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Edexcel GCSE Computer Science (1CP2) Exam Questions

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4 questions · 12 marks

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1Short recall2 marksSecondary Memory Swap Remove

A computer uses secondary storage to keep programs and data.

Give two examples of secondary storage devices that store data using magnetic media.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • Hard disk drive/HDD (1)
  • External/portable hard disk drive (1)
  • Magnetic tape drive (1)
  • Magnetic tape (1)

Allow a named device or the storage media type, e.g. hard disk/hard disc for hard disk drive, tape for magnetic tape

Allow floppy disk/floppy disk drive

Do not accept solid state devices (SSD, USB flash drive/memory stick, SD card/memory card) or optical media (CD/DVD/Blu-ray) as these do not store data using magnetism

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

Hard disk drive and magnetic tape

Why: Hard disk drive (1) and magnetic tape (1) are both magnetic secondary storage, so both marks are awarded.

Some marks1/2

Hard disk drive and SD card

Why: Hard disk drive is magnetic (1); an SD card is solid state, not magnetic, so the second mark is not awarded.

No marks0/2

CD and DVD

Why: Both are optical media, which the mark scheme says not to accept, so no marks are awarded.

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

A computer is based on the von Neumann stored program concept.

Describe how the CPU uses main memory (RAM) during the fetch-decode-execute cycle.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • The program's instructions (and the data it uses) are held in main memory/RAM (1) so the CPU fetches both the instructions and the data from that one memory (1)
  • The CPU fetches the next instruction from main memory/RAM (1) using the address of the memory location that holds it (1)
  • The CPU reads/fetches data from main memory/RAM (1) when an instruction needs it and writes the result back to main memory/RAM (1)
  • The program's instructions are held in main memory/RAM while the program runs (1) and the CPU fetches them one at a time/one after another to be decoded and executed (1)

Allow 'memory' for main memory/RAM.

Allow 'gets' for fetches/reads.

For both marks, the development must say what the CPU does with the contents of main memory (fetches/reads/writes), not just that main memory is used.

Do not accept answers about the program being stored in secondary storage, such as on a hard drive, or about it being loaded from there.

Do not accept benefits such as the computer running faster or being easier for the user.

Do not accept naming CPU components (control unit, arithmetic logic unit, registers) or buses on their own, without saying what is stored or fetched.

Do not accept 'the computer stores data' on its own, without a link to the instructions of a program.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

The program's instructions and the data it uses are both held in the same main memory (RAM), so the CPU can fetch the instructions and the data it needs from that one memory.

Why: Linked point (1) that instructions and data are stored together in main memory, with the development (1) that the CPU fetches both from the same memory.

Some marks1/2

The CPU fetches the instructions from main memory so that they are processed more quickly.

Why: The first point earns (1) for the CPU fetching instructions from main memory. The second statement is a benefit (speed), which the 'Do not accept benefits' line rules out, so it earns nothing.

No marks0/2

The control unit decodes each instruction and the ALU carries out the calculations.

Why: Both statements name CPU components without saying what is stored, fetched or written, which the mark scheme tells examiners not to accept, so neither earns a mark.

4Discuss6 marksEmbedded Systems Swap Remove

A supermarket is replacing its staffed checkouts with self-service checkouts. Each checkout has a touchscreen, a barcode scanner and weighing scales. The supermarket wants the checkouts to be reliable and quick to respond.

Discuss why the supermarket should use embedded systems in its self-service checkouts rather than general-purpose computers.

Your answer should consider:

  • the characteristics of embedded systems
  • what self-service checkouts use embedded systems for
  • how embedded systems compare with general-purpose computers

You do not need to consider the cost of the materials used in the checkout.

[6 marks]
Mark scheme

Indicative content

Characteristics of embedded systems

  • An embedded system performs a single, dedicated task, so each self-service checkout is built only to scan, weigh and price items and cannot be used for any other job.
  • An embedded system has limited processing resources and storage, which is enough for the checkout to scan barcodes, weigh items and display prices.
  • An embedded system normally has a simple operating system held in ROM, so a checkout is less likely to fail while a customer is using it.
  • Embedded systems have low power consumption, so a row of checkouts can be left running all day without using much electricity.
  • Embedded systems are small and low cost per unit, so one can be built into each checkout unit and the supermarket can afford one at every till.
  • An embedded system has a limited user interface, so the checkout only shows its own screens to the customer.
  • The firmware of an embedded system is not normally changed by the customer, although a technician can update it when the supermarket changes the checkout's software.

Uses of embedded systems in the checkout

  • The checkout uses an embedded system to read the barcode scanner, so the correct price for each item is found quickly.
  • The checkout uses an embedded system to read the weighing scales, so the weight of the items can be checked against the product that was scanned.
  • The checkout uses an embedded system to control the touchscreen that shows the customer what to do and how much to pay.
  • The checkout uses an embedded system to respond quickly to each scan, because it only carries out the checkout's own tasks, which keeps the queues moving.
  • The checkout uses an embedded system so that it keeps working for long periods without being restarted, which means customers can use it without a member of staff.

Comparison with general-purpose computers

  • A general-purpose computer can run many different programs, whereas the checkout's embedded system runs one dedicated program, so it cannot be used for other jobs.
  • A general-purpose computer loads a full operating system when it starts and has other software running, so it can slow down or need restarting, whereas the checkout is not slowed down by other programs.
  • A general-purpose computer has far more processing power and memory than the checkout needs, so using one would be more expensive and would take up more space than an embedded system.
  • A general-purpose computer is designed for users to install new software, but the checkout's embedded system runs fixed firmware, so customers cannot change what the checkout does.

Levels

  • Level 0 (0 marks): No rewardable content.
  • Level 1 (1–2 marks): Basic, independent points are made, showing elements of understanding of key concepts/principles of computer science. (AO1) The discussion will contain basic information with little linkage between points made or application to the context. (AO2)
  • Level 2 (3–4 marks): Demonstrates adequate understanding of key concepts/principles of computer science. (AO1) The discussion shows some linkages and lines of reasoning with some structure and application to the context. (AO2)
  • Level 3 (5–6 marks): Demonstrates comprehensive understanding of key concepts/principles of computer science to support the discussion being presented. (AO1) The discussion is well developed, with sustained lines of reasoning that are coherent and logically structured, and which clearly apply to the context. (AO2)

Level 3 responses must consider both the characteristics of embedded systems and what the checkout uses them for, and must make a comparison with a general-purpose computer. Answers that only list characteristics or checkout tasks without linking them to the checkout are limited to Level 1.

Do not accept claims that embedded systems are faster than general-purpose computers or that they can run many different programs, as embedded systems have limited processing resources and carry out a single, dedicated task.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks6/6

An embedded system performs a single, dedicated task, so each self-service checkout is built only to scan items, weigh them and show prices. This suits the supermarket because the checkout does one job well instead of being used for anything else. The checkout uses its embedded system to read the barcode scanner, so the correct price is found quickly, and to read the weighing scales, so the weight of the items can be checked against the product that was scanned. It also controls the touchscreen that shows the customer what to do.

Embedded systems have limited processing resources and storage, which is more than enough for these tasks. Because they use a simple operating system held in ROM, they are less likely to fail while a customer is using them, so customers do not need a member of staff. They also have low power consumption, so a row of checkouts can run all day without using much electricity, and they are small and low cost per unit, so the supermarket can afford one at every till.

A general-purpose computer, by contrast, runs many programs and loads a full operating system, so it can slow down or need restarting and it is more expensive and bigger than the checkout needs. The embedded system runs fixed firmware, so customers cannot install software on the checkout, which keeps it reliable and quick to respond, and this is why it meets the supermarket's requirements better.

Why: Comprehensive understanding with sustained lines of reasoning: characteristics (single dedicated task, limited resources, simple operating system in ROM, low power, small and low cost) and uses (scanner, scales, touchscreen) are all applied to the checkout, and each is compared with a general-purpose computer. Meets the Level 3 guidance for a 6-mark answer.

Some marks2/6

Embedded systems are small and cheap. The checkout needs to scan items and weigh them. An embedded system can do this. It is reliable. A general-purpose computer could also do it but might crash more.

Why: Basic, independent points with little linkage or application: one characteristic (small and cheap), one use (scanning and weighing) and a brief comparison (a general-purpose computer might crash more). No line of reasoning is developed, so it is Level 1, top of the band, not Level 2.

No marks0/6

Embedded systems are better than normal computers because they are faster and can run lots of different programs. The checkout needs to be fast so it should use an embedded system.

Why: Level 0. Both claims are misconceptions that the mark scheme tells examiners not to accept (embedded systems have limited processing resources and run a single, dedicated program), and the last sentence only repeats the stem's requirement for quick responses, so there is no rewardable content.

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

Build a paper on this topic 56
Character Sets 18 questions Images 19 questions Sound 19 questions

2.3 Data storage and compression

Build a paper on this topic 24
Compression 18 questions Units & Conversion 6 questions

3.1 Hardware

Build a paper on this topic 77
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

Build a paper on this topic 124
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

Build a paper on this topic 36
Malware 18 questions Social Engineering 18 questions

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