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Edexcel GCSE Computer Science (1CP2) Exam Questions

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6 questions · 10 marks

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1Multiple 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).

2Short recall1 markPrimary Memory Swap Remove

Computers use RAM to store the data and instructions that are in use.

Name the term used to describe memory that loses its contents when the power is switched off.

[1 mark]
Mark scheme

Award one mark for:

  • Volatile (1)

Allow volatile memory / it is volatile.

Do not accept non-volatile, ROM, RAM or temporary/short term memory on their own, as these are not the term asked for.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks1/1

Volatile

Why: Correct term for memory that loses its contents when the power is switched off (1).

No marks0/1

Temporary memory

Why: Describes what such memory does but is not the term asked for; 'temporary memory' is on the Do not accept line, so no mark.

No marks0/1

Non-volatile

Why: Non-volatile memory keeps its contents when the power is switched off, the opposite of what the question describes; it is explicitly not accepted.

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.

4Describe2 marksSecondary Memory Swap Remove

Computers use secondary storage.

Describe the role of secondary storage.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • Stores programs (including the operating system) and data that are not currently in use (1) so that they can be loaded into RAM/main memory when needed (1)
  • Keeps files/programs/data when the power is turned off (1) which happens because it is non-volatile (1)
  • Stores files/data for backup or archiving (1) so that they can be recovered if the originals are lost/corrupted (1)

A correct role on its own earns one mark; the second mark requires a linked development.

Accept either order if both the role and the link are given.

Do not accept 'it is non-volatile' on its own, unless it is linked to keeping data when the power is turned off.

Do not accept answers that only name a storage type (magnetic, optical, solid state) without describing a role.

Do not accept responses that describe primary storage/RAM, e.g. storing the data/instructions the CPU is currently working on, or that secondary storage makes the computer run faster.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

Secondary storage stores programs and data that are not currently in use so that they can be loaded into RAM when they are needed.

Why: Role point (1) linked to loading into RAM when needed (1).

Some marks1/2

It stores files and programs that are not currently in use.

Why: Correct role on its own earns one mark (1); no linked development, so the second mark is not awarded.

No marks0/2

It holds the data and instructions the CPU is working on so the computer runs faster.

Why: Describes primary storage/RAM and a speed benefit, which the mark scheme does not accept; no role of secondary storage is given.

5Describe2 marksSecondary Memory Swap Remove

A computer uses a magnetic hard disk.

Describe how data is stored on a magnetic hard disk.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • A read/write head moves over the surface of the disk (1) to read/write data by detecting or changing the magnetic alignment of areas of the surface (1)
  • The head magnetises areas of the disk surface in different directions (1) so each area represents a binary 1 or 0 (1)
  • Data is stored on concentric circles called tracks (1) which are divided into sectors (1)

Allow one mark for tracks/concentric circles on their own.

For the second mark in the first two bullets, the response must refer to the magnetic alignment/charge being detected or changed, not just that the head reads/writes data.

Do not award a mark for 'it is magnetic' or 'it stores data in binary' with no description of how the data is stored.

Do not accept descriptions of optical storage (e.g. a laser, pits and lands) or solid state storage (e.g. electric charges in chips).

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

The read/write head moves over the magnetic surface and magnetises areas of the disk to store the 1s and 0s.

Why: Head moves over the surface (1) and magnetises areas to represent 1s and 0s (1).

Some marks1/2

The data is stored on tracks on the disk.

Why: Tracks/concentric circles (1), but no development such as tracks divided into sectors.

No marks0/2

It is magnetic and saves the data in 1s and 0s.

Why: Near-miss: 'magnetic' alone and 'data in binary/1s and 0s' with no description of how data is stored, which the mark scheme does not award.

6Explain2 marksEmbedded Systems Swap Remove

A greenhouse uses an embedded system to keep the plants healthy.

Explain how the embedded system controls the temperature in the greenhouse.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • A temperature sensor measures/reads the temperature in the greenhouse (1) which the processor compares with the value stored in the system (1)
  • The heater is switched on (1) when the temperature reading goes below the value stored in the system (1)
  • A fan/vent/window is opened/a cooler is switched on (1) when the temperature reading goes above the value stored in the system (1)
  • The temperature is checked/measured continuously (1) so the heater/fan is switched on or off as soon as the temperature changes (1)

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

Allow one mark for a correct point on its own without a linked reason, e.g. 'a temperature sensor measures the temperature'.

Do not award 'the embedded system controls/keeps the temperature correct' as this repeats the question.

Do not accept naming a device without saying what it does, e.g. 'the greenhouse has a thermostat'.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

A temperature sensor measures the temperature in the greenhouse (1), which the processor compares with the value stored in the system (1).

Why: Point (1): the input and what it measures. Reason (1): the linked statement about what the processor does with the reading.

Some marks1/2

The embedded system uses a temperature sensor that measures the temperature in the greenhouse (1).

Why: A correct point on its own (1); no linked statement about what the system does with the reading, so the second mark is not awarded.

No marks0/2

The embedded system controls the temperature so the plants do not get too cold (0).

Why: Rewords the question without saying how the temperature is measured or changed, so no mark is awarded.

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

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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

Build a paper on this topic 37
Low and High Level Languages 19 questions Translators 18 questions

4.1 Networks

Build a paper on this topic 138
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

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