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Edexcel GCSE Computer Science (1CP2) Exam Questions

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4 questions · 8 marks

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1Short recall2 marksPurpose & Function of Operating Systems Swap Remove

A computer can run more than one process at a time.

Give two tasks carried out by the process management function of an operating system.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • Deciding which process runs next on the CPU/scheduling processes (1)
  • Allocating processor/CPU time to processes/allowing multitasking (1)
  • Managing the process life-cycle/process states (ready, running, blocked) (1)
  • Handling interrupts so a running process is suspended and another can run (1)
  • Stopping/terminating a process when it has finished (1)

Do not accept 'managing processes' on its own.

Do not accept 'handling interrupts' on its own.

Do not award two marks for the same task expressed twice, e.g. 'deciding which process runs next' and 'scheduling processes', or 'allocating CPU time' and 'giving each process a share of processor time'.

Do not accept 'managing memory/memory management', 'managing files/file management' or 'managing devices/peripherals' (these are other functions of an operating system).

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

Deciding which process runs next on the CPU and stopping a process when it has finished.

Why: Scheduling a process (1) and terminating a process (1) are two different named tasks.

Some marks1/2

Deciding which process runs next and scheduling processes.

Why: Both points are the same task expressed twice, so only one mark is awarded under the guidance.

No marks0/2

Managing processes and managing files.

Why: 'Managing processes' repeats the question and earns nothing; 'managing files' is file management, not process management, so it is not credited.

2Describe2 marksMemory Management Swap Remove

A program is stored on secondary storage before it is run.

Describe how the operating system manages memory when a program is started.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • The program (and its data) is copied/loaded from secondary storage into main memory/RAM (1) so that the CPU can fetch/execute its instructions (1)
  • An area of main memory is allocated/reserved for the program (1) that is large enough to hold the program and its data (1)
  • The operating system checks that there is enough free main memory (1) before the program can be started/loaded, otherwise it cannot run/an error is reported (1)
  • The operating system keeps a record of the memory addresses used by the program (1) so that its instructions and data can be found when it runs (1)

Allow 'loaded into RAM', 'stored in memory' and 'put into main memory' as equivalent to copied into main memory.

A single statement that the program is loaded/stored in main memory, with no linked development, can be given one mark only.

Do not accept descriptions of the CPU fetching/executing instructions that do not refer to the operating system loading or allocating memory.

Do not accept responses about virtual memory (moving processes to secondary storage) or about which process runs next on the CPU.

Do not accept the program being run from secondary storage/hard disk.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

The operating system copies the program and its data from secondary storage into main memory so that the CPU can fetch and execute its instructions.

Why: Copying the program and data into main memory (1) linked to the CPU fetching/executing instructions (1).

Some marks1/2

The operating system loads the program into main memory.

Why: The program is copied/loaded into main memory (1), but there is no linked development of how or what this leads to, so only one mark is given.

No marks0/2

The CPU fetches the program's instructions from main memory and executes them one at a time.

Why: This describes the fetch-decode-execute cycle, not the operating system loading or allocating memory, which is the Do not accept line; no creditworthy point is made.

3Describe2 marksPeripheral Management Swap Remove

A student uses a graphics tablet connected to a computer to draw in a program.

Describe how the operating system passes input from the graphics tablet to the program.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • The operating system receives signals/data from the graphics tablet (1) and converts them into data the program can use/process (1)
  • The operating system receives data from the graphics tablet (1) and passes/forwards it to the program being used/the active program (1)
  • The tablet's device driver receives/interprets the signals/data from the tablet (1) so the operating system can pass the input to the program (1)
  • The operating system identifies the graphics tablet as the source of the input (1) so the data is sent to the correct program (1)

Accept 'signals' for 'data' throughout.

Accept reference to the device driver only where it is linked to receiving/interpreting the input (e.g. the driver receives the tablet's signals (1) so the OS can pass data to the program (1)).

Do not accept 'the operating system uses a driver' on its own, without saying what the driver does with the input.

Do not accept generic statements such as 'the operating system runs the tablet' as a description of how input is managed.

Do not accept responses that say the operating system creates/finishes the drawing, or that the tablet stores the input permanently.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

The operating system receives signals from the graphics tablet and passes the data to the program.

Why: Receives signals/data from the tablet (1) and passes the data to the active program (1).

Some marks1/2

The operating system receives signals from the graphics tablet.

Why: Gives the first half of a linked description (1): it receives signals, but does not say what happens to the input.

No marks0/2

The operating system uses a device driver to control the graphics tablet and stores the input.

Why: Only says the OS uses a driver to control the tablet and that input is stored; it does not describe the driver receiving/interpreting the input or the input being passed to the program, so no linked point is credited. The mark scheme rejects 'uses a driver' on its own.

4Explain2 marksMemory Management Swap Remove

When a program closes, the operating system frees the main memory it was using.

Explain one reason why the operating system frees main memory when a program closes.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • The memory can be reused/allocated to another program (1) so other programs have enough main memory to run (1)
  • Freeing the memory stops main memory becoming full (1) so the computer can load/run new programs (1)
  • The closed program's data is no longer needed (1) so keeping it would waste main memory (1)
  • The operating system can give the freed memory to a program that needs more (1) so that program can continue to run (1)

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

Do not accept 'to make the computer faster' on its own without saying how freeing memory helps.

Do not accept 'to delete the program' or 'to save the program' because closing a program does not remove it from secondary storage.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

The memory can be reused by another program, so other programs have enough main memory to run.

Why: Linked point (1) about reusing the memory and reason (1) that other programs then have enough memory.

Some marks1/2

So that the memory is free.

Why: Gives the point (1) but does not give a linked reason saying what the free memory is used for.

No marks0/2

So the program is deleted from the computer.

Why: No creditworthy point; closing a program does not delete it from secondary storage.

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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