Skip to main content
O-LevelComputer ScienceHardware2210/12 · May/June 2024 · Q58 Marks

Instructions are processed by a central processing unit (CPU) in a computer.

  1. (a)Complete the paragraph about fetching an instruction into the CPU to be processed. Use the terms from the list. Some of the terms in the list will not be used. You should only use a term once. address arithmetic logic unit (ALU) binary control unit (CU) current instruction register (CIR) data denary driver fetch interrupt memory address register (MAR) memory data register (MDR) random access memory (RAM) read only memory (ROM) secondary storage signal The program counter contains the __________ of the next instruction to be processed; this is then sent to the __________ using the address bus. The address is then sent to the __________. Once the address is received, the instruction stored at the location is sent to the __________ using the __________ bus. The instruction is then sent to the __________ that is built into the __________.[7]
  2. (b)The CPU uses an instruction set to decode the instruction. State what is meant by an instruction set.[1]

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (May/June 2024). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

  1. [7] One mark for each correct term in the correct place: address • memory address register // MAR • random access memory // RAM • memory data register // MDR • data • current instruction register // CIR • control unit // CU
  2. [1] A list of (machine code) commands that can be processed by the CPU

Write your answer and get it marked

On Oracle Prep you can write or photograph your own answer and have it marked by AI against this mark scheme, with feedback on what you missed.

Sign up free →

About this question

Topic
Hardware, O-Level Computer Science (syllabus 2210). Structured question, 8 marks.
Source
O-Level Computer Science, May/June 2024 Paper 1 Variant 2, question 5.

Questions and mark schemes are from past examination papers and remain the copyright of the exam board. How Oracle Prep builds its content

Related Computer Science questions

© 2026 Oracle Prep