Year 10 Computer Science November 2020

1. Explain the effect of performing a 2 place right shift on the binary number 11001011.
[2]
2. Ann wants to purchase a new computer and is looking at two models. The specification of the CPU in each
computer is shown in Fig. 1.
Identify two internal components that are not in Fig. 1, which could improve the performance of the computers.
[2
]
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3. Numbers can be represented in denary, binary or hexadecimal.
(i) Convert the binary number 01101001 to denary, showing your working.
[2]
(ii) Convert the denary number 154 to binary.
[2]

4. Vicky has been on holiday and has taken lots of photos. The memory in her camera is now full and she needs to
transfer her photos to an external secondary storage device.
Define what is meant by ‘secondary storage’.
[1]
5. The security code for an alarm system is a long binary number which begins
10001111100101111011 …
The technicians prefer to use hexadecimal to enter the security code.
(i) When the number is converted into hexadecimal, the first two digits are 8F as shown below.
Complete the gaps to show the next three digits.
[3]
(ii) Explain why the technicians prefer to use hexadecimal.
[2]

6. Gareth has a satellite navigation system (Sat Nav) in his car that uses RAM and ROM.
Fig. 2 lists some characteristics of computer memory. Tick (✓) one box in each row to show whether each of the
statements is true for the RAM or ROM in Gareth's Sat Nav.
[3]

7. * Some secondary storage devices are magnetic and others are solid state.
Describe the characteristics of magnetic and solid state secondary storage.
The quality of written communication will be assessed in your answer to this question.
[6]
8. Order the following units from smallest to largest:
GB bit PB byte nibble MB
[1]

9(a). The computer sometimes uses virtual memory.
Describe what is meant by virtual memory and state why it is needed.
[3]
(b). A computer has 1024 megabytes of RAM.
State two items that will be stored in the RAM.
[2]
10(a)
Dipesh is thinking of buying a tablet computer to replace his old desktop computer.
.
Describe how the CPU and RAM work together to enable the tablet computer to operate. [3]
(b). The tablet computer also uses cache memory. Describe the purpose of cache memory. [2]

11(a)
A program uses a file to store a list of words that can be used in a game.
.
A sample of this data is shown in Fig. 3.
crime bait fright victory nibble loose
Fig. 3
Show the stages of a bubble sort when applied to data shown in Fig. 3.
[4]

(b). A second sample of data is shown in Fig. 4.
amber house kick moose orange range tent wind zebra Fig. 4
Show the stages of a binary search to find the word zebra using the data shown in Fig. 4. [4]
12(a)
Both computers have RAM and ROM.
.
(i) The table has five statements describing RAM and/or ROM.
Tick (✓) one or more boxes in each row to identify if that statement describes RAM and/or ROM.
RAM ROM
Stores data
The memory is volatile
Data will not be lost when the computer is

turned off
Data is read-only, cannot be changed
Stores currently running data and

instructions
[5]
(ii) Give one difference between RAM and flash memory.
[1]

(b). Kerry wants to buy a new computer, but she does not understand what the different parts of a computer do.
Kerry has 5GB of files to transfer from her laptop at work to her new computer. She has been told to buy
an external solid state device to do this.
(i) Give one example of a solid state device.
[1]
(ii) Identify whether the device given in part (i) is an example of primary or secondary memory.
[1]
(iii) * Kerry was originally going to use an optical storage device to transfer her files.
Discuss whether an optical or solid state device is the most appropriate media to transfer these
files. You may want to consider the following characteristics in your answer:
• portability
• robustness
• capacity
• cost

[8]
(iv) The filesizes of Kerry’s files are usually displayed in megabytes (MB) or gigabytes (GB).
Calculate how many MB are in 5GB. Show your working.
..........................................MB [2]
END OF QUESTION PAPER

Mark Scheme
Question Answer/Indicative content Marks Part marks and guidance
1 The number is divided by 4 are removed

Loss of accuracy … … the bits on the right
… the bits on the right are removed
2 1 mark per bullet to a maximum of 2.
Total 2
2 RAM responses:
SSD
HDD E.g.
Graphics card (GPU) Motherboard
2 Marks can be awarded for other appropriate Sound card
Total 2
3 i 64 + 32 + 8 + 1 105. Examiner's Comments

??
ii Answer: 10011010 Candidates usually perform well at binary
(one mark per nibble if conversions
partly wrong) and continued to do so this year which is
2 pleasing to
see. The majority of
candidates obtained full
2 Allow 1 mark for 01011001 marks
Total 4
4 Long term/non-volatile storage of data/files data
External/auxiliary storage of 1 1 mark only to be awarded for a correct definition.
Total 1
5 i Answer: 9 7 B (one mark per hex digit) The majority of candidates obtained full
3 ?Examiner's Comments ?? marks.

Mark Scheme
ii it is 4 bits per hex digit / straightforward to of hex, for example by

convert suggest that hex requires
shorter number to less memory to store than
remember / quicker to binary. In applying their
enter / less susceptible understanding to the
to error. scenario, many candidates
2 ?Examiner's Comments also gave vague answers
such as stating that
Some of the weaker numbers in hex are “easier
candidates showed a clear to understand” than their
lack of understanding of the importance and binary equivalent.
relevance
Total 5
6 3 Award 1 mark for each

RAM ROM
Stores the boot up sequ ence of the Sat and ✓
Nav. routes. correct tick.
The ✓
content s are No marks should be
lost awarded if ticks are in both boxes in a
when given row.
the Sat Nav is turned off.
Holds
copies of open maps ✓
Total 3

Mark Scheme
7 Points may include: Magnetic: files, USB keys… or as Examples, if used, are weak and do not
m ain storage for PDAs, follow from the points being made. There
mobile computers may be occasional errors in spelling,
Tend to be large … as a result, portable grammar and punctuation. Technical
capacity, relatively magnetic formats (e.g. terms will be mainly correct.
cheap floppy disks) are no
Sensitive to movement longer used in favour of Low level Response (1–2 marks)
of system due to solid state storage. An attempt to describe the
moving parts 6 Examples may have been used to clarify characteristic(s) of
Used as main storage points but magnetic or storage.
for computers, e.g. to are not required for the Information will be poorly expressed and
levels. there will be a limited, if any, use of
store OS.
High Level Response (5–6 marks) technical terms. Errors of grammar,
Solid state A detailed description of characteristics of punctuation and spelling may be intrusive.
both solid state and magnetic devices.
Examples, if used, will be appropriate. No response or response not worthy of
There will be few if any errors in spelling, credit (0 marks)
Relatively expensive so
grammar and punctuation. Technical
tend to be of smaller terms will be used appropriately and Examiner's Comments
capacity correctly.
No moving parts so not
Some candidates did not read the
sensitive to movement Medium Level Response (3–4 marks) question carefully. It asked for the
Used when portability is A limited description of characteristic(s) of characteristics of magnetic and solid state
important… transferring a solid state and / or magnetic devices. storage, but

Mark Scheme
these candidates wrote

about the applications of
these types of storage and
how they work (sometimes
in great detail). There was
some evidence of
candidates making
“uninformed guesses” here
such as making a semantic
association between the
“hard” in hard drive and the
“solid” in solid state, and
assuming that hard drives
and solid state storage
mean the same thing. That
said, it was encouraging to
note the currency of the
knowledge of some
candidates who included
solid-state as well as
magnetic hard drives in
their response. On the other
hand, examiners were
surprised by the number of
candidates who thought of
magnetic storage
exclusively in terms of
magnetic tape and floppy
disks and ignored the most
current use of this
technology.
Total 6
8 bit, nibble, byte, MB, GB, PB 1 1 Correct Answer Only
Total 1

Mark Scheme
9 a Using the hard disk / secondary storage b Operating system

Used as RAM / to store Other programs that are
the contents of RAM / running / in current use
main memory Data in current use
Needed when there isn't 3 Note that these points may be worded differently. E.g.
enough physical “items are taken from
memory memory and stored on the
hard disk until needed”
achieves the first two bullet
points.
Examiner's Comments
Where candidates had

explicitly studied the use of
virtual memory, they were points as long as it is clear
able to give a detailed that the programs / data are currently in use
description to gain 2 or 3
marks in this part. A Accept instructions for
number of candidates programs
appeared to be guessing
the answer, the most Examiner's Comments
common wrong answers
confusing virtual memory The most common error
with cloud storage. made by candidates was
that they did not specify that programs and data/files are
in RAM while they are in
2 Accept examples for the second and third bullet use.
Total 5

Mark Scheme
10 a Instructions / programs(currently Data does not need to

running) / data are be fetched from RAM
stored in the RAM… Speeds up access
these are fetched from 3 If the candidate has described the functions of
the RAM by the CPU / RAM and the CPU
Processor separately, only award the
… where the 2nd bullet if it is clearly
instructions are stated that instructions are
executed / instructions fetched from RAM.
are processed / data is
processed Mention of the fetch –
execute cycle in the CPU is enough to award bullet 3.
b To store instructions / data that is frequently
used / previously used /
next to be used 2
Total 5
Mark Scheme

11 a 4 (AO2 1b) Allow multiple swaps in one stage, where it is clear that a
1 mark for each row from rows 2–5. bubble sort has been applied.
b Comparing methodology above greater, split right

zebra to orange
Greater, so split and e.g. compare to zebra
take right side 4
Further comparison (1 compare zebra to orange (AO2 1b)
or 2 depending on 1 mark per bullet (multiple ways through,
choices made) greater, split right marks awarded for appropriate
Correct identification of comparison and creation of sub groups).
zebra using compare to wind
Total 8

Mark Scheme
12 a i 1 mark for each row AO1 1a (5) This question required an understanding
5 Examiner’s Comments of the
RA M purposes and characteristics of RAM and
RO M
Stores ii 1 mark 1
data ✓✓ AO2 1a
The ROM. This question was answered well by
✓ many candidates.
memory is
volatile
The most common error was the first box
Data will where some candidates only ticked one
not be lost box i.e. stating that RAM stores data, but
when the ROM does not.
computer
is turned
off ✓
Data is
read-only,
cannot be
changed
Stores
✓
currently
running
data and i
nstruction
s ✓
Accept description of volatile/non-volatile

RAM is volatile // Flash memory is non-volatile RAM is faster to Examiner’s Comments
access/store data than Flash memory // Flash memory is slower
to access/store data than RAM Candidates tackled this
RAM stores currently running programs/instru ctions/data/OS // question well, and many
Flash memory stores files and software were able to give an
RAM can be directly accessed by CPU // Flash data has to go appropriate differences,
to RAM before CPU with some candidates
(1) making use of the table in
Question 1bi to determine a difference.
Bod - RAM is primary //
Flash is secondary

Mark Scheme
b i 1 mark for any suitable example USB on its own is Examiner’s Comments
e.g. incorrect.
Solid state drive // SSD // Answers were mixed to this question,
flash drive Accept USB stick // which required candidates to identify a
USB memory stick // USB memory stick solid state device.
drive
Memory card // SD card Do not accept Hard Some candidates put USB on its own, i.e.
1 drive, bod solid state without memory stick, or drive. Candidates
AO1 1b (1) hard drive should be aware that USB on its own is a
port and is not a storage device. A common incorrect answer was hard
drive which is a magnetic storage device.

Mark Scheme

ii Secondary 1 AO1 1b Candidates were able to get follow through for identifying
(1) whether the device they named in part 1ci was primary or
FT from (i) e.g. if RAM is given for 1ci then this answer must be secondary
primary. memory.
FT USB (NE 1ci) as Most candidates were able to correctly identify whether their
secondary. device was primary or secondary; with secondary
being the most common required response.
If 1ci is NR or not an
example of primary or secondary storage, then 0 for whatever is A small number of
here. candidates identified a secondary storage device as being
primary.
Examiner’s Comments
Mark Scheme
iii Mark Band 3–High Level (6-8 marks) Both are Small in size / portable and can CDs have small
The candidate easily be moved between capacity
demonstrates a thorough Kerry’s home and work Solid state can be Depends on Kerry’s
knowledge and smaller files if they are small
understanding of a wide Solid state less likely to break files e.g. text
range of considerations in relation to the documents then a CD might be large
question; the material is generally Robustness enough bit if there are lots large files e.g.
accurate and detailed. videos/software then
The candidate is able to solid state may be more appropriate
apply their knowledge and understanding
directly and consistently to the context Cost
provided.
Evidence/examples will be explicitly
relevant to the
explanation.
The candidate is able to
weigh up both sides of the discussion and
includes
reference to the impact on all areas
showing thorough recognition of
influencing
factors.
There is a well-developed line of
reasoning which is
clear and logically
structured. The information presented is
relevant and substantiated.
Mark Band 2-Mid Level Optical are not robust i.e. easily
(3-5 marks) scratched/damaged
The candidate while being moved
demonstrates reasonable knowledge and Solid state has no
understanding of a range of moving parts so unlikely to break if
considerations in relation to the question; dropped
the material is generally accurate but at
times underdeveloped. Capacity
The candidate is able to
apply their knowledge and understanding
directly to
the context provided
although one or two
opportunities are missed.
Evidence/examples are for
8
AO2 1a (4)
AO2 1b (4)
The following is indicative of possible
factors/evidence that candidates may refer
to but is not prescriptive or exhaustive:
Indicative Content:
Portability
Optical cost is small per GB

Solid state can be
reused more times
Mark Scheme
the most part implicitly relevant to the explanation. The Examiner’s Comments
candidate makes a reasonable attempt to discuss the
impact on most areas, showing reasonable recognition This question required candidates to structure a
of influencing factors. response that evaluated both optical and solid state
There is a line of reasoning presented with some devices for the given
structure. The information presented is in the most part scenario.
relevant and supported by some evidence.
Candidates can answer these questions in any way
Mark Band 1-Low Level (1-2 marks) that conveys their
The candidate understanding; for example, a table of optical versus
demonstrates a basic knowledge of solid state is an appropriate method of evaluating each,
considerations with limited understanding shown; the along with a conclusion as to which is more
material is basic and appropriate.
contains some
inaccuracies. The candidate makes a limited attempt to Many candidates were able to demonstrate a good
apply acquired knowledge and understanding to the understanding of the
context provided. characteristics of both optical and solid state devices.
The candidate provides nothing more than an Fewer candidates applied their knowledge to the
unsupported assertion. The information is basic and scenario and only mentioned at the end as to what
communicated in an unstructured way. The information Kirsty should do.
is supported by limited evidence and the relationship to
the evidence may not be clear. The better responses referred back to the
scenario in each section. For example, when
0 marks identifying the capacity of each, candidates also referred
No attempt to answer the question or response is not to the 5GB Kirsty needs to move. When identifying the
worthy of credit portability of each, candidates referred to the need for
because it’s more Kirsty to move her files from one location to another.
durable so may be cost effective in the long
term

Mark Scheme
These responses showed

that they were considering
the scenario in each part of
the question and were not
just recalling their
knowledge about the
devices.
Exemplar 1
This candidate has made a

number of valid points for
both optical and solid state,
but there are some errors in
stated facts for optical.
There is no explicit
application to the scenario,
but some could be read as
implied in the answer.
Exemplar 2

Mark Scheme

This candidate has given a
well structure response with
many valid points.
The candidate has referred

to the scenario throughout.
There was a minor error

which prevents the
response gaining full marks.
iv 1 mark for correct working e.g. AO2 1b (2) were able to correctly perform the
5*1024 // 5*1000 Examiner’s Comments calculation. Some
candidates did not show their working and
1 mark for 5120 MB // 5000 MB This question was were only able to gain the mark for the
2 answered well by most candidates who final answer.
Total 18
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1. Explain the effect of performing a 2 place right shift on the binary number 11001011.

(ii) Convert the denary number 154 to binary.

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Define what is meant by ‘secondary storage’.

The technicians prefer to use hexadecimal to enter the security code.

Complete the gaps to show the next three digits.

(ii) Explain why the technicians prefer to use hexadecimal.

© OCR 2020. You may photocopy this page. 3 of 27 Created in ExamBuilder

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Describe the characteristics of magnetic and solid state secondary storage.

GB bit PB byte nibble MB

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Describe what is meant by virtual memory and state why it is needed.

State two items that will be stored in the RAM.

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The memory is volatile

Data will not be lost when the computer is

Stores currently running data and

(ii) Give one difference between RAM and flash memory.

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(i) Give one example of a solid state device.

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Calculate how many MB are in 5GB. Show your working.

END OF QUESTION PAPER

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Question Answer/Indicative content Marks Part marks and guidance

1 The number is divided by 4 are removed

3 i 64 + 32 + 8 + 1 105. Examiner's Comments

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Question Answer/Indicative content Marks Part marks and guidance

ii it is 4 bits per hex digit / straightforward to of hex, for example by

6 3 Award 1 mark for each

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Question Answer/Indicative content Marks Part marks and guidance

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Question Answer/Indicative content Marks Part marks and guidance

these candidates wrote

8 bit, nibble, byte, MB, GB, PB 1 1 Correct Answer Only

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Question Answer/Indicative content Marks Part marks and guidance

9 a Using the hard disk / secondary storage b Operating system

Where candidates had

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Question Answer/Indicative content Marks Part marks and guidance

10 a Instructions / programs(currently Data does not need to

Question Answer/Indicative content Marks Part marks and guidance

b Comparing methodology above greater, split right

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Accept description of volatile/non-volatile

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Question Answer/Indicative content Marks Part marks and guidance

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Question Answer/Indicative content Marks Part marks and guidance

Question Answer/Indicative content Marks Part marks and guidance

Optical cost is small per GB

Question Answer/Indicative content Marks Part marks and guidance

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Question Answer/Indicative content Marks Part marks and guidance

These responses showed

This candidate has made a

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Question Answer/Indicative content Marks Part marks and guidance