← IGCSE Computer Science Paper 1

Writing exam answers about the internet and the web

An exam answer that uses correct terms (URL, DNS, HTTP), gives each step in order and explains why, e.g. DNS finds the IP address so the browser knows which server to ask.

Part of: IGCSE Computer Science 0478 — 5.1 The Internet and the World Wide Web — Module 43

Understanding Writing exam answers about the internet and the web in IGCSE Computer Science Paper 1

What it does: The answer treats them as two different things and gives the correct role of each, so it avoids the mistake of saying they are the same. It names the cookie type (persistent), says how it behaves (stored for a set time) and gives a use with its reason (remembering login details). DNS only translates domain names into IP addresses. Web pages are stored on web servers, so saying DNS stores pages is a common mistake. The internet is the infrastructure (the network). The web is a service that runs on it. Treating them as the same thing loses marks. A full-mark answer uses the correct term (render), names what is used (HTML and CSS) and says why. Repeating the question earns nothing.

Common mistakes: The DNS server only gives back the IP address. It does not store or send web pages. Line 4 should say the web server sends the page. The internet and the World Wide Web are not the same thing. The internet is the global network of computers. The web is the collection of web pages that runs on it. Line 1 should say the internet is the network.

Class: _____________________  ·  Name: _____________________  ·  Date: _________

Free printable worksheet with full answer key — or add this module to a class and your students practise it interactively.

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This module's key terms are also in a printable crossword (Modules 490–499) and word search (Modules 490–509).

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Learning
Duo
Which answer would earn full marks for: 'Describe what a DNS server does'?
It stores all the web pages so the browser can download them quickly.It looks up the domain name and returns the matching IP address so the browser can find the web server.
Matches
The internet and the World Wide Web are the same thing.
↓
They are different: the internet is the network infrastructure, while the World Wide Web is the collection of web pages accessed using it. Writing that they are the same loses the mark.
Applying
Meanings
Term
full-mark answer
Meaning
An exam answer that uses correct terms (URL, DNS, HTTP), gives each step in order and explains why, e.g. DNS finds the IP address so the browser knows which server to ask.
Practice
1. The browser sends the URL to a DNS server.
Testing
Gaps
1. DNS finds the of the server.
Check Answer
Spots
33 Browser sends HTTP request
44 DNS server sends the page

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Quick Questions

1. Which answer would earn full marks for: 'Describe what a DNS server does'?
A. It looks up the domain name and returns the matching IP address so the browser can find the web server. ✓
B. It stores all the web pages so the browser can download them quickly.
DNS only translates domain names into IP addresses. Web pages are stored on web servers, so saying DNS stores pages is a common mistake.
2. Which sentence uses the correct terms to explain the difference between the internet and the web?
A. The internet and the World Wide Web are the same thing, so you can use either word.
B. The internet is the global network of networks, and the World Wide Web is the collection of web pages that is accessed using it. ✓
The internet is the infrastructure (the network). The web is a service that runs on it. Treating them as the same thing loses marks.
3. A question asks you to 'Describe how a web page is displayed after the browser has received the files'. Which answer gives the best step and reason?
A. The browser renders the page by reading the HTML and CSS, so the content is shown with the correct structure and style. ✓
B. The browser shows the page.
A full-mark answer uses the correct term (render), names what is used (HTML and CSS) and says why. Repeating the question earns nothing.
4. Which answer puts the steps for locating a page in the correct order?
A. The browser sends the domain name to a DNS server, gets the IP address back, then sends an HTTP request to the web server. ✓
B. The browser sends an HTTP request to the web server, then asks the DNS server for the IP address.
The browser needs the IP address before it can contact the web server, so the DNS lookup comes first.
5. Which answer fully explains cookies with a type and a use?
A. Cookies are small things that websites use.
B. A persistent cookie is stored on the computer after the browser closes, so a website can remember a user's login details next time. ✓
A full-mark answer names a cookie type (persistent or session) and gives a clear use. Vague wording like 'small things' gains no marks.

Match the Pairs

Browser sends URL to DNS -> DNS returns IP address -> browser requests page from web server → A full-mark answer gives the steps in the correct order and says what each one does, using the terms URL, DNS, IP address and web server.
DNS finds the IP address so the browser knows which server to ask → A full-mark sentence names the term, says what it does and gives the reason (the because/so part).
To show the difference between the internet and the web, name the internet as the network and the web as the content that runs on it. → The internet is the global network of computers; the World Wide Web is the web pages and sites accessed over it using HTTP.
To explain cookies for full marks, give a type of cookie and a use for it, and say why. → A persistent cookie is stored for a set time, so a website can remember a user's login details on their next visit.
The internet and the World Wide Web are the same thing. → They are different: the internet is the network infrastructure, while the World Wide Web is the collection of web pages accessed using it. Writing that they are the same loses the mark.
The DNS stores the web pages and sends them to the browser. → A DNS stores domain names and their IP addresses, not web pages. The web server stores the pages and sends them to the browser.

Key Term

full-mark answer
An exam answer that uses correct terms (URL, DNS, HTTP), gives each step in order and explains why, e.g. DNS finds the IP address so the browser knows which server to ask.

Fill in the Blanks

1. 1. DNS finds the IP address of the server.
Hint: Type the term for the number that identifies the web server and that DNS looks up.
2. The internet is the hardware network. The web is pages shared over it.
Hint: Type the short name of the service made of web pages that runs on the internet.
3. A cookie is a small file a site stores. It saves a login for next time.
Hint: Type the word for the small text file a website stores on the user's device.
4. A session cookie is deleted when you close the browser, e.g. to hold a shopping cart.
Hint: Type the cookie type that only lasts until the browser is closed.
5. The browser sends an HTTP request to the web server, which sends back the page.
Hint: Type the acronym of the protocol used to request and send web pages.

Spot the Error

Question 1
A 1 Browser reads the URL
B 2 DNS finds the IP address
C 3 Browser sends HTTP request
D 4 DNS server sends the page
E 5 Browser renders the HTML
Line D — The DNS server only gives back the IP address. It does not store or send web pages. Line 4 should say the web server sends the page.
Question 2
A Internet and web are the same
B The web is pages on it
C The web uses the internet
Line A — The internet and the World Wide Web are not the same thing. The internet is the global network of computers. The web is the collection of web pages that runs on it. Line 1 should say the internet is the network.
Question 3
A A cookie is a small text file
B Stored by the browser
C Session cookie: kept for years
D Use: keeps items in a cart
Line C — A session cookie is deleted when the browser is closed. A cookie that is kept for years is a persistent cookie. Line 3 should say it is lost on exit.
Question 4
A DNS looks up the domain name
B It returns the web page
C The browser contacts that IP
Line B — DNS returns the IP address of the web server. It does not hold or return web pages. Line 2 should say it returns the IP address.
Question 5
A HTTPS is the secure protocol
B Data is compressed in transit
C So hackers cannot read it
Line B — HTTPS protects data by encrypting it, which scrambles it so it cannot be read. Compressing only makes the data smaller and gives no security. Line 2 should say encrypted.

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