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Edexcel GCSE Computer Science (1CP2) Exam Questions

Build a practice paper from 659 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.

3Explain2 marksTranslators Swap Remove

An interpreter translates a program one line at a time.

Explain why an interpreted program stops when it reaches a line that contains a syntax error.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • The interpreter translates and executes each line in turn (1) so it cannot continue past a line it cannot translate (1)
  • The interpreter finds the error when it reaches that line (1) so it stops and displays an error message before later lines are executed (1)
  • Each line is translated just before it is executed (1) so a syntax error in that line prevents that translation/execution from happening (1)
  • The interpreter does not translate the whole program first (1) so it only discovers the error when that line is reached during execution (1)

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

Do not accept 'the program crashes' without saying that the interpreter cannot translate/execute the line.

Do not accept answers about how a compiler reports errors.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

The interpreter translates each line just before it executes it, so when it reaches the line with the syntax error it cannot translate that line and stops.

Why: Line-by-line translation (1) linked to being unable to translate the faulty line, so stopping (1).

Some marks1/2

The interpreter translates one line at a time, so it stops at the error.

Why: Line-by-line translation (1); 'stops at the error' repeats the outcome and does not explain why it cannot continue.

No marks0/2

It stops because the compiler reports all errors at the end.

Why: Describes a compiler, not an interpreter; no credit.

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

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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

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

4.2 Network security

Build a paper on this topic 36
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

Build a paper on this topic 65
Data Protection Act 17 questions Impact of AI 18 questions Intellectual Property 18 questions Software Licences 12 questions

5.3 Cybersecurity

Malware 8 questions

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