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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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3 questions · 5 marks

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1Multiple choice1 markAddressing Swap Remove

Every device that connects to the internet is given an IP address.

Identify the number of bits in an IPv4 address.

[1 mark]
  • A4
  • B8
  • C32
  • D128
Mark scheme
  • C 32 (1)
  • The only correct answer is C. The correct answer is 32.
  • A is not correct because 4 is the number of groups of numbers in an IPv4 address
  • B is not correct because 8 is the number of bits in each group of an IPv4 address
  • D is not correct because 128 is the number of bits in an IPv6 address
Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks1/1

C 32

Why: Correct option (1): an IPv4 address is 32 bits long.

No marks0/1

B 8

Why: 8 is the number of bits in one group of an IPv4 address, not the whole address (mark scheme line B), so no mark.

No marks0/1

D 128

Why: 128 is the length of an IPv6 address, not an IPv4 address (mark scheme line D), so no mark.

2Short recall2 marksWireless Connections Swap Remove

Wireless connections use radio waves.

Give two reasons why a wireless connection can have a lower speed than a wired connection.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • Interference from other electrical/electronic devices (1)
  • Walls/obstacles block or weaken the signal (1)
  • The signal gets weaker the further a device is from the access point (1)
  • Other devices/networks use the same wireless channel/frequency (1)
  • A wireless channel has less bandwidth than a wired connection (1)

Do not accept 'higher latency', because latency is a delay and does not reduce the speed at which data is transferred.

Do not accept 'wireless is slower' / 'wired is faster' without a reason.

Do not accept 'radio waves are slower than signals in a cable' as they travel at the same speed.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

Other electrical devices can cause interference, and walls can block the signal.

Why: Gives interference (1) and walls blocking the signal (1).

Some marks1/2

Walls can block the wireless signal.

Why: Gives one valid reason, walls blocking the signal (1), but no second reason.

No marks0/2

Wireless is slower because it has a higher latency, so the data takes longer to arrive.

Why: Confuses latency (a delay) with speed; 'higher latency' is not accepted and no other creditworthy reason is given.

3Explain2 marksProtocols & Layers Swap Remove

The TCP/IP model has four layers.

Explain one function of the transport layer when a file is sent over a network.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • Splits the data/file into packets (1) so each packet can be sent separately across the network (1)
  • Adds a packet/sequence number to each packet (1) so the packets can be put back into the correct order at the destination (1)
  • Detects lost/missing packets (1) so they can be requested/resent (1)
  • Creates a connection between the two computers/hosts (1) before the file is sent (1)

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

Allow 'segments' for 'packets' (TCP divides the data into segments, which become packets at the internet layer).

Do not accept 'sends the data/file' on its own without saying what the transport layer does to the data.

Do not accept naming TCP or a port number on its own without expansion.

Do not accept routing/addressing packets using IP addresses, which is the internet layer.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

The transport layer splits the data into packets so each packet can be sent separately across the network.

Why: Linked point (1) and reason (1): splitting into packets lets each one be sent separately.

Some marks1/2

It splits the data into packets.

Why: Point (1) identified, but no linked reason given, so only the first mark is awarded.

No marks0/2

It routes the packets using IP addresses so they reach the right destination.

Why: Routing using IP addresses is the internet layer, not the transport layer, so no credit is given.

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