AQA A-LEVEL COMPUTER SCIENCE
PAPER 2 COMPREHENSIVE QUESTIONS
AND SOLUTIONS
◉ Basic Input Output System (BIOS)
Answer: Where important instructions explaining how to turn on
the computer are stored - for example, how to find a keyboard and
interpret keystrokes.
◉ Bit
Answer: A binary 1 or 0. Normally part of a byte.
◉ Bitrate
Answer: The amount of data (measured in bits) that can be
transmitted per second. Can also be called the baud rate.
◉ Byte
Answer: A group of bits (usually 8) treated as one unit.
◉ Checksum
Answer: An extra byte that is added to a block of data, which is the
sum of the bits, ignoring any carry. This is then calculated by the
receiver, and if they match, then the data is accepted.
,◉ Ethernet
Answer: A cable standard used to connect nodes within a LAN.
◉ Graphical User Interface (GUI)
Answer: An intuitive interface using images to represent
commands. It is easy for beginners to use, however it can be slow
as many commands are hidden so the user is not confused.
◉ Hardware
Answer: The physical components which make up the computer.
◉ Input Device
Answer: A type of peripheral that can accept data, decode it, and
send it as electrical pulses to the computer. For example:
keyboards, mice, digital cameras, and microphones.
◉ I/O Device
Answer: A device that communicates between the computer and
the outside word - for example a keyboard or a printer. Sometimes
also known as an HID (Human Interface Device).
◉ Local Area Network (LAN)
Answer: Computers connected to each other in a geographically
small area, for example a home network.
, ◉ Magnetic Ink Character Reader (MICR)
Answer: Reads characters which have been printed using special
magnetic ink. The only common use is the account information
printed on the bottom of cheques. Unlike bar codes, can easily be
read by both humans and computers.
◉ Network
Answer: 2 or more computing devices connected together so that
they can share data and resources.
◉ Network Interface Card (NIC)
Answer: An expansion card that allows a computer to connect to a
network. Most motherboards have a wired one built in, but an
expansion card might be required for wireless access.
◉ Node
Answer: A piece of equipment, such as a PC or peripheral,
attached to a network.
◉ Optical Character Recognition (OCR)
Answer: Converts text on paper to digital characters, by
comparing a scanned character with a database. Works best on
typed pages, but also works with handwriting.
◉ Optical Mark Reader (OMR)
PAPER 2 COMPREHENSIVE QUESTIONS
AND SOLUTIONS
◉ Basic Input Output System (BIOS)
Answer: Where important instructions explaining how to turn on
the computer are stored - for example, how to find a keyboard and
interpret keystrokes.
◉ Bit
Answer: A binary 1 or 0. Normally part of a byte.
◉ Bitrate
Answer: The amount of data (measured in bits) that can be
transmitted per second. Can also be called the baud rate.
◉ Byte
Answer: A group of bits (usually 8) treated as one unit.
◉ Checksum
Answer: An extra byte that is added to a block of data, which is the
sum of the bits, ignoring any carry. This is then calculated by the
receiver, and if they match, then the data is accepted.
,◉ Ethernet
Answer: A cable standard used to connect nodes within a LAN.
◉ Graphical User Interface (GUI)
Answer: An intuitive interface using images to represent
commands. It is easy for beginners to use, however it can be slow
as many commands are hidden so the user is not confused.
◉ Hardware
Answer: The physical components which make up the computer.
◉ Input Device
Answer: A type of peripheral that can accept data, decode it, and
send it as electrical pulses to the computer. For example:
keyboards, mice, digital cameras, and microphones.
◉ I/O Device
Answer: A device that communicates between the computer and
the outside word - for example a keyboard or a printer. Sometimes
also known as an HID (Human Interface Device).
◉ Local Area Network (LAN)
Answer: Computers connected to each other in a geographically
small area, for example a home network.
, ◉ Magnetic Ink Character Reader (MICR)
Answer: Reads characters which have been printed using special
magnetic ink. The only common use is the account information
printed on the bottom of cheques. Unlike bar codes, can easily be
read by both humans and computers.
◉ Network
Answer: 2 or more computing devices connected together so that
they can share data and resources.
◉ Network Interface Card (NIC)
Answer: An expansion card that allows a computer to connect to a
network. Most motherboards have a wired one built in, but an
expansion card might be required for wireless access.
◉ Node
Answer: A piece of equipment, such as a PC or peripheral,
attached to a network.
◉ Optical Character Recognition (OCR)
Answer: Converts text on paper to digital characters, by
comparing a scanned character with a database. Works best on
typed pages, but also works with handwriting.
◉ Optical Mark Reader (OMR)
