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Edexcel GCSE Computer Science (1CP2) Exam Questions

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4 questions · 9 marks

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1Short recall2 marksPurpose & Function of Operating Systems Swap Remove

An operating system manages the peripheral devices connected to a computer.

State two tasks carried out by the peripheral 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:

  • Receives input from/sends output to peripheral devices (1)
  • Communicates with/controls a peripheral using its device driver, including installing the driver for a new device (1)
  • Manages the print queue/buffer so that print jobs are sent to the printer in turn (1)
  • Reports the status of a device/a device error to the user, e.g. out of paper (1)

Allow answers that name a specific peripheral, as long as they also say what the operating system does with it, e.g. 'it controls the printer using its driver'.

Do not accept 'manages peripherals'/'controls the hardware' on its own, as this repeats the question.

Do not accept 'managing files' or 'managing users' (file management and user management are other functions of an operating system).

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

It uses device drivers to control each peripheral and it reports a printer error such as out of paper to the user.

Why: Communicating with a peripheral using its device driver (1) and reporting a device error to the user (1) are two different peripheral management tasks.

Some marks1/2

It manages the print queue.

Why: Managing the print queue is one named peripheral management task (1); no second task is given.

No marks0/2

It manages peripherals and it manages users.

Why: 'Manages peripherals' repeats the question and earns nothing; 'manages users' is user management, not peripheral management.

2Short recall3 marksUser Management Swap Remove

User management controls what a user can do on a computer.

State three resources that an operating system can limit for a standard user.

[3 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • Storage space/disk space/disk quota (1)
  • Printer/printing (1)
  • Processor time/CPU time (1)
  • Memory/RAM (1)
  • Internet/network access/bandwidth (1)
  • Removable media/USB drives (1)
  • Software/applications/programs (including the ability to install programs) (1)

Allow 'access to removable media/USB drives'.

Do not accept 'files' or 'folders' on their own.

Do not accept 'passwords' or 'usernames'.

Do not accept 'hardware' on its own.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks3/3

Storage space, the printer and processor time.

Why: Storage space (1), printer (1) and processor time (1) are three accepted resources.

Some marks1/3

Storage space and hardware.

Why: Storage space (1); 'hardware' is too vague to be creditworthy on its own.

No marks0/3

Files, folders and passwords.

Why: Files and folders are not accepted on their own, and passwords are login details, not limited resources.

3Describe2 marksUser Management Swap Remove

A computer can be used by more than one person.

Describe how an operating system uses access rights to protect each user's files.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • Each user/file is given permissions/access rights (1) so other users cannot read/write/open/change that user's files (1)
  • A user may be given read-only/read access to a file (1) so they cannot edit/delete/change it (1)
  • Each file is given permissions/access rights for different users (1) so the operating system allows/refuses access depending on which user is logged in (1)
  • The operating system checks a user's permissions/access rights when a file is opened (1) so a user with read-only/read access cannot save/delete changes (1)

Do not accept responses about asking for a password/username, as this checks who the user is, not what they are allowed to do.

Do not accept 'files are protected/safe' or 'access rights protect files' without saying how access is limited (e.g. read-only access, permissions for different users).

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

A user can be given read-only access to a file, so they can open it but cannot edit or delete it.

Why: Read-only/read access point (1) and linked development that the user cannot edit/delete the file (1).

Some marks1/2

A user can be given read-only access to a file.

Why: Read-only/read access point (1); no development saying what this prevents, such as being unable to edit/delete the file (0).

No marks0/2

The operating system asks for the password again before the file opens.

Why: Describes asking for a password, which checks who the user is, not access rights to the file; no creditworthy point.

4Explain2 marksProcess Management Swap Remove

An operating system carries out process management.

Explain one reason why an operating system needs to manage processes.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • The CPU can only execute one process at a time (1) so the operating system must decide which process runs next (1)
  • Each process needs CPU time (1) so the operating system must share the CPU between processes (1)
  • One process could use the CPU for too long (1) so the operating system must give other processes a turn (1)
  • A process may be waiting for a resource or user input (1) so the operating system can run another process that is ready (1)
  • The user wants to run more than one program (1) so the operating system must manage which process uses the CPU and when (1)

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

Allow 'program' for 'process'.

Do not accept 'to manage processes' / 'so processes are managed' without a reason.

Do not accept answers about managing files, memory or peripherals.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

The CPU can only run one process at a time, so the operating system must decide which process gets the CPU and for how long.

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

Some marks1/2

The operating system decides which process runs next.

Why: A correct point (1) but no linked reason.

No marks0/2

So that files can be saved in the right place.

Why: This is file management, not process management, so no creditworthy point.

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 12 questions

5.3 Cybersecurity

Malware 8 questions

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