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Edexcel GCSE Computer Science (1CP2) Exam Questions

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4 questions · 10 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 markCharacter Sets Swap Remove

A text file stores each character using 7-bit ASCII.

Identify the denary ASCII code for the space character.

[1 mark]
  • A32
  • B33
  • C48
  • D65
Mark scheme
  • A 32 (1)
  • The only correct answer is A. The correct answer is 32.
  • B is not correct because 33 is the ASCII code for the exclamation mark (!)
  • C is not correct because 48 is the ASCII code for the character 0
  • D is not correct because 65 is the ASCII code for the uppercase letter A
Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks1/1

A 32

Why: Correct option: the space character has the ASCII code 32 (1).

No marks0/1

C 48

Why: Near miss scoring 0: 48 is the ASCII code for the character 0, not the space character.

No marks0/1

D 65

Why: Misconception scoring 0: 65 is the ASCII code for the uppercase letter A, so a well-known code is given but not the code for a space.

3Short recall2 marksEmbedded Systems Swap Remove

A digital camera contains an embedded system.

Give two functions that the embedded system performs in the digital camera.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • Focus the lens/autofocus (1)
  • Control the shutter (speed) (1)
  • Control the flash/decide when the flash is needed (1)
  • Measure the light level to set the exposure/the aperture (1)
  • Stabilise the lens/image stabilisation (1)
  • Zoom the lens in and out (1)
  • Detect a face/smile (1)

Do not accept 'take a photograph'/'take a picture'/'capture an image', as taking photographs is the function of the camera, which is given in the question.

Do not accept 'press the button' as this is an action of the user, not a function performed by the embedded system.

Do not accept vague answers such as 'use the camera', 'turn the camera on and off' or 'make the camera work', which do not name a function that the embedded system performs.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

It focuses the lens and decides when the flash should fire.

Why: Focus the lens (1) and control the flash (1).

Some marks1/2

It controls the zoom and takes a picture when the button is pressed.

Why: Zoom the lens credited (1); 'takes a picture' is not accepted because taking photographs is the function of the camera, which is given in the question, and 'press the button' is the user's action, not a function of the embedded system.

No marks0/2

It takes a picture when the button is pressed and it makes the camera work.

Why: No mark: 'takes a picture' repeats the camera's function given in the question, 'press the button' is an action of the user, and 'makes the camera work' is too vague to name a function.

4Discuss6 marksUser Management Swap Remove

A school library has 24 computers that are shared by students and teachers throughout the day. Each computer runs an operating system. The school wants users' work to be kept private and the computers to be used only by authorised people.

Discuss how the operating system's user management features can be used to share the computers securely.

Your answer should include:

  • user accounts
  • authentication
  • the benefits for the school.
[6 marks]
Mark scheme

Indicative content

User accounts

  • Each student and teacher should have their own user account, so the operating system can identify the person who is logged on.
  • The operating system keeps a record of all valid users on the computer, so unknown users are not allowed to log in.
  • A separate home area or folder can be created for each account, so a student's saved work is kept apart from other users' work.
  • An account can be disabled when a student leaves the school, so they can no longer access the computers.

Authentication

  • A username and password can be required at login, so only users with the correct details can use the computer.
  • The operating system checks the entered password against the stored password for that account before allowing access.
  • Users should be encouraged to choose a strong password, which makes it harder for someone else to guess and log in.
  • The operating system can lock an account after several failed login attempts, which reduces the chance of someone trying passwords repeatedly.

Benefits for the school

  • Many students can share the same computers because each person's files are kept separate.
  • Work is less likely to be deleted or changed by another student, because users only see their own files.
  • The school can see which account was used on a computer, so misuse can be traced to a user.
  • Teachers can be confident that only authorised people can use the library computers.
  • The school does not need a separate computer for every student, so it saves money.

Levels

  • Level 0 (0 marks): No rewardable content.
  • Level 1 (1–2 marks): Basic, independent points are made, showing elements of understanding of key concepts/principles of computer science. (AO1) The discussion will contain basic information with little linkage between points made or application to the context. (AO2)
  • Level 2 (3–4 marks): Demonstrates adequate understanding of key concepts/principles of computer science. (AO1) The discussion shows some linkages and lines of reasoning with some structure and application to the context. (AO2)
  • Level 3 (5–6 marks): Demonstrates comprehensive understanding of key concepts/principles of computer science to support the discussion being presented. (AO1) The discussion is well developed, with sustained lines of reasoning that are coherent and logically structured, and which clearly apply to the context. (AO2)

Level 3 responses must cover both user accounts and authentication, and apply them to the school library.

Do not accept general operating system functions such as file management or process management unless they are explicitly linked to managing users.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks6/6

Each student and teacher should have their own user account with a username and password. When someone logs in, the operating system checks the password against the one stored for that account, so only authorised people can use the computer. Each account can have its own home folder, so a student's work is kept private and another student cannot open or delete it. If a student leaves the school, their account can be disabled so they cannot log in again. This lets the school share a smaller number of computers safely, as each user's work stays separate and any misuse can be traced to the logged-in account.

Why: Level 3. It explains user accounts, authentication and benefits, with sustained links to sharing computers in the school library.

Some marks4/6

Every user should have a username and password. The operating system checks the password so that people who are not allowed cannot log in. Each user should also have their own area to save files so they do not delete other people's work.

Why: Level 2. Basic accounts and authentication points are made and linked, but the benefits to the school are only briefly applied and not developed.

No marks0/6

The operating system manages the users by looking after the files in folders and by making sure the printer works for everyone. It also keeps the computer running quickly when lots of students use it.

Why: Level 0. These are general operating system functions such as file management and peripheral management, not user management, so no creditworthy point is made.

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

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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

Build a paper on this topic 36
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

Build a paper on this topic 18
Data Protection Act 14 questions Impact of AI 4 questions

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