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Edexcel GCSE Computer Science (1CP2) Exam Questions

Build a practice paper from 631 exam-style questions, each with its mark scheme and example answers. Print it, or answer it on paper and then open the mark schemes. Or browse the questions by topic.

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4 questions · 7 marks

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1Short 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.

2Short 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.

3Describe2 marksLow and High Level Languages Swap Remove

A program can be written in a high-level language such as Python.

Describe one characteristic of a high-level programming language.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • Statements are written using words/phrases that look like English or maths (1) so the code is easier to read/understand/write (1)
  • One statement is translated into several machine code instructions (1) so programs are shorter to write than in a low-level language (1)
  • High-level languages provide built-in data structures such as arrays/lists/records (1) so a collection of data items can be stored and accessed under one name (1)

Do not accept responses that only give a benefit or drawback, such as 'it is easier to learn', with no characteristic.

Do not accept 'it is easier than a low-level language' without saying what the characteristic is.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

Statements are written using words that look like English or maths (1) so the program is easier to read and understand (1).

Why: Characteristic of the statements (1) with a linked development (1).

Some marks1/2

It has built-in data structures such as arrays.

Why: A correct characteristic (1) but no development of what it allows the programmer to do.

No marks0/2

It is easier to learn than a low-level language.

Why: Gives only a benefit compared with a low-level language; no characteristic of the language itself, so no mark.

4Explain2 marksLow and High Level Languages Swap Remove

A programmer writes the same program in a low-level language and in a high-level language.

Explain one reason why the program written in the low-level language may run faster.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • The programmer can choose the most efficient instructions/registers to use (1) so the program completes its task in fewer steps (1)
  • The programmer can optimise the code for the processor (1) because low-level instructions give direct control of registers/memory (1)
  • Each low-level instruction maps to one machine code instruction (1) so fewer instructions are executed than for the equivalent high-level code (1)
  • The translated code is smaller (1) so fewer instructions are fetched from memory and executed (1)

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

Do not accept 'it is low-level' / 'it is closer to machine code' / 'low-level code is faster' on its own without a reason why it makes the program run faster.

Do not accept 'high-level code has to be translated' / 'high-level code is interpreted' on its own without saying why that makes the program slower.

Do not accept 'the code is smaller' on its own without saying that this means fewer instructions are fetched/executed.

Do not accept 'it is easier to write' or 'quicker to type' as a reason for faster execution.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

The programmer can choose the most efficient instructions and registers to use (1) so the program completes its task in fewer steps (1).

Why: Linked point (1) of choosing efficient instructions/registers and reason (1) that the task is completed in fewer steps, so it runs faster.

Some marks1/2

Each low-level instruction maps to one machine code instruction (1) so the program is shorter to type.

Why: Point (1) that one low-level instruction maps to one machine code instruction, but being shorter to type does not explain why the program runs faster, so no second mark.

No marks0/2

Because it is closer to machine code.

Why: 'Closer to machine code' alone gives no reason why that makes the program run faster, and the mark scheme does not accept it on its own.

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 16 questions Intellectual Property 12 questions

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