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O Level Computer Science 2210 Paper 11, May/June 2025

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2210/11 · May/June 2025

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1

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

a

Tick (✓) one box to show the smallest data storage unit. A byte [ ] B gibibyte (GiB) [ ] C kibibyte (KiB) [ ] D nibble [ ]

[1]
b

State how many tebibytes (TiB) are equal to 2 pebibytes (PiB). Working space

[1]
c(i)

The size of a file needs to be reduced. Give the name of the process that is used to reduce the size of a file.

[1]
c(ii)

One reason the size of a file may need reducing is so that it has a shorter transmission time. Give one other reason why the size of a file may need reducing.

[1]
2

A clothes store has a ticket system to allow customers to speak to a personal shopper. The ticket displays a ticket number in hexadecimal, for example 11B.

a

The ticket system has an output device that creates a paper ticket. Identify an appropriate output device to produce the paper ticket.

[1]
b(i)

Each ticket number is stored as a binary number in the ticket machine. Two ticket numbers are 14B and 97A. Convert the two ticket numbers from hexadecimal to binary. 14B .................................................................................................................................... 97A .................................................................................................................................... Working space

[2]
b(ii)

Give two reasons why the ticket number is displayed as hexadecimal instead of binary. 1 ........................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................... 2 ........................................................................................................................................ ...........................................................................................................................................

[2]
c(i)

The ticket numbers could also be represented as denary. Convert the two ticket numbers from hexadecimal to denary. 02C .................................................................................................................................... 10B ....................................................................................................................................

[2]
c(ii)

Convert the two denary numbers into hexadecimal. 109 .................................................................................................................................... 415 .................................................................................................................................... Working space

[2]
3

An image is converted to binary to be represented by a computer. Complete the table with the missing terms and definition about representing an image. Term | Definition ... | This is the smallest component of an image. resolution | ... ... | This is the number of bits used to create each colour in an image. ... | This is additional data that is stored with an image that can provide information such as the time and date the image was taken.

[4]
4

A restaurant has an electronic ordering system. The system allows customers to select the food they want to order. The data for the order is transmitted across their network to a computer in the restaurant kitchen.

a(i)

The data is sent using serial full-duplex data transmission. Give two reasons why serial full-duplex is a suitable data transmission method for the data. 1 ........................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................... 2 ........................................................................................................................................ ...........................................................................................................................................

[2]
a(ii)

Give one improvement that would be made to the data transmission if parallel transmission is used instead of serial transmission.

[1]
b(i)

A checksum is used to check the data for errors after transmission. Describe the process of the checksum error detection method.

[5]
b(ii)

Identify one other error detection method that could be used to check for errors in the data.

[1]
c(i)

A customer can also order food from home using the internet. The data for their order is broken down into packets and transmitted across the internet to the computer in the restaurant kitchen. Tick (✓) one box to show which item would not be included in a packet’s header. A destination address [ ] B originator’s address [ ] C packet number [ ] D payload [ ]

[1]
c(ii)

The packets of data may need to be reordered when they arrive at the computer in the restaurant kitchen. Explain why the packets of data may need to be reordered.

[2]
5

Data is processed by the central processing unit (CPU) in a computer that has a Von Neumann architecture.

a

Complete the table with the missing terms and definitions about processing data. Term | Definition current instruction register (CIR) | ... ... | This is a processing unit within the CPU that can fetch, decode and execute instructions. ... | This is a list of all the commands that can be processed by the CPU. cache | ... accumulator | ...

[5]
b

Identify the component in the CPU that is responsible for decoding an instruction.

[1]
c

Explain how the clock speed can affect the performance of a CPU.

[3]
6

Data can be encrypted using asymmetric encryption.

a

Complete the paragraph about asymmetric encryption. Use the terms from the list. Some of the terms in the list will not be used. You may use a term more than once. algorithm binary cipher text compression error hardware hexadecimal meaningless plain text private public readable transmission unreadable Data is encrypted using an encryption key. This is a type of ..................................................... that scrambles the ..................................................... and turns it into ..................................................... . This makes the data ..................................................... . A ..................................................... key is used to encrypt the data. This key cannot be used to decrypt the data. A ..................................................... key is used to decrypt the data. Any device is able to request the ..................................................... key, but only your device knows the ..................................................... key.

[8]
b

Data can also be encrypted using symmetric encryption. Give one reason why a person would use asymmetric encryption instead of symmetric encryption.

[1]
7

A student’s computer has primary storage. One example of primary storage is random access memory (RAM).

a

Identify one other example of primary storage.

[1]
b

Explain why RAM is an example of primary storage and not secondary storage.

[3]
c

The student is editing a large video file for a project and during this process the RAM becomes full. This makes the computer crash. Describe how virtual memory could be used in this process to stop the computer crashing.

[3]
d(i)

The computer uses solid-state (flash memory) storage. Give two features of solid-state (flash memory) storage. 1 ........................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................... 2 ........................................................................................................................................ ...........................................................................................................................................

[2]
d(ii)

Give two examples of solid-state (flash memory) storage. 1 ........................................................................................................................................ 2 ........................................................................................................................................

[2]
8

A robot is used to move car parts in a factory.

a

One characteristic of the robot is that it has a mechanical structure. Give one other characteristic of a robot.

[1]
b

The robot has firmware. State what is meant by firmware.

[1]
c

Interrupts are generated when the robot is operating in the factory. Give two examples of interrupts that may be generated when the robot is in operation. 1 ................................................................................................................................................ 2 ................................................................................................................................................

[2]
d

Give two advantages to the workers in the factory of using robots to move the car parts. 1 ................................................................................................................................................ ................................................................................................................................................... 2 ................................................................................................................................................ ...................................................................................................................................................

[2]
e

The robots have the ability to automatically adapt their own processes. State the name of the ability described.

[1]
9

Each employee in a finance company has a computer and an electronic account.

a

Each computer has an operating system. One function of the operating system is to manage memory. Describe the role of the operating system in managing memory.

[3]
b(i)

The finance company is concerned that a hacker may perform a brute-force attack to gain access to an employee’s account. Describe how the hacker would perform the brute-force attack.

[2]
b(ii)

Give three cyber security solutions that could be used to help prevent a brute-force attack from being successful. 1 ........................................................................................................................................ 2 ........................................................................................................................................ 3 ........................................................................................................................................

[3]
c(i)

The company uses a digital currency to purchase a new car. State what is meant by a digital currency.

[1]
c(ii)

The digital currency uses a process that involves a digital ledger. The ledger has time stamped transactions that cannot be altered. Give the name of this process.

[1]

Mark scheme

2210/11 · May/June 2025

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1a · 1 mark

  • 1 mark

    D

1b · 1 mark

  • 1 mark

    2048

1c(i) · 1 mark

  • 1 mark

    (Data) Compression

1c(ii) · 1 mark

  • 1 mark

    Less bandwidth required to transmit the file

  • 1 mark

    Less storage space needed to store the file

  • 1 mark

    To meet email file size limit

  • 1 mark

    To use less data allowance

2a · 1 mark

  • 1 mark

    Printer

2b(i) · 2 marks

  • 1 mark

    0001 0100 1011

  • 1 mark

    1001 0111 1010

2b(ii) · 2 marks

  • 1 mark

    Easier/quicker for the customer to understand/read/remember

  • 1 mark

    Takes up less space on the ticket // Shorter representation

2c(i) · 2 marks

  • 1 mark

    44

  • 1 mark

    267

2c(ii) · 2 marks

  • 1 mark

    (0)6D

  • 1 mark

    19F

3 · 4 marks

  • 1 mark

    pixel: It is the smallest component of an image.

  • 1 mark

    resolution: The number of pixels high by the number of pixels wide // The number of pixels in an image

  • 1 mark

    colour depth // bit depth: This is the number of bits that are used to create each colour in an image.

  • 1 mark

    metadata // header: This is additional data that is stored with an image that can provide information such as the time and date the image was taken.

4a(i) · 2 marks

  • 1 mark

    serial: Serial is suitable as data may be travelling a long distance (over 5 metres).

  • 1 mark

    serial: Serial is suitable to make sure that bits don’t arrive skewed/arrives in order.

  • 1 mark

    serial: Serial is suitable as there is less chance of error.

  • 1 mark

    serial: Serial has sufficient transmission speed as not much data being sent.

  • 1 mark

    full-duplex: Full-duplex is suitable as data needs to go between customer and kitchen computer // data needs to go in both directions // so notification of errors can be sent back to customer.

4a(ii) · 1 mark

  • 1 mark

    The data may be transmitted faster.

4b(i) · 5 marks

  • 1 mark

    The checksum is calculated from/using the data.

  • 1 mark

    … using an algorithm // by example.

  • 1 mark

    The (checksum) value is transmitted with the data.

  • 1 mark

    The (checksum) value is recalculated after transmission/by recipient.

  • 1 mark

    If the checksum values do not match, an error is detected // If the checksum values match, no error is detected …

  • 1 mark

    … request for data to be resent if there is an error.

4b(ii) · 1 mark

  • 1 mark

    Parity byte/block check

  • 1 mark

    Echo check

4c(i) · 1 mark

  • 1 mark

    D

4c(ii) · 2 marks

  • 1 mark

    The packets arrive in the wrong order.

  • 1 mark

    Each packet could take a different route.

  • 1 mark

    Some packets may take longer than others to be transmitted.

  • 1 mark

    Some packets may not arrive/be corrupted and need to be requested again.

5a · 5 marks

  • 1 mark

    current instruction register (CIR): stores the instruction that is being decoded/executed

  • 1 mark

    core: This is a processing unit within the CPU that can fetch, decode and execute instructions.

  • 1 mark

    instruction set: This is a list of all the commands that can be processed by the CPU.

  • 1 mark

    cache: stores frequently used data/instructions

  • 1 mark

    accumulator: stores the result of interim calculations

5b · 1 mark

  • 1 mark

    Control unit // CU

5c · 3 marks

  • 1 mark

    On each clock pulse, an FDE cycle is performed.

  • 1 mark

    The clock speed is the number of FDE cycle performed in a second // The clock speed is the number of times the clock pulses per second/per unit of time.

  • 1 mark

    If clock speed is increased more FDE cycles can be performed in a second // If clock speed is decreased fewer FDE cycles can be performed in a second.

  • 1 mark

    If clock speed is increased, it can improve the performance of the CPU // If clock speed is decreases it decreases the performance of the CPU.

6a · 8 marks

  • 1 mark

    algorithm

  • 1 mark

    plain text

  • 1 mark

    cipher text

  • 1 mark

    meaningless

  • 1 mark

    public/private

  • 1 mark

    private/public (must be opposite of MP5)

  • 1 mark

    public

  • 1 mark

    private

6b · 1 mark

  • 1 mark

    The process is more secure.

  • 1 mark

    Do not need to worry about key exchange.

7a · 1 mark

  • 1 mark

    Read only memory // ROM

  • 1 mark

    Cache

7b · 3 marks

  • 1 mark

    RAM is directly accessed by the CPU.

  • 1 mark

    … whereas secondary storage is not directly accessed by the CPU.

  • 1 mark

    All secondary storage is non-volatile storage.

  • 1 mark

    … whereas RAM is volatile storage.

7c · 3 marks

  • 1 mark

    Virtual memory can act as an extension to the RAM .

  • 1 mark

    The secondary storage device is partitioned to create the virtual memory.

  • 1 mark

    Pages can be transferred from the RAM to the virtual memory …

  • 1 mark

    … to stop the RAM getting full // … when the RAM is full.

7d(i) · 2 marks

  • 1 mark

    It has no moving parts.

  • 1 mark

    It uses semiconductor chips.

  • 1 mark

    It uses NAND/NOR/Flip-flops technology.

  • 1 mark

    It uses cells and transistors (that are laid out in a grid).

  • 1 mark

    It uses control gates and floating gates.

  • 1 mark

    Stores data as electrical charges.

7d(ii) · 2 marks

  • 1 mark

    Solid-state drive // SSD

  • 1 mark

    USB flash memory drive

  • 1 mark

    SD card

8a · 1 mark

  • 1 mark

    It has electrical components. // by example

  • 1 mark

    It is programmable.

  • 1 mark

    It can move.

8b · 1 mark

  • 1 mark

    Permanent instructions/software that are programmed into/stored in the ROM.

  • 1 mark

    Instructions/software that allow hardware to be controlled/managed.

  • 1 mark

    Instructions/software that provides the operating system with a platform to run on.

8c · 2 marks

  • 1 mark

    user input // by example

  • 1 mark

    encountering an obstacle

  • 1 mark

    emergency stop

  • 1 mark

    hardware error

  • 1 mark

    software error

  • 1 mark

    battery low

  • 1 mark

    component overheating

  • 1 mark

    two processes accessing the same location

8d · 2 marks

  • 1 mark

    Workers don’t need to lift heavy machinery

  • 1 mark

    The workers are less likely to injure themselves

  • 1 mark

    The workers don’t need to be in any dangerous environments in the factory

  • 1 mark

    The workers don’t need to perform boring/repetitive tasks such as moving car parts

  • 1 mark

    Workers can focus on having higher expertise skills

  • 1 mark

    Create new jobs for workers to maintain the robots.

8e · 1 mark

  • 1 mark

    Machine learning

9a · 3 marks

  • 1 mark

    To make sure memory is used efficiently

  • 1 mark

    Allocates/deallocates memory to processes

  • 1 mark

    Checks that the processes being actioned have enough memory available

  • 1 mark

    Moves data to and from memory/between memory and storage

  • 1 mark

    Makes sure that two processes do not try and access the same memory location

  • 1 mark

    Creates a memory partition

  • 1 mark

    Creates virtual memory

  • 1 mark

    Transmits pages between RAM and VM

9b(i) · 2 marks

  • 1 mark

    Try to find out/guess a password

  • 1 mark

    … by repeatedly entering different combinations/passwords

  • 1 mark

    Could use software to do it automatically

9b(ii) · 3 marks

  • 1 mark

    Strong passwords // passwords that are long and have a combination of letters, numbers and symbols

  • 1 mark

    Two-step verification // two-factor authentication

  • 1 mark

    Biometric password

  • 1 mark

    Limiting the number of login attempts

9c(i) · 1 mark

  • 1 mark

    A currency that only exists electronically/virtually

9c(ii) · 1 mark

  • 1 mark

    Blockchain

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