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Edexcel GCSE Computer Science (1CP2) Exam Questions

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5 questions · 10 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 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 marksPeripheral Management Swap Remove

A new printer is connected to a computer.

Explain the purpose of a device driver.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • It allows the operating system/OS to communicate with the device/printer (1) because it translates the commands into signals the device understands (1)
  • It contains/sends the instructions/commands needed by a particular device (1) so the device carries out the correct actions (1)
  • It controls the device/printer (1) by sending commands/signals to it (1)
  • Different devices need different commands (1) so each one needs its own driver to work with the operating system (1)

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

Do not accept 'it drives/controls the device' on its own without saying how, e.g. by sending commands/signals.

Do not accept hardware/a physical device (a device driver is software).

Do not accept 'it connects the printer to the computer' or 'it installs the printer' without saying that it provides the instructions/commands for the device.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

It allows the operating system to send commands to the printer because it translates them into signals that the printer understands.

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

Some marks1/2

It contains the instructions that the printer needs.

Why: Point (1) but no linked reason.

No marks0/2

It is a piece of hardware that connects the printer to the computer.

Why: Misconception: a device driver is software, not hardware, and saying it connects the printer is not accepted without saying it provides the instructions/commands.

5Explain2 marksSoftware Basics Swap Remove

An operating system manages the files stored on a computer.

Explain one purpose of file management in an operating system.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • Files can be organised into folders/directories (1) so users can find/store files easily (1)
  • Files can be located/opened/saved (1) because the operating system keeps track of where each file is stored (1)
  • Access permissions can be set on files (1) so only allowed users can read/modify them (1)
  • Files can be copied/moved/deleted (1) because the operating system controls where data is written/removed on a storage device (1)
  • Free disk space can be monitored/managed (1) so storage does not run out / files are stored efficiently (1)

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

Do not accept 'manages files' or 'organises files' on its own as it repeats the question.

Allow 'makes it easier to find files' as the linked reason for organising files into folders.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

File management lets the operating system organise files into folders so that users can find the files they need more easily.

Why: Point (1) for organising files into folders and linked reason (1) for making files easier to find.

Some marks1/2

It organises files into folders.

Why: Point (1) for organising files into folders; no linked reason.

No marks0/2

It manages the files on the computer so the files are managed properly.

Why: Repeats the question; no purpose or linked reason credited.

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

Build a paper on this topic 77
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

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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

Build a paper on this topic 36
Malware 18 questions Social Engineering 18 questions

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