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Edexcel GCSE Computer Science (1CP2) Exam Questions

Build a practice paper from 693 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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3 questions · 4 marks

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1Multiple choice1 markTranslators Swap Remove

An interpreter translates high-level code differently from a compiler.

Identify what an interpreter does immediately after translating a line of code.

[1 mark]
  • AExecutes the line
  • BProduces the object code
  • CSaves the line to a file
  • DTranslates the next line
Mark scheme
  • A Executes the line (1)
  • The only correct answer is A. The correct answer is that the interpreter executes the line.
  • B is not correct because an interpreter does not produce object code; that is what a compiler does
  • C is not correct because an interpreter does not save the translated code to a file
  • D is not correct because the interpreter executes the current line before it translates the next line
Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks1/1

A Executes the line

Why: Selected the line being executed straight after translation, which is how an interpreter works (1).

No marks0/1

D Translates the next line

Why: Near miss: the interpreter executes the translated line first and only then moves on to translate the next line, so no mark.

No marks0/1

B Produces the object code

Why: Confuses interpretation with compilation: object code is produced by a compiler, not an interpreter, so no mark.

2Short recall1 markTranslators Swap Remove

A compiler translates programs written in a high-level language.

State how much of a program a compiler translates before the program is run.

[1 mark]
Mark scheme

Award one mark for:

  • The whole program (before it is run) (1)

Allow all of the code/the entire program/the whole program in one go

Do not accept one line/statement at a time or each line as it is executed

Do not accept translating only the lines that contain errors

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks1/1

The whole program, before it is run.

Why: Whole program translated before it is run (1).

No marks0/1

It translates the program one line at a time.

Why: Describes an interpreter; the scheme does not accept line-by-line translation.

No marks0/1

It translates only the lines that contain errors.

Why: Not a compiler behaviour; the scheme does not accept translating only error lines.

3Describe2 marksTranslators Swap Remove

Source code can contain syntax errors.

Describe how a compiler and an interpreter differ in the way they deal with syntax errors.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • The compiler reports all syntax errors after translation has finished (1) whereas the interpreter stops at the first error it finds (1)
  • The interpreter reports a syntax error as soon as it finds one (1) and does not translate/execute any more of the program (1)
  • The compiler continues translating after an error (1) and reports the errors at the end (1)
  • The interpreter stops translating when it reaches an error (1) but the compiler finishes translating before reporting errors (1)

Do not accept answers about fixing/correcting errors or about object code.

Do not award 'the compiler finds more errors' without saying errors are reported at the end.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

A compiler reports all the syntax errors at the end of translation, whereas an interpreter stops and reports the error as soon as it finds one.

Why: Compiler reports errors at the end (1) and interpreter stops/reports at the first error (1).

Some marks1/2

An interpreter stops translating when it finds a syntax error.

Why: Interpreter stops at the first error (1); no comparison with when the compiler reports errors.

No marks0/2

A compiler reports a syntax error immediately, before translating the rest of the program.

Why: Reverses the compiler's behaviour; it finishes translating before reporting errors.

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