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Edexcel GCSE Computer Science (1CP2) Exam Questions

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3 questions · 5 marks

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1Multiple choice1 markLow and High Level Languages Swap Remove

Low-level and high-level programming languages have different characteristics.

Identify a characteristic of a low-level programming language.

[1 mark]
  • AIt can manipulate the hardware directly
  • BIt has built-in data structures such as arrays and records
  • CIt is machine independent
  • DOne statement translates into several machine code instructions
Mark scheme
  • A It can manipulate the hardware directly (1)
  • The only correct answer is A. The correct answer is it can manipulate the hardware directly.
  • B is not correct because data structures such as arrays and records are a characteristic of high-level languages
  • C is not correct because low-level languages are processor/machine dependent, so they are not machine independent
  • D is not correct because in a low-level language one instruction translates into one machine code instruction
Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks1/1

A It can manipulate the hardware directly

Why: Correct option: direct control of the hardware is a characteristic of low-level languages (1).

No marks0/1

C It is machine independent

Why: Near miss: machine independence is a characteristic of high-level languages, not low-level, so no mark is awarded.

No marks0/1

D One statement translates into several machine code instructions

Why: Misconception: this describes high-level code; in a low-level language one instruction maps to one machine code instruction, so no mark.

2Describe2 marksLow and High Level Languages Swap Remove

A device driver is software that allows the operating system to control a piece of hardware. Device drivers are often written in a low-level programming language.

Describe one reason why a low-level programming language is suitable for writing a device driver.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • Instructions can manipulate/control the hardware/memory/registers directly (1) so the driver can control the specific device it is written for (1)
  • The code is written for one specific processor/architecture (1) so it works with the exact hardware it will control (1)
  • The programmer controls exactly how memory/registers are used (1) so the code is efficient and needs little memory, which suits a device that has limited memory (1)
  • Each instruction maps to one machine code instruction (1) so the driver code is small enough to fit in the memory of the device (1)

Extra detail, such as naming the device the driver controls, is not needed to earn the marks.

Do not accept 'it is closer to machine code' on its own: it must be developed to show how this helps the driver, e.g. it can control the hardware directly.

Do not accept 'it is faster/quicker' with no link to the hardware/device, e.g. the device responds quickly.

Do not accept 'it is easier to learn', 'it is easier to debug' or 'it takes less time to write'.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

Low-level instructions can manipulate the hardware and memory directly so the driver can control the specific device it was written for, such as a sound card.

Why: Point about direct control of hardware/memory (1) linked to controlling the specific device (1). The named device is extra detail and is not needed.

Some marks1/2

Low-level instructions can manipulate the hardware directly.

Why: Correct point (1) but no linked development saying how this helps the device driver.

No marks0/2

It is closer to machine code so it runs faster than a high-level language.

Why: 'Closer to machine code' is not developed into how this helps the driver, and 'runs faster' is not linked to the hardware/device, so no mark.

3Explain2 marksTranslators Swap Remove

A programmer writes a program in a high-level language. The program is translated by a compiler.

Explain why a compiler must translate the whole program before any of it can be executed.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • The compiler produces object code/machine code for the whole program (1) so there is no complete executable until every line has been translated (1)
  • The compiler translates all the source code before producing the object code (1) so the program cannot start until translation has finished (1)
  • The compiler checks the whole program for errors during translation (1) so all of the source code must be read before an executable can be produced (1)

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

Allow 'in one go'/'all at once' for the translation point, but this does not earn the second mark unless it is linked to why the program cannot be executed until translation has finished.

A statement that the whole program is translated, with no linked reason about when the program can be executed, earns 1 mark only.

Do not accept 'a compiler is faster' or 'compiled code runs faster' on its own; this does not explain why translation must finish before execution.

Do not accept 'it translates and runs the program one line at a time', as this describes an interpreter.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

A compiler produces object code for the whole program, so there is no complete executable until every line has been translated.

Why: Object code for the whole program (1) linked to there being no complete executable until every line is translated (1).

Some marks1/2

A compiler translates the whole program in one go.

Why: Translation of the whole program only (1); no linked reason about when the program can be executed, so the second mark is not awarded.

No marks0/2

A compiler translates and runs the program one line at a time, so it stops when it finds an error.

Why: Confuses a compiler with an interpreter; nothing about translating the whole program before execution, 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 18 questions

5.3 Cybersecurity

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Malware 18 questions Social Engineering 18 questions

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