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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 stores files on a hard disk drive.

A computer stores files on a hard disk drive.

Identify what the drive uses to read and write data.

[1 mark]
  • AA drive head that moves over the spinning platters
  • BA laser that measures reflected light
  • CA memory chip that traps electric charges
  • DA pit and land pattern burnt onto the surface
Mark scheme
  • A A drive head that moves over the spinning platters (1)
  • The only correct answer is A. The correct answer is a drive head.
  • B is not correct because a laser that measures reflected light is used by optical media such as a CD or Blu-ray Disc
  • C is not correct because trapping electric charges is how solid state (flash) storage stores data
  • D is not correct because pits and lands are burnt or pressed onto optical media, not onto a hard disk drive
Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks1/1

A A drive head that moves over the spinning platters

Why: Correct option (1): a hard disk drive uses a drive head that moves over the spinning platters to read and write data.

No marks0/1

D A pit and land pattern burnt onto the surface

Why: Near miss scoring 0: pits and lands are an optical feature, as line D of the mark scheme says. Only A is credited.

No marks0/1

C A memory chip that traps electric charges

Why: Misconception scoring 0: this confuses a hard disk drive with solid state storage, which stores data as trapped electric charges (line C).

2Short 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.

3Short recall1 markSecondary Memory Swap Remove

Data is stored on optical discs as pits and lands.

Name the component in an optical disc drive that reads this data.

[1 mark]
Mark scheme

Award one mark for:

  • Laser (1)

Allow laser beam

Do not accept read/write head

Do not accept pits

Do not accept lands

Do not accept reflective surface

Do not accept magnet/magnetic

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks1/1

Laser

Why: Laser is the creditworthy answer (1).

No marks0/1

A read/write head

Why: Read/write head is not accepted by the mark scheme; it reads magnetic media, not optical discs, so no marks are awarded.

No marks0/1

Pits and lands

Why: Pits and lands are what the laser reads, not the component that reads the data, so the mark scheme does not accept them.

4Explain2 marksPrimary Memory Swap Remove

A technician increases the amount of RAM in a laptop from 8 GiB to 16 GiB.

Explain one benefit of increasing the amount of RAM in a computer.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • More applications/programs can be open/run at the same time (1) because more instructions and data can be held in main memory at once (1)
  • Programs run faster (1) because the CPU does not have to wait for instructions/data to be read/transferred from slower secondary storage (1)
  • The CPU waits/idles for less time (1) because instructions and data can be transferred to the CPU more quickly from RAM (1)

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

Do not accept 'more files/photos/documents can be stored' or 'the computer has more storage' - this is a benefit of secondary storage, not RAM.

Do not accept 'the CPU becomes faster' or 'the clock speed increases'.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

More programs can be open at the same time because more instructions and data can be held in main memory at once.

Why: Linked point (1) for more programs running at the same time and reason (1) for more instructions and data being held in main memory at once.

Some marks1/2

Programs will run faster.

Why: Point (1) only; no linked reason such as the CPU not having to wait for data from slower secondary storage.

No marks0/2

There will be more space to save files and documents on the laptop.

Why: Misconception: the benefit given is a benefit of secondary storage, 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 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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