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Edexcel GCSE Computer Science (1CP2) Exam Questions

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4 questions · 8 marks

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1Short recall2 marksPrimary Memory Swap Remove

A computer is designed using the von Neumann stored program concept.

Define the term stored program concept.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • The program instructions and data are stored together in main memory/RAM (1)
  • The same memory is used for both instructions and data (1)
  • The instructions are fetched from main memory and executed by the CPU (1)
  • The instructions are fetched and executed one at a time / in sequence (1)
  • The program can be changed/replaced by loading new instructions into memory, without changing the hardware (1)

Do not accept the program is stored in secondary storage / on the hard disk.

Do not accept the program is stored in the CPU / in registers.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

The program instructions and the data are stored together in main memory, and the CPU fetches the instructions one at a time and executes them.

Why: Creditworthy point that instructions and data are stored in the same main memory (1) and the linked point that the CPU fetches and executes them from memory (1).

Some marks1/2

The program is held in the main memory (RAM) so that the computer can run it.

Why: Earns the point that the program instructions are stored in main memory (1), but does not say that the CPU fetches and executes them, so the second mark is not earned.

No marks0/2

The program is stored on the hard disk and loaded into the CPU when it is run.

Why: Both parts are misconceptions named in the Do not accept lines: the stored program concept keeps the instructions in main memory, not on secondary storage or in the CPU.

2Short recall2 marksStored Program Computers Swap Remove

Computers use the von Neumann stored program concept.

Define the term stored program concept.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • Program instructions are stored in main memory/RAM (1)
  • The data used by the program is stored in main memory/RAM (1)
  • The CPU fetches/reads instructions from main memory to execute them (1)
  • The program can be run without the instructions being input again (1)

Allow 'the program is stored in memory' for one mark.

Do not accept answers about programs being stored on secondary storage, such as a hard disk or USB memory stick.

Do not accept answers that only describe the von Neumann architecture (e.g. having a CPU and memory) without stating that instructions are stored in main memory.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

Both the program instructions and the data the program uses are held in the same main memory, and the CPU fetches these instructions from memory to execute them.

Why: Instructions stored in main memory (1) and the CPU fetches instructions from memory to execute them (1).

Some marks1/2

Program instructions are stored in main memory.

Why: Instructions stored in main memory (1). No second point about data being stored in the same memory or about the CPU fetching instructions.

No marks0/2

The program is saved on the hard disk so that it can be loaded into RAM when the user runs it.

Why: A near-miss about secondary storage, which the mark scheme says not to accept; the stored program concept is about instructions being held in main memory.

3Describe2 marksStored Program Computers Swap Remove

The control unit (CU) is a component inside the CPU.

Describe the role of the control unit in the fetch-decode-execute cycle.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • Decodes each (fetched) instruction (1) to work out which operation is needed / which components should carry it out (1)
  • Coordinates/directs the other components (1) by sending control signals along the control bus (1)
  • Fetches the next instruction (1) by sending its address to main memory along the address bus (1)
  • Sends a read/write control signal to main memory (1) so that the instruction or data is transferred during the fetch/execute stage (1)

Do not accept answers about synchronising the CPU or timing the cycles (that is the role of the clock).

Do not accept answers about carrying out arithmetic or logical operations (that is the ALU).

Do not accept answers about holding data or the results of instructions (that is registers/main memory).

Do not accept generic answers that only say the CU controls the CPU or processes instructions, with no linked development.

Only award one mark for a response that only repeats that the CU sends control signals; the second mark needs a linked outcome such as coordination, a memory read/write, or fetching an instruction.

Do not accept 'during the decode stage' as the development for the decoding point, as it restates the question.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

It decodes the instruction that has been fetched so that it knows which operation the CPU must carry out and which components should do it.

Why: Decoding named with the acceptable wording 'each (fetched) instruction' (1), plus the linked development that this identifies the operation and components (1).

Some marks1/2

It decodes each instruction during the decode stage of the cycle.

Why: Earns (1) for decoding the instruction. 'During the decode stage' restates the question and is not accepted as a development, so the second mark is not earned.

No marks0/2

It carries out the calculations and comparisons when the instruction is executed.

Why: Calculations and comparisons are the ALU's role, which the 'Do not accept' line rules out, so no mark is earned.

4Explain2 marksSecondary Memory Swap Remove

A hard disk drive stores data on a spinning magnetic platter.

Explain how data is read from a magnetic hard disk.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • The read/write head moves over the surface of the platter (1) and detects whether each area of the disk is magnetised (1)
  • The platter spins/rotates (1) so the read/write head can pass over the whole surface/tracks of the disk (1)
  • The pattern of magnetised and non-magnetised areas detected by the read/write head (1) is read as binary 1s and 0s (1)
  • The drive head detects the direction of magnetisation of each area (1) so the data can be read as binary (1)

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

Allow one mark for stating that data is read magnetically / that the read/write head detects the magnetisation of the disk without a linked reason.

Do not accept answers that describe how data is written to the disk, such as the head magnetising the platter, rather than how it is read.

Do not accept 'a laser reads the pits and lands' - this describes optical storage, not magnetic storage.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

The platter rotates so the read/write head passes over the whole surface of the disk and it detects whether each area is magnetised or not. The pattern of magnetised areas is then read as 1s and 0s.

Why: Linked point (1) rotation of the platter with reason (1) the head reaches the whole surface, and the second line about magnetised areas is also present.

Some marks1/2

The read/write head detects the magnetic charges on the disk.

Why: Allow line (1): states the head detects the magnetisation of the disk, but gives no linked reason (e.g. the platter rotating so the head covers the whole surface), so only one mark.

No marks0/2

A laser shines onto the disk and reads the pits and lands, then the data is sent to the CPU.

Why: Describes optical storage. Do not accept 'a laser reads the pits and lands' - a magnetic disk is read by a head detecting magnetisation.

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 17 questions Manufacturing Technology 19 questions

5.2 Ethical and legal

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Data Protection Act 17 questions Impact of AI 18 questions Intellectual Property 18 questions Software Licences 18 questions

5.3 Cybersecurity

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Malware 18 questions Social Engineering 18 questions

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