#15 Jun 2024 Q3(a) 4 marks 1.5.1 operating system functions

Question

Lead-in: A computer has an operating system and utility software.

(a) The table contains operating system functions and a task that each function performs. Complete the table by writing the two missing function names and a task performed by the two given functions.

FunctionTask
 Moves data from secondary storage to RAM
Peripheral management 
 Allows the user to create, name and delete folders
User interface 

[4]

Why this question is tricky

Few candidates were able to identify a task performed by peripheral management. Candidates often rephrased 'peripheral management' for example stating that it managed the peripherals or managed the hardware without identifying what this involved.— J277_01_ER_Jun2024.txt lines 220-223

MS complexity 5/10: Strict exclusions — "File management, do not award folder management"; "'manage output devices' is NE" (not enough).

Full-marks model answer

FunctionTask
Memory managementMoves data from secondary storage to RAM
Peripheral managementInstalls / downloads device drivers (or: receives data from input devices; transmits data to output devices)
File managementAllows the user to create, name and delete folders
User interfaceAllows the user to communicate/interact with the computer (or: outputs data to the user; creates/displays a GUI)
Mark allocation (4 marks — one per cell)
  • Cell 1: Memory management — BOD "storage" for memory.
  • Cell 2 (Peripheral): must extend "manage" — "installs device drivers" / "receives from input devices" / "transmits to output devices". "Manages output devices" is NE.
  • Cell 3: File management — not "folder management" (MS exclusion).
  • Cell 4 (User interface): "allows user to communicate/interact" / "outputs data to user" / "creates a GUI or CLI".

Watch out for...

For Peripheral management, never just rephrase the function (e.g. "manages peripherals" or "manages the hardware") — give a specific action like "installs device drivers". The function name for managing folders is File management — never "folder management".