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Centre Candidate
Surname
Number Number
First name(s) 2

GCE AS
S23-B500U10-1

B500U10-1

TUESDAY, 16 MAY 2023 – AFTERNOON

COMPUTER SCIENCE – AS component 1

Fundamentals of Computer Science
2 hours
For Examiner’s use only
Maximum Mark
Question
Mark Awarded
1. 6
2. 6

B 5 0 0 U101
3. 4

01
4. 3
5. 8
ADDITIONAL MATERIALS 6. 7
A calculator. 7. 9
8. 9
INSTRUCTIONS TO CANDIDATES 9. 8
Use black ink or black ball-point pen. 10. 8
Do not use gel pen or correction fluid.
Write your name, centre number and candidate number 11. 11
in the spaces at the top of this page. 12. 5
Answer all questions.
13. 6
Write your answers in the spaces provided in this booklet.
If you run out of space, use the additional page(s) at 14. 10
the back of the booklet, taking care to number the
question(s) correctly. Total 100

INFORMATION FOR CANDIDATES

The number of marks is given in brackets at the end of each question or part-question.
You are reminded of the need for good English and orderly, clear presentation in your answers.
The total number of marks available is 100.

JUN23B500U10101 © WJEC CBAC Ltd. BE*(S21-B500U10-1)

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Answer all questions.

1. Complete the following table giving three different data types and their storage requirements.

The first row has been completed for you. [6]

Storage Requirements
Data Type
(in bits)

Unsigned Long Integer 32

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2. (a) State each step showing how a dual-core processor would process the following
calculation. [4]

Y = (6 × 5) + (3 × 4) + (5 × 9) + (2 × 7)

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(b) State, giving an example, why this calculation cannot be processed in fewer steps. [2]

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3. Explain data fragmentation and why the functional characteristics of a solid state drive (SSD)
mean that its performance is not affected by fragmented data. [4]

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4. The following data is stored in a 4-bit register:

1 1 0 0

Demonstrate how the state of the second least significant bit can be discovered using a logical
operation. [3]

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5. (a) Many high-level languages provide programmers with a suite of standard functions.
Explain, giving an example, the possible benefits of standard functions. [4]

(b) Other than using a high-level language to write applications, a programmer might use
an assembly language.
Describe the advantages of using an assembly language over a high-level language. [4]

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6. Simplify the following Boolean expression using Boolean identities and rules. [7]

X.(X + Y + 0) + X.(1+ Y) + Y.(Y.Y)

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7. In a certain computer system, real numbers are stored in normalised floating-point form using only
two’s complementation, a 10-bit mantissa and a 4-bit exponent.

(a) Determine the closest possible denary representation of 8.610 using this system. [4]

(b) Calculate the absolute and relative error that has occurred in 7(a).
State how this floating-point system could be modified to allow a more accurate

representation of 8.610. [5]

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8. A sequential file is used to store a record that includes a student’s ID and their total mark in a
class test.

The following algorithm adds a new record to the file gradesFile.

1 Start Procedure AddRecord

2 studentID is integer
3 studentTotal is integer
4 newID is integer
5 newTotal is integer
6 inserted is Boolean
7
8 open gradesFile for input {opens the grades file with the
original records}
9 open tempFile for output {opens a temporary file to eventually contain
the original records and the new record}
10 output “Enter ID and studentTotal for the new Student:”
11 input newID
12 input newTotal
13 set inserted = FALSE
14
15 while (NOT EOF(gradesFile)) AND (inserted = FALSE) {EOF – End of File}
16
17 read gradesFile, studentID, studentTotal
18
19 if newID < studentID then
20 write tempFile, newID, newTotal
21 set inserted = TRUE
22 end if
23
24 write tempFile, studentID, studentTotal
25
26 end while
27
28 if inserted = FALSE then
29 write tempFile, newID, newTotal
30 end if
31
32 while NOT EOF(gradesFile)
33 read gradesFile, studentID, studentTotal
34 write tempFile, studentID, studentTotal
35 end while
36
37 close gradesFile, tempFile
38 copy tempFile onto gradesFile {replaces the original gradesFile with the
updated tempFile}
39 End Procedure

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(a) Complete the algorithm, using pseudocode, which allows a user to input a student’s ID
to be deleted and then removes that record from the file gradesFile. [7]

Start Procedure DeleteRecord

studentID is integer
studentTotal is integer
deleteID is integer
deleted is Boolean

open gradesFile for input

open tempFile for output

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(b) Describe the need for archiving certain files. [2]

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9. Describe the role of the operating system. [8]

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10. Describe two applications that use different modes of operation. [8]

APPLICATION 1

APPLICATION 2

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11. The following algorithm is intended to sort integers stored in myArray into descending order.

1 Start Procedure Sort

2 declare myArray (0 to 6) as integer
3 n is integer
4 temp is integer
5 swapped is boolean
6
7 set n = 7
8
9 repeat
10 set swapped = FALSE
11 for i = 0 to (n – 1)
12 if myArray[i] > myArray[i + 1] then
13 temp = myArray[i + 1]
14 myArray[i + 1] = myArray[i]
15 myArray[i] = temp
16 swapped = TRUE
17 end if
18 next i
19 until (swapped = FALSE)
20
21 End Procedure

(a) The algorithm does not work as intended. Identify the error and suggest a suitable
change to the algorithm. [2]

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(b) Identify and describe the purpose of two different types of repetition used in this only
algorithm. [4]

Repetition Type 1

Lines: to

Repetition Type 2

Lines: to

(c) Identify and describe the use of selection in this algorithm. [2]

Lines: to

(d) State an alternative type of sorting algorithm and describe the characteristics of your
chosen type of sort. [3]

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12. Very large and expensive computer systems and software are used in animation and
computer-generated graphics, which allow a user to manipulate and generate objects.

Describe what can be achieved by such packages in relation to 2D and 3D images and
modelling. [5]

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13. Describe contemporary processes that protect the security and integrity of data. [6]

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14. The computer system in a large manufacturing company has grown over the last twenty years.
New features have been added and old features of the system updated. The result is a system
that has many faults and incompatibilities. The management of the company believe that
replacing this old system may help improve their company’s productivity.
The company has employed an analyst to carry out a feasibility study on the possible
replacement of the old system.
Describe the purpose of a feasibility study and give examples of the considerations that an
analyst would make. [10]

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END OF PAPER

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Question Additional page, if required. Examiner

number Write the question number(s) in the left-hand margin. only

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