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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 · 4 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.

2Short recall1 markWired Connections Swap Remove

Wired connections have characteristics that affect network performance.

State what is meant by the range of a wired network connection.

[1 mark]
Mark scheme

Award one mark for:

  • The maximum distance data/a signal can be transmitted before it becomes too weak to be received (1)

Allow 'how far a signal can travel'.

Do not accept the number of devices that can be connected to the network.

Do not accept the speed at which data is transmitted.

Do not accept bandwidth/the maximum capacity of a channel.

Do not accept latency/the delay between a signal being sent and received.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks1/1

The maximum distance a signal can be transmitted before it becomes too weak to be received.

Why: Gives the maximum distance a signal can be transmitted before it becomes too weak, which is the creditworthy point (1).

No marks0/1

The maximum capacity of the connection.

Why: This describes bandwidth, which the mark scheme says not to accept for range, so no mark.

No marks0/1

The delay between a signal being sent and received.

Why: This describes latency/delay, which the mark scheme says not to accept for range, so no mark.

3Explain2 marksAddressing Swap Remove

Data is split into packets before it is sent over the internet.

Explain why each device that receives packets over the internet needs a unique IP address.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • Data/packets are delivered to the correct/intended device (1) because the destination IP address identifies that device, so a duplicate address would mean packets could be delivered to the wrong device (1)
  • Replies are sent back to the device that requested the data (1) because the sender's IP address identifies that device, so a duplicate address would mean the reply could be sent to the wrong device (1)
  • The device can be identified separately from other devices (1) so packets are not delivered to a different device that has the same address (1)

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

Award one mark for a valid point and a second mark only for a linked reason explaining why a duplicate address would cause a problem.

Do not accept 'it is unique'/'it has its own address' as a point, as this repeats the question.

Do not accept 'so it can connect to the internet' or 'so it can be found' on its own without a link to data/packets being delivered to the correct device.

Allow 'data' for 'packets'.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

Packets are delivered to the correct device because the destination IP address identifies one device, so if two devices had the same address packets could be sent to the wrong one.

Why: Point that packets reach the correct device (1) and linked reason that a duplicate address would cause misdelivery (1).

Some marks1/2

Packets are sent to the correct device because it has its own IP address.

Why: Valid point that packets reach the correct device (1), but the reason only restates uniqueness and does not explain how a duplicate address would cause a problem, so no second mark.

No marks0/2

So that it can connect to the internet.

Why: No link to packets/data being delivered to the correct device; the mark scheme rejects a connection statement on its own.

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