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Edexcel GCSE Computer Science (1CP2) Exam Questions

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4 questions · 7 marks

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1Short recall1 markUtility Software Swap Remove

A file may become corrupted and cannot be opened.

State the purpose of file repair software.

[1 mark]
Mark scheme

Award one mark for any of the following:

  • To repair/recover corrupted/damaged files so they can be opened/used again (1)
  • To recover as much of the data as possible from a damaged file (1)
  • To reconstruct parts of a damaged file (1)

Allow "to fix corrupted files".

Do not accept "to repair the hard disk" (disk repair).

Do not accept "to recover deleted files" (file repair recovers corrupted/damaged files, not deleted ones).

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks1/1

To repair corrupted files so they can be opened again.

Why: Repair corrupted files so they can be used again (1).

No marks0/1

To repair the hard disk.

Why: Hard disk repair is not file repair; the scheme says not to accept it.

No marks0/1

To recover files that have been deleted.

Why: Recovering deleted files is not file repair; the scheme says not to accept it.

2Short recall2 marksSoftware Basics Swap Remove

Utility software helps to keep a computer system running efficiently.

State two examples of utility software.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • File repair (software) (1)
  • Backup (software) (1)
  • Data compression (software) (1)
  • Disk defragmentation (software) (1)
  • Anti-malware (software) (1)

Allow antivirus software.

Do not accept file management, process management, peripheral management or user management, as these are functions of the operating system.

Do not accept operating systems (e.g. Windows, Linux) or application software (e.g. word processor, web browser).

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

Anti-malware software and backup software.

Why: Two creditworthy examples from the list, one mark each (1) + (1).

Some marks1/2

Anti-malware software and file management software.

Why: Anti-malware software earns one mark (1); file management is a function of the operating system, so it is not a second mark.

No marks0/2

Windows and a word processor.

Why: Windows is an operating system and a word processor is application software, so neither is utility software and no mark is awarded.

3Describe2 marksUtility Software Swap Remove

A hard disk can become fragmented as files are saved and deleted.

Describe how disk defragmentation software improves the performance of a hard disk.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • Parts of a file are moved so they are stored together/in consecutive locations (1) so the read/write head has less distance to travel to read the file (1)
  • Files are rearranged so that each file is stored in one block (1) which reduces the time taken to open/load the file (1)
  • Free space on the disk is collected into one area (1) so new files can be saved without becoming fragmented (1)
  • The parts of each fragmented file are put in order (1) so fewer movements of the read/write head are needed to read it (1)

Do not accept responses about compressing files, deleting files or increasing the amount of storage, as these are not what defragmentation software does.

Do not accept 'it makes the disk faster' without saying how the files are changed.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

It moves the parts of a file so they are stored together in consecutive locations, so the read/write head does not have to move as far and the file opens more quickly.

Why: Linked point (1) and development (1): the file parts are stored together, which reduces read/write head movement.

Some marks1/2

It reorganises the files on the hard disk so that they are stored together.

Why: The point is made (1) but there is no development saying how this improves performance, so the second mark is not awarded.

No marks0/2

It compresses the files so that they take up less space on the disk.

Why: This describes data compression software, which the mark scheme says is not accepted; no creditworthy point is made.

4Explain2 marksProcess Management Swap Remove

A user opens a web browser.

Explain what the operating system does to get the browser's process ready to run.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • A process is created for the program (1) so that its instructions can be loaded into RAM (1)
  • The process is put into the ready state (1) so that it can wait for the CPU to become available (1)
  • The operating system adds the process to a queue of ready processes (1) so the scheduler can choose it when the CPU is free (1)
  • The operating system allocates the resources the process needs (1) so that it can start running when it is given CPU time (1)

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

Allow 'main memory' for RAM.

Do not accept 'the browser is downloaded/loaded from the internet'.

Do not accept 'the program is run immediately on the CPU' without the ready step.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

It creates a process and loads the browser's instructions into RAM, then puts the process in the ready state to wait for CPU time.

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

Some marks1/2

It moves the program into RAM.

Why: A correct point (1) but no linked reason about the process being made ready.

No marks0/2

It runs the program straight away on the CPU.

Why: This describes the running state, not making the process ready, so no credit.

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

Build a paper on this topic 56
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

Build a paper on this topic 124
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

Build a paper on this topic 65
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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