Edexcel GCSE Computer Science (1CP2) Exam Questions

• C It keeps the car at a constant speed (1)
• The only correct answer is C. The correct answer is it keeps the car at a constant speed.
• A is not correct because controlling the interior lights is done by a different embedded system in the car
• B is not correct because displaying a map for the driver is done by the satellite navigation system
• D is not correct because sounding an alarm is done by a different embedded system in the car

• C Print queue (1)
• The only correct answer is C. The correct answer is print queue.
• A is not correct because a device driver controls a peripheral device
• B is not correct because a file manager organises files and folders
• D is not correct because a process manager allocates processor time to processes

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

• Keeping personal information secret/private (1)
• Controlling who can see/access/use your personal data (1)
• Being free from observation/tracking/surveillance (1)
• The right to keep information about yourself to yourself (1)

Do not accept 'the data is kept secure/safe' on its own (this is data protection, not privacy).

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

• The header contains the destination IP address (1) so routers know where to send/forward the packet (1)
• The header contains the source IP address (1) so the destination computer knows which device sent the packet/can reply to it (1)
• The header contains the packet number/sequence number (1) so the packets can be put back into the correct order/reassembled at the destination (1)
• The header contains error checking data (1) so the destination computer can check whether the packet was corrupted (1)

Allow 'order number' for packet number.

Allow 'so the file/data can be reassembled' as an alternative to putting the packets back into the correct order.

Do not accept 'the address' without saying that it is an IP address or whether it is the destination/source address.

Do not accept MAC addresses in place of IP addresses.

Do not award credit for descriptions of the data/payload or of the file being sent as a single unit.

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

• Set computers to sleep/standby after a period of inactivity (1) so they use less power/electricity when not being used (1)
• Turn computers off at the end of the working day (1) so they do not use electricity overnight/when nobody is there (1)
• Use power-saving settings/lower the screen brightness (1) so the display/computer uses less power/electricity (1)
• Replace older computers with more energy-efficient models (1) which use less electricity/power for the same work (1)

A method on its own, such as 'turn off computers', earns the first mark only.

Do not accept responses about recycling/disposing of old computers or about manufacturing new computers.

Do not accept replacing computers to improve performance or buying more computers, as neither reduces energy consumption.

Do not accept extending the life of a computer/using it for longer without stating how this reduces energy consumption.

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

• The computer needs to tell/distinguish the uppercase A from the lowercase a (1) because each different character has its own unique 7-bit code/pattern (1)
• A and a are different characters (1) so each needs a different 7-bit pattern to be stored and displayed correctly (1)
• If A and a had the same 7-bit pattern (1) the computer could not tell which character to display (1)

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

Do not accept 'because they are different letters/cases' without saying they need different/unique codes or that the computer must tell them apart.

Do not accept 'because A is a capital letter' on its own.

Do not accept 'because the codes are different numbers' or '65 is not 97' without linking to the need to tell the characters apart or to unique codes.

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

• Lossy compression permanently removes some data (1) whereas lossless compression does not remove any data (1)
• With lossy compression the original file cannot be recreated exactly (1) but with lossless compression it can (1)
• Lossy compression can produce a smaller file/a higher compression ratio (1) whereas lossless compression keeps all of the data so compresses less (1)

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

Allow 'removes data' for 'permanently removes data'.

A correct statement about only one type of compression, with no contrast, earns one mark.

Do not accept a reversed statement such as 'lossless compression loses data and lossy compression does not'.

Do not accept 'lossy makes the file smaller' on its own, because lossless compression also reduces the file size; the answer must say that data is removed.

Do not accept 'lossy is worse quality' on its own without saying data is removed.

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

• Statements are written in English-like words/use maths symbols (1) so the programmer can understand more easily what each one does (1)
• The language uses meaningful names for variables/structured constructs such as loops (1) so the code is easier to read/follow (1)
• One statement translates into several machine code instructions (1) so there are fewer instructions to learn/understand for the same task (1)

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

Do not accept 'it is easier' / 'it is simpler' on its own, without saying what is easier/simpler.

Do not accept 'the computer understands it directly' / 'it does not need translating'.

Do not award answers about the program running faster or using less memory, as these are not about ease of learning.

Award one mark for each correct digit in the correct position:

• A (1)
• 1 (1)

Answer: A1

Indicative content

Methods of access control

• Usernames and passwords stop people who do not have an account from logging on to the network.
• A password policy requiring a minimum length, upper and lower case letters, symbols and regular changes makes passwords harder to guess.
• Access rights set on folders and files mean each member of staff can only open the records they need for their job.
• Biometric methods such as a fingerprint or facial recognition verify that the person logging on is who they claim to be.

How access levels protect the records

• Reception staff can see appointment details but not medical histories, so an account that is compromised exposes less sensitive data.
• Only senior staff are given permission to change or delete a record, which protects the accuracy of the patient records.
• Giving a nurse read-only access to a ward's records prevents accidental changes to them.
• If a password is stolen, the damage is limited to what that user was allowed to see and do.
• Logging each user in separately means actions on the network can be traced back to an account.

Limitations of access control

• Passwords can be guessed, phished or shared with colleagues, so someone else can log on with a user's access.
• Staff may write passwords down or leave a logged-on computer unattended.
• Access rights must be set correctly; a mistake can give a user far more access than their job needs.
• Access control does not stop an authorised member of staff deliberately misusing records they are allowed to see.
• A fingerprint reader can reject a legitimate user or be fooled by a copy of a fingerprint.

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 how access levels protect the records as well as methods and limitations.

Do not accept an acceptable use policy, a firewall or anti-malware software as a method of access control.