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Edexcel GCSE Computer Science (1CP2) Exam Questions

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4 questions · 6 marks

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1Multiple choice1 markSecondary Memory Swap Remove

A computer has both primary and secondary storage.

Identify the role of secondary storage.

[1 mark]
  • ATo store data and programs permanently
  • BTo store data and instructions currently in use
  • CTo carry out calculations on data
  • DTo allow the CPU to access programs directly
Mark scheme
  • A To store data and programs permanently (1)
  • The only correct answer is A. The correct answer is to store data and programs permanently.
  • B is not correct because storing the data and instructions currently in use is the role of primary storage/RAM, which is volatile, not the role of secondary storage
  • C is not correct because calculations on data are carried out by the CPU, not by secondary storage
  • D is not correct because secondary storage is not directly accessible by the CPU; data must first be copied into RAM
Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks1/1

A To store data and programs permanently

Why: Correct option (1): storing data and programs permanently is the role of secondary storage, which is non-volatile.

No marks0/1

B To store data and instructions currently in use

Why: Near miss scoring 0: this describes primary storage/RAM, which is volatile, and is not the role of secondary storage (line B of the mark scheme). Only A is credited.

No marks0/1

D To allow the CPU to access programs directly

Why: Misconception scoring 0: candidates think the CPU reads programs straight from secondary storage, but secondary storage is not directly accessible by the CPU (line D).

2Multiple choice1 markSecondary Memory Swap Remove

A company stores films on optical media.

Identify the optical storage medium that can store the most data.

[1 mark]
  • ABlu-ray Disc
  • BCD
  • CDVD
  • DMagnetic tape
Mark scheme
  • A Blu-ray Disc (1)
  • The only correct answer is A. The correct answer is Blu-ray Disc.
  • B is not correct because a CD stores less data than a Blu-ray Disc, up to about 700 MB
  • C is not correct because a DVD stores less data than a Blu-ray Disc, up to about 4.7 GB (single-layer) or 8.4 GB (dual-layer)
  • D is not correct because magnetic tape is not an optical storage medium
Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks1/1

A Blu-ray Disc

Why: Correct option (1): a Blu-ray Disc has the greatest capacity of the optical media.

No marks0/1

C DVD

Why: Near miss scoring 0: a DVD is optical but stores less than a Blu-ray Disc (mark scheme line C). Only A is credited.

No marks0/1

D Magnetic tape

Why: Misconception scoring 0: candidates pick tape for its large capacity but magnetic tape is not an optical storage medium (mark scheme line D).

3Short recall2 marksSecondary Memory Swap Remove

Computers have both primary storage and secondary storage.

Define the term secondary storage.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • (Storage that is) non-volatile / keeps its data when the power is turned off (1)
  • (Storage that is) used to store programs and data/files (for later use) (1)
  • (Storage that is) not directly accessible by the CPU / not directly accessed by the CPU (1)

Allow both the non-volatile point and the stores programs and data point from one sentence if each idea is clearly stated, e.g. 'non-volatile storage that holds programs and data'.

Allow accessed via the CPU / must be copied into RAM before the CPU can use it for the third point.

Do not accept volatile / loses its data when the power is turned off.

Do not accept a description of primary storage, such as RAM or ROM.

Do not accept capacity.

Do not accept an example device on its own (e.g. hard disk drive).

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

Secondary storage is non-volatile, so it does not lose data when the power is turned off. It is used to store programs and data files for later use.

Why: Non-volatile / keeps data when the power is off (1) and used to store programs and data files (1), each idea clearly stated.

Some marks1/2

Secondary storage is used to store programs and data files.

Why: Stores programs and data/files (1), but nothing is said about it being non-volatile or not directly accessible by the CPU.

No marks0/2

Secondary storage is volatile memory that holds the data the CPU is using at the moment.

Why: Describes primary storage (RAM) and says it is volatile, which the mark scheme says not to accept, so no marks are awarded.

4Short recall2 marksStored Program Computers Swap Remove

The central processing unit (CPU) contains an arithmetic logic unit (ALU).

State two types of operation carried out by the ALU.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • An arithmetic operation, e.g. addition/subtraction/multiplication/division (1)
  • A logical operation, e.g. comparing two values (is A > B?) / using AND, OR, NOT (1)

Do not accept decoding instructions, fetching instructions or controlling the timing of the CPU, as these are carried out by the control unit.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

It carries out arithmetic operations such as addition and subtraction, and logical operations such as comparing two values to see if one is greater than the other.

Why: Arithmetic operation (1) and logical operation (1).

Some marks1/2

It adds numbers together and works out the result.

Why: Arithmetic operation, addition (1). No logical operation.

No marks0/2

It decodes the instructions that have been fetched from main memory.

Why: Decoding and fetching are the control unit's role; the mark scheme's do-not-accept line covers this.

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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