Scribd
Upload
9 views3 pages

Practice Paper1 Sec05

This document outlines the instructions and content for the Cambridge International AS & A Level Computer Science Paper 1 Theory Fundamentals exam. It includes various topics such as data representation, communication and networking, hardware architecture, Boolean logic, operating systems, databases, security, ethics, and algorithm design. The exam lasts 1 hour and 30 minutes and consists of multiple questions, with a total of 75 marks available.

Uploaded by

Sampa Roychoudhuri
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
9 views3 pages

Practice Paper1 Sec05

This document outlines the instructions and content for the Cambridge International AS & A Level Computer Science Paper 1 Theory Fundamentals exam. It includes various topics such as data representation, communication and networking, hardware architecture, Boolean logic, operating systems, databases, security, ethics, and algorithm design. The exam lasts 1 hour and 30 minutes and consists of multiple questions, with a total of 75 marks available.

Uploaded by

Sampa Roychoudhuri
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 3

Cambridge International AS & A Level

COMPUTER SCIENCE 9618/12

Paper 1 Theory Fundamentals

1 hour 30 minutes

INSTRUCTIONS

 Answer all questions.

 Use a black or dark blue pen.

 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.

 You may use an HB pencil for any diagrams, graphs or rough working.

 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.

1. Data Representation and Multimedia

(a) Convert the decimal number 187 into an 8-bit binary number. [2]

(b) Explain the purpose of Unicode and how it differs from ASCII. [2]

(c) Describe the difference between lossy and lossless compression. Give one example for each type.
[4]

2. Communication and Networking

(a) Define the term IP address. [2]

(b) Explain how packet switching is used in data communication. [3]

(c) The following table shows types of network topology. Complete the table by describing each
topology. [4]
Topology Description

___________

3. Hardware and System Architecture

(a) State one function of the Control Unit (CU) in the CPU. [1]

(b) Identify two advantages of solid-state drives (SSD) over hard disk drives (HDD). [2]

(c) Explain how a buffer is used in data transfer. [2]

(d) Describe the role of interrupts in a computer system. [3]

4. Boolean Logic

(a) Write the Boolean expression for the following logic circuit. [3]

(Provide a diagram of a logic circuit with AND, OR, and NOT gates.)

(b) Complete the truth table for the logic expression:

X = A AND (B OR NOT C)

5. Operating Systems and Software


(a) Describe the role of virtual memory in an operating system. [3]

(b) Identify and explain one example of utility software that improves system performance. [3]

6. Databases

(a) Define the term primary key in a relational database. [1]

(b) The following table is not in First Normal Form (1NF). Explain how to modify it to achieve 1NF. [4]

Student Name Subjects

Alice Math, Physics, Chemistry

Bob Biology, Physics

Carol Math, English

7. Security and Privacy

(a) State two types of malware and explain their impact. [4]

(b) Describe how encryption improves data security. [2]

8. Ethics and Ownership

(a) Explain two ethical issues associated with artificial intelligence (AI). [4]

(b) Define intellectual property in the context of computer science. [2]

9. Algorithm Design and Programming

(a) State the purpose of a flowchart in programming. [1]

(b) Write an algorithm in pseudocode to find the largest number from a list of five user inputs. [4]

You might also like