1 Intensive Care Units in hospitals are for patients in need of round the clock monitoring and support.

Computerised systems can be used to monitor patients’ vital signs (temperature, heart rate, blood pressure and
breathing). They can then alert medical professionals to any significant changes.

These systems usually run on an embedded, real-time, operating system.

(i) State what is meant by the term real-time.

[1]

(ii) Explain why a real-time operating system would be suitable for Intensive Care Units.

[2]

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 2 An operating system uses scheduling. One method of scheduling is first come, first served.

(i) Explain why the first come, first served scheduling method may not be efficient.

[2]

(ii) Describe one other scheduling method.

[2]

(iii) Explain why scheduling is necessary.

[4]

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 3(a) Arnold has several computing devices around his home. Each device has an operating system installed.

Arnold has a PC which has a Basic Input Output System (BIOS).

Describe what is meant by the term ‘BIOS’.

[2]

(b) Arnold has a router. It will receive data packets from other computers on Arnold’s network or the internet and
then route them on to the next step.

The scheduling algorithm Arnold’s router uses is First Come First Served.

(i) State the name of one other scheduling algorithm.

[1]

(ii) Explain why First Come First Served is a suitable scheduling algorithm for Arnold’s router.

[2]

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 (c) One role of an operating system is to manage the computer’s memory.

Two types of memory management are paging and segmentation.

Describe one difference between paging and segmentation.

[2]

(d) One role of an operating system is the Interrupt Service Handler. This allows processes being executed by the
CPU to be interrupted.

(i) One example of an interrupt would be removing an external hard disk drive from a computer.

State why this would need to interrupt the current fetch-decode-execute cycle of the CPU.

[1]

(ii) Interrupt Service Handlers make use of a stack data structure.

Describe how a stack is used when handling interrupts.

[2]

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 4(a) Operating systems can use many different scheduling algorithms.

(i) State three different scheduling algorithms.

[3]

(ii) Explain the purpose of scheduling.

[3]

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 (b) Memory management in a computer for main memory can use either paging or segmentation.

(i) Explain what is meant by ‘paging’.

[2]

(ii) Explain what is meant by ‘segmentation’.

[2]

(iii) State two similarities between paging and segmentation.

[2]

5 See And Believe is a company that specialises in computer-generated imagery (CGI) for films.

Producing CGI requires lots of processing power and so the company has a large number of high-performance
computers.

Explain why See And Believe would use a distributed operating system.

[3]

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 6 A company produces digital photo frames (i.e. photo frames that display digital photographs).

Identify the type of operating system that the photo frame is most likely to use.

Operating system Tick one

Distributed
Embedded
Multi-user
[1]

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 7 The electricity company decides to trial smart meters. These can be connected to a computer so the user can
download and analyse records of their electricity usage.

(i) In order to be able to access all the functionality of the meter, the computer needs a device driver. Describe
what is meant by the term ‘device driver’.

[2]

(ii) In order to transfer data, the meter and computer need an established set of rules for how they will
communicate.

State the term used for a set of rules for communication between two devices.

[1]

(iii) Once downloaded, the user can analyse the data.

State the type of application that the user might use to analyse the data once downloaded.

[1]

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 8(a) Desktop operating systems are an essential part of modern personal computer systems (i.e. desktops and
laptops).

Describe how a desktop operating system is loaded when a personal computer is first switched on.

[2]

(b) Operating systems often come with utilities.

State a utility that might be supplied with a desktop operating system to help with system maintenance.

[1]
(c) * One of the key functions of an operating system in a personal computer is to manage system resources
such as memory and CPU time. Discuss the different approaches a desktop operating system can take to
managing these system resources and the relative advantages of each approach.
[9]

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 9 Open source software has grown in popularity over the last few decades.

Linux is a popular open source operating system and Windows is a popular closed source operating system.

Give three functions of an operating system.

[3]
10(a) Julie is a university student. She is considering buying a laptop to help with her studies both at home and
university. Her friend has told her she will need to choose an operating system to run on her laptop.

The operating system Julie is considering makes use of paging to manage the laptop’s memory.

Explain one benefit of using paging for this purpose.

[2]

(b) State the name of one utility that Julie could install on her laptop.

[1]

END OF QUESTION PAPER

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 Mark Scheme

Question Answer/Indicative content Marks Guidance

1 i The system gives a response within a 1 For 1 mark.

guaranteed time frame (1).

ii If something happens to a patient, a 2 Up to 2 marks for a valid explanation that

response must be immediate (1). demonstrates application of knowledge
Other types of system may have and understanding to given context.
delays in response (1).
This could result in a patient not
receiving treatment in time (1).

Total 3

2 i Once a job starts it prevents other jobs 2

from being processed Examiner's Comments
A job using a slow resource (eg printer)
wastes processor time This question seemed to baffle a lot of
candidates who decided to answer a
question about priorities instead. Those
who answered the question properly
generally managed to get one mark, there
were relatively few who got full marks for
this.

ii Round robin 2 One method only - marks in pairs

Time slice to each user in turn Accept other examples, including
Or Priorities
Length of job Highest priority first
Shortest job first
Examiner's Comments

This question was well answered by most

candidates with “round robin” being the
clear favourite response.

iii Process as many jobs as possible… 4

…in least possible time / quicker Examiner's Comments
Ensure all jobs are processed (fairly)
Maximise number of interactive users… In general, this was well answered with the
…with fast response times / real time whole range of expected responses from
Efficient use of resources / processor time the mark scheme being used.

Total 8

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 Mark Scheme

Question Answer/Indicative content Marks Guidance

3 a 1 mark per bullet up to a maximum of 2 2 (AO1.2) Accept description of POST/Power On Self

marks, e.g: (2) Test for BP2

Stored in ROM
Tests hardware/components (are Accept loads up instead of boots up (BP3)
working)
Boots up the operating system Examiner’s Comments
This was generally answered well,
although some candidates were vague in
their response. The concept of the BIOS
booting up the Operating System was
missed by some, but most candidates
mentioned the BIOS checking that the
hardware is operational (POST).

Exemplar 1

Exemplar 1 was given full marks. The

candidate achieved the first mark for being
clear that the BIOS checks hardware and
has provided a suitable example. The
second mark has been awarded for
explaining that the BIOS loads the
operating system. Although it was not
essential to mention POST (Power-On-Self-
Test) this is useful to explain the process
that occurs.

b i 1 mark for any of the following bullet 1 (AO1.1) Do not Allow:

points: (1)
First come First Served
Round Robin
Multi-level feedback queues Examiner’s Comments
Shortest job first Round Robin was the most popular answer
Shortest time remaining by far. Most candidates achieved the mark
although some used the example in the
question. Candidates should be reminded
to read the questions carefully here and to
not repeat answers already provided.

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 Mark Scheme

Question Answer/Indicative content Marks Guidance

ii 1 mark per bullet up to a maximum of 2 2 (AO2.1) Accept processed instead of dispatched

marks, e.g: (2) (Bp1)

Jobs dispatched on a FIFO basis Do not accept task/data instead of jobs

Each job/packet is equal priority (BP1 to 3)
Each job/packet switch has the same
processing time Examiner’s Comments
Few candidates achieved both available
marks and most missed the concept of
jobs/packets having equal priority.

c 1 mark per bullet up to a maximum of 2 2 (AO1.2) Answer must cover paging and
marks, e.g: (2) segmentation for 2 marks.

Paging uses physical addressing….

….Segmentation uses logical
addressing Do not accept data instead of memory
Paging uses fixed size memory
blocks…. Examiner’s Comments
…. Segmentation uses variable length To get both marks, candidates need to be
memory blocks clear that paging and segmentation are
about allocating memory. Many candidates
were not clear on this and discussed
managing data or packets. Candidates
should be careful to use the correct
terminology for questions of this type in
particular.

d i 1 mark for any of the following points, e.g: 1 (AO2.1) Allow other suitable alternative answers.
(1)
GUI will need to remove open file Examiner’s Comments
manager windows Very few candidates achieved a mark here.
OS will need to remove open Many mentioned that the CPU would be
files/release locks busy but were not specific enough to gain
Inform the CPU to cease transferring the mark. In questions of this type,
files examples need to be specific to the
question.

ii 1 mark per bullet up to a maximum of 2 2 (AO1.2) Examiner’s Comments

marks, e.g: (2) Few candidates gained both marks for this
question. The concepts of pushing and
Stacks use LIFO/FILO storage popping items was mentioned by many
As processes are halted by an ISR candidates although this was often too
they are pushed on the stack vague and didn’t link to the question.
When they are returned, they are Candidates needed to use the correct
popped from the top of the stack terms for accessing items from a stack to
So they are returned to in correct order gain the marks in this question.

Total 10

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 Mark Scheme

Question Answer/Indicative content Marks Guidance

4 a i First Come First Served 3

Round Robin
Shortest Job First Accept any other processor scheduling
Shortest Remaining Time algorithm.
Multilevel Feedback Queues
Examiner's Comments

Generally well answered but there were a

small number of candidates who seem to
have got mixed up with stack and queue
operations.

ii To make the most efficient use of the 3

processor / resources Examiner's Comments
Be fair to all users / applications
Provide a reasonable response time A number of candidates seemed to have
Prevent processes from failing to run / taken an earlier answer to a similar
Process starvation / Deadlock question slightly out of context and implied
that the processor made sure that it got as
many users as possible. “Maximise the
number of users” on its own was not
considered enough for a mark.

b i Parts of a program divided into equal 2

size pieces Examiner's Comments
Uses physical divisions
This was answered as expected with most
candidates getting 1 mark, a fair amount
got 2.

ii Parts of a program divided into unequal 2

sizes Examiner's Comments
Uses logical divisions
As would be expected of this question, it
was the second part to the previous and
the spread of marks was the same.

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 Mark Scheme

Question Answer/Indicative content Marks Guidance

iii Both ways of partitioning / splitting up 2

memory
Use virtual memory / backing store to
swap parts of programs
Allow programs larger than memory to Virtual Memory / Backing store not enough
run / insufficient memory on its own.
Allows programs to be stored in
memory noncontiguously Examiner's Comments

Most candidates were quite unspecific in

their responses to this part of the question,
this was aimed at higher grade candidates
and it did define the differences between
an average response and a good one.

Total 12

5 Any 2 from: 3
Examiner's Comments
Allow multiple computers / resources…
(AO1.1) Few candidates gained full marks on this
To be treated as one / work on the question. Many candidates described
same problem (AO1.1) general characteristics of a network
operating system rather than a distributed
1 from: operating system. Fewer appropriately
related their explanation to the scenario.
Meaning all the computers can work on
producing the same special effect.
(AO2.1)

Total 3

6 Operating Tick One 1

system AO2.1
(1)
Distributed
Examiner’s Comments
Embedded ✔
Multi-user Most candidates achieved the single mark
available in this question.

Total 1

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 Mark Scheme

Question Answer/Indicative content Marks Guidance

7 i - A program/software 2
- That controls a piece of hardware AO1.1
- Providing an interface/bridge between (2)
the device and (operating) system
(1 per -, max 2) Examiner’s Comments

Many candidates stated a valid definition

for a device driver but some definitions
were too vague to gain credit at this level
of study.

ii Protocol(s) 1 cao
AO1.1
(1) Examiner’s Comments

Most candidates correctly stated

protocol(s) here.

iii - Spreadsheet package 1 Accept any suitable application.

- DBMS/database AO1.2 No proprietary names
(1 per -, max 1) (1)
Examiner’s Comments

Surprisingly fewer than anticipated

candidates achieved this mark. Candidates
should be reminded that the use of
proprietary names is not acceptable and
will not gain credit.

Total 4

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 Mark Scheme

Question Answer/Indicative content Marks Guidance

8 a - The BIOS is loaded/ carries out its 2

checks AO2.1
- the BIOS/bootstrap loads up the OS. (2)
(1 per -, max 2) Examiner’s Comments

Many candidates correctly referred to the

BIOS/bootstrap but then failed to clearly
describe the process.

b - Disk Defragmenter 1 Accept any sensible utility.

- Compression Utility AO1.2 No proprietary names
- Disk Checker (1)
- Virus checker
- File manager
(1 per -, max 1) Examiner’s Comments

Most candidates could correctly state an

appropriate utility program.

c Mark Band 3-High Level (7-9 marks) 9 AO1

The candidate demonstrates a thorough Memory management divides memory
knowledge and understanding of how OSs AO1.1 either by paging or segmentation.
manage resources (for this band these (2) Virtual memory is where part of secondary
should be reference to CPU time and AO1.2 storage is treated as extra memory space.
memory); Strong evaluation of different (2) It is used when physical memory space is
approaches. The candidate provides a AO2.1 limited.
thorough discussion which is well- (2) CPU time is allocated to processing using
balanced. AO3.3 scheduling.
Evaluative comments are consistently (3) Schedulers use different algorithms.
relevant and well-considered. When CPU attention is needed interrupts
There is a well-developed line of reasoning are generated.
which is clear and logically structured. The
information presented is relevant and AO2
substantiated. Paging divides memory by fixed size
Candidate has used appropriate technical physical divisions.
terminology throughout. There are few if Whilst all pages are the same size, what
any spelling errors or errors of grammar. that size is can vary.
Segmentation is dividing memory
Mark Band 2 -Mid Level (4-6 marks) according to variable size logical divisions.
The candidate demonstrates reasonable Scheduling algorithms include Round
knowledge and understanding of how OSs Robin (Each job gets a fixed time slice),
manage system resources (for 5+ Marks First Come First Served (The first job to
there should be reference to both CPU arrive is processed until completion, then
time and memory). The candidate provides the next…), Shortest Job First (The
a reasonable discussion, the majority of quickest to complete job is finished first),
which is focused. Evaluative comments are Shortest Remaining Time (quickest job is
for the most part appropriate, although one completed first but stops and re-evaluates
or two opportunities for development are when a new job arrives), Multi-Level
missed. Feedback Queue (Jobs are put in different
queues depending on their importance).

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 Mark Scheme

Question Answer/Indicative content Marks Guidance

There is a line of reasoning presented with Interrupts are signals sent to the processor
some structure. The information presented asking for attention.
is in the most part relevant and supported
by some evidence. AO3
There may be spelling errors or errors of With segmentation only the exact space
grammar in the response but they are not needed is used per program, however as
obtrusive. programs are loaded and removed from
memory there may be wasted space
between programs. Programmers often
need to specify segments.

Mark Band 1-Low Level (1-3 marks) The fixed size of pages make it easier to
The candidate demonstrates a basic allocate pages and work out their position.
knowledge of how OSs manage system Space inside a page may be ‘wasted’ as
resources The candidate makes a limited program is unlikely to take up exact
attempt to apply acquired knowledge and number of pages, however all pages can
understanding to the context provided be used with no wasted space between
The candidate provides a limited them. Programmer need not worry about
discussion which is narrow in focus. the pages.
Judgments if made are weak and
unsubstantiated. The information is basic In practice both are used in conjunction
and communicated in an unstructured way. (e.g. segmentation on top of paging).
The information is supported by limited
evidence and the relationship to the Some scheduling algorithms (e.g. SJF,
evidence may not be clear. STR) can cause starvation (i.e. certain jobs
There are likely to be spelling errors and/or never get processed).
errors of grammar, which will disrupt the More complicated scheduling algorithms
flow of the response take up lots of processor time for the
scheduling itself, taking away processing
0 marks time from the actual jobs that need
No attempt to answer the question or processing.
response is not worthy of credit. Interrupts mean that the processor only
has to worry about being needed when told
(as opposed to having to constantly check
i.e. polling).

Examiner’s Comments

Candidates were assessed on the quality

of their extended response in this question.
Many candidates explained the difference
between paging and segmentation, the use
of virtual memory and scheduling very well.
Some went on to describe the different
scheduling algorithm techniques equally
well and discussed the relative advantages
of each function. Many candidates scored
well on this question.

Total 12

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 Mark Scheme

Question Answer/Indicative content Marks Guidance

9 – Provide a user interface 3 (AO1.1) Examiner’s Comments

– Provide System Security
– Manage hardware Candidates need to be reminded that they
– Provide utilities need to be specific when giving the
– Provide a platform from which software functions of an operating system. Ideally
can be installed/run referring to those outlined in the
– Schedule jobs specification. Responses like ‘manage
– Handle interrupts resources’ is not specific enough at this
– Manage memory level of study, the resources referred to
(1 per - , max 3) must be specified.

Total 3

10 a 1 mark per bullet up to a maximum of 2 2

marks, e.g: AO1.2
(2)
Programs/data can be held in non-
contiguous memory locations (using
virtual addressing)…
…making it easier to make best use of
remaining storage/ to avoid having to
move content around to fit in new
programs.
It allows pages to be transferred to and
from secondary storage (i.e. virtual
memory).
As random access there is no
performance drop vs sequential
storage

b 1 mark for any of the following bullet 1

points: e.g. AO1.1
(1)
Disk Defragmentation
System Clean-up
Anti-Virus/Malware
Firewall
File management
Disk Drivers

Total 3

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