TUESDAY: 2 August 2022. Morning paper. Time Allowed: 3 hours.
Answer any FIVE questions. ALL questions carry equal marks. Do NOT write anything on this paper.
QUESTION ONE
1. Differentiate between the terms “computer” and “computer system”. (4 marks)
2. In each case, draw a diagram to illustrate:
The three stages of computer processing. (3 marks)
The main components of a computer system. (5 marks)
3. Explain the functions of each of the components in (ii) above. (8 marks)
(Total: 20 marks)
QUESTION TWO
1. Explain the difference between the following:
A mainframe computer and a super computer. (2 marks)
Application software and system software citing examples. (4 marks)
2. Suggest two reasons why a bank might wish to buy a mainframe computer. (2 marks)
3. State the technology used in each of the following generations of computers:
First generation. (1 mark)
Second generation. (1 mark)
Third generation. (1 mark)
Fourth generation. (1 mark)
4. Discuss four factors that might affect the speed of the microprocessor. (8 marks)
(Total: 20 marks)
QUESTION THREE
1. Highlight six safety rules for using computers. (6 marks)
2. Citing the function in each case, state four types of special keys in a computer keyboard. (8 marks)
3. Complete the table below by explaining the differences between a file and a folder in the context provided.
An example is given below with regard to space.
(6 marks)
(Total: 20 marks)
QUESTION FOUR
1. Describe the following types of optical storage devices:
Compact disk-read only memory (CD-ROM). (2 marks)
Compact disk-recordable (CD-R) (2 marks)
Compact disk-rewritable (CD-RW). (2 marks)
2. Describe the following types of graphics cards as used in computing:
Hercules graphics card (HGC). (2 marks)
Colour graphics adapter (CGA). (2 marks)
Enhanced graphics adapter (EGA). (2 marks)
3. Citing a reason in each case, describe the most appropriate type of printer for the output of:
Customer invoices on multi-part stationery. (2 marks)
Letters to customers. (2 marks)
Detailed engineering designs. (2 marks)
4. Highlight two advantages of mesh computer network topology. (2 marks)
(Total: 20 marks)
QUESTION FIVE
1. Describe the following spreadsheet components:
A worksheet. (2 marks)
A database function. (2 marks)
A chart. (2 marks)
2. Evaluate four criteria to consider when choosing the type of local area network (LAN) to implement. (8 marks)
3. Examine four advantages and two disadvantages of a computerised accounting system (CAS). (6 marks)
(Total: 20 marks)
QUESTION SIX
1. In the context of presentation software, distinguish between the following:
Slide layout and slide design. (4 marks)
Transition and animation. (4 marks)
2. Using an example, differentiate between on-line storage and off-line storage. (4 marks)
3. Mathiu has created a word processing document containing ten pages. He wishes to print two copies of this document containing odd pages only.
Specifying the word processing packages used, suggest the steps he would follow to achieve this objective. (4 marks)
4. Using an example in each case, explain the following terms as used in a spreadsheet software:
Absolute reference. (2 marks)
Conditional formatting. (2 marks)
(Total: 20 marks)
QUESTION SEVEN
1. Describe each of the following devices as used in computer networking:
Switch. (2 marks)
Router. (2 marks)
Gateway. (2 marks)
2. Miriam Sawe has the following files saved in her computer:
Miri.docx, Miri.rtf, Miri.xls, Miri.accdb
Required:
Identify the application software that she used to create each of the files above. (4 marks)
3. Describe three advantages of Graphical User Interface (GUI) operating system. (6 marks)
4. The market is flooded with emerging technologies in 3D printers.
Explain four challenges of coping with this trend. (4 marks)
(Total: 20 marks)
