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Edexcel GCSE Computer Science (1CP2) Exam Questions

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4 questions · 5 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 markCharacter Sets Swap Remove

ASCII uses 7 bits to store each character. A system has only 6 bits available to store each character.

State the number of different characters the system can represent.

[1 mark]
Mark scheme

Award one mark for:

  • 64 (1)
  • 2^6 (1)
  • 2 × 2 × 2 × 2 × 2 × 2 (1)

Allow 64 characters / sixty-four.

Allow 2 to the power of 6 for 2^6.

Do not accept 128, which is the number of characters that can be represented using 7 bits.

Do not accept 63, the largest value that can be represented using 6 bits, rather than the number of different characters.

Do not accept 12 (2 × 6), ie the number of bits multiplied by 2.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks1/1

64

Why: Correct: 2^6 = 64 different characters (1).

No marks0/1

128

Why: Scores 0: 128 is the number of characters that 7 bits can represent, not the 6 bits the system has; the Do not accept line applies.

No marks0/1

63

Why: Scores 0: 63 is the largest value 6 bits can hold, not the number of different characters; the Do not accept line applies.

3Short recall1 markImages Swap Remove

A bitmap image has a resolution.

State what is meant by the resolution of an image.

[1 mark]
Mark scheme

Award one mark for any of the following:

  • The concentration/density of pixels in an area (1)
  • The number of pixels per inch (PPI) / pixels per unit area (1)
  • The width and height/dimensions of the image in pixels (1)

Do not accept the number of pixels in the image on its own, without dimensions or an area, e.g. 'the total number of pixels'

Do not accept colour depth / the number of bits used per pixel / the number of colours

Do not accept file size in bytes / the amount of storage the image uses / screen size / image quality

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks1/1

The concentration of pixels in an area, such as the number of pixels per inch.

Why: Gives the density/concentration of pixels in an area, and pixels per inch (1)

No marks0/1

The number of pixels in the image.

Why: A bare total pixel count is not accepted without dimensions or an area

No marks0/1

The number of bits used to store each pixel's colour.

Why: Describes colour depth, not resolution, and colour depth is not accepted

4Explain2 marksSound Swap Remove

The same sound is recorded twice using different sample intervals.

Explain the effect of using a longer sample interval on the digital recording.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

Award up to two marks for a linked explanation such as:

  • Fewer samples are taken every second (1) so less detail of the sound wave is captured (1)
  • Fewer samples are taken every second (1) so the file is smaller/uses less storage space (1)
  • The wave is measured less often (1) so parts/changes in the wave between samples are missed (1)

For both marks, the expansion must follow/associate with the statement.

The 'fewer samples are taken/measured less often' point can only be credited once; the second mark is for a valid expansion linked to it.

Do not accept restating the question, e.g. 'the time between measurements is longer' or 'the sample interval is longer', as either the point or the expansion.

Do not accept 'the sample rate is lower' as the expansion, as this says the same thing as a longer sample interval.

Do not accept 'the sound is lower quality/less accurate' on its own without saying what is lost, e.g. less detail of the wave captured/parts of the wave missed.

Do not accept answers about using fewer bits per sample or about compression, as these do not follow from the sample interval.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

Fewer samples are taken every second, so less detail of the sound wave is captured and the recording is less accurate.

Why: Point (fewer samples each second) (1) with linked reason (less detail of the wave captured) (1).

Some marks1/2

Fewer samples are taken every second.

Why: Creditworthy point (1) but no linked effect on the detail or size of the recording, so only one mark.

No marks0/2

The samples are stored using fewer bits, so the sound is less accurate.

Why: Describes a smaller bit depth rather than a longer sample interval, so no mark is awarded.

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 16 questions Intellectual Property 12 questions

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