Community resourceWorksheet

J277 1 Paper 1 exam language and response precision

Part 1 of 7 · J277 Paper 1 · Exam transition

Focused Paper 1 practice in interpreting command words and developing relevant answers.

Students will:

  • match the answer to the command word and available marks
  • develop a technical property into a benefit and a contextual consequence
  • correct vague or inaccurate technical claims
  • support a choice and explain its limitations

Inside: 5 text sections, 2 multiple-choice activities, 2 completion activities, 6 written answers. 24 marks. Suggested time: 50–70 minutes. 1 diagram.

Includes a teacher guide with sections, timings, misconceptions and repair routes.

Series: J277 Paper 1 · Exam transition, part 1 of 7.

Shared by Coding PathwayVerified teacher

  • 15 cells
  • About 60 minutes
  • CC BY-SA 4.0
  • Shared 17 Aug 2026
  • Updated 27 Oct 2026

Preview

The whole resource, exactly as a class sees it. Answers and marking are held back.

Exam language and response precision

Use the command word, the marks and the situation together. A correct fact earns its place when it answers the question.

CommandWhat to do
State / identifyGive the requested fact or name.
DescribeGive relevant features or what happens.
ExplainShow how or why something happens.
Recommend / justifySupport a suitable choice using relevant reasons.
Discuss / evaluateDevelop the relevant sides or trade-offs; give a judgement when asked.

Marks are not a sentence count. A choice on its own does not usually justify anything.

Multiple choice1 mark

A question asks: 'Describe one function of a router.' Which response answers that request?

  • AIt is better than Wi-Fi
  • BIt forwards data between networks
  • CA network has several devices
  • DBuy the most expensive router
Fill in the blanks3 marks
To Answer 1 a term, give its meaning. To Answer 2 an effect, show how or why it happens. To Answer 3 a choice, support it with a relevant reason.
  • define
  • explain
  • justify
  • calculate
  • identify

1. Develop a useful point

‘It is faster’ leaves the reader asking: faster at what, and why? Name the operation and connect it to a result. This example uses compression; the next question uses storage hardware.

The diagram is a thinking aid. You do not need three sentences or every box for every question.

Develop an explanation A compression example links fewer bits, less data to send and a shorter upload at unchanged connection speed. The stages are a thinking aid, not a compulsory sentence formula or one mark per box. Accurate change Compression represents fewer bits. What this changes Less data needs to be sent. Effect in this situation At the same connection speed, the upload can finish sooner.
Written answer3 marks

A technician carries a laptop between school buildings each day. Explain one benefit of using an SSD rather than a magnetic HDD in this laptop.

Students type their answer here.

Multiple choice1 mark

A student says a WAN is defined by having many computers. Which correction is accurate?

  • AA WAN must use only Wi-Fi
  • BEvery network with more than ten computers is a WAN
  • CGeographical coverage matters; device count alone does not define a WAN
  • DA WAN cannot connect smaller networks
Written answer3 marks

A student writes: 'Encryption stops anyone intercepting a message.' Correct this statement and explain how encryption helps protect the message.

Students type their answer here.

2. Use the stated need

A technical property becomes useful when its effect meets a need. Avoid repeating the situation as your reason. For a recommendation, name a workable option and explain its benefit. Include a limitation when the question asks for one.

For example, ‘more cores’ is a specification. Whether they help depends on how many tasks the software can run at the same time.

Written answer2 marks

A student edits a large poster while other applications are open. The computer has too little RAM and frequently uses virtual memory. Explain one benefit of adding more RAM.

Students type their answer here.

Written answer3 marks

A school office is installing fixed computers that regularly transfer large video files across its local network. Recommend Ethernet or Wi-Fi. Explain one benefit of your choice for this use and state one possible limitation.

Students type their answer here.

Written answer2 marks

An advice service keeps its only copies of appointment files in cloud storage. Its internet connection sometimes fails. Explain one drawback for staff during a failure.

Students type their answer here.

3. Consider more than one side

A short question can ask for a benefit and a drawback. Develop the effect on the people named. An eight-mark discussion needs a fuller, organised treatment of the areas requested, rather than eight disconnected facts. You will practise that longer response later in this series.

Written answer4 marks

A community swimming pool plans to accept bookings only through an app instead of by telephone. Explain one benefit and one drawback of this change for customers.

Students type their answer here.

Fill in the blanks2 marks
Without using earlier worksheets, name the register in each case. (a) Holds the address of the next instruction to be fetched: Answer 1. (b) Holds data just read from main memory: Answer 2.

Review

Choose one explanation to repair. Remove a repeated fact or vague ‘better’, then add the missing technical action or consequence.