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Edexcel GCSE Computer Science (1CP2) Exam Questions

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3 questions · 5 marks

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1Multiple choice1 markStored Program Computers Swap Remove

Identify the component of the CPU that carries out arithmetic and logical operations.

[1 mark]
  • AArithmetic logic unit
  • BControl unit
  • CMain memory
  • DRegister
Mark scheme
  • A Arithmetic logic unit (1)
  • The only correct answer is A. The correct answer is arithmetic logic unit.
  • B is not correct because the control unit decodes instructions and controls the CPU
  • C is not correct because main memory is not part of the CPU and stores data and instructions
  • D is not correct because a register stores small amounts of data within the CPU
Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks1/1

A Arithmetic logic unit

Why: Correct option: the arithmetic logic unit carries out arithmetic and logical operations (1).

No marks0/1

B Control unit

Why: Control unit is a CPU component but its role is to decode and control, not perform arithmetic or logical operations, so no mark.

No marks0/1

D Register

Why: Register stores data but does not carry out operations; a common misconception that any CPU component performs calculations, so no mark.

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 recall3 marksFetch Decode Execute Cycle Swap Remove

The fetch-decode-execute cycle is used by the CPU.

State three things that happen during the fetch stage.

[3 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • The address (of the next instruction) is sent from the CPU to main memory / placed on the address bus (1)
  • The (next) instruction is fetched/read from main memory (RAM) (1)
  • The instruction is brought/copied into the CPU / received into the MDR (1)
  • The program counter (PC) is incremented/updated to hold the address of the next instruction (1)

Allow 'the PC/MAR is placed on the address bus' for the address being sent to main memory.

Allow 'the MDR receives the instruction' for the instruction being brought into the CPU.

Do not award a second mark for the instruction being fetched from main memory and the instruction being brought into the CPU; these are the same point.

Do not award 'the instruction is transferred along the data bus' on its own; this is the same point as the instruction being fetched from main memory.

Do not accept answers about decoding the instruction, e.g. 'the instruction is fetched from RAM and decoded', as decoding happens in the decode stage.

Do not accept answers about the execute stage, e.g. 'the ALU carries out the calculation' or 'the result of a calculation is stored in a register', as these happen in the execute stage.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks3/3

The address of the next instruction is sent to main memory, the instruction is fetched from RAM, and the program counter is incremented.

Why: Address sent to main memory (1), instruction fetched from RAM (1) and program counter incremented (1).

Some marks1/3

The instruction is fetched from main memory and then decoded.

Why: Fetching the instruction from main memory (1); decoding happens in the decode stage, so it is not creditworthy in the fetch stage.

No marks0/3

The ALU carries out the calculation and the result is stored in a register.

Why: The ALU carrying out a calculation and storing a result happen in the execute stage, not the fetch stage, so no point is creditworthy.

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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