Communication: past paper questions
Real questions on communication
The newest 20 of 123 written questions. Open one to see it on the real paper.
- 9618/11 · October/November 2025 · Q7a[2]
Complete the table by describing the following types of IP address. Type of IP address Description Static
See it on the paper → - 9618/11 · October/November 2025 · Q7b[2]
Consider the following IP address: Circle whether this IP address is IPv4, IPv6 or an invalid IP address. IPv4 IPv6 Invalid Justify your choice. 256.0.0.A
See it on the paper → - 9618/11 · October/November 2025 · Q7c[4]
A user types a Uniform Resource Locator (URL) into the address bar of a web browser to access a web page. Explain how the web browser uses the URL to access the web page.
See it on the paper → - 9618/12 · October/November 2025 · Q5a[2]
Describe the characteristics of a LAN.
See it on the paper → - 9618/12 · October/November 2025 · Q5b[2]
Complete the following diagram to show how these devices are connected in a star topology. Computer Computer Computer Server Computer Computer Switch
See it on the paper → - 9618/12 · October/November 2025 · Q5c[3]
Describe how packets are transmitted between two hosts using a star topology.
See it on the paper → - 9618/12 · October/November 2025 · Q5d[3]
Another type of network is a bus network. Ethernet is used to transmit and receive data between the devices on the bus network. Describe how collisions are detected and managed on this network.
See it on the paper → - 9618/13 · October/November 2025 · Q4a[3]
Give three advantages of a wireless network compared to a wired network.
See it on the paper → - 9618/13 · October/November 2025 · Q4b[1]
Give one drawback of using a wireless network.
See it on the paper → - 9618/32 · October/November 2025 · Q3a[2]
HTTP and IMAP are examples of protocols used in the Application Layer of the TCP/IP protocol suite. State the purpose of the HTTP and IMAP protocols. HTTP IMAP
See it on the paper → - 9618/32 · October/November 2025 · Q3b[4]
Describe how files are shared using the BitTorrent protocol.
See it on the paper → - 9618/32 · October/November 2025 · Q4a[2]
Identify one benefit of circuit switching and one benefit of packet switching. Packet switching Circuit switching
See it on the paper → - 9618/32 · October/November 2025 · Q4b[2]
Identify two differences between circuit switching and packet switching.
See it on the paper → - 9618/11 · May/June 2025 · Q2a[4]
Explain how data is transferred using real‑time bit streaming.
See it on the paper → - 9618/11 · May/June 2025 · Q2c[2]
The video conference is accessed over the internet. Complete the table by stating how modems and dedicated lines are used when data is transmitted over the internet. Hardware Use modems dedicated lines
See it on the paper → - 9618/12 · May/June 2025 · Q6a[2]
State two ways that a WAN is different to a LAN (Local Area Network).
See it on the paper → - 9618/12 · May/June 2025 · Q6b[4]
The smartphones use the cell phone network to connect to the WAN. Explain how data is transmitted using the cell phone network.
See it on the paper → - 9618/12 · May/June 2025 · Q6c[6]
Devices that connect to the WAN have an IP address. Complete the following description of IP addresses by writing the missing words. IPv4 is displayed as four groups of 8-bit numbers separated by . Each IPv4 address is 32 bits. IPv6 is made of eight groups of numbers separated by colons. Multiple consecutive groups of...
See it on the paper → - 9618/12 · May/June 2025 · Q6d[4]
The main office for the company has four wired computers, one server, two printers, one central switch and a device providing a single point of access for the internet. The network is set up as a star topology. Draw the topology for the main office network. Label all devices.
See it on the paper → - 9618/12 · May/June 2025 · Q6e[3]
Describe the role of a switch in a network.
See it on the paper →
What examiners said
There were some good answers to this question. Many candidates need to improve their understanding of the function of a router in a network. Answers to questions such as this are expected to include more technical detail, rather than general knowledge.
— Examiner report, October/November 2023, 9618/11 Q2(a) (Cambridge)
This question was generally answered well. The most popular advantage given was the reduction in the number of collisions because of the direct connections. Some candidates need to understand that in a bus network, a device going down does not necessarily affect the rest of the network. If the main cable is broken, the whole network fails.
— Examiner report, October/November 2023, 9618/11 Q2(d) (Cambridge)
This question asked about the importance of feedback in a control system. Some candidates found this challenging and wrote about feedback in general everyday terms, describing verbal feedback on errors in computer applications and similar.
— Examiner report, October/November 2023, 9618/11 Q9(a) (Cambridge)
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