Give one reason why a CPU with two cores might perform faster than an equivalent CPU with

1. only one core.

_______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________
(Total 1 mark)

Describe the role of each of the following components of a CPU:

2.
Clock _________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

Control unit ____________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

Register _______________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________
(Total 3 marks)

Explain why secondary storage is required in a computer system.

3.
_______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________
(Total 2 marks)

Kings' Education Al Barsha Page 1 of 20

 Give one example of a type of volatile memory in a computer system.
4.
_______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________
(Total 1 mark)

Define the term non-volatile memory.

5.
_______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________
(Total 1 mark)

(a) Explain the role of main memory in the execute stage of the Fetch-Execute cycle.
6.
___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(2)

(b) Describe the other two stages of the Fetch-Execute cycle.

Fetch stage ________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

Decode stage ______________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(2)
(Total 4 marks)

Complete the truth table for the XOR logic gate.

7.
A B A XOR B

0 0

0 1

1 0

1 1

(Total 1 mark)

Kings' Education Al Barsha Page 2 of 20

 The figure below shows a logic circuit.
8.

(a) State the type of logic gate labelled G1 in the figure above.

___________________________________________________________________
(1)

(b) Write a Boolean expression to show how the output D is calculated from the inputs A, B
and C in the figure above.

You must use the correct symbols for the Boolean operators in your expression.

D = _______________________________________________________________
(2)
(Total 3 marks)

The figure below shows three programs (A, B, C) that add two numbers and output the result.
9. The programs are written in different programming languages.

A B C
x = 14 LDR R0, #14 0000 00001110
y = 3 LDR R1, #3 0001 00000011
z = x + y ADD R2, R0, R1 0110 00010000
OUTPUT(z) STR R2, 63 1010 10111111
OUT R2 1110 00000000

Identify the type of programming language used for each program shown in the figure above, by
writing A, B or C in the correct row of the table below.

You must only use each letter once.

A, B or C

Assembly language

High-level language

Machine code

(Total 2 marks)

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 State one advantage of writing programs in assembly language instead of a high-level language.
10.
_______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________
(Total 1 mark)

Shade one lozenge to show which statement is true about program translators.
11.
A A compiler translates all the original program code before execution.

B Compiled code still needs the original program code to execute.

C Compiled code executes more slowly than code that is being interpreted.

D Interpreters generate machine code directly.

(Total 1 mark)

State four functions of an operating system.

12.
1 _____________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

2 _____________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

3 _____________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

4 _____________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________
(Total 4 marks)

Kings' Education Al Barsha Page 4 of 20

 Assemblers and interpreters are two types of program translator.
13.
Explain how an interpreter works.

_______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________
(Total 4 marks)

Many new computers use solid-state storage for secondary storage rather than magnetic
14. storage.

Explain why solid-state storage is not fitted to every new computer.

_______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________
(Total 2 marks)

Kings' Education Al Barsha Page 5 of 20

 Shade one lozenge to show the Boolean expression which is equivalent to the logic circuit
15. shown in the diagram below.

A NOT ((A OR B) AND C)

B (NOT A) OR ((NOT B) AND C)

C (NOT (A OR B)) AND C

D ((NOT A) OR (NOT B)) AND C

(Total 1 mark)

Shade one lozenge to show the Boolean expression that is equivalent to the logic circuit shown
16. in the diagram below.

A A AND NOT B

B NOT (A AND B)

C (NOT A) AND B

D (NOT A) AND (NOT B)

(Total 1 mark)

Kings' Education Al Barsha Page 6 of 20

 Draw the logic circuit, using only one logic gate, that is represented by the following truth table:
17.
Input A Input B Output Q

0 0 0

0 1 1

1 0 1

1 1 1

(Total 1 mark)

State two advantages of programming using a high-level language compared with programming
18. using a low-level language.

Advantage 1 ____________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

Advantage 2 ____________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________
(Total 2 marks)

Kings' Education Al Barsha Page 7 of 20

 The following are three types of program translator:
19.
A Assembler

B Compiler

C Interpreter

Write the label (A–C) for the type of translator next to the description.

Description Label (A–C)

Converts a low-level language designed to be human-readable

into machine code.

Reads a high-level program line-by-line and calls corresponding

subroutines.

Takes the entire high-level program as input and produces

machine code.

(Total 2 marks)

A burglar alarm sounds an alarm when it is armed (turned on) and the window or door is opened.
20.
The truth table for this basic system is below.

Armed (A) Door (B) Window (C) Alarm (Q)

0 = Off 0= Closed 0 = Closed 0 = Off
1 = On 1 = Open 1 = Open 1 = On

0 0 0 0

0 0 1 0

0 1 0 0

0 1 1 0

1 0 0 0

1 0 1 1

1 1 0 1

1 1 1 1

Kings' Education Al Barsha Page 8 of 20

 Draw a logic circuit that represents the truth table above. You must use the correct symbols for
logic gates. You may not need to use all the gates shown.

(Total 3 marks)

Define the term embedded system.

21.
_______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________
(Total 2 marks)

Kings' Education Al Barsha Page 9 of 20

 Which two of the following are components of a CPU?
22.
Shade two lozenges.

A Arithmetic logic unit

B Control unit

C Fan

D Hard disk drive

E Keyboard

F Power supply unit

(Total 2 marks)

The expression (B AND (NOT A)) OR (B AND C) can be represented by the logic circuit shown
23. below. In the circuit the logic gates are marked with labels instead of their proper symbols.

(a) State the name of the logic gate used at Gate 1 in the logic circuit.

___________________________________________________________________
(1)

(b) State the name of the logic gate used at Gate 2 in the logic circuit.

___________________________________________________________________
(1)

(c) Draw the logic circuit symbol in the space below for the logic gate used at Gate 3 in the
logic circuit.

(1)

Kings' Education Al Barsha Page 10 of 20

 (d) Draw the logic circuit symbol in the space below for the logic gate used at Gate 4 in the
logic circuit.

(1)
(Total 4 marks)

Complete the truth table for the Boolean expression:

24.
(X AND Y) OR (NOT X)

X Y X AND Y NOT X (X AND Y) OR (NOT X)

0 0

0 1

1 0

1 1

(Total 3 marks)

Kings' Education Al Barsha Page 11 of 20

Mark schemes
Mark is for AO1 (understanding)
1. The processor with two cores may be able to process two instructions /
tasks / processes in parallel / at the same time / simultaneously;
[1]

3 marks for AO1 (recall)

2.
Maximum 1 mark for each component

Clock
Regulates the timing and speed of (computer) operations // sends out a
regular electronic pulse / timing signal;

Control Unit
Coordinates the actions of the CPU // decodes instructions // sends
control signals; A. controls the flow of data through the CPU

Register
Holds data used when executing an instruction // holds the result of
executing an instruction // holds an instruction (CIR) // holds a memory
address (MAR);
[3]

2 marks for AO1 (understanding)

3.
Storing data / files;
When the computer is turned off // on a long-term basis // using
non-volatile storage;

A. to (temporarily) store data in virtual memory // (to implement) demand

paging // to buffer processes
[2]

Mark is for AO1 (understanding)

4.
RAM;
Cache;
Register;

A. examples such as DRAM, SRAM

[1]

Mark is for AO1 (recall)

5.
Non-volatile memory retains data when power is lost / does not lose its
contents when power is lost;
[1]

Kings' Education Al Barsha Page 12 of 20

 (a) 2 marks for AO1 (understanding)
6.
Data required (by an instruction) may be fetched from main memory
// (An instruction) may load / fetch / get data from main memory;

Result (of instruction) may be stored in main memory // (An

instruction) may store a value in main memory;

R. references to information
2

(b) 2 marks for AO1 (understanding)

1 mark for each stage described.

Fetch stage
The (next) instruction is fetched from the memory (to the CPU);

Decode stage
The instruction is decoded (to work out what it is);
2
[4]

Mark is for AO1 (recall)

7.

Mark as follows:

1 mark if column A XOR B is correctly completed;

A. F / FALSE / False / Off instead of 0

A. T / TRUE / True / On instead of 1
[1]

(a) Mark is for AO1 (understanding)

8.
AND (gate);

I. case
1

Kings' Education Al Barsha Page 13 of 20

 (b) 2 marks for AO2 (apply)

A.B + C // C + A.B;;

Mark as follows:

1 mark for A.B or B.A;

1 mark for + C or C +;

Examples of responses worth 1 mark:

A.B.C mark is for A.B

A+B+C mark is for + C
(A.B).C mark is for A.B
(A+B) + C mark is for + C

I. brackets that don’t change the value of the expression

I. Case
A. other commonly recognised symbols such as

R. if words used (e.g. AND, OR, NOT etc.)

Max 1 if any errors.

2
[3]

2 marks for AO1 (understanding)

9.
A, B or C

Assembly language B

High-level language A

Machine code C

Mark as follows:

1 mark for one correct row;

2 marks if all correct;;

R. repeated letters
[2]

Kings' Education Al Barsha Page 14 of 20

 Mark is for AO1 (understanding)
10.
Maximum 1 mark for any of the following:

• Programs written in assembly language run faster // use less processor time;
• Programs written in assembly language can interact directly with hardware (when
executing);
• Assembly language programs require less memory (when executing);
• Programs written in assembly language have no unnecessary code added by a compiler;

A. assembly language requires less translation

A. the programmer can take advantage of knowledge about the program /
problem that isn’t available to the compiler
A. assembly language is faster to translate
[1]

Mark is for AO1 (understanding)

11.
A A compiler translates all the original program code before
execution.

R. if more than one lozenge shaded

[1]

4 marks for AO1 (recall)

12.
Maximum of four marks from:

• Processor / task / process management;

• Memory management;
• I/O device management; A. Peripheral Management (for this year only)
• Applications management;
• Security management;
• File / storage management;
• Network management;

A. Provides a user interface

[4]

Kings' Education Al Barsha Page 15 of 20

 4 marks for AO1 (understanding)
13.
Marks
Level Description
range

At the upper end of the mark range the student will have shown a
coherent and accurate explanation of how an interpreter works with
2 clear references to the principles of operation. 3-4
At the lower end of the mark range the student will have demonstrated
a good understanding of how interpreters function.

At the upper end of the mark range the student will have included some
explanation of how an interpreter works though there may be key steps
or elements either missing or described inaccurately.
1 1-2
At the lower end of the mark range the student will have made one or
two relevant statements but there may be errors or omissions in their
understanding of how interpreters function.

No creditworthy material. 0

Indicative content
• Interpreters do not produce any machine code so the program needs to be
translated each time it is executed.
• They call machine code subroutines within their own code to carry out
commands / directly execute the instruction.
• Translating a line / statement at a time (rather than all at once) which it then
executes.
• If a runtime error is found the interpreter stops.
[4]

2 marks for AO2 (apply)

14.
Maximum of two marks from:

SSDs are relatively expensive // have higher cost per (giga)byte;

SSDs (typically) have lower capacity than magnetic hard drives;

2 marks if a valid point is made along with a suitable valid expansion

A. magnetic hard drives (usually) have higher write/erase cycles (which can make them
more suitable for hard disk recording, eg music, video)
A. SSDs have limited write/erase cycles // SSDs degrade over time
[2]

Mark is for AO2

15.
D ((NOT A) OR (NOT B)) AND C;

R. If more than one lozenge shaded

[1]

Kings' Education Al Barsha Page 16 of 20

 Mark is for AO2
16.
C (NOT A) AND B;

R. If more than one lozenge shaded

[1]

Mark is for AO2

17.

Answers must show two inputs and one output from the gate.

I. any labels on inputs or output.

[1]

2 marks for AO1 (understanding)

18.
Max two from:

(High-level languages) are easier to test // identify mistakes (than low-level languages);
(High-level languages) allow faster development (than low-level languages);
(High-level languages) are better documented (than low-level languages);
(High-level languages) contain complex data structures;
(High-level languages) allow code to be more portable (than low-level languages);

Refer other plausible answers to Team Leader.

[2]

Kings' Education Al Barsha Page 17 of 20

 2 marks for AO1 (understanding)
19.
1 mark for one row correct;
2 marks for all rows correct;

R. any duplicated answers

Correct table as follows:

[2]

3 marks for AO2 (apply)

20.

• OR Gate, with correct symbol used, with TWO inputs from B and C;
• AND Gate, with correct symbol used, with TWO inputs from A and Gate A (even if Gate A
is an incorrect gate);
• Output from Gate B is the only connection to Q (even if Gate B is an incorrect gate);
[3]

Kings' Education Al Barsha Page 18 of 20

 2 marks for AO1 (recall)
21.
A computer system:
• with a dedicated / specific purpose or function;
• built in to a physical product / device / machine;

A. AQ (computer) system with firmware / software inside a product / device;

A. Reference to ‘system’ if relevant examples are given for clarification;

NE. A specific example e.g. “like in a washing machine” without further qualification.
[2]

2 marks for AO1 (recall)

22.
A Arithmetic logic unit;
B Control unit;

If more than two lozenges shaded then marks are not awarded.
[2]

(a) Mark is for AO2 (apply)

23.
NOT;
1

(b) Mark is for AO2 (apply)

AND;
1

(c) Mark is for AO2 (apply)

I. all labels;
1

(d) Mark is for AO2 (apply)

I. all labels;
1
[4]

3 marks for AO2 (apply)

24.
1 mark for correct column X AND Y;
1 mark for correct column NOT X;
1 mark for correct OR of the answers given in the column X AND Y and the column NOT X even
if the answers for X AND Y and NOT X are incorrect.
Kings' Education Al Barsha Page 19 of 20
The correctly completed table is:

X Y X AND Y NOT X (X AND Y) OR (NOT X)

0 0 0 1 1

0 1 0 1 1

1 0 0 0 0

1 1 1 0 1

A. follow through from previous columns

[3]

Kings' Education Al Barsha Page 20 of 20