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Edexcel GCSE Computer Science (1CP2) Exam Questions

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2 questions · 3 marks

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1Short recall1 markPrimary Memory Swap Remove

Computers use RAM to store the data and instructions that are in use.

Name the term used to describe memory that loses its contents when the power is switched off.

[1 mark]
Mark scheme

Award one mark for:

  • Volatile (1)

Allow volatile memory / it is volatile.

Do not accept non-volatile, ROM, RAM or temporary/short term memory on their own, as these are not the term asked for.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks1/1

Volatile

Why: Correct term for memory that loses its contents when the power is switched off (1).

No marks0/1

Temporary memory

Why: Describes what such memory does but is not the term asked for; 'temporary memory' is on the Do not accept line, so no mark.

No marks0/1

Non-volatile

Why: Non-volatile memory keeps its contents when the power is switched off, the opposite of what the question describes; it is explicitly not accepted.

2Explain2 marksPrimary Memory Swap Remove

RAM is used to store data while a computer is running.

Explain one reason why the data in RAM is lost when a computer is switched off.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • RAM is volatile (memory) (1) because it needs a constant/continuous power supply to hold/store the data it contains (1)
  • Data is held in RAM as electrical states/charges (1) so when the power supply is removed these states cannot be kept/refreshed and the data is lost (1)
  • RAM is used as short-term storage for the data and instructions currently in use (1) because it can only hold them while the computer has power (1)

For both marks, the expansion must follow/associate with the statement and must link the loss of the data to the power supply being removed.

Accept 'RAM is volatile' on its own for the first mark; the second mark is only awarded for a linked reason about the power supply.

Do not accept 'RAM is temporary/short-term memory' or 'RAM is cleared when the computer is switched off' on its own for both marks, as neither gives a reason.

Do not accept answers that say the data is deleted/cleared/erased by the computer or the operating system, or that the data is saved/moved to secondary storage, without saying why the data cannot be kept (e.g. because RAM needs power/is volatile).

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

RAM is volatile memory, which means it needs a constant power supply to keep the data it is holding. When the power is switched off, the data is lost.

Why: Linked point (1) for 'RAM is volatile memory' and reason (1) for needing a constant power supply to hold the data.

Some marks1/2

The data in RAM is lost because RAM is volatile memory.

Why: Point (1) for 'RAM is volatile' but no linked reason about the power supply, and the mark scheme states that 'RAM is volatile' alone earns only the first mark.

No marks0/2

The data is deleted from RAM by the operating system when the computer is shut down so that the memory is free for next time.

Why: No creditworthy point: the answer says the data is deleted without saying why it cannot be kept, which the mark scheme's 'Do not accept' line rules out.

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 15 questions Manufacturing Technology 8 questions

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