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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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4 questions · 7 marks

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1Multiple choice1 markTranslators Swap Remove

A compiler translates source code into machine code.

Identify why a compiled program can be run on a computer that does not have the compiler installed.

[1 mark]
  • AThe code is translated again each time it is run
  • BThe code is translated one line at a time
  • CThe object code is saved as a separate file
  • DThe source code is saved with the program
Mark scheme
  • C The object code is saved as a separate file (1)
  • The only correct answer is C. The correct answer is the object code is saved as a separate file.
  • A is not correct because a compiled program is not translated again when it is run
  • B is not correct because translating one line at a time is how an interpreter works
  • D is not correct because the source code is not needed to run a compiled program
Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks1/1

C The object code is saved as a separate file

Why: Selected the saved object code, which can be run without the compiler being present (1).

No marks0/1

D The source code is saved with the program

Why: Near miss: it is the object code, not the source code, that is saved and run on another computer.

No marks0/1

B The code is translated one line at a time

Why: Confuses a compiler with an interpreter: a compiled program is translated as a whole and is not translated again when it is run.

2Short recall2 marksLow and High Level Languages Swap Remove

Device drivers allow hardware devices to work with a computer system.

Give two advantages of using a low-level programming language to write device drivers.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • It can control/manipulate the hardware (components/registers/memory locations) directly (1)
  • Each instruction maps to a single machine-code instruction, so the behaviour/timing can be controlled precisely (1)
  • The code can run very quickly / has a fast execution time (1)
  • The code uses less memory/RAM (1)
  • The code can be optimised for a particular processor/chipset (1)

Only award one mark where both 'controls the hardware' and 'accesses registers/memory locations' are given, as these are the same point.

Do not accept 'it is closer to the hardware' without saying that it controls or accesses the hardware directly.

Do not accept easier/faster to write/program/learn/understand/debug (these are advantages of high-level languages).

Do not accept faster/quicker without qualification.

Do not accept portable/machine independent.

Do not accept does not need to be translated/compiled (assembly language must be assembled).

Do not accept it is a low-level language / a repeat of the question.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

It can control the hardware directly and the code runs very quickly.

Why: Two creditworthy advantages: controls the hardware directly (1); fast execution (1).

Some marks1/2

It uses less memory than a high-level language.

Why: Creditworthy point: uses less memory/RAM (1). Only one advantage given.

No marks0/2

It is easier to understand and debug than a high-level language.

Why: These are advantages of high-level languages, not low-level ones; the mark scheme does not accept easier to understand or debug.

3Short 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.

4Describe2 marksLow and High Level Languages Swap Remove

A programmer has written a program in assembly language.

Describe why it is necessary to translate the program into machine code before it can be run.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • The processor/CPU can only execute machine code/binary instructions (1) so the assembly instructions must be converted into machine code before the program can run (1)
  • Each assembly instruction/mnemonic matches/corresponds to one machine code instruction (1) so each line must be replaced with the machine code the processor executes (1)
  • The program is written using mnemonics (1) that must be translated into machine code for the processor to carry out the instructions (1)
  • The hardware/processor does not understand assembly language directly (1) so it must be translated into machine code that the processor can execute (1)

Do not accept 'assembly language is a low-level language'.

Do not accept 'it is hard to understand' or 'it is not English'.

Do not accept benefits, such as 'machine code runs faster' or 'the program will run more quickly'.

Do not accept 'an assembler/a translator converts it' on its own, with no reference to the processor only being able to execute machine code/binary.

Do not accept responses about high-level languages or about compilers/interpreters.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

The processor can only execute machine code, so the assembly instructions must be converted into machine code before the program can run.

Why: States what the processor can execute (1) and links it to converting the program's instructions into machine code (1).

Some marks1/2

Each assembly instruction matches one machine code instruction.

Why: Correct point about the one-to-one match (1) but no development saying that this is because the processor only executes machine code.

No marks0/2

Because an assembler translates assembly language into machine code.

Why: Names the translator but gives no reason tied to the processor only being able to execute machine code, so no mark; this is in the 'Do not accept' guidance.

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 18 questions Intellectual Property 18 questions Software Licences 18 questions

5.3 Cybersecurity

Build a paper on this topic 36
Malware 18 questions Social Engineering 18 questions

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