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Edexcel GCSE Computer Science (1CP2) Exam Questions

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2 questions · 8 marks

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1Short recall2 marksCharacter Sets Swap Remove

ASCII is a character set that uses 7 bits to represent each character.

Give two limitations of 7-bit ASCII when it is used to represent text.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • (Only) 128 different characters can be represented / 7 bits give 2^7 = 128 different codes (1)
  • It cannot represent characters from languages other than English / non-English alphabets, e.g. Greek, Chinese (1)
  • It cannot represent accented characters, e.g. é, ñ (1)
  • It cannot represent symbols or emoji that are not in the ASCII character set (1)

Award a maximum of one mark for the last three bullets, as they are all examples of characters that fall outside the 128 ASCII codes.

Allow 'it can only represent 128 characters, so some characters are missing' for the first bullet.

Do not accept 'it uses 7 bits' / 'it only uses 7 bits' on its own, without saying what this limits.

Do not accept 'it can only store a limited amount of text' / 'it can only store short messages', as 7 bits limits the number of characters available, not the length of a message.

Do not accept 'it can only represent the characters in the ASCII character set', as this repeats the question.

Do not accept 'it is old/out of date' or 'it cannot store numbers'.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

Only 128 different characters can be represented, so it cannot store characters from other languages such as Greek.

Why: 128 character limit (1) and characters from other languages (1); two separate creditworthy limitations.

Some marks1/2

It cannot show accented characters like é and it only uses 7 bits.

Why: Accented characters (1); 'only uses 7 bits' is not qualified, so scores 0.

No marks0/2

It only uses 7 bits, so it can only store a small amount of text.

Why: Scores 0: text length is not a limitation of 7-bit ASCII, and 'only uses 7 bits' is unqualified; both Do not accept lines apply.

2Discuss6 marksSecondary Memory Swap Remove

A school is buying new computers. Each computer needs storage for the operating system, applications and students' work. The computers have RAM and will be used in classrooms.

Discuss the role of secondary storage in these computers.

Your answer should include:

  • why secondary storage is needed
  • the difference between primary and secondary storage
  • a suitable type of secondary storage for the school's computers and a reason why it is suitable.
[6 marks]
Mark scheme

Indicative content

Why secondary storage is needed

  • Secondary storage is non-volatile, so it keeps the operating system, applications and students' work when the power is turned off.
  • It stores programs and files that are not currently in use, so they are not lost when the computer is switched off.
  • It provides a larger capacity than primary storage for files such as students' work, videos and photographs.
  • It allows each computer to keep many students' files and the software the school has installed.

The difference between primary and secondary storage

  • Primary storage (RAM) is volatile and directly accessible by the CPU; secondary storage is non-volatile and not directly accessible by the CPU.
  • RAM holds the data and instructions currently in use; secondary storage holds data and programs long term.
  • Primary storage is faster but smaller and more expensive per gigabyte; secondary storage is slower but larger and cheaper.
  • The school's computers need both: RAM to run the operating system and applications, and secondary storage to keep them when the computer is switched off.

A suitable type of secondary storage for the school's computers and a reason why it is suitable

  • A solid state drive (SSD) is suitable because it has no moving parts, so it is durable and quiet, and has fast read/write speeds, which helps the computers start up quickly.
  • A magnetic hard disk drive (HDD) is suitable because it is cheap and offers a very large capacity, which is useful for storing many students' files.
  • Either type could be used; a small SSD for the operating system and applications plus a large HDD for files would balance speed and cost.

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)

Additional guidance

  • Award credit for a type of secondary storage only when a reason is given that is linked to the school's computers; a named type alone (e.g. 'SSD') is not creditworthy. Do not accept RAM as secondary storage or the claim that secondary storage is the same as RAM. Do not accept CD/DVD/Blu-ray as the main storage for the school's computers because their capacity is too low and write speeds are slow.
  • For Level 3, the answer must cover all three bullets and apply at least one point to the school's computers. A 6-mark answer is well developed with sustained reasoning and a justified choice; a 5-mark answer covers all three but with limited development or application. Comparisons of speed and cost between primary and secondary storage are creditworthy as part of the difference.
Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks6/6

The school needs secondary storage because it is non-volatile, so the operating system, applications and students' work stay on the computer when the power is turned off. RAM is volatile and only holds data currently in use, while secondary storage keeps files long term. Secondary storage is also larger and cheaper per gigabyte than RAM, so it can hold many students' files. An SSD would be suitable because it has no moving parts, so it is durable in a classroom, and it has fast read/write speeds, so the computers start up quickly. A magnetic HDD would give a larger capacity for the same cost, which is useful for storing videos.

Why: Covers all three bullets: why secondary storage is needed (non-volatile, stores OS/apps/work, larger capacity), the difference from RAM (volatile, directly accessible, faster, smaller), and suitable types (SSD durable and fast; HDD cheap and high capacity) applied to the school's computers. Sustained and well structured. Level 3.

Some marks3/6

Secondary storage is needed to store data when the power is off. It is non-volatile, unlike RAM which is volatile. RAM is directly accessed by the CPU and is faster, but secondary storage is bigger. The school could use a hard disk because it has a lot of space.

Why: All three bullets covered with basic points: non-volatile storage when power off (1), difference volatile vs non-volatile (1), HDD with reason of capacity (1). Limited development and application to the school, so low Level 2, 3 marks.

Some marks1/6

Secondary storage is non-volatile so it keeps data when the power is off. It is the same as RAM, which is why it is fast. The school should use a CD because it is cheap and portable.

Why: One creditworthy basic point: non-volatile keeps data (1). Misconception that secondary storage is the same as RAM, and CD is not accepted as suitable main storage, so Level 1.

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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