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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 · 5 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

An interpreter translates high-level code.

State what happens to the translation of a program when an interpreter finds a syntax error.

[1 mark]
Mark scheme

Award one mark for any of the following:

  • Translation/execution stops (when the error is found) / the rest of the program is not translated/executed (1)

Allow stops/terminates/halts when the error is found

Do not accept shows/displays an error message on its own

Do not accept the whole program is translated and errors are reported at the end

Do not accept translates line by line on its own

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks1/1

The translation stops as soon as the error is found, so the rest of the program is not translated.

Why: Translation stops when the error is found (1).

No marks0/1

An error message is displayed.

Why: Only an error message; it does not say translation stops, and the scheme does not accept a displayed error message on its own.

No marks0/1

The whole program is translated and all the errors are reported at the end.

Why: Describes a compiler; the scheme does not accept errors being reported at the end of translating the whole program.

3Short 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.

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.

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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