← IGCSE Computer Science Paper 1

Matching a scenario to an operating system function

Find what the OS is doing in a scenario, such as sharing the CPU, loading a driver or checking a password, then match it to one of its nine functions and explain with 'because'.

Part of: IGCSE Computer Science 0478 — 4.1 Types of Software and Interrupts — Module 33

Understanding Matching a scenario to an operating system function in IGCSE Computer Science Paper 1

What it does: Checking a password against a stored one shows the OS identifying the user and protecting the system. The OS gives each program a turn on the CPU, which is how multitasking works. The OS is sharing CPU time between two programs open at once. That is multitasking. A printer is a peripheral. The OS loads its device driver so the two can communicate. Logging in uses a user account. The OS checks who you are before letting you in. The key clue is the printer, a peripheral, so the answer is peripherals and drivers. Look for the OS action in the scenario, such as sharing the CPU, loading a driver or checking a password. Then match it to a function and explain with 'because'.

Common mistakes: Two programs open at once is multitasking because the OS shares the CPU between them. Loading a driver belongs to managing peripherals, so the reason should be 'it shares the CPU'. The scenario does not match the function. Loading a driver happens when a printer is plugged in, so line 1 should be 'Scenario: plug in a printer'.

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This module's key terms are also in a printable crossword (Modules 373–389) and word search (Modules 356–389).

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Learning

Duo

You play music while writing an essay, and both programs run smoothly at the same time. Which OS function is this?

Managing multitaskingProviding a command-line interface

Matches

Typing a password to log in = managing memory

↓

Checking a password is user accounts and security, not memory, because the OS is checking who the user is

Applying

Meanings

Term

scenario to function

Meaning

Find what the OS is doing in a scenario, such as sharing the CPU, loading a driver or checking a password, then match it to one of its nine functions and explain with 'because'.

Practice

Scenario: Two programs are open at once

Testing

Gaps

function = ""

Check Answer

Spots

2OS function: multitasking

3Because: it loads a driver

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Quick Questions

1. You play music while writing an essay, and both programs run smoothly at the same time. Which OS function is this?

A. Managing multitasking ✓

B. Providing a command-line interface

The OS is sharing CPU time between two programs open at once. That is multitasking.

2. You plug in a new printer and the OS loads the software it needs to talk to it. Which OS function is this?

A. Managing peripherals and drivers ✓

B. Managing user accounts

A printer is a peripheral. The OS loads its device driver so the two can communicate.

3. A student types a username and password to log in to a school computer. Which OS function is this?

A. Managing user accounts ✓

B. Managing peripherals and drivers

Logging in uses a user account. The OS checks who you are before letting you in.

4. Two programs are open at once. Which explanation is correct?

A. Multitasking, because the OS loads a driver for each program

B. Multitasking, because the OS shares CPU time between the programs ✓

Multitasking is about sharing the CPU. Drivers are for peripherals, not for programs.

5. A new printer is plugged in and works. Which explanation is correct?

A. Managing files, because the OS saves the printer in a folder

B. Peripherals and drivers, because the OS uses a driver to talk to the printer ✓

The key clue is the printer, a peripheral, so the answer is peripherals and drivers.

Match the Pairs

Game and music player open at once → Managing multitasking, because the OS shares CPU time between the programs

Plug in a printer, OS loads its driver → Managing peripherals and drivers, because the OS needs the driver to talk to the device

Logging in is user accounts and security because the OS checks who you are → IF password = storedPassword THEN allowAccess

Two programs open at once is multitasking because the CPU is shared → giveCPUTime(game) giveCPUTime(music)

Typing a password to log in = managing memory → Checking a password is user accounts and security, not memory, because the OS is checking who the user is

Plugging in a printer = managing files → A new printer needs peripherals and drivers, not files, because the OS must load a driver to control the device

Key Term

scenario to function

Find what the OS is doing in a scenario, such as sharing the CPU, loading a driver or checking a password, then match it to one of its nine functions and explain with 'because'.

Fill in the Blanks

1. scenario = "Two programs open at once" function = "multitasking"

Hint: Type the OS function that lets several programs run at the same time.

2. scenario = "A printer is plugged in" function = "managing peripherals and drivers"

Hint: Type the word for external devices like printers that the OS manages.

3. scenario = "A new student gets a login" function = "managing user accounts"

Hint: Type the word for what a person logs in to, which the OS sets up and manages.

4. scenario = "Music plays while a game runs" ans = "Multitasking because CPU is shared"

Hint: Type the linking word that introduces the reason for your match.

5. scenario = "The OS checks a password" function = "providing system security"

Hint: Type the OS function that protects the computer by checking who may use it.

Spot the Error

Question 1

A Scenario: music and game open

B OS function: multitasking

C Because: it loads a driver

Line C — Two programs open at once is multitasking because the OS shares the CPU between them. Loading a driver belongs to managing peripherals, so the reason should be 'it shares the CPU'.

Question 2

A Scenario: two apps open

B OS function: peripherals

C Because: it loads a driver

Line A — The scenario does not match the function. Loading a driver happens when a printer is plugged in, so line 1 should be 'Scenario: plug in a printer'.

Question 3

A Scenario: enter a password

B OS function: multitasking

C Because: it checks the login

Line B — Entering a password is logging in, which is the user accounts function (with security). Multitasking is about sharing the CPU, so line 2 should be 'OS function: user accounts'.

Question 4

A Scenario: save a document

B OS function: managing memory

C Because: it stores the file

Line B — Saving a document means the OS is storing and organising a file, so the function is managing files. Managing memory is about RAM.

Question 5

A Scenario: browser and music

B OS function: multitasking

C Both programs run together

D Because: it checks passwords

Line D — Running a browser and music together is multitasking because the OS shares the CPU. Checking passwords is a security or user account reason, so line 4 should say 'it shares the CPU'.

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