creditworthy point: confuses the address bus with the data bus.

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