System Software: past paper questions

Where the questions come from

• Question 2May/June 2026, paper 11Structured10 marks

  A computer programmer uses language translators. Two types of translator are an interpreter and a compiler. Explain why language translators are needed when programming.

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• Question 5Oct/Nov 2025, paper 11Structured10 marks

  The Operating System (OS) is responsible for hardware and security management in a computer system. State two tasks that are performed by hardware management.

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• Question 4Oct/Nov 2024, paper 11Structured17 marks

  A student uses a laptop to write a program that is saved as a text file.

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• Question 6Oct/Nov 2023, paper 11Structured9 marks

  A programmer uses both a compiler and an interpreter to translate a program written in a high-level language. Describe the advantages of using the interpreter compared to the compiler to translate the program.

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• Question 7May/June 2026, paper 12Structured13 marks

  A student is writing a computer program for a school project. The student uses a computer that comes with an Operating System (OS) and utility software. Identify two tasks the OS performs as part of process management.

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• Question 8Oct/Nov 2025, paper 12Structured10 marks

  A restaurant accesses software and stores data using cloud computing. Give two benefits of storing data using cloud computing.

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• Question 3Oct/Nov 2024, paper 12Structured12 marks

  A student has a computer. The computer is designed using the Von Neumann model for a computer system. Complete the table by describing the purpose of each of the given registers.

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• Question 8Oct/Nov 2023, paper 12Structured8 marks

  A computer has an Operating System (OS). State one purpose of the Operating System.

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• Question 5May/June 2026, paper 13Structured10 marks

  A student uses a laptop for school work. The laptop contains system software including an Operating System (OS) and utility software. Hardware management is one key management task that the OS performs.

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• Question 10Oct/Nov 2025, paper 12Structured7 marks

  A programmer is developing a computer program. Explain how the programmer can first use an interpreter and then a compiler to develop the computer program.

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• Question 4Oct/Nov 2024, paper 12Structured10 marks

  A program is written in a high-level language by a team of three programmers using an Integrated Development Environment (IDE). Describe how the programmers can use the debugging features of a typical IDE during the development of the program.

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• Question 5Oct/Nov 2023, paper 13Structured9 marks

  A programmer uses an Integrated Development Environment (IDE) to develop a program that monitors air quality. Describe the following features of a typical IDE.

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• Question 8Oct/Nov 2025, paper 13Structured10 marks

  Compilers and interpreters are used to translate programs written in a high-level language into a low-level language. State two disadvantages of using a compiler compared to an interpreter during program development.

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• Question 3May/June 2024, paper 11Structured5 marks

  A software developer is writing a computer program. The developer uses an interpreter while writing the program code because it is easier for debugging. Explain one reason why it is easier to debug the program code using an interpreter instead of a compiler.

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• Question 7Oct/Nov 2023, paper 31Structured5 marks

  A student buys a new computer. State one benefit to the student of a user interface and give an example.

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• Question 6May/June 2025, paper 11Structured14 marks

  A programmer is buying a new computer.

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• Question 6May/June 2024, paper 12Essay4 marks

  A computer has an Operating System (OS). Memory management and process management are two OS tasks. Explain how memory management and process management support multi-tasking.

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• Question 3May/June 2023, paper 11Structured17 marks

  A computer has an Operating System (OS). Describe how the Operating System manages the peripheral hardware devices of the computer.

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• Question 3May/June 2025, paper 13Structured15 marks

  A programmer is writing a program in a high-level language. Complete the description of compilers and interpreters by writing the missing words.

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• Question 8May/June 2024, paper 12Structured10 marks

  A programmer uses an Integrated Development Environment (IDE) to write a computer program.

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• Question 5May/June 2023, paper 12Structured15 marks

  A student has purchased a new laptop. The laptop is designed using the Von Neumann model for a computer system. Identify two types of signal that a control bus can transfer.

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• Question 7May/June 2023, paper 12Structured16 marks

  A software developer is working in a team writing a program for a client. The developer is writing a new program library to be used by the other team members. Define the term program library.

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• Question 5May/June 2023, paper 13Structured9 marks

  A programmer is developing a computer game in a high-level language to sell to the public. The programmer uses both an interpreter and a compiler at different stages of the development of the program.

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