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Edexcel GCSE Computer Science (1CP2) Exam Questions

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1Short recall2 marksPurpose & Function of Operating Systems Swap Remove

A home computer can have more than one user account.

Name two tasks carried out by the user 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:

  • Creating/deleting user accounts (1)
  • Storing usernames and passwords (1)
  • Checking login details/authenticating a user at login (1)
  • Setting access rights/permissions for each user, e.g. restricting which files/folders/programs/drives they can access (1)

Allow logging in as an example of checking login details.

Do not accept managing users on its own.

Do not accept provides a user interface, as this is not user management.

Do not accept managing files or managing processes, as these are other functions.

Do not accept stopping hackers/protecting from malware, as this is security, not user management.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

It stores usernames and passwords and sets access rights for each user.

Why: Storing usernames and passwords (1) and setting access rights (1) are two different user management tasks.

Some marks1/2

It checks the password at login and manages users.

Why: Checking a password at login earns (1); managing users repeats the question and earns nothing.

No marks0/2

It manages users and stops hackers accessing the computer.

Why: Managing users repeats the question; stopping hackers is security, not user management.

2Short recall1 markSoftware Basics Swap Remove

A computer system runs both an operating system and utility software.

State one difference between an operating system and utility software.

[1 mark]
Mark scheme

Award one mark for any of the following:

  • The operating system is needed/essential for the computer to run / utility software is optional (1)
  • The operating system manages the hardware/users/resources / utility software performs housekeeping tasks that keep the system running efficiently (1)
  • The operating system provides a platform for other software to run / utility software carries out extra/specific tasks (1)
  • Each utility program performs one specific task / the operating system carries out many different management tasks (1)
  • Utility software is often packaged with the operating system but can also be bought separately (1)

Do not accept answers that only give an example of each (e.g. Windows, anti-malware) without stating a difference.

Do not accept the operating system is hardware.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks1/1

The operating system is needed for the computer to work, but the utility software is optional.

Why: States a creditworthy difference: essential versus optional (1).

No marks0/1

Windows is an operating system and anti-malware is utility software.

Why: This only gives an example of each and does not state a difference, so no mark is awarded.

No marks0/1

The operating system is hardware and the utility software is software.

Why: The operating system is software, not hardware, so the answer contains no creditworthy difference.

3Explain2 marksPurpose & Function of Operating Systems Swap Remove

A school has bought a new printer for one of its computers.

Explain one reason why an operating system needs peripheral management.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • The operating system uses the printer's device driver to communicate with the printer (1) so the print job is sent as commands the printer can carry out (1)
  • The operating system holds print jobs in a queue/buffer (1) because the computer sends data faster than the printer can print it (1)
  • The operating system reports the printer's status to the user (1) so the user knows what to do when there is a problem such as the paper running out (1)
  • The operating system handles interrupts/signals from the printer (1) so a problem such as a paper jam is dealt with while other programs carry on running (1)

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

Allow a point about the operating system loading/installing the device driver for a new printer (1) provided the second mark gives a reason that is not the same as the driver communication point, e.g. so the new printer can be used/controlled by the operating system (1)

Award 1 mark for stating that print jobs are held in a queue/a buffer; the second mark needs the linked reason that the printer prints more slowly than data is sent.

Do not accept restating the question, e.g. 'it manages the printer' or 'it controls the peripherals', without saying how or why.

Do not accept 'it lets the printer connect to the computer' or 'it stops the printer being damaged' without a linked reason.

Do not accept 'it makes the printer print faster' as the operating system cannot increase the printer's speed.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

The operating system uses the printer's device driver to send the print job so the printer receives the data as commands it can understand.

Why: Linked point (1) and reason (1): device driver used to communicate, and the job is sent as commands the printer can carry out.

Some marks1/2

It puts print jobs into a queue.

Why: Point (1) only: the queue/buffer is named, but no linked reason (that the printer prints more slowly than data is sent) is given.

No marks0/2

It makes the printer print faster.

Why: Misconception named in the 'Do not accept' line: the operating system cannot increase the printer's speed, so there is no creditworthy point.

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