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Edexcel GCSE Computer Science (1CP2) Exam Questions

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4 questions · 12 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 marksProcess Management Swap Remove

A process ends when its program closes or finishes.

Describe how the operating system terminates a process.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • Frees/releases the memory/RAM used by the process (1) so other processes can use it (1)
  • Removes the process from the ready queue/scheduler (1) so it is no longer selected to run on the CPU (1)
  • Releases other resources (files/peripherals) held by the process (1) so they can be used by other processes (1)
  • Removes/updates the process entry in the process table (1) to show the process is no longer running (1)

Allow 'process queue' / 'queue of processes' for ready queue/scheduler.

Allow 'program' for process.

Do not accept responses that only restate that the process/program has ended/closed.

Do not accept responses that only say the process stops running / the computer stops using the program, with no linked description.

Do not accept responses that say the program/file is deleted from storage or that the user closed/deleted the program.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

It frees the memory the process was using so other processes can use it.

Why: Frees memory (1) linked to other processes using it (1).

Some marks1/2

It removes the process from the queue.

Why: One creditworthy point about removing from the queue (1), but no linked development.

No marks0/2

It deletes the program from the hard drive.

Why: Terminating a process does not delete the program file; no creditworthy point.

4Discuss6 marksUtility Software Swap Remove

A small graphic design company keeps all of its project files on one desktop computer. The computer's hard disk has failed and some files have been lost. The owner has been told to use backup software.

Discuss the backup strategy the company should use.

Your answer should include:

  • the types of backup that could be used
  • where and how often backups should be made
  • how the backups would be used if the hard disk failed again.
[6 marks]
Mark scheme

Indicative content

Types of backup that could be used

  • A full backup copies all of the company's project files every time it is run, so the whole set of files is held together in one backup.
  • A full backup takes longer to make and needs more storage space than an incremental backup.
  • An incremental backup copies only the files that have changed since the previous backup, so it is quicker to run each evening.
  • Restoring from incremental backups needs the last full backup plus every incremental backup made since, which takes longer and is more complex.
  • A weekly full backup with nightly incremental backups can be suitable for the company when the reason is explained using the properties of the two types.

Where and how often backups should be made

  • Backups should be kept on a separate device and, ideally, at a different location, so that a fire or theft in the office cannot destroy the computer and the backups together.
  • Backups should be made regularly, for example every evening, so that at most one day's design work would be lost.
  • Cloud storage can hold copies off-site automatically, without the owner taking a disk home.
  • An external hard disk or USB flash drive can be used as the backup medium, with a copy kept away from the office.

How the backups would be used if the hard disk failed again

  • If the hard disk fails again, the backup software is used to restore the latest full backup and any later incremental backups onto a replacement disk.
  • The restored project files allow the company to carry on working and meet its clients' deadlines.
  • The backups should be tested by restoring a file so that the company knows the backup is usable before it is needed.
  • Backup software does not repair the failed hard disk itself, so a replacement disk is still needed.

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)

Level 3 requires all three bullets to be developed and applied, including both types of backup (or a justified combination) and a restoration sequence; a response that describes only a full backup cannot reach Level 3.

An answer that explains only one type of backup with at most a brief location or frequency point and no developed restoration is Level 1 (1–2 marks). Credit one off-site point only: cloud storage, an external disk kept elsewhere and 'a different location' are the same point. Do not accept that backup software repairs a failed hard disk or recovers files that were never backed up; an answer that only makes this claim is Level 0. An unsupported weekly-full/nightly-incremental recommendation is not credited.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks6/6

The company should make a full backup once a week and incremental backups every evening. A full backup copies every project file, so the whole set is held in one place, but it takes a long time and a lot of space. An incremental backup copies only the files that have changed since the last backup, so it is quick enough to run each night. The backups should be copied to an external hard disk that the owner takes home, or uploaded to cloud storage, so that a fire or a theft cannot destroy the computer and the backups together. Backing up every evening means that at most one day's design work would be lost. If the hard disk fails again, the backup software is used to restore the latest full backup and then each incremental backup onto a new disk, so the company can carry on meeting its clients' deadlines.

Why: Level 3: full and incremental backups are explained and applied to a weekly and nightly schedule (AO1); off-site storage and the restore sequence onto a replacement disk are developed and clearly tied to the hard disk failure (AO2).

Some marks2/6

The company should back up its files to an external hard disk. A full backup copies all of the files, so the project files can be restored if the hard disk fails again. The backup should be kept in a different room in case there is a fire.

Why: Level 1: names a full backup and briefly links it to restoring files, and gives a weak location point, but there is no incremental backup, frequency or developed restore sequence, so the points remain basic and independent.

No marks0/6

Backup software repairs the hard disk when it fails, so the company will not lose anything and can open the files again.

Why: Level 0: the only claim is that backup software repairs the failed hard disk and prevents all loss, which the mark scheme does not accept; no valid type, location, frequency or restoration point is made.

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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