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Edexcel GCSE Computer Science (1CP2) Exam Questions

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4 questions · 14 marks

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1Multiple choice1 markCharacter Sets Swap Remove

Characters are encoded using 7-bit ASCII.

Identify the number of different characters that can be represented using 7-bit ASCII.

[1 mark]
  • A64
  • B127
  • C128
  • D256
Mark scheme
  • C 128 (1)
  • The only correct answer is C. The correct answer is 128.
  • A is not correct because 6 bits give only 64 different combinations
  • B is not correct because 127 is the largest 7-bit value, not the number of characters that 7 bits can represent
  • D is not correct because 256 characters need 8 bits, as used by 8-bit extended ASCII
Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks1/1

C 128

Why: Selects the only correct option (1): 7 bits give 2 to the power of 7, which is 128 different characters.

No marks0/1

D 256

Why: Near miss scoring 0: 256 is the number of characters that 8 bits give in extended ASCII, not 7-bit ASCII.

No marks0/1

B 127

Why: Misconception scoring 0, the off-by-one error the examiners' report describes: 127 is the largest 7-bit value, but 7 bits give 128 different characters.

2Short 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.

3Discuss6 marksPeripheral Management Swap Remove

A design studio buys 30 new graphics tablets for its artists. The tablets are a new model that the studio's computers have not used before. The studio's computers already have drivers installed for the older tablets the artists use. Each artist connects a tablet to a computer running the same operating system.

Discuss the role of device drivers when the new graphics tablets are connected to the studio's computers.

Your answer should include:

  • what a device driver is and how the operating system uses it
  • why each peripheral needs its own driver
  • what must be done before an artist can use a new tablet.
[6 marks]
Mark scheme

Indicative content

What a device driver is and how the operating system uses it

  • A device driver is a program that controls a peripheral device such as a graphics tablet by communicating with the operating system.
  • The driver translates instructions from the operating system into signals that the graphics tablet understands, and passes the artist's pen movements back to the operating system.
  • The operating system loads the driver into memory when the tablet is connected, so that it can then send data to the tablet and receive input from it.
  • Without a driver the operating system cannot control the tablet, so the tablet does not work.

Why each peripheral needs its own driver

  • Every make and model of peripheral uses its own set of commands, so a driver is written for that particular device.
  • The drivers already installed for the studio's older tablets do not work with the new model, even though both are graphics tablets.
  • An operating system includes drivers for many common devices, but it does not have one for a brand new model.
  • The correct driver means the pen movements are received by the computer in the form the drawing program expects.

What must be done before an artist can use a new tablet

  • The new tablet is supplied with its driver on a disc or as a download, and it must be installed on each computer.
  • The operating system may need to be updated so that it recognises the new model.
  • The driver must be enabled or selected for the tablet once it is installed.
  • Drivers are updated later to fix faults or to improve performance.
  • If the correct driver is not installed, the tablet does not work or some of its features are not available.

Additional guidance

  • Level 3 responses must explain why a driver is specific to a device and what must be done before an artist can use a new tablet, as well as describing what a driver is, all applied to the studio.
  • Responses that only state what a driver is, or that state a driver must be installed without explaining why the tablet needs its own driver, are limited to Level 1.
  • Accept 'software', 'program' or 'set of instructions' for a driver.
  • Do not accept a device driver described only as a cable or a physical connection.
  • Do not accept the claim that all drivers are already built into the operating system, or that one driver works for every graphics tablet.

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)
Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks6/6

A device driver is software that lets the operating system communicate with a peripheral such as a graphics tablet. When an artist connects a tablet, the operating system loads the driver into memory so that it can send instructions to the tablet and receive the pen movements back. Each make and model of tablet has its own set of commands, so the drivers already installed for the studio's older tablets will not work with the new model, and the operating system will not have a driver built in for a brand new device. Because the tablets are a new model, the supplier provides a driver on a disc or as a download, and it must be installed on every computer before an artist can use a tablet. The studio may also need to update the operating system so that it recognises the new model, and install updated drivers later if faults are found. If the correct driver is not installed, the operating system cannot control the tablet, so the pen will not work.

Why: Level 3: defines a driver and explains the operating system's role in loading and using it (AO1), explains why the driver is specific to the make and model and applies this to the studio's older tablets (AO1/AO2), and gives the installation, operating system update, later driver updates and the consequence of a missing driver, all applied to the studio in a sustained line of reasoning.

Some marks2/6

A device driver is a program that controls the graphics tablet. The new tablets are a different model, so the computers may not have the right driver. The studio needs to install the driver that comes with the tablet before the artist can use it.

Why: Level 1 upper: a basic definition, a brief unexplained point that the new model may not have the right driver, and the point that the supplied driver must be installed. Nothing explains why a driver is specific to a device (different commands, make and model) or how the operating system uses the driver, so the points stay independent with little linkage and are limited to Level 1 by the guidance.

Some marks1/6

A device driver is a program that makes the tablet work. All drivers are already built into the operating system, so the studio does not need to install anything for the new tablets.

Why: 1 mark: a basic statement that a driver is a program that controls the device. The claim that all drivers are already built in is a misconception named in the do-not-accept guidance, so it gains no credit for what must happen before the new tablets can be used.

4Discuss6 marksLow and High Level Languages Swap Remove

A software company is writing a new program that will be sold to users who have different types of computer. The program does not need to control the hardware of the computer directly. The company must decide whether to write the program in a high-level language or a low-level language.

Discuss whether the company should use a high-level language or a low-level language to write this program.

Your answer should consider:

  • machine independence
  • processor specificity
  • how the code is translated for each type of computer.
[6 marks]
Mark scheme

Indicative content

Machine independence

  • A high-level language is machine independent, so the same source code can be run on different types of computer with few or no changes.
  • The company can write the program once and sell it to users with different computers, without rewriting the code for each type of computer.
  • Only one version of the program needs to be written and maintained, so development takes the company less time.

Processor specificity

  • A low-level language is processor-specific, so a program written for one processor will not run on a different processor without being rewritten.
  • Assembly language instructions depend on the instruction set of the particular processor, so the company would need a separate version of the program for each type of computer.
  • Writing a separate low-level version for every type of computer would take the company much longer than writing one high-level program.
  • Low-level code gives direct control of the hardware of one processor, so it is better suited to device drivers than to a program that must run on many different computers.

Translation

  • High-level source code is translated for each type of computer by a compiler or an interpreter, so one version of the source code is enough for all the users.
  • Assembly language is translated into machine code by an assembler, and the assembler produces machine code for one specific processor only.
  • Machine code is already in a form that one particular processor can execute directly, but the same machine code will not run on a different processor.
  • Each high-level statement translates into several machine code instructions, so the programmer does not need to know the instruction set of the processor.

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

  • Level 3 responses must cover both high-level machine independence and low-level processor specificity, with the effect on the company's decision.
  • Do not award low-level language, assembly language or machine code as portable, or 'high-level languages are written in English/like English' as a reason for machine independence.
Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks6/6

A high-level language is machine independent, so the company can write the program once and it will run on different types of computer with few or no changes. A different compiler is used for each type of processor to translate that same source code into the machine code for that computer, so the company can sell one program to all of its users. A low-level language is processor-specific, so a program written in assembly for one processor will not run on a different one. The assembler produces machine code for one particular instruction set, so the company would need to write a separate version for each type of computer, which would take much longer. As the program does not need to control the hardware directly, the company should use a high-level language.

Why: Develops high-level machine independence with the compiler translating for each processor, and low-level processor specificity with the assembler producing machine code for one instruction set, both applied to the company's decision, in a coherent and sustained argument: Level 3, 6 marks.

Some marks3/6

A high-level language is machine independent, so the company can write the program once. A different compiler is used for each type of computer to translate the code, so users with different computers can all run the same program. A low-level language is processor-specific, so it would not be as suitable for the company.

Why: Machine independence is linked to the compiler and applied to the users, but processor specificity is only asserted and no translation of low-level code is given, so the reasoning is not sustained: Level 2, 3 marks.

Some marks1/6

High-level languages are machine independent because they are written in English, so the company can sell the program to anyone. Low-level languages are machine code, so they can be translated to run on any type of computer.

Why: One basic point that high-level languages are machine independent, applied by selling to anyone (1). 'Written in English' is not a reason for machine independence and low-level code is not portable, so neither is credited: Level 1, 1 mark.

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

Build a paper on this topic 24
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

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

Build a paper on this topic 36
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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