Menu

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.

Build a paper

Topics (none ticked: all of them)
Question types (none ticked: all of them)

Practice paper

2 questions · 3 marks

Pick again
Print
1Multiple choice1 markLANs & WANs Swap Remove

A supermarket chain has stores in several countries. Each store has its own network.

Identify the type of network that connects the stores in the different countries.

[1 mark]
  • ALAN
  • BPAN
  • CWAN
  • DWLAN
Mark scheme
  • C WAN (1)
  • The only correct answer is C. The correct answer is WAN, which connects networks over a large geographical area.
  • A is not correct because a LAN covers a limited area such as one building or site
  • B is not correct because a PAN connects devices around one person
  • D is not correct because a WLAN is a LAN that uses wireless connections and is still local
Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks1/1

C WAN

Why: Correct option: a WAN connects networks over a large geographical area (1).

No marks0/1

A LAN

Why: Distractor, not a partial-credit answer: each store may have its own LAN, but the network linking stores in different countries is a WAN (0).

No marks0/1

D WLAN

Why: A WLAN is still a local-area network that uses wireless connections and cannot connect stores in different countries (0).

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.

Questions by topic

More ways to revise Edexcel GCSE Computer Science (1CP2)

Teachers: build a paper, print it with the mark schemes at the end, and sign your school up to set your classes activities on every topic.

Fetch Decode Explain isn't affiliated with or endorsed by Pearson Edexcel.