OCR (9–1) Computer Science
J276/01 Computer Systems
Exam Question and Mark Scheme
INSTRUCTIONS TO CANDIDATES
• Write your name, centre number and
... [Show More] candidate number in the boxes above. Please write clearly and in capital letters.
• Use black ink. HB pencil may be used for graphs and diagrams only.
• Answer all the questions, unless your teacher tells you otherwise.
• Read each question carefully. Make sure you know what you have to do before starting your answer.
• Where space is provided below the question, please write your answer there.
• You may use additional paper, or a specific Answer sheet if one is provided, but you must clearly show your candidate number, centre number
and question number(s).
INFORMATION FOR CANDIDATES
• The quality of written communication is assessed in questions marked with either a pencil or an asterisk. In History and Geography
a Quality of extended response question is marked with an asterisk, while a pencil is used for questions in which Spelling, punctuation and
grammar and the use of specialist terminology is assessed.
• The number of marks is given in brackets [ ] at the end of each question or part question.
• The total number of marks for this paper is 80.
• The total number of marks may take into account some 'either/or' question choices.
1. Here are some statements about the CPU of a computer.
Tick one box in each row to show whether each of the following statements is true or
false.
Statement True False
CPU stands for Central Processing Unit.
The CPU fetches and decodes instructions.
The speed of a CPU is usually measured
in GigaHertz (GHz).
If a CPU has many cores, this slows down the
Statement True False
computer.
The hard disk drive is part of the CPU.
[5]
2(a). Ann wants to purchase a new computer and is looking at two models. The specification
of the CPU in each computer is shown in Fig. 1.
Explain one reason why the cache size affects the performance of the CPU.
[2]
(b). When running a 3D flight simulator, Computer 1 is likely to run faster than Computer 2.
Using the information in Fig. 1, identify one reason for this.
[1]
3(a). The CPU has a clock speed of 3.8 GHz.
Describe what is meant by a clock speed of 3.8 GHz.
[2]
(b). Alicia says:
“My computer has a quad-core processor, so it will run twice as fast as a computer with a
dual-core processor”.
Explain why this statement is not always true.
[3]
4. Gareth has a satellite navigation system (Sat Nav) in his car that uses RAM and ROM.
Fig. 2 lists some characteristics of computer memory. Tick (✓) one box in each row to
show whether each of the statements is true for the RAM or ROM in Gareth's Sat Nav.
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