← IGCSE Computer Science Paper 1

Writing exam answers about network hardware and addresses

A full-mark answer uses the correct terms (NIC, MAC address, IP address, router) and links each point to a reason, using 'because'.

Part of: IGCSE Computer Science 0478 — 3.4 Network Hardware — Module 30

Understanding Writing exam answers about network hardware and addresses in IGCSE Computer Science Paper 1

What it does: The comparison names both versions and the reason (128 bits against 32 bits) is joined with 'because'. The router's role is described with the correct term and the reason for its action. A MAC address is assigned by the manufacturer, not the network. Naming the term and giving a reason ('because') earns the mark. 'Newer' is vague. A full-mark answer gives a specific reason: 128-bit addresses allow far more devices than 32-bit addresses. The MAC address is fixed at manufacture and the IP address can change. Mixing these up loses the mark. Routers allocate IP addresses. MAC addresses come from the manufacturer.

Common mistakes: A MAC address is given to the NIC when it is manufactured, not by the network. The network allocates IP addresses. The line should be 'It is given at manufacture.'. The reason given is factually wrong. IPv6 addresses are 128 bits long, which is why there are far more of them. The line should be 'because it uses 128 bits.'.

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This module's key terms are also in a printable crossword (Modules 356–372) and word search (Modules 356–389).

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Learning
Duo
Which answer earns the mark: 'What is the purpose of a MAC address?'
It is given to the device by the router, so it is a number for the network.It uniquely identifies a device's NIC on a network because it is set at manufacture and does not change.
Matches
A MAC address is given to a device by the network when it joins.
↓
A MAC address is set by the manufacturer. It is the IP address that the network assigns.
Applying
Meanings
Term
term + because + reason
Meaning
A full-mark answer uses the correct terms (NIC, MAC address, IP address, router) and links each point to a reason, using 'because'.
Practice
A MAC address is unique to a NIC because the manufacturer sets it.
Testing
Gaps
it must pick a route.
Check Answer
Spots
3because it is unique.
4It is given by the network.

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Quick Questions

1. Which answer earns the mark: 'What is the purpose of a MAC address?'
A. It is given to the device by the router, so it is a number for the network.
B. It uniquely identifies a device's NIC on a network because it is set at manufacture and does not change. ✓
A MAC address is assigned by the manufacturer, not the network. Naming the term and giving a reason ('because') earns the mark.
2. Which answer correctly compares IPv4 and IPv6?
A. IPv6 has more addresses than IPv4 because it uses 128 bits instead of 32 bits. ✓
B. IPv6 is better than IPv4 because it is newer.
'Newer' is vague. A full-mark answer gives a specific reason: 128-bit addresses allow far more devices than 32-bit addresses.
3. Which answer describes the role of a router with a reason?
A. A router reads the destination IP address in each packet because it must choose the best route to send it on. ✓
B. A router sends data around the network because it is the main part of the network.
Use the correct term (destination IP address) and link it to the reason: the router must pick a route for each packet.
4. Which statement is a common mistake to avoid in an exam answer?
A. 'The network assigns an IP address to a device when it joins.'
B. 'The network assigns the MAC address to a device when it joins.' ✓
A MAC address is set by the manufacturer. IP addresses are allocated by the network (for example by the router).
5. Which answer uses the correct terms about why a device needs a MAC address?
A. The NIC has a MAC address because it identifies the physical device, even if its IP address changes. ✓
B. The NIC has an IP address from the factory because it identifies the device for ever.
The MAC address is fixed at manufacture and the IP address can change. Mixing these up loses the mark.

Match the Pairs

A router forwards each packet because it reads the destination IP address. → A full-mark sentence about a router: it uses the correct terms and links the action to a reason with 'because'.
A MAC address identifies the NIC because it is set by the manufacturer. → A full-mark sentence about a MAC address: it states its purpose and gives a reason with 'because'.
Comparing IPv4 and IPv6 for full marks: state the difference and explain it with 'because'. → IPv6 has more addresses than IPv4 because it uses 128 bits, not 32.
Describing a router's role for full marks: use the term router and give a reason for its action. → A router sends a packet on its way because it chooses the best route to the destination.
A MAC address is given to a device by the network when it joins. → A MAC address is set by the manufacturer. It is the IP address that the network assigns.
The router uses the MAC address to pick the route across the internet. → A router reads the destination IP address in the packet header to choose the route, not the MAC address.

Key Term

term + because + reason
A full-mark answer uses the correct terms (NIC, MAC address, IP address, router) and links each point to a reason, using 'because'.

Fill in the Blanks

1. A router reads the destination IP address because it must pick a route.
Hint: Type the linking word that introduces a reason in a full-mark answer.
2. A MAC address is set by the manufacturer, so the network cannot assign it.
Hint: Type the term for the hardware address fixed when a device is made.
3. IPv6 has more addresses than IPv4 because it uses 128 bits.
Hint: Type the name of the newer IP version that uses longer addresses.
4. A NIC connects a device to a network because it sends and receives data.
Hint: Type the abbreviation for the network interface card.
5. The router assigns an IP address to each device because the network allocates it.
Hint: Type the term for the address that the network allocates to a device.

Spot the Error

Question 1
A Q: Describe a MAC address.
B It identifies a NIC
C because it is unique.
D It is given by the network.
E It does not change.
Line D — A MAC address is given to the NIC when it is manufactured, not by the network. The network allocates IP addresses. The line should be 'It is given at manufacture.'
Question 2
A Q: Why use IPv6 over IPv4?
B IPv6 has more addresses
C because it uses 64 bits.
D IPv4 uses only 32 bits.
Line C — The reason given is factually wrong. IPv6 addresses are 128 bits long, which is why there are far more of them. The line should be 'because it uses 128 bits.'
Question 3
A Q: What does a router do?
B It reads the destination IP
C because it stores the web page
D for each packet.
Line C — The reason does not link to the point. A router reads the destination IP address because it must choose a route for each packet. It does not store web pages. The line should be 'because it must pick a route'.
Question 4
A A NIC assigns IP addresses
B to devices on the network
C because each device needs
D a unique IP address.
Line A — The wrong term is used. A NIC connects a device to a network. The router assigns IP addresses. The line should be 'A router assigns IP addresses'.
Question 5
A Q: Compare MAC and IP address
B A MAC address is permanent
C An IP address can change
D because the maker sets it
E one when a device joins.
Line D — The reason does not explain why an IP address can change. The network allocates an IP address when a device joins, so it can change. The manufacturer only sets the MAC address. The line should be 'because the network gives it'.

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