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Edexcel GCSE Computer Science (1CP2) Exam Questions

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3 questions · 6 marks

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1Multiple choice1 markPrimary Memory Swap Remove

Identify what is fetched from RAM during the fetch stage.

[1 mark]
  • AThe next instruction
  • BThe data at a memory address
  • CThe decoded instruction
  • DThe address of the next instruction
Mark scheme
  • A The next instruction (1)
  • The only correct answer is A. The correct answer is the next instruction.
  • B is not correct because data is fetched during the execute stage
  • C is not correct because an instruction is decoded after it is fetched
  • D is not correct because the program counter holds the address used to fetch the instruction
Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks1/1

A The next instruction

Why: The next instruction is fetched from RAM during the fetch stage (1).

No marks0/1

B The data at a memory address

Why: Near miss: data is not fetched during the fetch stage; data is used during the execute stage.

No marks0/1

C The decoded instruction

Why: Misconception: an instruction is decoded after it is fetched, in the decode stage.

2Short recall3 marksFetch Decode Execute Cycle Swap Remove

The fetch-decode-execute cycle is used by the CPU.

State three things that happen during the fetch stage.

[3 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • The address (of the next instruction) is sent from the CPU to main memory / placed on the address bus (1)
  • The (next) instruction is fetched/read from main memory (RAM) (1)
  • The instruction is brought/copied into the CPU / received into the MDR (1)
  • The program counter (PC) is incremented/updated to hold the address of the next instruction (1)

Allow 'the PC/MAR is placed on the address bus' for the address being sent to main memory.

Allow 'the MDR receives the instruction' for the instruction being brought into the CPU.

Do not award a second mark for the instruction being fetched from main memory and the instruction being brought into the CPU; these are the same point.

Do not award 'the instruction is transferred along the data bus' on its own; this is the same point as the instruction being fetched from main memory.

Do not accept answers about decoding the instruction, e.g. 'the instruction is fetched from RAM and decoded', as decoding happens in the decode stage.

Do not accept answers about the execute stage, e.g. 'the ALU carries out the calculation' or 'the result of a calculation is stored in a register', as these happen in the execute stage.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks3/3

The address of the next instruction is sent to main memory, the instruction is fetched from RAM, and the program counter is incremented.

Why: Address sent to main memory (1), instruction fetched from RAM (1) and program counter incremented (1).

Some marks1/3

The instruction is fetched from main memory and then decoded.

Why: Fetching the instruction from main memory (1); decoding happens in the decode stage, so it is not creditworthy in the fetch stage.

No marks0/3

The ALU carries out the calculation and the result is stored in a register.

Why: The ALU carrying out a calculation and storing a result happen in the execute stage, not the fetch stage, so no point is creditworthy.

3Short recall2 marksEmbedded Systems Swap Remove

A digital camera contains an embedded system.

Give two functions that the embedded system performs in the digital camera.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • Focus the lens/autofocus (1)
  • Control the shutter (speed) (1)
  • Control the flash/decide when the flash is needed (1)
  • Measure the light level to set the exposure/the aperture (1)
  • Stabilise the lens/image stabilisation (1)
  • Zoom the lens in and out (1)
  • Detect a face/smile (1)

Do not accept 'take a photograph'/'take a picture'/'capture an image', as taking photographs is the function of the camera, which is given in the question.

Do not accept 'press the button' as this is an action of the user, not a function performed by the embedded system.

Do not accept vague answers such as 'use the camera', 'turn the camera on and off' or 'make the camera work', which do not name a function that the embedded system performs.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

It focuses the lens and decides when the flash should fire.

Why: Focus the lens (1) and control the flash (1).

Some marks1/2

It controls the zoom and takes a picture when the button is pressed.

Why: Zoom the lens credited (1); 'takes a picture' is not accepted because taking photographs is the function of the camera, which is given in the question, and 'press the button' is the user's action, not a function of the embedded system.

No marks0/2

It takes a picture when the button is pressed and it makes the camera work.

Why: No mark: 'takes a picture' repeats the camera's function given in the question, 'press the button' is an action of the user, and 'makes the camera work' is too vague to name a function.

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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