PAPER 1 MOCK EXAM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
What is the purpose of the CPU? - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅It does the fetch decode execute cycle
from the instructions stored in memory.
What does the cache do? - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅Provides fast access to frequently used
instructions and data
What is the ALU and what does it do? - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅Arithmetic logic unit - performs
mathematical shift and logic operations
What does the control unit do? - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅Decodes instructions and sends signals to
control how data moves around the CPU
What is the MAR? - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅Memory Address Register - this stores the address that
will be read from or written to in memory
What is the MDR? - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅Memory Data Register- this stores the data that will be
read from or written to
What is the pc? - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅Program Counter - Holds the memory address of the next
instruction to be executed
What is the ACC? - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅Accumulator - results from ALU temporary stored here
until they are written into memory
What happens at the fetch stage of the FDE cycle? - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅Transfer of data from
memory to cpu
What happens at the decode stage of the FDE cycle? - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅Changes the data
into a format the computer can understand
, What happens at the execute stage of the FDE cycle? - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅Processes the data
and instruction
How does clock speed affect cpu performance? - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅It allows more FDE cycles
per second
How does number of cores affect cpu performance? - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅More instructions
can be performed at the same time
How does cache size affect cpu performance? - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅Increases amount of
memory closer to the cpu this decreases the number of transfers needed increasing cpu speed
What is a general purpose system and give an example? - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅Allows you to do
productivity tasks such as photo editing
What is an embedded system and give an example of one? - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅It is a
computer designed to solve a highly specific problem such as automatic headlights
Give 4 benefits of embedded systems - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅- don't need an operating system
-cheap to produce as they require less processor power
-can be small in size good for small devices
- hardware used to make them is often far more rugged and can be used in a range of scenario's
Give 2 drawbacks of embedded systems - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅-they can only perform a limited
number of functions
- difficult to upgrade due to limited storage and proccesor power
Give 2 advantages of optical storage - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅- portable
- low costs for small amounts of data
Give 2 disadvantages of optical storage - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅- low capacity
What is the purpose of the CPU? - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅It does the fetch decode execute cycle
from the instructions stored in memory.
What does the cache do? - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅Provides fast access to frequently used
instructions and data
What is the ALU and what does it do? - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅Arithmetic logic unit - performs
mathematical shift and logic operations
What does the control unit do? - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅Decodes instructions and sends signals to
control how data moves around the CPU
What is the MAR? - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅Memory Address Register - this stores the address that
will be read from or written to in memory
What is the MDR? - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅Memory Data Register- this stores the data that will be
read from or written to
What is the pc? - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅Program Counter - Holds the memory address of the next
instruction to be executed
What is the ACC? - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅Accumulator - results from ALU temporary stored here
until they are written into memory
What happens at the fetch stage of the FDE cycle? - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅Transfer of data from
memory to cpu
What happens at the decode stage of the FDE cycle? - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅Changes the data
into a format the computer can understand
, What happens at the execute stage of the FDE cycle? - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅Processes the data
and instruction
How does clock speed affect cpu performance? - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅It allows more FDE cycles
per second
How does number of cores affect cpu performance? - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅More instructions
can be performed at the same time
How does cache size affect cpu performance? - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅Increases amount of
memory closer to the cpu this decreases the number of transfers needed increasing cpu speed
What is a general purpose system and give an example? - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅Allows you to do
productivity tasks such as photo editing
What is an embedded system and give an example of one? - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅It is a
computer designed to solve a highly specific problem such as automatic headlights
Give 4 benefits of embedded systems - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅- don't need an operating system
-cheap to produce as they require less processor power
-can be small in size good for small devices
- hardware used to make them is often far more rugged and can be used in a range of scenario's
Give 2 drawbacks of embedded systems - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅-they can only perform a limited
number of functions
- difficult to upgrade due to limited storage and proccesor power
Give 2 advantages of optical storage - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅- portable
- low costs for small amounts of data
Give 2 disadvantages of optical storage - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅- low capacity
