Systems Architecture, Memory and Storage 1

1(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]

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(c). * Describe how the advances in memory technology have allowed significant improvement in the performance of devices
such as tablet computers.

The quality of your written communication will be assessed in your answer.

[6]

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2(a). Most computer systems use at least one storage device.

Explain one reason why a secondary storage device is needed in most computer systems.

[2]

(b). * 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]

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3. Amin buys a new computer with an operating system and some utilities.

State two functions of the operating system.

[2]

4(a). 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.

When running a 3D flight simulator, Computer 1 is likely to run faster than Computer 2.

Using the information in Fig. 1, identify one reason for this.

[1]

(b). Identify two internal components that are not in Fig. 1, which could improve the performance of the computers.

[2]

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 (c). Explain one reason why the cache size affects the performance of the CPU.

[2]

(d). Identify four events that take place during the fetch-execute cycle.

[4]

5(a). 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]

(b). Identify the three common storage technologies Vicky can choose from.

[3]

(c). State four characteristics of secondary storage devices that Vicky should consider when choosing a device.

[4]
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6. Here are some statements about the CPU of a computer.
Tick one box in each row to show whether each of the following statements is true or false.

Statement True False

CPU stands for Central Processing Unit.
The CPU fetches and decodes instructions.
The speed of a CPU is usually measured in GigaHertz (GHz).
If a CPU has many cores, this slows down the computer.
The hard disk drive is part of the CPU.
[5]

7(a). Bob's computer has 512 kilobytes of ROM and 8 gigabytes of RAM.

State how many bytes are in a kilobyte and a gigabyte.

a kilobyte

a gigabyte

[2]

(b). i. Describe the purpose of the ROM in Bob's computer.

ii. Describe the purpose of the RAM in Bob's computer.

[4]

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 (c). State one difference between ROM and RAM, other than the size and the purpose.

[1]

8(a). 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]

(b). Gareth's Sat Nav contains an embedded system. Define what is meant by an ‘embedded system’.

[1]

(c). Identify three devices, other than a Sat Nav, that contain embedded systems.

[3]

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9(a). A restaurant has a computer-based ordering system which is running slowly. A technician has said that the hard disc
drive is fragmented. The technician has suggested using utility software to defragment the drive.

Explain how the restaurant's hard disc could have become fragmented.

[4]

(b). Explain how defragmentation software could overcome the issue of the slow computer system.

[3]

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10(a). A law firm currently use a Local Area Network (LAN) linked to a Wide Area Network (WAN). They want to upgrade their
system to utilise cloud storage.

Explain two advantages to the law firm of storing their data in the cloud.

[4]

(b). Explain two disadvantages to the law firm of storing their data in the cloud.

[4]

END OF QUESTION PAPER

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Mark scheme

Question Answer/Indicative content Marks Part marks and guidance

• Instructions /
programs(currently
running) / data are If the candidate has described
stored in the RAM… the functions of RAM and the
• these are fetched CPU separately, only award
from the RAM by the the 2nd bullet if it is clearly
CPU / Processor stated that instructions are
1 a 3
• … where the fetched from RAM.
instructions are
executed / Mention of the fetch – execute
instructions are cycle in the CPU is enough to
processed / data is award bullet 3.
processed

• To store instructions /
data that is frequently
used / previously
used / next to be
used
b 2
• Data does not need
to be fetched from
RAM
• Speeds up access

Higher Level Response (5–

6)
E.g.
Candidates will describe the
Memory;
advances in memory and how
these have impacted
• Smaller in size
computers. Points made about
• Faster access
the memory are detailed and
• Larger capacity
linked to the advances
• More durable
There will be few if any errors
• Costs less per byte /
in spelling, grammar and
kb etc
punctuation. Technical terms
c 6
will be used appropriately and
correctly.

Technology can;
Medium level Response (3–
4)Candidates will describe
• be smaller
some advances in memory
• be more mobile /
and improvements in
portable
performance. Points made
• have similar capacity
about the memory lack detail
or may not be linked to the
advances.

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 There may be occasional
errors in spelling, grammar
and punctuation. Technical
terms will be mainly correct.

Low level Response (0–2)

Candidates may identify
changes in technology or
changes in memory.
Information will be poorly
expressed and there will be a
limited, if any, use of technical
terms. Errors of grammar,
punctuation and spelling may
be intrusive.

Total 11

Examiner's Comments

It was evident that a majority

of the candidates did not
understand the term
“secondary storage” and we
2 a suspect that they guessed
(rather than had been taught)
that this was some kind of
backup storage medium in
case the hard drive failed,
which is the answer that most
gave.

• To store the files /

e.g. operating system
• Even when the
system is switched 2
off / which must be
non-volatile.

Points may include: High Level Response (5–6

marks)
Magnetic: A detailed description of
characteristics of both solid
• Tend to be large state and magnetic devices.
capacity, relatively Examples, if used, will be
cheap Examples may have been appropriate. There will be few
b • Sensitive to 6 used to clarify points but are if any errors in spelling,
movement of system not required for the levels. grammar and punctuation.
due to moving parts Technical terms will be used
• Used as main appropriately and correctly.
storage for
computers, e.g. to Medium Level Response (3–
store OS. 4 marks)
A limited description of

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 Solid state characteristic(s) of a solid
state and / or magnetic
• Relatively expensive devices. Examples, if used,
so tend to be of are weak and do not follow
smaller capacity from the points being made.
• No moving parts so There may be occasional
not sensitive to errors in spelling, grammar
movement and punctuation. Technical
• Used when portability terms will be mainly correct.
is important…
transferring files, Low level Response (1–2
USB keys… or as m marks)
ain storage for PDAs, An attempt to describe the
mobile computers characteristic(s) of magnetic
• … as a result, or storage. Information will be
portable magnetic poorly expressed and there
formats (e.g. floppy will be a limited, if any, use of
disks) are no longer technical terms. Errors of
used in favour of grammar, punctuation and
solid state storage. spelling may be intrusive.

No response or response
not worthy of credit (0
marks)

Examiner's Comments

Some candidates did not read

the question carefully. It asked
for the characteristics of
magnetic and solid state
storage, but 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

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 exclusively in terms of
magnetic tape and floppy
disks and ignored the most
current use of this technology.

Total 8

e.g.

• Provides interfaces
between user and
computer /
Examiner's Comments
Determines look and
3 feel of the computer 2
This question was fairly well
• Provides a platform
answered.
for software to run
• Manages peripherals
used by the system
• Manages memory

Total 2

Although Computer 1 has a

lower clock speed than the
CPU in Computer 2 it has
more cores, which means that
it can be faster than
Computer 2.
4 a It has more cores. 1

Any answer relating to

splitting a program into
processes that be carried out
consecutively will be
accepted.

Marks can be awarded for

RAM other appropriate responses:
SSD
b 2
HDD E.g.
Graphics card (GPU) Motherboard
Sound card

• data is transferred
faster (1)…
• …which makes a
CPU more efficient 1 mark to be awarded for
(1) each correct identification and
c • It is faster to transfer 2 1 mark to be awarded for the
to and from cache associated explanation to a
(1)… maximum of 2 marks.
• …than transferring to
and from RAM (1).

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 • An instruction is
fetched from memory
• The instruction is
then decoded
• The decoded
instruction is then
executed so that the
CPU performs
continuously
• The process is 1 mark is to be awarded for
d repeated 4 each correct answer to a
• The program counter maximum of 4 marks.
is incremented
• The instruction is
transferred to the
MDR
• The address of the
instruction to be
fetched is placed in
the MAR

Total 9

• Long term/non-volatile
storage of data/files 1 mark only to be awarded for
5 a 1
• External/auxiliary storage of a correct definition.
data

• Optical
• Magnetic 1 mark only to be awarded for
b 3
• Solid state each correct definition.

Four characteristics from:

• Capacity/size
• Speed 1 mark is to be awarded for
c • Portability 4 each correct characteristic to
• Durability a maximum of 4 marks.
• Reliability
• Cost

Total 8

Statement True False

?Examiner's Comments??
CPU stands for
6 Central Processing ? 5
This question was generally
Unit
well answered.
The CPU fetches and
?
decodes instructions

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 The speed of a CPU
is usually measured ?
in GigaHertz (GHz)

If a CPU has many

cores, this slows ?
down the computer

The hard disk drive is

?
part of the CPU

One mark per row

Total 5

1024 × 1024 × 1024 =

1073741824.

?Examiner's Comments??

Most candidates were able to

say that 1024 or 1000 bytes in
a kilobyte but many struggled
with giving the number of
bytes in a gigabyte. Some of
• 1 kilobyte = 1024 these simply failed to read the
bytes / ?1000 bytes question carefully and give
• 1 gigabyte = 1024 × the number of megabytes in a
7 a 2
1024 × 1024 bytes / gigabyte. In other cases the
?1000000000 bytes. difficulty was due in part to
attempting to calculate the
answer using pencil and
paper methods. Centres
should note that we are
primarily concerned with the
difference in order of
magnitude between different
units, not mathematical skills,
so answers such as
1024x1024x1024 are
acceptable.

?Examiner's Comments??

ROM
Many candidates
demonstrated a good
• Stores the boot
knowledge of facts about the
program / bootstrap
RAM and ROM, but some of
b i loader / BIOS 4
these failed to score well by
• Used to start the
being less discerning about
computer / Loads the
the facts that are relevant to
operating system.
answering the question. This
part asked for the purpose of
ROM and RAM, but several

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 candidates listed the
characteristics.

RAM

• Stores the parts of

the OS / programs
that are running…
ii • Stores the data
currently in use
• … for access by the
CPU

(2 for each)

eg ?Examiner's Comments

• ROM is non-volatile Many candidates

and RAM is volatile demonstrated a good
• RAM is easily knowledge of facts about the
expandable, ROM RAM and ROM, but some of
size is (usually) fixed these failed to score well by
c 1
for a given computer being less discerning about
• Contents of RAM the facts that are relevant to
change frequently, answering the question. In this
contents of ROM part where candidates needed
never (hardly ever) to give one difference
change. between RAM and ROM,
candidates fared better.

Total 7

RAM ROM

Stores the
boot up
sequence ✓
of the Sat
Nav. Award 1 mark for each correct
The tick.
contents
8 a 3
are lost No marks should be awarded
✓
when the if ticks are in both boxes in a
Sat Nav is given row.
turned off.

Holds
copies of
open ✓
maps and
routes.

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 • A computer system
that is built into
b 1
another device

Three devices from: 1 mark to be awarded for

each correct example
• Dishwasher identified to a maximum of 3
• MP3 player marks.
c • Washing machine 3
• Mobile phone There are many other
• Manufacturing examples of devices with
equipment embedded systems which
may be acceptable.

Total 7

• Orders have been

saved onto the
system as they order
food and then
deleted once
processed (1) Up to a maximum of 4 marks.
• Once other orders A maximum of three marks if
have been made, there is no contextualisation
9 a 4
new files are created Allow a mark if candidate's
(1) which may be state that fragmentation
bigger than the increases access time (1)
spaces left by the
deleted files (1)
• The order files are
split up (1)

• Files on the hard disc

drive are moved (1)
• Empty spaces
collected together (1)
b • Files are moved to be 3 Up to a maximum of 3 marks.
stored together (1)
• Fewer disc accesses
are needed (1)

Total 7

Two advantages from: 1 mark is to be awarded for

each correct advantage, with
• It would offer a mark for a discussion of the
additional storage (1) advantage related to the law
10 a so the firm can take 4 firm. To a maximum of 2
on more cases (1) advantages.
• It is a very efficient
method of backing up The total number of marks to
data (1) and so be awarded for this task is 4

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 saves the firm time marks.
and money (1)
• It would allow their Responses which are not
employees to work contextualised will gain a
from anywhere (1) so maximum of 1 mark per
they can take cases advantage (to a maximum of
from other countries 2 advantages)
(1)
• It is environmentally
friendly (1)
• Easy to increase
availability of storage
(1)
• You don't need
specialist network
skills (1) so the firm
don't need to employ
more staff (1)
• The third party
provides security (1)
so the firm saves
money on staff and
software/hardware
(1)
• The third party
provides backup (1)
so the firm saves
money on staff and
software/hardware
(1)
• Cheaper as don't
need own
infrastructure (1)

Each advantage needs to be

contextualised to gain 2
marks.

1 mark is to be awarded for

Two disadvantages from:
each correct disadvantage
with a mark for a discussion
• You need a constant
of the disadvantage related to
internet connection
the law firm. To a maximum of
(1) which lawyers
2 disadvantages.
who travel a lot may
b not always have (1) 4
The total number of marks to
• Reliant on third party
be awarded for this task is 4
to carry out security
marks.
procedures (1) but
the firm are still
Responses which are not
legally responsible if
contextualised will gain a
things go wrong (1)
maximum of 1 mark per

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 • Reliant on third party disadvantage (to a maximum
for back up of 2 disadvantages)
connection (1)
• Data stored in the
cloud will be
vulnerable to hacking
and other threats (1)
which the firm have
no control over (1)
• Issues regarding data
ownership (1)
• Implications of Data
Protection Act (1)

Each disadvantage need to be

contextualised to gain 2 marks

Total 8

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