Computer Science (J277)

1.1 Systems Architecture 21/05/25

Mr D Oni

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Candidate Candidate
forename surname

Centre number Candidate number

INSTRUCTIONS TO CANDIDATES
• Write your name, centre number and 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 may take into account some 'either/or' question choices.

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1(a). A computer has a Central Processing Unit (CPU).

Describe what happens during the fetch-execute cycle.

[2]

(b). Complete the table by writing the name of two registers used in the fetch-execute cycle and the purpose of
each register.

Register Purpose

[4]

(c). Give three characteristics of a CPU that can affect its performance.

1
2
3 [3]

2. A car has a ‘Follow Me’ system that uses a cruise control feature to allow the car to follow the car in front of it.
It will keep the same speed and distance without the driver’s intervention. The cruise control system is an
example of an embedded system.

Explain the reasons why the ‘Follow Me’ system is an example of an embedded system.

[3]

3. A car comes with many embedded systems, for example parking sensors.

Identify one other embedded system that could be found in a car and explain why this is an embedded system.

Example embedded system

Explanation

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 [3]

4. Complete the table by writing the missing definition or name of each of the common CPU components and
registers.

CPU component or register Definition

Stores the address of the next instruction to be

fetched from memory. Increments during each fetch-
execute cycle.

CU (Control Unit)

Stores the address of the data to be fetched from or

the address where the data is to be stored.

Performs mathematical calculations and logical

operations.

[4]

5(a). A computer system has a 2.5 GHz processor and 5 GB of RAM.

Von Neumann architecture includes registers.

Identify two registers used in Von Neumann architecture.

1
2
[2]

(b).

i. State the purpose of a CPU.

[1]

ii. State what is meant by a single core 2.5 GHz processor.

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 [2]

6. Draw one line from each part of the processor to its correct definition.

[4]
7. Ali’s tablet computer has an operating system.

Ali thinks his tablet is an embedded system.

State whether Ali is correct or incorrect, justifying your choice.

Choice

Justification

[3]

8(a).

i. The table has five components of a computer, and four statements.

Tick (✓) one or more boxes in each row to identify which component(s) each statement describes.

Program
Statement MAR MDR Cache RAM
Counter
It stores a single address

It stores frequently used instructions

It is a register

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 It stores all currently running data and instructions

[4]

ii. Identify the name of one register not given in part (i) and describe its purpose.

Register
Purpose
[2]

(b). Computer A has a single core, 3.2 GHz processor.

Computer B has a single core, 1.2 GHz processor.

Explain why Computer A will usually run faster than Computer B.

[2]

9. The following paragraph describes embedded systems.

Complete the paragraph by selecting terms from the list and writing them in the correct places. Not all terms are
used.

actuator applications change functions laptop larger

lights microprocessor processor range smaller washing machine

Embedded systems have limited ........................................................ They are often

built into a ........................................................ machine. Two examples of embedded

systems are a ........................................................ and automated

........................................................ in a car.
[4]

10(a). The specification of two CPUs is shown in Fig. 1.

Computer 1 Computer 2
Clock Speed: 1 GHz Clock Speed: 1.4 GHz
Cache size: 2 MB Cache size: 2 MB
Number of Cores: 4 Number of Cores: 2

Fig. 1

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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]

(b). Identify two other parts of a computer that are not in Fig. 1, which could improve the performance of the
computers.

1
2

[2]

(c). Explain one reason why the cache size affects the performance of the CPU.

[2]

(d). Identify two events that take place during the fetch-execute cycle.

[2]

11. Kerry wants to buy a new computer, but she does not understand what the different parts of a computer do.

Kerry has heard of a CPU but does not know what it is.

i. The following sentences describe the purpose of a CPU.

Complete the sentences by filling in the missing words.

CPU stands for ............................................................................................. .

It is the part of the computer that fetches and executes the ...............................................

that are stored in ....................................... .

The CPU contains the Arithmetic ............................................................. Unit (ALU) and

the .............................................................. Unit (CU).

[5]

ii. Kerry is looking at two computers; one has a single core processor and the other has a dual core
processor.

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 Explain why having a dual core processor might improve the performance of the computer.

[2]

iii. One computer has 64 kilobytes of cache and the other has 512 kilobytes of cache.

Explain how the cache size can affect the performance of the CPU.

[2]

12. Xander’s tablet computer comes with system software, including an operating system and utility system
software.

Xander also has a smart watch.

i. Tick (✓) one box to show whether the smart watch or the laptop is an example of an embedded system.

Is an example of an embedded system

Smart watch

Laptop
[1]

ii. Justify your choice to part (i).

[2]

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13(a). Alicia has designed a computer using Von Neumann architecture.

Describe the purpose of two registers that are used by Von Neumann architecture.

[4]

(b). The CPU has a clock speed of 3.8 GHz.

Describe what is meant by a clock speed of 3.8 GHz.

[2]

(c). 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]

14(a). Quinn's current computer specification is shown in Fig. 4.

Fig. 4

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Describe the benefits of a dual core processor over a single core processor.

[2]

(b). Quinn is considering upgrading the RAM.

i. Describe two differences between RAM and ROM.

Difference 1

Difference 2

[4]

ii. Quinn has decided to upgrade the RAM on his computer. Explain why this would improve the computer's
performance.

[2]

iii. *After upgrading the RAM, Quinn could make further changes to improve his computer's performance.

Identify the changes and explain how these changes would improve performance.

The quality of your written communication will be assessed in your answer.

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 [6]

15(a). Gareth's Sat Nav contains an embedded system. Define what is meant by an ‘embedded system’.

[1]

(b). Identify three devices, other than a Sat Nav, that contain embedded systems.

[3]

16. 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 computer.
The hard disk drive is part of the CPU.
[5]

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17. Even though the computer devices they own still work, people often want to buy the most up-to-date models,
such as the latest smartphone.

Discuss the impact of people wanting to upgrade to the latest smartphone.

In your answer you might consider the impact on:

 stakeholders
 technology
 ethical issues
 environmental issues

[8]

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18(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.

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]

(b). Identify two internal components that are not in Fig. 1, which could improve the performance of the
computers.

[2]

(c). Explain one reason why the cache size affects the performance of the CPU.

[2]

(d). Identify four events that take place during the fetch-execute cycle.

[4]

19(a). Dipesh is thinking of buying a tablet computer to replace his old desktop computer.

Describe how the CPU and RAM work together to enable the tablet computer to operate.

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 [3]

(b). The tablet computer also uses cache memory. Describe the purpose of cache memory.

[2]

END OF QUESTION PAPER

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