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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 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.

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.

3Explain2 marksSound Swap Remove

Each sample of a sound wave is stored as a binary number.

Explain how increasing the bit depth affects the representation of a sound wave.

[2 marks]
Mark scheme

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

  • Each sample is stored using more bits (1) so the amplitude can be recorded more precisely (1)
  • More different amplitude values can be represented (1) because each extra bit doubles the number of possible values (1)
  • The height of the wave at each sample point is measured more accurately (1) so the digital wave is closer to the analogue wave (1)
  • The gap between the true amplitude and the stored value is smaller (1) because there are more values for the sample to be rounded to (1)

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

Do not accept 'the sound is sampled more often' or 'more samples are taken per second', as these describe the sample rate, not the bit depth.

Do not accept 'the file size increases' on its own as an effect on the representation of the sound.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks2/2

Each sample is stored using more bits, so the amplitude at each sample point can be recorded more precisely.

Why: Point (more bits per sample) (1) with linked reason (amplitude recorded more precisely) (1).

Some marks1/2

Each sample is stored using more bits.

Why: Creditworthy point (1) but no linked effect on the accuracy of the representation, so only one mark.

No marks0/2

It takes more samples every second, so the wave is stored in more detail.

Why: Confuses bit depth with sample rate, so no mark is awarded.

4Discuss6 marksImages Swap Remove

A wildlife photographer takes a photograph for a magazine. The photograph can be printed across a full page or used as a small thumbnail on the magazine's website.

Discuss how the resolution of the photograph affects its use in the magazine and on the website.

Your answer should include:

  • what resolution means
  • the effect of resolution on the detail shown
  • the effect of resolution on the file size.
[6 marks]
Mark scheme

Indicative content

What resolution means

  • Resolution is the number of pixels in the image, or the number of pixels per inch.
  • A photograph that is 6000 × 4000 pixels has a higher resolution than one that is 600 × 400 pixels.
  • Resolution is not the same as colour depth or the number of colours.

Effect on detail

  • A higher-resolution photograph has more pixels in the same area, so it can show more detail.
  • A low-resolution photograph printed across a full page will look blocky or pixelated because each pixel is enlarged.
  • A small website thumbnail uses fewer pixels on screen, so a lower-resolution version may still look sharp.
  • A high-resolution original can be cropped and still contain enough pixels for a full-page print.

Effect on file size

  • More pixels means more binary values must be stored, so the file is larger.
  • A large file takes more storage and is slower to upload or download, which matters for visitors to the website.
  • The photographer could make a lower-resolution copy for the website and keep the high-resolution original for print.
  • File size also depends on the colour depth and the file format or compression used.

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 detail and file size.

Do not accept resolution as the number of colours.

Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks6/6

Resolution is the number of pixels in the photograph, for example 6000 × 4000 pixels. A high-resolution photograph has more pixels, so it can show fine detail such as the animal's fur. This is important for the full-page magazine print because a low-resolution image would look blocky when enlarged. The small website thumbnail uses fewer pixels on screen, so a lower-resolution copy would still look sharp and would be suitable. A high-resolution file contains more pixel values, so it takes up more storage space. It would also be slower to download for people viewing the website. The photographer could keep the high-resolution original for print and make a lower-resolution copy for the website.

Why: Defines resolution accurately, links detail to the print use, links file size to storage and download for the website, and gives a sensible recommendation. Sustained application, so Level 3.

Some marks4/6

Resolution means how many pixels are in the image. A higher resolution means the photograph has more pixels, so it can show more detail. This is good for the full-page print because it will not look pixelated. A lower resolution might be enough for the small website thumbnail because it is shown smaller.

Why: Covers what resolution means and its effect on detail, with some application to print and the website. It does not discuss the effect on file size, so it is limited to Level 2.

Some marks1/6

Resolution is the number of pixels in the image. The photograph will have a higher resolution if it has more colours, so it will look sharper in the magazine. The file size is bigger when the resolution is higher, so the website will load faster.

Why: Only the definition of resolution is creditworthy. The answer wrongly links resolution to the number of colours and says a larger file will make the website load faster.

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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