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Paper 1 (Computer Science) - 105046

This document is an examination paper for the Cambridge O Level Computer Science subject, specifically Paper 1 Theory for May/June 2020 and 2021. It includes instructions for candidates, information about the exam structure, and a variety of questions covering topics such as computer components, data transmission, error detection methods, and security measures. The total mark for each paper is 75, and candidates are required to answer all questions without the use of calculators or additional materials.

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0% found this document useful (0 votes)

17 views232 pages

Paper 1 (Computer Science) - 105046

Uploaded by

Minecrafter lover

We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.

Available Formats

Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

You are on page 1/ 232

Cambridge O Level

* 2 3 1 7 2 5 8 2 6 4 *

COMPUTER SCIENCE 2210/11

Paper 1 Theory May/June 2020

1 hour 45 minutes

You must answer on the question paper.

No additional materials are needed.

INSTRUCTIONS
● Answer all questions.
● Use a black or dark blue pen. You may use an HB pencil for any diagrams or graphs.
● Write your name, centre number and candidate number in the boxes at the top of the page.
● Write your answer to each question in the space provided.
● Do not use an erasable pen or correction fluid.
● Do not write on any bar codes.
● Calculators must not be used in this paper.

INFORMATION
● The total mark for this paper is 75.
● The number of marks for each question or part question is shown in brackets [ ].
● No marks will be awarded for using brand names of software packages or hardware.

This document has 12 pages. Blank pages are indicated.

DC (CJ) 205481/1 R
© UCLES 2020 [Turn over
2

1 An image of a smartphone is shown.

(a) Identify one input device that is part of the smartphone.

............................................................................................................................................. [1]

(b) Identify two output devices that are part of the smartphone.

1 ................................................................................................................................................

2 ................................................................................................................................................
[2]

(c) All smartphones have a MAC address.

(i) State what is meant by the term MAC address.

...........................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................... [1]

(ii) Describe the structure of a MAC address.

...........................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................... [3]

© UCLES 2020 2210/11/M/J/20

(d) A smartphone needs both RAM and ROM.

State why a smartphone needs RAM and ROM.

RAM ..........................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

ROM .........................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................
[2]

(e) Modern smartphones can be secured with a biometric system that is built into the phone.

(i) Identify two biometric systems that would be suitable for securing a smartphone.

1 ........................................................................................................................................

2 ........................................................................................................................................
[2]

(ii) Explain why modern smartphones are secured with a biometric system.

...........................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................... [2]

© UCLES 2020 2210/11/M/J/20 [Turn over

2 Consider the logic statement:

X = (((A NAND B) OR (B XOR C)) AND NOT C)

(a) Draw a logic circuit to match the given logic statement.

All logic gates must have a maximum of two inputs. Do not attempt to simplify the logic
statement.

B X

[5]

(b) Complete the truth table to represent the given logic statement.

Working space
A B C X

0 0 0
0 0 1
0 1 0
0 1 1
1 0 0
1 0 1
1 1 0
1 1 1
[4]

© UCLES 2020 2210/11/M/J/20

3 Carla’s computer has a USB port.

Carla uses the USB port to connect her mobile device to her computer, to transfer her photos.

(a) Give three benefits of using a USB port to connect the mobile device to the computer.

Benefit 1 ...................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

Benefit 2 ...................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

Benefit 3 ...................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................
[3]

(b) State the type of data transmission used when transferring data using a USB port.

............................................................................................................................................. [1]

(c) Carla wants to reduce the file size of the photos she has transferred to her computer.
She does not want the quality of the photos to be reduced, so she uses lossless compression.

Describe how lossless compression reduces the file size of the photos.

...................................................................................................................................................

............................................................................................................................................. [4]

© UCLES 2020 2210/11/M/J/20 [Turn over

4 Two error detection methods that Allison’s computer uses are check digit and checksum.

(a) Give two similarities between the check digit and checksum methods.

1 ................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

2 ................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................
[2]

(b) Identify one other error detection method that Allison’s computer could use.

Describe how the method checks for errors.

Method ......................................................................................................................................

Description ................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................
[4]

© UCLES 2020 2210/11/M/J/20

5 Six components of a computer are given.

Some are part of the central processing unit (CPU) of the Von Neumann model for a computer
system.

Tick (✓) to show if each component is a CPU component or is Not a CPU component.

CPU Not a CPU

Component component component
(✓) (✓)
Arithmetic logic unit (ALU)
Hard disk drive (HDD)
Memory address register (MAR)
Random access memory (RAM)
Solid state drive (SSD)
Control unit (CU)
[6]

6 Four scenarios are given.

Identify the most suitable sensor for each scenario.

A different sensor must be used for each scenario.

Sensor Scenario

Detecting when a person is approaching an automatic

door system

Monitoring the pollution level in a river

Checking if a tropical aquarium is 25 degrees Celsius

Counting the number of cars that cross a bridge

[4]

© UCLES 2020 2210/11/M/J/20 [Turn over

7 Hans has a website selling comic books. Customers can create an account to buy the comic
books.

Customers enter a username and password to log in to their account.

(a) Customers may worry about keylogging software being used to gain unauthorised access to
their account.

(i) Describe how keylogging software can be used to gain unauthorised access to a
customer’s account.

...........................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................... [4]

(ii) Identify a feature that Hans can add to the website to limit the threat of keylogging
software.

..................................................................................................................................... [1]

(b) Hans makes sure data transmission for his website is secure.

(i) State how customers can check that the personal details they enter into the website will
be transmitted securely.

...........................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................... [1]

(ii) Explain how a customer’s browser checks that the website is secure.

...........................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................... [4]
© UCLES 2020 2210/11/M/J/20
9

8 Benny is a photographer and prints his photos using an inkjet printer.

(a) Benny is printing some photos and the paper gets jammed in the printer.

A signal is sent to alert the computer about the paper jam.

State the name of this type of signal.

............................................................................................................................................. [1]

(b) Identify one benefit and two drawbacks of Benny using an inkjet printer, instead of a laser
printer, to print his photos.

Benefit ......................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

Drawback 1 ...............................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

Drawback 2 ...............................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................
[3]

(c) Four statements are given about printers.

Tick (✓) to show whether the statement applies to an Inkjet printer or a Laser printer.

Inkjet Laser
Statement
(✓) (✓)
Uses a rotating drum to transfer the image to the paper
Uses powdered toner
Uses nozzles to spray droplets on to the paper
Uses a print head mechanism that moves side to side
[4]

© UCLES 2020 2210/11/M/J/20 [Turn over

9 Programs can be written in a low-level language.

(a) Identify three features of a low-level language.

Feature 1 ..................................................................................................................................

Feature 2 ..................................................................................................................................

Feature 3 ..................................................................................................................................
[3]

(b) Give two examples of a low-level language.

Example 1 .................................................................................................................................

Example 2 .................................................................................................................................
[2]

...................................................................................................................................................

............................................................................................................................................. [1]

(d) A low-level language needs to be converted to binary before it can be processed by a

computer.

(i) Give the 8-bit binary value of the two denary values:

180 ....................................................................................................................................

201 ....................................................................................................................................
[2]

Working space

...........................................................................................................................................

© UCLES 2020 2210/11/M/J/20

(ii) Give the 12-bit binary value of the denary value 250.

..................................................................................................................................... [1]

Working space

...........................................................................................................................................

(iii) Binary can be represented as hexadecimal to make it easier to read.

Give the hexadecimal values of the 8-bit binary values:

10010011 ...........................................................................................................................

00011101 ...........................................................................................................................
[2]

© UCLES 2020 2210/11/M/J/20

BLANK PAGE

Permission to reproduce items where third-party owned material protected by copyright is included has been sought and cleared where possible. Every
reasonable effort has been made by the publisher (UCLES) to trace copyright holders, but if any items requiring clearance have unwittingly been included, the
publisher will be pleased to make amends at the earliest possible opportunity.

To avoid the issue of disclosure of answer-related information to candidates, all copyright acknowledgements are reproduced online in the Cambridge
Assessment International Education Copyright Acknowledgements Booklet. This is produced for each series of examinations and is freely available to download
at www.cambridgeinternational.org after the live examination series.

Cambridge Assessment International Education is part of the Cambridge Assessment Group. Cambridge Assessment is the brand name of the University of
Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate (UCLES), which itself is a department of the University of Cambridge.

© UCLES 2020 2210/11/M/J/20

Cambridge O Level
* 8 4 5 2 7 3 6 3 8 4 *

COMPUTER SCIENCE 2210/11

Paper 1 Theory May/June 2021

1 hour 45 minutes

You must answer on the question paper.

No additional materials are needed.

This document has 16 pages. Any blank pages are indicated.

DC (LO) 213859
© UCLES 2021 [Turn over
2

1 Benedict has a computer that is assigned an Internet Protocol (IP) address. The IP address is:

198.167.214.0

The IP address is represented as denary values.

(a) Convert the denary values 167 and 214 from the IP address to 8-bit binary.

167

214

Working space

...................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................
[2]

(b) Benedict’s computer is also assigned a Media Access Control (MAC) address.

(i) Identify one similarity between an IP address and a MAC address.

...........................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................... [1]

(ii) Identify two differences between an IP address and a MAC address.

Difference 1 .......................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

Difference 2 .......................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................
[2]

© UCLES 2021 2210/11/M/J/21

2 Julia inputs personal data into her computer.

She stores three copies of the data using a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid state drive (SSD) and a
USB flash memory drive.

(a) Identify three devices Julia can use to input personal data into her computer.

Device 1 ....................................................................................................................................

Device 2 ....................................................................................................................................

Device 3 ....................................................................................................................................
[3]

(b) Six statements are shown about HDDs, SSDs and USB flash memory drives.

Tick (✓) to show which statements apply to each type of storage. Some statements can apply
to more than one type of storage.

USB flash
memory
Statement
HDD SSD drive
(✓) (✓) (✓)

it has no moving parts

it is non-volatile

it can use NAND gates to store data

it uses magnetic properties to store data

it has the smallest physical size

it has the slowest read/write speeds

[6]

© UCLES 2021 2210/11/M/J/21 [Turn over

(i) One benefit of using a USB connection is that it is a universal connection.

State two other benefits of using a USB connection.

Benefit 1 ............................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

Benefit 2 ............................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................
[2]

(ii) Identify the type of data transmission used in a USB connection.

..................................................................................................................................... [1]

© UCLES 2021 2210/11/M/J/21

3 A firewall can be used to help keep the data secure that is stored on a computer.

(a) The given paragraph describes how the firewall operates to help keep the data secure.

Complete the paragraph using the most appropriate terms from the given list. Not all of the
terms on the list need to be used.

• Accept
• Criteria
• Hacking
• Input
• Network
• Outgoing
• Output
• Processor
• Reject
• Software
• Store
• Storage

A firewall can be ............................................ or hardware based. It monitors traffic between

the computer and the ............................................ The user sets ............................................

for the traffic. The firewall will .............................................. or ............................................

the traffic based on this. It can help prevent ............................................ and malicious

software that could be a threat to the security of the data.

[6]

(b) Identify three other methods that could be used to keep the data secure.

Method 1 ...................................................................................................................................

Method 2 ...................................................................................................................................

Method 3 ...................................................................................................................................
[3]

© UCLES 2021 2210/11/M/J/21 [Turn over

4 Two internet risks are phishing and pharming.

Describe what is meant by phishing and pharming.

Phishing ...........................................................................................................................................

..........................................................................................................................................................

Pharming ..........................................................................................................................................

..........................................................................................................................................................

..........................................................................................................................................................
[6]

© UCLES 2021 2210/11/M/J/21

5 Jamelia has a greenhouse that she uses to grow fruit and vegetables. She needs to make sure
the temperature in the greenhouse stays between 25 °C and 30 °C (inclusive).

A system that has a temperature sensor and a microprocessor is used to maintain the temperature
in the greenhouse. The system will:

• open a window and turn a heater off if it gets too hot

• close a window and turn a heater on if it gets too cold.

Describe how the system uses the temperature sensor and the microprocessor to maintain the
temperature in the greenhouse.

..........................................................................................................................................................

.................................................................................................................................................... [8]

© UCLES 2021 2210/11/M/J/21 [Turn over

6 Consider the logic statement:

X = (((A AND B) OR (C AND NOT B)) XOR NOT C)

(a) Draw a logic circuit to represent the given logic statement.

Do not attempt to simplify the statement. All logic gates must have a maximum of two inputs.

B X

[6]

© UCLES 2021 2210/11/M/J/21

(b) Consider the completed truth table for the given logic statement.

Row Working space

A B C X
number

1 0 0 0 0

2 0 0 1 1

3 0 1 0 0

4 0 1 1 1

5 1 0 0 0

6 1 0 1 1

7 1 1 0 0

8 1 1 1 1

There are four errors in the truth table in the output (X) column.

Identify the four incorrect outputs.

Write the row number to identify each incorrect output.

Row ........................

Row ........................
[4]

© UCLES 2021 2210/11/M/J/21 [Turn over

7 A music company has a website that allows users to stream music. The music is stored in sound
files.

(a) The sound files are compressed using lossless compression.

(i) Describe how the sound files are compressed using lossless compression.

...........................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................... [4]

(ii) State one reason why the music company would compress the sound files using
lossless, rather than lossy, compression.

...........................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................... [1]

(iii) Give one benefit, to the user, of the music company compressing the sound files.

...........................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................... [1]

(iv) Give one drawback of the music company using lossless, rather than lossy, compression
for the sound files.

...........................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................... [2]

© UCLES 2021 2210/11/M/J/21

(b) Describe how the web pages for the website are requested and displayed on a user’s
computer.

...................................................................................................................................................

............................................................................................................................................. [4]

Explain why this will prevent users from accessing the website.

...................................................................................................................................................

............................................................................................................................................. [2]

© UCLES 2021 2210/11/M/J/21 [Turn over

8 Four 7-bit binary values are transmitted from one computer to another. A parity bit is added to
each binary value creating 8-bit binary values. All the binary values are transmitted and received
correctly.

(a) Identify whether each 8-bit binary value has been sent using odd or even parity by writing odd
or even in the type of parity column.

8-bit binary value Type of parity

01100100

10010001

00000011

10110010
[4]

(b) An error may not be detected when using a parity check.

Identify why an error may not be detected.

...................................................................................................................................................

............................................................................................................................................. [1]

(c) The data is sent using parallel half-duplex data transmission.

(i) Describe how data is sent using parallel half-duplex data transmission.

...........................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................... [4]

(ii) State two drawbacks of using parallel data transmission.

Drawback 1 .......................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

Drawback 2 .......................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................
[2]

© UCLES 2021 2210/11/M/J/21

BLANK PAGE

© UCLES 2021 2210/11/M/J/21

BLANK PAGE

© UCLES 2021 2210/11/M/J/21

BLANK PAGE

© UCLES 2021 2210/11/M/J/21

BLANK PAGE

© UCLES 2021 2210/11/M/J/21

Cambridge O Level
* 7 4 2 6 7 9 7 9 7 6 *

COMPUTER SCIENCE 2210/11

Paper 1 Theory May/June 2022

1 hour 45 minutes

You must answer on the question paper.

No additional materials are needed.

This document has 12 pages. Any blank pages are indicated.

DC (CJ) 312483
© UCLES 2022 [Turn over
2

1 Jack has an MP3 file stored on his computer.

(a) (i) Tick (3) to show which type of data is stored in an MP3 file.

Tick (3)

Video

Sound

Image
[1]

(ii) Tick (3) to show whether the MP3 file is a lossy compressed file or a lossless compressed
file or not a compressed file.

Tick (3)

Lossy compressed file

Lossless compressed file

Not a compressed file

[1]

2 A computer is designed using the Von Neumann model for a computer system.

The computer has a central processing unit (CPU).

(a) Data is fetched from primary storage into the CPU to be processed.

(i) State the name of the primary storage from where data is fetched.

..................................................................................................................................... [1]

(ii) The CPU performs a cycle to process data. Fetch is the first stage in this cycle.

State the names of the second and third stages in the cycle.

Second stage ....................................................................................................................

Third stage ........................................................................................................................

[2]

(iii) Identify two components within the CPU that are used in the fetch stage of the cycle.

Component 1 .....................................................................................................................

Component 2 .....................................................................................................................
[2]

© UCLES 2022 2210/11/M/J/22

3 Three types of storage media are magnetic, optical and solid state.

(a) One example of solid‑state storage is a Solid State Drive (SSD).

Identify one other example of solid‑state storage.

............................................................................................................................................. [1]

(b) Optical storage uses a laser to store and read data from a disk.

Explain how the laser is used to store and read data from the disk.

...................................................................................................................................................

............................................................................................................................................. [3]

(i) Give three reasons why an SSD is the most suitable secondary storage for their mobile
device.

Reason 1 ...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

Reason 2 ...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

Reason 3 ...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................
[3]

(ii) Identify two examples of software that can be stored on the SSD.

Example 1 .........................................................................................................................

Example 2 .........................................................................................................................
[2]

© UCLES 2022 2210/11/M/J/22 [Turn over

4 All data needs to be converted to binary data so that it can be processed by a computer.

(a) Explain why a computer can only process binary data.

...................................................................................................................................................

............................................................................................................................................. [2]

(b) The denary values 64, 101 and 242 are converted to 8‑bit binary values.

Give the 8‑bit binary value for each denary value.

64 ..............................................................................................................................................

101 ............................................................................................................................................

242 ............................................................................................................................................
[3]

Working space

...................................................................................................................................................

(c) The hexadecimal values 42 and CE are converted to binary.

Give the binary value for each hexadecimal value.

42 ..............................................................................................................................................

CE .............................................................................................................................................
[4]

Working space

...................................................................................................................................................

© UCLES 2022 2210/11/M/J/22

5 An image is stored on a computer. The image is 16‑bit colour and is 100 pixels high and
150 pixels wide.

Calculate the file size of the image in bytes. Show all your working.

..........................................................................................................................................................

Answer ................................................ bytes

[3]

6 A compiler and an interpreter are two different types of translator.

(a) One similarity between a compiler and an interpreter is that they both translate high‑level
language into machine code.

(i) Give one other similarity between a compiler and an interpreter.

...........................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................... [1]

(ii) Explain two differences between a compiler and an interpreter.

...........................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................... [4]

© UCLES 2022 2210/11/M/J/22 [Turn over

7 Adele chooses to set a biometric password for her mobile device, instead of a
personal identification number (PIN).

(a) State what is meant by a biometric password.

...................................................................................................................................................

............................................................................................................................................. [1]

(b) Give two reasons why a biometric password is more secure than a PIN.

Reason 1 ..................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

Reason 2 ..................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................
[2]

(c) Adele has a software‑based firewall installed on her mobile device.

The firewall gathers data about the traffic coming into and going out of her mobile device.

Explain how the firewall uses the gathered data to keep the mobile device more secure.

...................................................................................................................................................

............................................................................................................................................. [3]

(d) Adele also encrypts the data on her mobile device to keep it more secure.

State how encryption will keep the data more secure.

...................................................................................................................................................

............................................................................................................................................. [1]

© UCLES 2022 2210/11/M/J/22

BLANK PAGE

© UCLES 2022 2210/11/M/J/22 [Turn over

8 Consider the following logic statement:

X = (((A AND NOT B) OR (NOT (B NOR C))) AND C)

(a) Draw a logic circuit to represent the given logic statement.

Do not attempt to simplify the logic statement. All logic gates must have a maximum of two
inputs.

B X

[6]

© UCLES 2022 2210/11/M/J/22

(b) Complete the truth table for the given logic statement.

Working space
A B C X

0 0 0

0 0 1

0 1 0

0 1 1

1 0 0

1 0 1

1 1 0

1 1 1
[4]

© UCLES 2022 2210/11/M/J/22 [Turn over

9 Three Internet terms are browser, Internet Protocol (IP) address and
Uniform Resource Locator (URL).

Five statements are given about the Internet terms.

Tick (3) to show which statements apply to each Internet term. Some statements may apply to
more than one Internet term.

Browser IP address URL

Statement
(3) (3) (3)

it contains the domain name

it is a type of software

it converts Hypertext Markup Language (HTML)

to display web pages

it is a type of address

it stores cookies

[5]

10 Many devices have a Media Access Control (MAC) address.

Give three features of a MAC address.

Feature 1 ..........................................................................................................................................

..........................................................................................................................................................

Feature 2 ..........................................................................................................................................

..........................................................................................................................................................

Feature 3 ..........................................................................................................................................

..........................................................................................................................................................
[3]

© UCLES 2022 2210/11/M/J/22

11 (a) The paragraph describes the process of printing a document using an inkjet printer.

Complete the paragraph using the most appropriate terms from the list. Not all of the terms in
the list need to be used.

• binary
• buffer
• drum
• information
• interrupt
• laser
• liquid
• nozzles
• operating system
• powder
• thermal bubble
• toner

Data is sent from the computer to the printer. The data is held in a print

........................................................................ that is temporary storage until the data is

processed to be printed.

Inkjet printers operate by having a print head that moves

........................................................................ side to side across the page. These

spray ........................................................................ ink droplets onto the page. These ink

droplets can be created using piezoelectric or ........................................................................

technology.

If the paper jams in the printing process, the printing stops and an

........................................................................ is sent to the computer.

[5]

(b) A printer is one example of an output device.

Give three other examples of output devices.

Example 1 .................................................................................................................................

Example 2 .................................................................................................................................

Example 3 .................................................................................................................................
[3]

(c) Give three examples of input devices.

Example 1 .................................................................................................................................

Example 2 .................................................................................................................................

Example 3 .................................................................................................................................
[3]
© UCLES 2022 2210/11/M/J/22 [Turn over
12

12 Computer ethics are a concern for any users of the Internet.

Identify and describe three ethical issues that could be a concern when using the Internet.

..........................................................................................................................................................

.................................................................................................................................................... [6]

Permission to reproduce items where third‑party owned material protected by copyright is included has been sought and cleared where possible. Every
reasonable effort has been made by the publisher (UCLES) to trace copyright holders, but if any items requiring clearance have unwittingly been included, the
publisher will be pleased to make amends at the earliest possible opportunity.

To avoid the issue of disclosure of answer‑related information to candidates, all copyright acknowledgements are reproduced online in the Cambridge
Assessment International Education Copyright Acknowledgements Booklet. This is produced for each series of examinations and is freely available to download
at www.cambridgeinternational.org after the live examination series.

Cambridge Assessment International Education is part of Cambridge Assessment. Cambridge Assessment is the brand name of the University of Cambridge
Local Examinations Syndicate (UCLES), which is a department of the University of Cambridge.

© UCLES 2022 2210/11/M/J/22

Cambridge O Level
* 2 6 9 9 8 1 7 2 6 8 *

COMPUTER SCIENCE 2210/11

Paper 1 Computer Systems May/June 2023

1 hour 45 minutes

You must answer on the question paper.

No additional materials are needed.

This document has 12 pages. Any blank pages are indicated.

DC (ST) 326830
© UCLES 2023 [Turn over
2

1 Binary is a number system used by computers.

(a) Tick (3) one box to show which statement about the binary number system is correct.

A It is a base 1 system

B It is a base 2 system

C It is a base 10 system

D It is a base 16 system
[1]

(b) Denary numbers are converted to binary numbers to be processed by a computer.

Convert these three denary numbers to 8‑bit binary numbers.

50 ..............................................................................................................................................

102 ............................................................................................................................................

221 ............................................................................................................................................
[3]

Working space

...................................................................................................................................................

© UCLES 2023 2210/11/M/J/23

(c) Binary numbers are stored in registers.

Negative denary numbers can be represented as binary using two’s complement.

Complete the binary register for the denary number –78

You must show all your working.

Working space ..........................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

[2]

(d) Two 8‑bit binary numbers are given.

Add the two 8‑bit binary numbers using binary addition.

Give your answer in binary. Show all your working.

00110011
+01100001

[3]

(e) Two binary numbers are added by a computer and an overflow error occurs.

Explain why the overflow error occurred.

...................................................................................................................................................

............................................................................................................................................. [2]

© UCLES 2023 2210/11/M/J/23 [Turn over

2 A student has a sound file that is too large to be stored on their external secondary storage device.
The student compresses the sound file to make the file size smaller.

The compression method used reduces the sample rate and the sample resolution of the sound
file.

(a) State what is meant by the sample rate and sample resolution.

Sample rate ..............................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

Sample resolution .....................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................
[2]

(b) Identify which type of compression has been used to compress the sound file.

...................................................................................................................................................

............................................................................................................................................. [1]

(i) Identify two pieces of data that would be included in the header of each packet.

1 ........................................................................................................................................

2 ........................................................................................................................................
[2]

(ii) Explain how the file is transmitted using packet switching.

...........................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................... [5]

© UCLES 2023 2210/11/M/J/23

3 Secondary storage devices are used to store data in a computer.

(a) Circle three components that are secondary storage devices.

central processing unit (CPU) compact disk (CD)

hard disk drive (HDD) random access memory (RAM) read only memory (ROM)

register sensor solid‑state drive (SSD)

[3]

(b) Tick (3) one box to show which statement about secondary storage is correct.

A It is directly accessed by the CPU.

B It is magnetic storage only.

C It is used to permanently store software and data files.

D It is volatile.
[1]

4 Complete the statements about different types of software.

Use the terms from the list.

Some of the terms in the list will not be used. You should only use a term once.

application assembly language bootloader central processing unit (CPU)

firmware hardware operating output system user

........................................................................ software provides the services that the computer

requires; an example is utility software.

........................................................................ software is run on the operating system.

The ........................................................................ system is run on the firmware, which is run on

the ........................................................................ .
[4]

© UCLES 2023 2210/11/M/J/23 [Turn over

5 A farm has an automated drinking system for its animals. The drinking system has a water bowl
that contains the water. When the water bowl is empty, it is automatically refilled.

The system uses a sensor and a microprocessor.

(a) Identify the most appropriate sensor for this system.

............................................................................................................................................. [1]

(b) Describe how the sensor and the microprocessor are used to automatically refill the water
bowl.

...................................................................................................................................................

............................................................................................................................................. [6]

© UCLES 2023 2210/11/M/J/23

6 A user wants to connect their computer to a network.

(a) (i) Identify the component in the computer that is needed to access a network.

..................................................................................................................................... [1]

(ii) Identify the type of address that is allocated to the component by the manufacturer,
which is used to uniquely identify the device.

..................................................................................................................................... [1]

(b) A dynamic internet protocol (IP) address is allocated to the computer when it is connected to
the network.

(i) Identify the device on the network that can connect multiple devices and automatically
assign them an IP address.

..................................................................................................................................... [1]

(ii) Describe what is meant by a dynamic IP address.

...........................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................... [3]

7 A programmer uses a low‑level language to write a computer program for a vending machine.

(a) Describe what is meant by a low‑level language.

...................................................................................................................................................

............................................................................................................................................. [2]

(b) Give two reasons why the programmer would choose to write the computer program in a
low‑level language instead of a high‑level language.

1 ................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

2 ................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................
[2]
© UCLES 2023 2210/11/M/J/23 [Turn over
8

8 A manager at a company is concerned about a brute‑force attack on its employee user accounts.

(a) Describe how a brute‑force attack can be used to gain access to the employee user accounts.

...................................................................................................................................................

............................................................................................................................................. [3]

(b) One possible aim for carrying out a brute‑force attack is to install malware onto the company
network.

(i) State two other aims for carrying out a brute‑force attack to gain access to the employee
user accounts.

1 ........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

2 ........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................
[2]

(ii) Identify three types of malware that could be installed.

1 ........................................................................................................................................

2 ........................................................................................................................................

3 ........................................................................................................................................
[3]

1 ................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

2 ................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................
[2]

© UCLES 2023 2210/11/M/J/23

9 A company uses robots in its factory to manufacture large pieces of furniture.

(a) One characteristic of a robot is that it is programmable.

State two other characteristics of a robot.

1 ................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

2 ................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................
[2]

(b) Give two advantages to company employees of using robots to manufacture large pieces of
furniture.

1 ................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

2 ................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................
[2]

...................................................................................................................................................

............................................................................................................................................. [1]

© UCLES 2023 2210/11/M/J/23 [Turn over

10 A student uses the internet for their schoolwork to research what is meant by pharming.

(a) State the aim of pharming.

...................................................................................................................................................

............................................................................................................................................. [1]

(b) Draw and annotate a diagram to represent the process of pharming.

[4]

Explain the purpose of the web browser.

...................................................................................................................................................

............................................................................................................................................. [2]

© UCLES 2023 2210/11/M/J/23

(d) Storing cookies is one function of the web browser.

Give three other functions of the web browser.

1 ................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

2 ................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

3 ................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................
[3]

(e) A student visits a website that uses session cookies, instead of persistent cookies.

Explain the difference between session cookies and persistent cookies.

...................................................................................................................................................

............................................................................................................................................. [4]

© UCLES 2023 2210/11/M/J/23

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© UCLES 2023 2210/11/M/J/23

Cambridge Assessment International Education
Cambridge Ordinary Level
* 1 5 7 7 3 0 8 7 3 9 *

COMPUTER SCIENCE 2210/12

Paper 1 Theory May/June 2019
1 hour 45 minutes
Candidates answer on the Question Paper.
No Additional Materials are required.
No calculators allowed.

READ THESE INSTRUCTIONS FIRST

Write your centre number, candidate number and name in the spaces at the top of this page.
Write in dark blue or black pen.
You may use an HB pencil for any diagrams, graphs or rough working.
Do not use staples, paper clips, glue or correction fluid.
DO NOT WRITE IN ANY BARCODES.

Answer all questions.

No marks will be awarded for using brand names of software packages or hardware.

Any businesses described in this paper are entirely fictitious.

At the end of the examination, fasten all your work securely together.
The number of marks is given in brackets [ ] at the end of each question or part question.

The maximum number of marks is 75.

This document consists of 11 printed pages and 1 blank page.

DC (MM) 181061
© UCLES 2019 [Turn over
2

1 Input and output devices are often connected to a personal computer.

(a) Identify three input devices that can be connected to a personal computer.

1 ................................................................................................................................................

2 ................................................................................................................................................

3 ................................................................................................................................................
[3]

(b) Identify three output devices that can be connected to a personal computer.

1 ................................................................................................................................................

2 ................................................................................................................................................

3 ................................................................................................................................................
[3]

2 A finance company uses off-line storage to archive their accounts.

(a) Explain what is meant by off-line storage.

...................................................................................................................................................

............................................................................................................................................. [2]

(b) The computers in the finance company use both primary and secondary storage.

(i) Give one example of primary storage.

..................................................................................................................................... [1]

(ii) Give two examples of secondary storage.

1 ........................................................................................................................................

2 ........................................................................................................................................
[2]

© UCLES 2019 2210/12/M/J/19

3 Vanessa writes a paragraph as an answer to an examination question about the central processing
unit (CPU).

Use the list given to complete Vanessa’s answer by inserting the correct six missing terms.
Not all terms will be used.

• Components
• Data
• Decoded
• Executed
• Fetched
• Instructions
• RAM
• ROM
• Secondary storage

The CPU processes ........................................................ and ........................................................ .

An instruction is ........................................................ from ........................................................

into the CPU where it is then ........................................................ . Once this has taken place the

instruction is then ........................................................ .

[6]

© UCLES 2019 2210/12/M/J/19 [Turn over

4 (a) Marley wants to store a video he has created for his school project.

He considers using a DVD or a Blu-ray to store the video.

Explain two differences between a DVD and a Blu-ray.

1 ................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

2 ................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................
[2]

(b) (i) Marley also needs to store ten 8-bit colour images in a file for his project.

Each image is 500 pixels wide and 300 pixels high.

Calculate the total file size in megabytes (MB) for all Marley’s images.

Show all your working.

...........................................................................................................................................

File size ....................................................... MB

[3]

© UCLES 2019 2210/12/M/J/19

(ii) Marley prints the images for his project using an inkjet printer.

Describe how the inkjet printer prints an image.

...........................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................... [4]

5 A music company wants to send a new music file to many radio stations. It will send the music file
the day before the release date so that the radio stations can store the file ready for release.

The music company does not want the radio stations to be able to open the music file until 09:00
on the release date.

Identify two security measures and describe how each measure can be used to make sure the
music file cannot be opened until the release date.

Security measure 1 ..........................................................................................................................

Description .......................................................................................................................................

..........................................................................................................................................................

Security measure 2 ..........................................................................................................................

Description .......................................................................................................................................

..........................................................................................................................................................

..........................................................................................................................................................
[4]

© UCLES 2019 2210/12/M/J/19 [Turn over

6 Priya creates a website to sell her old comic books and superhero figures.

(a) She uses HTML to create her website. The HTML she produces has both structure and
presentation.

Explain what is meant by HTML structure and presentation. Include an example of each.

Structure ...................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

Presentation .............................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................
[4]

(b) Priya uses cookies in her website.

Five statements are given about cookies.

Tick (✓) to show if the statement is True or False.

True False
Statement
(✓) (✓)

Cookies can be used to store a customer’s credit card details

Cookies can be used to track the items a customer has viewed on a website

Cookies will corrupt the data on a customer’s computer

Cookies are downloaded onto a customer’s computer

Cookies can be deleted from a customer’s computer

[5]

© UCLES 2019 2210/12/M/J/19

(c) Priya stores her website on a webserver.

To transmit the website data to the webserver she uses parallel duplex data transmission.

Describe how data is transmitted using parallel duplex data transmission.

...................................................................................................................................................

............................................................................................................................................. [4]

(d) Priya has a URL for her website.

State what is meant by a URL.

...................................................................................................................................................

............................................................................................................................................. [1]

(e) Priya is concerned about a denial of service attack (DoS) occurring on her webserver.

(i) Explain what is meant by a denial of service attack.

...........................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................... [4]

(ii) Give one security device that can be used to help prevent a denial of service attack.

..................................................................................................................................... [1]

© UCLES 2019 2210/12/M/J/19 [Turn over

7 (a) An office has an automated lighting system. When movement is detected in the office the
lights are switched on. If movement is not detected for a period of 2 minutes the lights are
switched off. The system uses a sensor and a microprocessor.

Describe how the automated lighting system uses a sensor and a microprocessor.

...................................................................................................................................................

............................................................................................................................................. [6]

(b) A microprocessor uses ROM.

Explain what is meant by ROM.

...................................................................................................................................................

............................................................................................................................................. [3]

© UCLES 2019 2210/12/M/J/19

8 Consider the logic statement:

X = 1 if ((A is 1 NOR C is 1) AND (B is NOT 1 NOR C is 1)) OR (A is 1 AND B is 1)

(a) Draw a logic circuit to match the given logic statement. Each logic gate used must have a
maximum of two inputs. Do not attempt to simplify the logic statement.

B X

[6]

(b) Complete the truth table for the given logic statement.

Working space
A B C X

0 0 0

0 0 1

0 1 0

0 1 1

1 0 0

1 0 1

1 1 0

1 1 1
[4]

© UCLES 2019 2210/12/M/J/19 [Turn over

9 The contents of three binary registers have been transmitted from one computer to another. Even
parity has been used as an error detection method.

The outcome after transmission is:

Register A and Register C have been transmitted correctly.

Register B has been transmitted incorrectly.

Complete the Parity bit for each register to show the given outcome.

Parity bit

[3]

© UCLES 2019 2210/12/M/J/19

10 Remy has a mobile device that has a capacitive touch screen.

Describe how the capacitive touch screen registers Remy’s touch.

..........................................................................................................................................................

.................................................................................................................................................... [4]

© UCLES 2019 2210/12/M/J/19

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© UCLES 2019 2210/12/M/J/19

Cambridge O Level
* 0 6 2 2 1 5 6 1 6 9 *

COMPUTER SCIENCE 2210/12

Paper 1 Theory May/June 2020

1 hour 45 minutes

You must answer on the question paper.

No additional materials are needed.

This document has 12 pages. Blank pages are indicated.

DC (CE/SW) 198767
© UCLES 2020 [Turn over
2

1 A Von Neumann model for a computer system has a central processing unit (CPU) that makes
use of registers.

(a) Identify three registers that may be used.

Register 1 .................................................................................................................................

Register 2 .................................................................................................................................

Register 3 .................................................................................................................................
[3]

(b) The CPU is responsible for processing instructions.

One stage of processing instructions is the decode stage.

(i) Identify the two other stages of processing instructions.

Stage 1 ..............................................................................................................................

Stage 2 ..............................................................................................................................
[2]

(ii) Identify the component of the CPU that is responsible for decoding instructions.

..................................................................................................................................... [1]

2 Both an interpreter and a compiler can be used when writing a program in a high-level language.

(a) Explain why a programmer would make use of both an interpreter and a compiler.

...................................................................................................................................................

............................................................................................................................................. [4]

© UCLES 2020 2210/12/M/J/20

(b) Give three reasons why a programmer would choose to write a program in a high-level
language, instead of a low-level language.

Reason 1 ..................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

Reason 2 ..................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

Reason 3 ..................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................
[3]

3 A company collects and stores data about its customers. The data is stored on a server in the
company’s office.

The data is transmitted to cloud storage to create a back-up.

The data is encrypted using symmetric encryption before it is sent to the cloud storage.

(a) Describe how the data is encrypted.

...................................................................................................................................................

............................................................................................................................................. [4]

(b) Give three other methods that can be used to secure the data in the office.

Method 1 ...................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

Method 2 ...................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

Method 3 ...................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................
[3]
© UCLES 2020 2210/12/M/J/20 [Turn over
4

4 (a) Identify the name and draw the single logic gate that can replace the given logic circuits.

(i)
A
X
B

Name of gate: …………………………… Drawing of gate:

[2]

(ii)
A
X
B

Name of gate: …………………………… Drawing of gate:

[2]

(b) Complete the truth table for the given logic statement:

X = (((A OR C) AND (NOT A AND NOT C)) XOR B)

Working space
A B C X

0 0 0

0 0 1

0 1 0

0 1 1

1 0 0

1 0 1

1 1 0

1 1 1
[4]

© UCLES 2020 2210/12/M/J/20

5 Meena uses a browser to research information for her business.

(a) Give three functions of a browser.

1 ................................................................................................................................................

2 ................................................................................................................................................

3 ................................................................................................................................................
[3]

(b) Meena buys products for her business using the Internet.

The Transport Layer Security (TLS) protocol is used for transferring data when she buys
products.

One layer of the TLS protocol is the handshake layer.

(i) Describe the purpose of the handshake layer.

...........................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................... [2]

(ii) Identify the other layer of the TLS protocol.

..................................................................................................................................... [1]

(iii) Identify another protocol that can be used to transfer data securely.

..................................................................................................................................... [1]

(c) Meena visits a website to buy products for her business.

The browser uses a small file to store the details of the products she views. This allows the
website to display advertisements for other products she may like.

The small file also stores her log-in details.

Give the name of this type of file.

............................................................................................................................................. [1]

© UCLES 2020 2210/12/M/J/20 [Turn over

6 Six statements are given about touch screen technology.

Tick (3) to show if the statement applies to Capacitive or Resistive touch screen technology.

Capacitive Resistive
Statement
(3) (3)

Needs pressure to be applied to create a circuit

May not register a touch if the user is wearing gloves

More commonly used in smartphones

More responsive to a touch

Needs an electrical field to be changed to register a touch

Cheaper to manufacture

[6]

© UCLES 2020 2210/12/M/J/20

7 (a) Give the denary value of each of the three 12-bit binary values.

(i) 000000001100

..................................................................................................................................... [1]

(ii) 000011000110

..................................................................................................................................... [1]

(iii) 010011000001

..................................................................................................................................... [1]

Working space

...................................................................................................................................................

(b) 12-bit binary values can also be represented as hexadecimal values.

Give the hexadecimal value of the 12-bit binary value.

000011101001

............................................................................................................................................. [3]

© UCLES 2020 2210/12/M/J/20 [Turn over

8 Leonard has a new laser printer to print letters for his business.

Leonard connects his printer to his computer using the USB port.

(a) Give three benefits of using the USB port to connect the printer to the computer.

Benefit 1 ...................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

Benefit 2 ...................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

Benefit 3 ...................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................
[3]

(b) State two benefits and one drawback of Leonard using a laser printer, instead of an inkjet
printer, to print the letters.

Benefit 1 ...................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

Benefit 2 ...................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

Drawback ..................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................
[3]

(c) An interrupt signal is sent from the printer to the computer.

(i) Give two examples of when a printer would generate an interrupt signal.

Example 1 .........................................................................................................................

Example 2 .........................................................................................................................
[2]

(ii) Many devices send interrupt signals.

Identify the software in the computer that will receive and manage all interrupt signals.

..................................................................................................................................... [1]

© UCLES 2020 2210/12/M/J/20

9 (a) Six statements are given about storage devices.

Tick (3) to show if the statement applies to hard disk drive (HDD) storage or
solid state drive (SSD) storage.

Some statements can apply to both.

HDD SSD
Statement
(3) (3)

It has a limited number of read/write cycles

It uses magnetic properties to store data

It has moving parts

It is non-volatile storage

It can be used as an external storage device to back up data

It uses flash memory to store data

[6]

(b) Optical storage is another type of storage.

Give two examples of optical storage.

Example 1 .................................................................................................................................

Example 2 .................................................................................................................................
[2]

© UCLES 2020 2210/12/M/J/20 [Turn over

10 Uma is concerned about risks that she may encounter when using the Internet.

Two of the risks she is concerned about are phishing and pharming.

(a) Give one similarity and two differences between phishing and pharming.

Similarity ...................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

Difference 1 ..............................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

Difference 2 ..............................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................
[3]

(b) Identify two other risks that Uma could encounter when using the Internet.

Risk 1 ........................................................................................................................................

Risk 2 ........................................................................................................................................
[2]

© UCLES 2020 2210/12/M/J/20

(c) Uma uses a firewall to secure the data on her computer.

(i) Uma tells her friend that a firewall can only be software-based.

Tick (3) to show whether Uma is Correct or Incorrect.

Correct

Incorrect
[1]

(ii) Describe how the firewall helps to keep Uma’s data secure.

...........................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................... [4]

© UCLES 2020 2210/12/M/J/20

BLANK PAGE

© UCLES 2020 2210/12/M/J/20

Cambridge O Level
* 1 0 9 4 7 8 0 7 4 2 *

COMPUTER SCIENCE 2210/12

Paper 1 Theory May/June 2021

1 hour 45 minutes

You must answer on the question paper.

No additional materials are needed.

This document has 12 pages. Any blank pages are indicated.

DC (LO) 215284
© UCLES 2021 [Turn over
2

1 A denary value can be converted into hexadecimal and binary.

(a) Complete the table to show the hexadecimal and 8-bit binary values of the given denary
values.

Denary Hexadecimal 8-bit binary

123

200

[6]

Working space

...................................................................................................................................................

(b) Give two benefits, to users, of converting binary values to hexadecimal.

Benefit 1 ....................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

Benefit 2 ....................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................
[2]

Identify three other ways that hexadecimal is used in computer science.

1 ................................................................................................................................................

2 ................................................................................................................................................

3 ................................................................................................................................................
[3]

© UCLES 2021 2210/12/M/J/21

2 Data storage can be magnetic, solid state or optical.

(a) Six statements are given about data storage.

Tick (3) to show if the statement applies to magnetic, solid state or optical storage. Some
statements may apply to more than one type of storage.

Magnetic Solid state Optical

Statement
(3) (3) (3)
no moving parts are used to store data

pits and lands are used to store data

data is stored on platters

flash memory is used to store data

parts are rotated to store data

data can be stored permanently

[6]

(b) (i) Give one example of magnetic storage.

..................................................................................................................................... [1]

(ii) Give one example of optical storage.

..................................................................................................................................... [1]

(iii) Identify which type of storage would be the most suitable for use in a web server and
justify your choice.

Type of storage ..................................................................................................................

Justification ........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................
[3]

...................................................................................................................................................

............................................................................................................................................. [3]

© UCLES 2021 2210/12/M/J/21 [Turn over

3 Consider the logic statement:

X = ((((NOT A AND B) OR C) AND B) NOR (B OR C))

(a) Draw a logic circuit to represent the given logic statement.

Do not attempt to simplify the statement. All logic gates must have a maximum of two inputs.

B X

[6]

© UCLES 2021 2210/12/M/J/21

(b) Consider the completed truth table for the given logic statement.

Row Working space

A B C X
number
1 0 0 0 1

2 0 0 1 1

3 0 1 0 1

4 0 1 1 0

5 1 0 0 1

6 1 0 1 0

7 1 1 0 1

8 1 1 1 1

There are four errors in the truth table in the output (X) column.

Identify the four incorrect outputs.

Write the row number to identify each incorrect output.

Row .......................

Row .......................
[4]

© UCLES 2021 2210/12/M/J/21 [Turn over

4 Three types of Internet security risk are virus, spyware and denial of service (DoS) attack.

(a) Six statements are given about Internet security risks.

Tick (3) to show whether the statement applies to virus, spyware or denial of service. Some
statements may apply to more than one Internet security risk.

Denial of
Statement Virus Spyware service
(3) (3) (3)
captures all data entered using a keyboard

can be installed onto a web server

prevents access to a website

is malicious code on a computer

is self-replicating

damages the files on a user’s hard drive

[6]

(b) Identify three other types of Internet security risks.

1 ................................................................................................................................................

2 ................................................................................................................................................

3 ................................................................................................................................................
[3]

State three ways that data could be accidentally damaged.

1 ................................................................................................................................................

2 ................................................................................................................................................

3 ................................................................................................................................................
[3]

© UCLES 2021 2210/12/M/J/21

5 A security light system is used by a factory. The light only comes on when it is dark and when
movement is detected. The light will stay on for 1 minute before switching off.

Sensors and a microprocessor are used to control the security light system.

(a) Identify two sensors that would be used in the security light system.

Sensor 1 ...................................................................................................................................

Sensor 2 ...................................................................................................................................
[2]

(b) Describe how the sensors and the microprocessor control the security light system.

...................................................................................................................................................

............................................................................................................................................. [8]

© UCLES 2021 2210/12/M/J/21 [Turn over

6 Cookies can be used to store a user’s personal data and online browsing habits.

(a) A cookie could be used to automatically enter a user’s payment details when the user makes
a purchase online.

Describe how cookies can be used to store and automatically enter a user’s payment details.

...................................................................................................................................................

............................................................................................................................................. [3]

(b) Explain why a user may be concerned about their personal data and online browsing habits
being stored in cookies.

...................................................................................................................................................

............................................................................................................................................. [4]

© UCLES 2021 2210/12/M/J/21

7 Jolene uses HTML to create a website. She separates the HTML into structure and presentation.

(a) (i) Give one example of HTML structure.

..................................................................................................................................... [1]

(ii) Give two examples of HTML presentation.

1 ........................................................................................................................................

2 ........................................................................................................................................
[2]

(b) Explain why Jolene separates the HTML into structure and presentation.

...................................................................................................................................................

............................................................................................................................................. [2]

8 A keyboard is a type of input device that can be used to enter data into a computer.

Complete the paragraph that describes one method of operation for a keyboard, using the most
appropriate terms from the given list. Not all terms in the list need to be used.

• Binary
• Breaks
• Calculated
• Character
• Circuit
• Current
• Information
• Network
• Press
• Processor
• Signal
• Switch

A keyboard has a key matrix underneath the keys. When a key is pressed, it presses a

............................................. that completes a ............................................. . This allows

............................................. to flow. The location of the key pressed is

............................................. . The location of the key pressed is compared to a

............................................. map to find the ............................................. value for the key that

has been pressed.

[6]

© UCLES 2021 2210/12/M/J/21

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© UCLES 2021 2210/12/M/J/21

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© UCLES 2021 2210/12/M/J/21

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© UCLES 2021 2210/12/M/J/21

Cambridge O Level
* 9 5 1 7 3 9 7 8 7 8 *

COMPUTER SCIENCE 2210/12

Paper 1 Theory May/June 2022

1 hour 45 minutes

You must answer on the question paper.

No additional materials are needed.

This document has 12 pages.

DC (CJ) 312484
© UCLES 2022 [Turn over
2

1 (a) Denary values are converted to binary values to be processed by a computer.

Draw one line from each denary value to the correctly converted 8‑bit binary value.

Denary 8-bit binary

00100001

41
10100110

00101001

174

10000110

10101110
86

01010110

[3]

Working space

...................................................................................................................................................

(b) Binary values can also be converted to denary values.

Give the correct denary value for the 12‑bit binary value 000101010111
Show all your working.

...................................................................................................................................................

Denary value ..........................................................

[2]

© UCLES 2022 2210/12/M/J/22

2 Hexadecimal is used for Hypertext Markup Language (HTML) colour codes.

An HTML colour code is:

#2F15D6
Each pair of digits is stored as binary in an 8‑bit register.

(a) Give the 8‑bit binary value that would be stored for each pair of hexadecimal digits.

[6]

Working space

...................................................................................................................................................

(b) HTML colour codes and Media Access Control (MAC) addresses are two examples of where
hexadecimal is used in Computer Science.

Give two other examples of where hexadecimal can be used in Computer Science.

Example 1 .................................................................................................................................

Example 2 .................................................................................................................................
[2]

© UCLES 2022 2210/12/M/J/22 [Turn over

(c) Websites can be created using HTML structure and presentation.

State what is meant by HTML structure and presentation.

Give an example of each in your answer.

Structure ...................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

Presentation .............................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................
[4]

(d) Explain why presentation is often separated from structure when creating a web page.

...................................................................................................................................................

............................................................................................................................................. [2]

© UCLES 2022 2210/12/M/J/22

3 Joelle is a student who uses the Internet.

(a) The table contains five terms or definitions that relate to the Internet.

Complete the table by writing each missing term or definition.

Term Definition

........................................................................................

browser ........................................................................................

........................................................................................

this is the company that provides a user with a

...................................................
connection to the Internet

this is a protocol that is used to send data for web

...................................................
pages across the Internet

........................................................................................

Uniform Resource Locator (URL) ........................................................................................

........................................................................................

cookie ........................................................................................

........................................................................................

[5]

© UCLES 2022 2210/12/M/J/22 [Turn over

(b) Joelle uses a firewall to keep her data safe when she uses the Internet.

Tick (3) to show which statement about firewalls is true.

Tick (3)

Firewalls can only be hardware‑based

Firewalls can only be software‑based

Firewalls can be hardware‑based or software‑based

[1]

Explain how the firewall is used to limit the websites that Joelle can access.

...................................................................................................................................................

............................................................................................................................................. [4]

© UCLES 2022 2210/12/M/J/22

4 Jason is a programmer who writes computer programs in a high‑level language.

(a) Describe what is meant by a high‑level language.

...................................................................................................................................................

............................................................................................................................................. [3]

(b) Jason wants to distribute a computer program he has written. He is considering distributing it
to users as freeware or free software.

(i) Explain one drawback to a user if the program is distributed as freeware.

...........................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................... [2]

(ii) Explain one benefit to a user if the program is distributed as free software.

...........................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................... [2]

© UCLES 2022 2210/12/M/J/22 [Turn over

5 Consider the following logic statement:

X = ((A OR B) AND (NOT (B XOR C)) AND C)

(a) Draw a logic circuit to represent the given logic statement.

Do not attempt to simplify the logic statement. All logic gates must have a maximum of two
inputs.

B X

[5]

© UCLES 2022 2210/12/M/J/22

(b) Complete the truth table for the given logic statement.

Working space
A B C X

0 0 0

0 0 1

0 1 0

0 1 1

1 0 0

1 0 1

1 1 0

1 1 1
[4]

6 Millions of emails are sent between users on a daily basis.

(a) Identify two online security attacks that can be carried out using email.

Describe how email is used to enable the attack.

Online security attack 1 ............................................................................................................

Description ................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

Online security attack 2 ............................................................................................................

Description ................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................
[6]

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(b) Online security attacks can maliciously damage data.

One security method to keep data safe from online attacks is a firewall.

Identify two other security methods that keep data safe from online attacks.

Security method 1 .....................................................................................................................

Security method 2 .....................................................................................................................

[2]

(c) Data can also be damaged accidentally.

One example of how data can be damaged accidentally is by shutting down a computer
before saving data. To prevent this from happening, a user should make sure they have
saved all data before shutting down a computer.

Complete the table by giving three other examples of how data can be damaged accidentally.

Give a method of prevention for each example.

Example Method of prevention

...................................................................... ......................................................................

......................................................................

...................................................................... ......................................................................

......................................................................

...................................................................... ......................................................................

......................................................................

[6]

© UCLES 2022 2210/12/M/J/22

7 Cassie stores data for her business every day. She stores the data using optical data storage.

(a) Identify three examples of optical data storage.

Example 1 .................................................................................................................................

Example 2 .................................................................................................................................

Example 3 .................................................................................................................................
[3]

(b) Six statements are given about the operation of three different types of storage.

Tick (3) to show which statements apply to each type of storage. Some statements may
apply to more than one type of storage.

Type of storage
Magnetic Optical Solid state
Statement
(3) (3) (3)

this storage has no moving parts

this storage uses a laser to read and write data

this storage uses a read/write head

this storage burns pits onto a reflective surface

this storage uses NAND and NOR technology

this storage stores data in tracks and sectors

[6]

© UCLES 2022 2210/12/M/J/22 [Turn over

8 Sam develops a software application. He distributes a version of the software as shareware.

(a) Describe what is meant by shareware.

...................................................................................................................................................

............................................................................................................................................. [4]

(b) Identify three ethical issues that may need to be considered when developing and distributing
software.

Ethical issue 1 ..........................................................................................................................

Ethical issue 2 ..........................................................................................................................

Ethical issue 3 ..........................................................................................................................

[3]

© UCLES 2022 2210/12/M/J/22

Cambridge O Level
* 5 2 3 8 6 6 2 0 3 8 *

COMPUTER SCIENCE 2210/12

Paper 1 Computer Systems May/June 2023

1 hour 45 minutes

You must answer on the question paper.

No additional materials are needed.

This document has 12 pages. Any blank pages are indicated.

DC (KS) 326833
© UCLES 2023 [Turn over
2

1 Output devices are used to output data from a computer.

Circle three devices that are output devices.

actuator digital versatile disk (DVD) keyboard

microphone mouse printer scanner

sensor solid‑state drive (SSD) speaker

[3]

2 Binary numbers can be converted to hexadecimal.

(a) Convert the two binary numbers to hexadecimal.

10010011 ..................................................................................................................................

00001101 ..................................................................................................................................
[4]

Working space

...................................................................................................................................................

(b) A value is stored as a binary number in a register.

0 1 1 1 1 0 1 0

A logical right shift of three places is performed on the binary number.

(i) Complete the binary register to show its contents after this logical right shift.

[1]

(ii) State one effect this logical shift has on the binary number.

...........................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................... [1]

© UCLES 2023 2210/12/M/J/23

1 ................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

2 ................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................
[2]

(d) Denary numbers can also be converted to hexadecimal.

Convert the denary number to hexadecimal.

301 ...................................................................................................................................... [2]

Working space

...................................................................................................................................................

© UCLES 2023 2210/12/M/J/23 [Turn over

3 When keys are pressed on a keyboard, the text is converted to binary to be processed by the
computer.

(a) Describe how the text is converted to binary to be processed by the computer.

...................................................................................................................................................

............................................................................................................................................. [3]

(b) Text that is input into a computer can be stored in a text file.

A text file can be compressed using lossless compression.

(i) State what effect this has on the file size.

...........................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................... [1]

(ii) Describe how lossless compression compresses the text file.

...........................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................... [4]

(iii) Give two reasons why the text file may have been compressed.

1 ........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

2 ........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................
[2]

© UCLES 2023 2210/12/M/J/23

4 A student uses a mobile phone to take photographs for a school project.

The student needs to transmit the photographs to their computer. They could use serial data
transmission or parallel data transmission to transmit the photographs.

(a) (i) Describe how the photographs would be transmitted using serial data transmission.

...........................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................... [2]

(ii) Give two benefits of transmitting the photographs using serial data transmission.

1 ........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

2 ........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................
[2]

(iii) State one benefit of the student using parallel data transmission instead of serial data
transmission.

...........................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................... [1]

(b) The photographs are also transmitted across a network to cloud storage. A device on the
network forwards the data towards its correct destination.

(i) State the name of this device.

..................................................................................................................................... [1]

(ii) Describe what is meant by cloud storage.

...........................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................... [2]

(iii) Give one disadvantage of storing the photographs in cloud storage instead of storing
them locally.

...........................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................... [1]
© UCLES 2023 2210/12/M/J/23 [Turn over
6

5 A programmer writes a computer program using a high‑level language.

(a) Tick (3) one box to show which statement is correct about writing computer programs in a
high‑level language.

A Mnemonics are used to create instructions.

B The computer program is harder to debug than a low‑level language program.

C The computer program is machine independent.

D The hardware of the computer can be directly manipulated.

[1]

(b) The programmer uses a compiler to translate the computer program.

(i) Describe how the compiler translates the computer program.

...........................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................... [3]

(ii) Describe how the compiler reports errors.

...........................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................... [2]

One function of the IDE is that it has the built‑in compiler.

Give three other common functions of an IDE.

1 ................................................................................................................................................

2 ................................................................................................................................................

3 ................................................................................................................................................
[3]

© UCLES 2023 2210/12/M/J/23

6 (a) Complete the statements about cookies.

Use the terms from the list.

Some of the terms in the list will not be used. Some terms may be used more than once.

compression executable hypertext markup language (HTML)

hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP) image internet protocol (IP) address

persistent session sound text

uniform resource locater (URL) web browser web server

Cookies are small ........................................................... files that are sent between a

........................................................... and a ........................................................... .

........................................................... cookies are stored in memory and not in the user’s

secondary storage.

When the web browser is closed a ........................................................... cookie is lost,

whereas a ........................................................... cookie is not lost.

[6]

(b) Give three functions of a cookie.

1 ................................................................................................................................................

2 ................................................................................................................................................

3 ................................................................................................................................................
[3]

© UCLES 2023 2210/12/M/J/23 [Turn over

7 A distributed denial of service attack (DDoS) is a cyber security threat.

(a) Draw and annotate a diagram to represent the process of a DDoS.

[6]

© UCLES 2023 2210/12/M/J/23

(b) State two aims of carrying out a DDoS attack.