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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 markAddressing Swap Remove

A packet of data is sent across the internet to a web server. The packet has a header that stores information about the packet.

Identify the information in the packet header that a router uses to forward the packet towards its destination.

[1 mark]
  • AThe destination domain name
  • BThe destination IP address
  • CThe MAC address of the sender
  • DThe name of the file being sent
Mark scheme
  • B The destination IP address (1)
  • The only correct answer is B. The correct answer is the destination IP address.
  • A is not correct because a domain name is converted to an IP address by a DNS server before routing begins
  • C is not correct because the sender's MAC address is only used to deliver the packet on the local network
  • D is not correct because the file name is not used to route packets
Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks1/1

B The destination IP address

Why: Correct option (1): a router reads the destination IP address in the header to forward the packet towards its destination.

No marks0/1

A The destination domain name

Why: A domain name is converted to an IP address by a DNS server before routing begins, so it is not the routing information in the header (mark scheme line A); no mark.

No marks0/1

C The MAC address of the sender

Why: The sender's MAC address is only used to deliver the packet on the local network, so it is not used by the router to forward the packet (mark scheme line C); no mark.

2Describe2 marksAddressing Swap Remove

Devices on a network use IP addresses.

Describe the purpose of an IP address.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • Identifies a device on a network (1) so data can be sent to the correct device (1)
  • Gives a device a unique address (1) so packets can be routed to it across the internet (1)
  • Identifies a device on the internet (1) so it can send/receive data to/from other devices (1)

Allow 'unique' only where it is linked to identifying the device or to routing data; 'unique' on its own is not creditworthy.

Do not accept answers that only say it connects a device to the internet.

Do not accept a MAC address as the purpose of an IP address.

Do not accept domain names/web addresses (e.g. google.co.uk) as an IP address.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

An IP address uniquely identifies a device on a network so that data packets can be delivered to the correct destination.

Why: Linked point (1): identifies a device on a network; development (1): so data can be sent to the correct device.

Some marks1/2

It identifies a device on a network.

Why: Point only (1): identifies a device on a network; no linked development.

No marks0/2

It is a website address, such as google.co.uk, that the browser uses to find a web page.

Why: No creditworthy point: gives a domain name/web address, which the mark scheme says not to accept as an IP address.

3Explain2 marksThe Internet Swap Remove

A home network is connected to the internet by a router.

Explain one reason why a home network uses a router to connect its devices to the internet.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • All the devices can share one internet connection (1) because the router forwards data packets between the home network and the internet (1)
  • Data can reach the correct device on the home network (1) because the router uses the destination IP address to forward each packet to that device (1)
  • Each device does not need its own separate connection to the internet (1) because the router forwards data packets for all the devices between the home network and the internet (1)

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

Do not accept 'it provides Wi-Fi' because Wi-Fi is not why a router is needed to connect to the internet.

Do not accept 'it connects the home network/devices to the internet' or 'a router connects networks' without saying what the router does with the data, as this restates the question.

Do not accept 'it connects the cables' without saying what it does with the data.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

It lets all the devices share the internet connection because it forwards their data packets between the home network and the internet.

Why: Linked point (1) and reason (1): the router forwards data packets between the home network and the internet.

Some marks1/2

All the devices can share one internet connection because it connects the home network to the internet.

Why: Point (1) for sharing one internet connection, but the reason only restates that it connects the network to the internet, which the scheme does not accept.

No marks0/2

It provides Wi-Fi for the devices.

Why: Wi-Fi is not why a router is needed to connect to the internet; do not accept.

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