Hardware & Software|Cambridge IGCSE Computer Science 0478 / 0984|PPT|Worksheet |Activity|MCQ|Answers

The biggest topic in Paper 1 — finally organized into one ready-to-teach pack. Covers CPU architecture and the fetch-execute cycle, factors affecting performance, input/output device selection, RAM vs ROM, secondary storage comparisons, cloud storage, operating system functions and utility software — all mapped precisely to Cambridge IGCSE 0478/0984 Topic 3. Includes a comprehensive PPT, a scenario-based worksheet (10 real-world device-selection scenarios examiners love to ask), an interactive activity, a 25-question MCQ quiz, and full answers. Save your weekend — this is a full unit of teaching ready in one download.

1. PowerPoint — Hardware & Software_Lesson.pptx (17 slides)

1 Title slide
2 Learning Objectives (8 × LO cards)
3 Hardware vs Software — two-column comparison
4 CPU Components — ALU, CU, Registers with descriptions
5 Fetch-Execute Cycle — 4-stage flow diagram with key point box
6 CPU Performance Factors — clock speed / cores / cache (3 columns)
7 Input Devices — 9 devices with descriptions
8 Output Devices — 8 devices in grid layout
9 RAM vs ROM — full comparison table
10 Magnetic Storage — detailed breakdown
11 Optical & Solid-State Storage — side-by-side comparison
12 Storage Type Comparison Table — all 4 types across 7 characteristics
13 Cloud Storage — advantages vs disadvantages cards
14 Types of Software — system vs application software

2. Worksheet — Hardware & Software_Worksheet.docx (7 pages)

Section 1: 10 scenario-based device selection questions (Q1–Q10), each 4 marks with lined answer space

Section 2: Storage comparison table to complete — 7 rows × 5 columns, pre-filled with some cells as scaffolding (yellow = blank)

Section 3: OS function matching exercise — match 5 functions to 5 descriptions (A–E)

Section 4: 5 fetch-execute cycle questions (Q11–Q15) ranging from listing stages to multi-core evaluation

3. Activity — HW_Topic3_Activity.docx

• Design Your Dream Computer group task (45–60 min)
• Full teacher instructions: before/during/after + differentiation (support, extension, EAL)
• 4 Role Cards (printable): Video Editor, Primary School Student, Online Gamer, Small Business Owner
• Design Sheet (printable): 11-row table for component choices + justifications

4. MCQ Quiz — HW_Topic3_MCQ.docx (25 questions)

• 25 questions covering all sub-topics, mixed Easy / Medium / Hard
• Includes scenario-based questions (Q8, Q10, Q11, Q13, Q14, Q19, Q24)
• Student answer sheet format with score box

5. Answers & Marking Scheme — HW_Topic3_Answers.docx

• Full model answers for all 10 scenario questions with per-mark annotation (✔ marks)
• Completed storage comparison table (green-shaded)
• OS matching answer key with correct letter for each function
• Full answers to all 5 fetch-execute questions
• MCQ answer key: 25 rows with answer letter, topic tag, and one-line justification for each