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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 · 5 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.

2Explain2 marksTranslators Swap Remove

An interpreter translates and executes high-level code.

Explain why an interpreted program must be translated again each time it is run.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • No object code/machine code file is stored/saved (1) so there is no translated program to run on the next occasion (1)
  • The translation is only temporary/is lost when the program ends (1) because each line is translated as the program runs (1)
  • No executable file is created/saved (1) so the whole program has to be translated again every time it is run (1)
  • The interpreter translates each line while the program is running (1) so nothing is kept that could be run without the interpreter (1)

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

Do not accept 'it is interpreted' or 'it is not compiled' without saying that no object code/executable is stored/saved.

Do not accept 'the source code is high-level so it must be translated' or 'the source code has to be turned into machine code' on its own, as this is true of any translation.

Do not accept answers about the source code being deleted.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

The interpreter does not store an object code file, so there is no machine code file to run on the next occasion.

Why: No object code stored (1) linked to no translated program for the next run (1).

Some marks1/2

No object code is saved.

Why: Point that nothing is stored (1) but no linked reason saying why this means the program must be translated again.

No marks0/2

It has to be translated again because the interpreter deletes the source code after each run.

Why: Incorrect: the interpreter does not delete the source code; no mark scheme point.

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

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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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