ExamPal

IGCSE Computer Science 0478 Paper 11, Oct/Nov 2024

Question paper and mark scheme75 marks9 questions

Solve it on ExamPal

Practise

Untimed. Write on the paper and check as you go.

Start

Exam

Timed, with a clock you set, like sitting the real paper.

Start

Opens full screen.

Papers open in
Download PDFMark scheme
100%

Opening the question paper

Read as textThe questions and the mark scheme as plain text. Easier to read on a phone.

Question paper

0478/11 · Oct/Nov 2024

Download PDF
1

The size of a file can be measured using different units.

a

Tick (✓) one box to show which of these is not a unit of measurement for a file. A bit B bot C nibble D byte

[1]
b(i)

The size of a file can be reduced by compressing it. Give two types of compression that can be used to reduce the size of a file. 1 ........................................................................................................................................ 2 ........................................................................................................................................

[2]
b(ii)

Give three benefits of reducing the size of a file for storage and transmission. 1 ........................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................... 2 ........................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................... 3 ........................................................................................................................................ ...........................................................................................................................................

[3]
2

A student has a smartphone.

a

Identify two input devices that can be built into the smartphone. 1 ................................................................................................................................................ 2 ................................................................................................................................................

[2]
b

Identify two output devices that can be built into the smartphone. 1 ................................................................................................................................................ 2 ................................................................................................................................................

[2]
c(i)

The smartphone contains secondary storage. Explain the purpose of the secondary storage in the smartphone.

[2]
c(ii)

Identify the most suitable type of secondary storage for the smartphone. Explain your choice. Secondary storage type .................................................................................................... Explanation ....................................................................................................................... ........................................................................................................................................... ........................................................................................................................................... ........................................................................................................................................... ........................................................................................................................................... ........................................................................................................................................... ...........................................................................................................................................

[4]
3

A user enters text into a computer system, using a keyboard. An American standard code for information interchange (ASCII) character set is used to convert the text to binary.

a

Identify one other character set that could be used to convert the text to binary.

[1]
b(i)

The character ‘A’ is represented by the denary ASCII number 65. The character ‘m’ is represented by the denary ASCII number 109. Convert the two denary ASCII numbers to binary. 65 ...................................................................................................................................... 109 .................................................................................................................................... Working space

[2]
b(ii)

Convert the two denary ASCII numbers to hexadecimal. 65 ...................................................................................................................................... 109 .................................................................................................................................... Working space

[2]
c(i)

The character ‘y’ is represented by the binary ASCII number 01111001. Convert the binary ASCII number to denary. Working space

[1]
c(ii)

Convert the binary ASCII number to hexadecimal. Working space

[1]
c(iii)

A logical right shift of two places is performed on the binary ASCII number 01111001. Give the binary number after the logical right shift of two places is performed. Working space

[1]
d

The character ‘T’ is represented by the binary ASCII number 01010100. The character ‘t’ is represented by the binary ASCII number 01110100. Add the two binary numbers using binary addition. Give your answer in binary. Show all your working.

[3]
4

A company decides to create a network for its devices. All the company devices are within a single room. The employees will need to use their devices to send data to each other and share files. The company decides to send data across the network using packet switching.

a

An employee sends an email to another employee. The email is broken down into packets. Describe the structure of a packet of data for the email.

[4]
b(i)

The company decides to use parallel full-duplex data transmission to send the data across the network. Explain the reasons why the company have chosen this method of data transmission.

[4]
b(ii)

Give two drawbacks of the company using this method of data transmission. 1 ........................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................... 2 ........................................................................................................................................ ...........................................................................................................................................

[2]
b(iii)

Give one other method of data transmission the company could have chosen.

[1]
5

A central processing unit (CPU) performs the fetch–decode–execute (FDE) cycle.

a

Give the name of two registers that are used in the fetch stage of the cycle. 1 ................................................................................................................................................ 2 ................................................................................................................................................

[2]
b

Describe what happens at the decode stage of the cycle.

[3]
c

Give one register in the CPU that is used in the execute stage of the cycle.

[1]
d

Buses are used in the CPU to transmit data through the FDE cycle. Circle three buses that are used in the CPU. fetch address register execute data decode calculation central value binary control

[3]
e

A user changes their CPU from one with a dual core and a clock speed of 2.4GHz to one with a dual core and a clock speed of 3.5GHz. Explain the effect this change will have on the performance of the CPU.

[2]
6

A computer programmer uses assembly language to create a computer program for an embedded system in a washing machine.

a

State what is meant by an embedded system.

[1]
b

Give the name of the translator that will be used for the program.

[1]
c

The washing machine needs to display error codes on a small screen if there is a problem with the washing machine. The error codes are stored as binary. The binary numbers are too long to be displayed on the washing machine. State how the error codes could be reduced in length to be displayed on the screen.

[1]
d

Give one benefit to the programmer of using assembly language to write the program.

[1]
e

The programmer uses an integrated development environment (IDE) to write the program. A built-in translator to convert the program into machine code is one way that the IDE helps the computer programmer. Describe three other ways the IDE can help the programmer.

[6]
7

A computer has an operating system.

a(i)

The operating system provides several functions. Tick (✓) one box to show which of these is not a function of the operating system. A managing files B providing an interface C handling interrupts D loading the bootstrap

[1]
a(ii)

Identify one other function of an operating system. Describe the purpose of this function.

[2]
b

Give the name of the set of instructions that are provided to the operating system to allow it to run.

[1]
8

Draw and annotate a diagram to show how a payment transaction is made using digital currency and blockchain.

[4]
9

A doctor’s surgery has an expert system that helps diagnose the illnesses of its patients.

a

Complete the paragraph about the operation of the expert system. 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. artificial binary central processing unit (CPU) data inference engine interface knowledge base primary storage process real read only memory (ROM) rule base An expert system is a type of ............................................ intelligence. The doctor will type data about the symptoms of the illness into the ...................................................................... . The ................................................................ will decide which questions to ask the doctor. It will do this by linking the facts in the ....................................................................... to the .................................................................... . The ..................................................................... will decide on a diagnosis and this will be output on the .................................................................... .

[7]
b

The expert system has the ability to automatically adapt its own processes and data. Give the name of this ability.

[1]

Mark scheme

0478/11 · Oct/Nov 2024

Download PDF

1a · 1 mark

  • 1 mark

    B

1b(i) · 2 marks

  • 1 mark

    Lossy

  • 1 mark

    Lossless

1b(ii) · 3 marks

  • 1 mark

    The file requires less storage space

  • 1 mark

    Takes less time to transmit

  • 1 mark

    A lower bandwidth can be used to transmit the file

2a · 2 marks

  • 1 mark

    Touchscreen

  • 1 mark

    Microphone

2b · 2 marks

  • 1 mark

    Screen

  • 1 mark

    Speaker

2c(i) · 2 marks

  • 1 mark

    To store data/files permanently

  • 1 mark

    … otherwise, data/programs would need to be downloaded/entered/installed every time the smartphone was turned on

2c(ii) · 4 marks

  • 1 mark

    Solid state

  • 1 mark

    It is small/thin in size / … so it would fit easily into the smartphone device

  • 1 mark

    It is lightweight / … so it wouldn’t make the smartphone heavy to carry

  • 1 mark

    It has no moving parts / … so it would be durable/robust / … if the smartphone is dropped the data is less likely to be damaged/lost

3a · 1 mark

  • 1 mark

    Unicode

3b(i) · 2 marks

  • 1 mark

    (0)1000001

  • 1 mark

    (0)1101101

3b(ii) · 2 marks

  • 1 mark

    41

  • 1 mark

    6D

3c(i) · 1 mark

  • 1 mark

    121

3c(ii) · 1 mark

  • 1 mark

    79

3c(iii) · 1 mark

  • 1 mark

    00011110

3d · 3 marks

  • 1 mark

    One mark for correct working, for example: carries

  • 1 mark

    Correct first nibble: 1 1 0 0

  • 1 mark

    Correct second nibble: 1 0 0 0

4a · 4 marks

  • 1 mark

    The data packet has three sections

  • 1 mark

    It has a packet header … / … that contains data such as the destination address

  • 1 mark

    It has a payload … / … that contains the main data for the email

  • 1 mark

    It has a trailer … / … that contains data such as the error detection system used

4b(i) · 4 marks

  • 1 mark

    It sends the data multiple bits at the same time // It uses multiple wires

  • 1 mark

    … so the transmission speed of the data will be fast

  • 1 mark

    Data may not need to travel a long distance / … as the devices are all within a single room

  • 1 mark

    It sends data in both directions at the same time / … so users on the network can send data to each other with no delay

4b(ii) · 2 marks

  • 1 mark

    More interference/crosstalk (due to multiple wires)

  • 1 mark

    Data may be skewed (due to multiple bits at a time) // bits may arrive out of order

4b(iii) · 1 mark

  • 1 mark

    Serial simplex // Serial half-duplex // Serial full-duplex // Parallel simplex // Parallel half-duplex

5a · 2 marks

  • 1 mark

    Program counter // PC

  • 1 mark

    Memory address register // MAR

5b · 3 marks

  • 1 mark

    CIR/CU receives the instruction from the MDR // Instruction sent from MDR to CIR/CU

  • 1 mark

    … using the data bus

  • 1 mark

    Instruction is separated into opcode and operand

5c · 1 mark

  • 1 mark

    Accumulator // Memory address register // MAR // Memory data register // MDR

5d · 3 marks

  • 1 mark

    data

  • 1 mark

    address

  • 1 mark

    control

5e · 2 marks

  • 1 mark

    It can now execute more instructions/FDE per second

  • 1 mark

    … this will increase the performance of the CPU

6a · 1 mark

  • 1 mark

    Computer system that is designed to a perform dedicated/single function // Computer system that contains a microprocessor (and)/dedicated hardware // Computer system that is built into a larger system

6b · 1 mark

  • 1 mark

    Assembler

6c · 1 mark

  • 1 mark

    Convert to hexadecimal // Convert to denary // A character set can be used

6d · 1 mark

  • 1 mark

    More control over manipulating the hardware // Faster execution for testing than a high-level language // They can use machine specific instructions

6e · 6 marks

  • 1 mark

    Code editor

  • 1 mark

    … that allows the user to enter and amend code in their program

  • 1 mark

    Run-time environment

  • 1 mark

    … that allows a program to be run and see the outputs of their program

  • 1 mark

    Error-diagnostic / Auto-completion / Auto-correction / Prettyprint

  • 1 mark

    … description of error-diagnostic / auto-completion / auto-correction / prettyprint

7a(i) · 1 mark

  • 1 mark

    D

7a(ii) · 2 marks

  • 1 mark

    One mark for identifying a function

  • 1 mark

    One mark for a matching description

7b · 1 mark

  • 1 mark

    Firmware // Bootloader // BIOS // Bootstrap

8 · 4 marks

  • 1 mark

    Digital ledger is used / Device encrypting data / Device sending data to digital ledger

  • 1 mark

    Payment being recorded on digital ledger / … including details such as digital signature/time/date stamp

  • 1 mark

    Transaction is stored in a block … / … in multiples / Each block has block hash/unique identifier

  • 1 mark

    When block is executed or full / … it is applied to every device that has the blockchain // Block is added to blockchain (on each device)

9a · 7 marks

  • 1 mark

    artificial

  • 1 mark

    interface

  • 1 mark

    inference engine

  • 1 mark

    knowledge base

  • 1 mark

    rule base

  • 1 mark

    inference engine

  • 1 mark

    interface

9b · 1 mark

  • 1 mark

    Machine learning

Questions

  1. 1
    Question 16 marks
    Mark scheme ›
  2. 2
    Question 210 marks
    Mark scheme ›
  3. 3
    Question 311 marks
    Mark scheme ›
  4. 4
    Question 411 marks
    Mark scheme ›
  5. 5
    Question 511 marks
    Mark scheme ›
  6. 6
    Question 610 marks
    Mark scheme ›
  7. 7
    Question 74 marks
    Mark scheme ›
  8. 8
    Question 84 marks
    Mark scheme ›
  9. 9
    Question 98 marks
    Mark scheme ›

More 0478 papers

Other papers from Oct/Nov 2024

Solve it on ExamPalStart