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Edexcel GCSE Computer Science (1CP2) Exam Questions

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5 questions · 9 marks

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1Short recall2 marksLow and High Level Languages Swap Remove

Programs can be written in high-level or low-level programming languages.

Define the term high-level programming language.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • Uses statements/instructions that look like English/maths (1)
  • Does not depend on one type of processor / can be run on different types of computer with few or no changes (machine independent) (1)
  • A single statement is translated into several machine code instructions (1)
  • Provides data structures such as arrays and records (1)
  • Provides built-in/library subprograms (1)
  • Is translated by a compiler or an interpreter (1)

Allow portable/platform independent for machine independent.

Allow easier to read/write/understand/debug only when linked to the English-like statements, e.g. uses words that look like English so it is easier to understand.

Do not accept a high-level language / not a low-level language with no other detail.

Do not accept written in binary/machine code.

Do not accept faster to run / uses less memory, as these are characteristics of low-level languages.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

A language that uses statements that look like English (1) and a program written in it can be run on different types of computer without being rewritten (1).

Why: English-like statements (1) and machine independent/portable (1).

Some marks1/2

A language that provides data structures such as arrays and records.

Why: Creditworthy point: provides data structures (1). No second part of the definition given.

No marks0/2

A language that is written in binary so the computer can understand it.

Why: Misconception: binary is machine code, not a high-level language; the mark scheme's do-not-accept line covers this.

2Short recall1 markLow and High Level Languages Swap Remove

A high-level language uses statements that look like English or maths.

State what a single statement in a high-level language is usually translated into.

[1 mark]
Mark scheme

Award one mark for:

  • Several/multiple machine code instructions (1)

The answer must refer to instructions.

Do not accept machine code on its own.

Do not accept binary on its own.

Do not accept 'one or more machine code instructions' as it does not show that one statement becomes several instructions.

Do not accept assembly code/compiled code/low-level code on their own.

Do not accept 'a line of code'/'a statement' as this repeats the question.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks1/1

Several machine code instructions

Why: Matches the creditworthy point that one high-level statement translates into several machine code instructions (1).

No marks0/1

Machine code

Why: Near-miss: gives the type of code but not that one statement becomes several instructions; mark scheme does not accept machine code on its own.

No marks0/1

Binary

Why: Misconception: high-level statements are translated into machine code instructions, not just binary; not accepted.

3Short recall2 marksLow and High Level Languages Swap Remove

Programs written in a high-level language are often machine independent.

Define the term machine independence.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • The (same) program/source code can run on different types/makes of computer/processor (1)
  • With few/no changes (to the program code) (1)
  • The same source code can be translated for each type of processor (1)
  • A different compiler/interpreter is used for each type of processor (1)
  • The program does not depend on one specific type of processor/hardware (1)
  • Only one version of the program needs to be written/kept (1)
  • The program is portable between different computers (1)

Allow 'different computers' as meaning different types of computer/processor.

Do not accept a program that will only run on one type of computer / the computer it was written on.

Do not accept written in machine code/binary, is translated into machine code, compiled/interpreted, is a low-level language.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

The same program can run on different types of computer (1) without being changed (1).

Why: Two creditworthy parts: runs on different types/makes of computer/processor (1); with few/no changes (1).

Some marks1/2

A program can run on different computers.

Why: Creditworthy point: can run on different types/makes of computer/processor (1), with 'different computers' allowed by the guidance. No second part about changes or translation.

No marks0/2

A program is written in machine code so the computer can understand it.

Why: Misconception: machine code is not machine independence; the mark scheme does not accept this, and no other creditworthy point is given.

4Short recall2 marksTranslators Swap Remove

An interpreter is a type of translator.

Define the term interpreter.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • Translates/converts (high-level/source) code one line/statement at a time (1)
  • Translates/converts the code and executes/runs each line as it goes (1)
  • Executes/runs each line/statement immediately after it is translated (1)
  • Reports/stops with an error message as soon as a syntax error is found (1)

Allow 'runs' for executes, 'converts' for translates and 'instruction' for line/statement

Do not accept translates the whole program before it is run

Do not accept produces/creates object code, an executable file or machine code that is saved

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

An interpreter is a program that translates high-level code line by line. Each line is run as soon as it has been translated, so any errors are shown straight away.

Why: Line-by-line translation (1) and each line executed immediately (1); the point about errors would be a third creditworthy point but the maximum is two.

Some marks1/2

An interpreter translates code one line at a time.

Why: Line-by-line translation (1); no point for immediate execution.

No marks0/2

An interpreter translates the whole program before it is run.

Why: Near-miss describing a compiler; the scheme's 'Do not accept' line rules out whole-program translation.

5Explain2 marksLow and High Level Languages Swap Remove

High-level languages are designed to be easier to learn than low-level languages.

Explain one reason why a high-level language is easier to learn than a low-level language.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • Statements are written in English-like words/use maths symbols (1) so the programmer can understand more easily what each one does (1)
  • The language uses meaningful names for variables/structured constructs such as loops (1) so the code is easier to read/follow (1)
  • One statement translates into several machine code instructions (1) so there are fewer instructions to learn/understand for the same task (1)

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

Do not accept 'it is easier' / 'it is simpler' on its own, without saying what is easier/simpler.

Do not accept 'the computer understands it directly' / 'it does not need translating'.

Do not award answers about the program running faster or using less memory, as these are not about ease of learning.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

Statements are written in English-like words (1) so the programmer can understand more easily what each line does (1).

Why: Linked point (1) of English-like statements and reason (1) that these are easier to understand.

Some marks1/2

It uses meaningful names for variables (1) so it is easier.

Why: Point (1) that meaningful names for variables are used, but 'so it is easier' is not accepted as the linked reason.

No marks0/2

Because the computer can understand high-level code without translation.

Why: Misconception that high-level code is understood directly by the computer; no creditworthy characteristic of the language is given.

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

Build a paper on this topic 24
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

Build a paper on this topic 37
Low and High Level Languages 19 questions Translators 18 questions

4.1 Networks

Build a paper on this topic 138
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

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