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Edexcel GCSE Computer Science (1CP2) Exam Questions

Build a practice paper from 604 exam-style questions, each with its mark scheme and example answers. Print it, or answer it on paper and then open the mark schemes. Or browse the questions by topic.

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4 questions · 5 marks

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1Multiple choice1 markStored Program Computers Swap Remove

Identify the bus that carries addresses in one direction only, from the CPU to main memory.

[1 mark]
  • AAddress bus
  • BControl bus
  • CData bus
  • DSystem bus
Mark scheme
  • A Address bus (1)
  • The only correct answer is A. The correct answer is address bus. Do not accept 'address' on its own.
  • B is not correct because the control bus carries control signals in both directions between the CPU and other components
  • C is not correct because the data bus carries data in both directions between the CPU and main memory
  • D is not correct because the system bus is the collection of all three buses
Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks1/1

A Address bus

Why: Correct option: the address bus carries addresses in one direction only, from the CPU to main memory (1).

No marks0/1

C Data bus

Why: The data bus carries data in both directions, so it is not the bus that carries addresses in one direction only from the CPU to main memory; no creditworthy point.

No marks0/1

B Control bus

Why: The control bus carries control signals in both directions, not addresses in one direction only; this is the common control/address bus confusion, so no mark.

2Multiple choice1 markImages Swap Remove

Identify the smallest identifiable area of a bitmap image.

[1 mark]
  • AColour depth
  • BFile size
  • CPixel
  • DResolution
Mark scheme
  • C Pixel (1)
  • The only correct answer is C. The correct answer is pixel.
  • A is not correct because colour depth is the number of bits used to store the colour of each pixel
  • B is not correct because file size is the amount of storage an image takes up, not an area of the image
  • D is not correct because resolution is a measure of the number of pixels in an image (such as its width × height), not the smallest identifiable area
Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks1/1

C Pixel

Why: Correct option; a pixel is the smallest identifiable area of a bitmap image (1).

No marks0/1

D Resolution

Why: Resolution is a measure of the number of pixels in an image, not the smallest identifiable area; no mark.

No marks0/1

A Colour depth

Why: Colour depth is the number of bits used to store each pixel's colour, not the smallest identifiable area; no mark.

3Short recall2 marksEmbedded Systems Swap Remove

An embedded system is a computer system built into another device to perform a specific function.

Give two examples of devices that contain an embedded system.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • Microwave (oven) (1)
  • Washing machine (1)
  • Dishwasher (1)
  • Digital camera (1)
  • Satellite navigation/satnav system (1)
  • Traffic light(s) (1)
  • Central heating controller/thermostat (1)
  • Digital watch/fitness tracker (1)
  • Vending machine (1)
  • Car (as it contains embedded systems) (1)

Allow any other device that contains an embedded system.

Do not accept general purpose devices such as a laptop, desktop computer, tablet or smartphone (these can run many different programs).

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

A microwave oven and a washing machine.

Why: Two creditworthy devices, a microwave oven (1) and a washing machine (1).

Some marks1/2

A dishwasher and a laptop computer.

Why: Dishwasher credited (1); laptop is a general purpose device, so not accepted.

No marks0/2

A desktop computer and a smartphone.

Why: Both are general purpose devices, so neither earns a mark.

4Short recall1 markUnits & Conversion Swap Remove

A file has a size of 2 kibibytes.

State the number of bytes in the file.

[1 mark]
Mark scheme

Award one mark for:

  • 2048 (1)
  • 2 × 1024 (1)
  • 2^11 (1)

Allow 2048 bytes.

Do not accept 2000, which is the number of bytes in two decimal kilobytes.

Do not accept 1024, which is the number of bytes in one kibibyte.

Do not accept 16, which is the number of bits in two bytes.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks1/1

2048

Why: 2048 is 2 × 1024, the number of bytes in 2 kibibytes (1).

No marks0/1

2000

Why: 2000 uses the decimal kilobyte, not the binary kibibyte; the mark scheme does not accept it.

No marks0/1

16

Why: 16 is the number of bits in two bytes, confusing bits with bytes; the mark scheme does not accept it.

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