O Level Cambridge (CIE) Computer Science 28 mins 9 questions

Exam Questions

Types of Software &

Interrupts
System Software & Application Software / The Purpose & Functionality of
Operating Systems / Hardware, Firmware & the Operating System / Interrupts

Easy (3 questions) /7 Scan here to return to the course

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Medium (3 questions) /9

Hard (3 questions) /12

Total Marks /28

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Easy Questions
1 A computer has a Von Neumann architechure.

The computer uses a bootstrap.

Tick (✓) one box to show the part of a computer of which the bootstrap is an example.

A. application software
B. firmware
C. hard disk drive
D. MAC address

Answer

The correct answer is B

B is correct as the bootstrap contains the initial boot-up instructions for a computer

A is incorrect as application software is software designed to carry out a specific

task or complete a job

C is incorrect as a hard disk drive is a secondary storage device

D is incorrect as a MAC address is a unique identifier for a network capable device

(1 mark)

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

A business is creating a new mobile device that has an SSD as secondary storage.

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

Answer

Examples of software that can be stored on the SSD include:

Any two of the following:

Operating system [1 mark]

Application software OR by example [1 mark]

Utility software OR by example [1 mark]
[Total: 2 marks]
(2 marks)

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3 (a) Define the term 'operating system'.

Answer

An operating system is described as:

Software that manages computer hardware [1 mark]

Provides a platform for running application software [1 mark]
[Total: 2 marks]
(2 marks)

(b) Identify two basic functions of an operating system.

Answer

Functions of an operating system include:

Any two of the following:

File management [1 mark]

Handling interrupts [1 mark]

User interface [1 mark]
Peripheral management & device drivers [1 mark]
Memory management & multitasking [1 mark]
Providing a platform for running applications [1 mark]
Providing system security [1 mark]
User management [1 mark]
[Total: 2 marks]
(2 marks)

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Medium Questions
1 In a computer system the operating system is run directly on the firmware.

Identify which type of software runs directly on the operating system.

Answer

The type of software that runs directly on the operating system is:

Application software

[Total: 1 mark]
(1 mark)

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

Answer

System software provides the services that the computer requires; an example is utility
software.

Application software is run on the operating system.

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

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 [Total: 4 marks]
(4 marks)

3 Operating systems often provide user interfaces.

Describe the difference between a graphical user interface (GUI) and a command line
interface (CLI) and give an example of where each might be used.

Answer

The difference between a GUI and a CLI is described as:

Graphical User Interface (GUI):

Allows users to interact with the computer using graphical elements like
windows, icons, and buttons [1 mark]

Any valid example [1 mark]

Command-Line Interface (CLI):

Allows users to interact by typing commands into a text-based interface [1

mark]
Any valid example [1 mark]
[Total: 4 marks]

One mark for description and one mark for valid example

(4 marks)

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Hard Questions
1 One function of an operating system is to manage interrupts.

Give two examples of when an interrupt would be generated.

Answer

Examples of when interrupts would be generated include:

Any two of the following:

Division by zero [1 mark]

Two processes trying to access the same memory location [1 mark]
Any valid example of an error message (two examples can be awarded) [1 mark]

Any valid example of a change of task (two examples can be awarded) [1 mark]
[Total: 2 marks]
(2 marks)

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2 Layla uses her computer to create educational games

Layla makes use of system software.

One type of system software is the operating system.

Identify and describe two functions of an operating system.

Answer

Examples of functions of the operating system include:

Any two of the following (1 mark per function, maximum of 2 marks per description):

User interface [1 mark]

allows the user to communicate with the hardware [1 mark]

e.g. graphical user interface (GUI) /command prompt [1 mark]

allows the user to input data [1 mark]

outputs data to the user [1 mark]

Memory management/multitasking [1 mark]

moves data between RAM and VM [1 mark]

gets data from RAM [1 mark]

stores data to RAM[1 mark]

Peripheral management/device drivers [1 mark]

allows the installation of drivers to communicate with the peripherals [1 mark]

sends data to/from peripherals [1 mark]

User management [1 mark]

allows the setting up of accounts [1 mark]

security/setting of password [1 mark]

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 set different access rights [1 mark]
File management [1 mark]

creation/editing/renaming of files [1 mark]

creation/editing/renaming of folders [1 mark]

movement of files/folders[1 mark]

Handling interrupts

responding to an event that requires immediate CPU attention [1 mark]

ensuring smooth system operation by processing interrupts [1 mark]

Platform for running applications

allows application software access to system resources [1 mark]

Providing system security

offer features like password protection, firewalls, virus scanning, and file
encryption [1 mark]
[Total: 6 marks]

A sample six mark response could be:

The user interface is one function of the operating system. A user interface provides
the user with a graphical interface which allows them to interact with the
computing, inputting and outputting data.

A second function of an operating system is memory management. Memory

management allows data to move between the RAM and virtual memory when RAM
becomes full. It also allocates space in RAM for currently in-use programs.
(6 marks)

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3 Explain the role of peripheral management in the operating system.

Include how it facilitates plug-and-play (PnP) functionality

Answer

The role of peripheral management includes:

Any four of the following:

handles the way hardware peripherals interact with the software [1 mark]
ensuring that each peripheral operates efficiently [1 mark]

by allocating the necessary system resources [1 mark]

managing data transfer between the computer and the peripheral device [1 mark]
coordinating the operation of multiple peripherals simultaneously [1 mark]
Plug-and-Play (PnP) Functionality:

allows the operating system to automatically detect and configure new peripherals
when they are connected [1 mark]
users do not need to manually install device drivers or restart the system for the
peripherals to work [1 mark]
simplifying the setup and use of hardware [1 mark]
[Total: 4 marks]

Max three if no mention of PnP functionality

(4 marks)

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