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Edexcel GCSE Computer Science (1CP2) Exam Questions

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4 questions · 7 marks

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1Multiple 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.

2Describe2 marksFile Management Swap Remove

A user deletes an unwanted file from their computer.

Describe what happens when the file is deleted.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • The file's entry is removed from the folder/directory (1) so the file no longer appears in the list of files/is no longer listed (1)
  • The (disk) space used by the file is marked as free/available/unused (1) so another file can be saved/stored in that space (1)
  • The file's data/contents are not erased/removed (1) so the file may still be recovered until the space is overwritten (1)

A point stated without development, e.g. 'the file is removed from the folder', earns one mark only.

For the first mark, accept that the file's entry is removed from the folder/directory; the second mark must state that the file no longer appears/is listed.

Do not accept 'stays on disk' alone for the third point; accept 'data is not erased' or 'contents remain'.

Do not accept 'the file is wiped from the disk straight away' or 'the data is destroyed and can never be recovered'.

Do not accept 'the file is moved to the recycle bin/bin' or 'the file is deleted from the hard drive' on its own, as this does not describe what happens to the file or the disk space.

Do not accept responses about moving the file to another folder.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

The space the file used is marked as free so another file can be saved in that space.

Why: Linked point (1) and development (1): space marked free and another file can be saved.

Some marks1/2

The file is removed from the folder.

Why: Point (1) only; no development about the file no longer being listed.

No marks0/2

The data is wiped from the disk straight away so it can never be recovered.

Why: Common misconception; 'wiped straight away' is not accepted, so no mark.

3Describe2 marksLow and High Level Languages Swap Remove

A device driver is software that allows the operating system to control a piece of hardware. Device drivers are often written in a low-level programming language.

Describe one reason why a low-level programming language is suitable for writing a device driver.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • Instructions can manipulate/control the hardware/memory/registers directly (1) so the driver can control the specific device it is written for (1)
  • The code is written for one specific processor/architecture (1) so it works with the exact hardware it will control (1)
  • The programmer controls exactly how memory/registers are used (1) so the code is efficient and needs little memory, which suits a device that has limited memory (1)
  • Each instruction maps to one machine code instruction (1) so the driver code is small enough to fit in the memory of the device (1)

Extra detail, such as naming the device the driver controls, is not needed to earn the marks.

Do not accept 'it is closer to machine code' on its own: it must be developed to show how this helps the driver, e.g. it can control the hardware directly.

Do not accept 'it is faster/quicker' with no link to the hardware/device, e.g. the device responds quickly.

Do not accept 'it is easier to learn', 'it is easier to debug' or 'it takes less time to write'.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

Low-level instructions can manipulate the hardware and memory directly (1) so the driver can control the specific device it was written for, such as a sound card (1).

Why: Point about direct control of hardware/memory (1) linked to controlling the specific device (1). The named device is extra detail and is not needed.

Some marks1/2

Low-level instructions can manipulate the hardware directly.

Why: Correct point (1) but no linked development saying how this helps the device driver.

No marks0/2

It is closer to machine code so it runs faster than a high-level language.

Why: 'Closer to machine code' is not developed into how this helps the driver, and 'runs faster' is not linked to the hardware/device, so no mark.

4Calculate2 marksBinary Shifts Swap Remove

Computers manipulate binary patterns.

Complete the table with the result of applying the shift to the binary pattern.

[2 marks]
Binary patternShift8-bit binary result
1000 0001Logical shift right by 1
Mark scheme

Award one mark for each correct nibble in the correct order:

  • 0100 (1)
  • 0000 (1)

0 marks if the response is not 8-bit binary.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

0100 0000

Why: Every bit moves 1 place right, with 0s in from the left: both nibbles are correct (2).

Some marks1/2

0100 0001

Why: A slip in the last bit. The first nibble is correct (1); the second is not.

No marks0/2

0000 0010

Why: Shifts the bits the wrong way. Neither nibble is correct.

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 14 questions Impact of AI 4 questions

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