Computer Studies Paper 1 (451/1)
SECTION A (40 marks)
Answer all the questions in this section in the spaces provided.
1. Write each of the following acronyms in full as used in computing.
(a) CAD
(b) DVD
(c) WORM
(d) POS
2. A school keeps student records in a database. The data is coded before entry.
3. State three reasons why the coding is necessary.
4. Differentiate between Bcc and cc in an email.
5 . State three risks posed by improper cabling in a computer laboratory.
6. List two career opportunities directly associated with computer networking.
A retailer uses a spreadsheet program to calculate profits. Figure 1 shows the spreadsheet.
(a) Which row contains labels only?
(b) Write the formula that has been entered in cell F2. (2 marks)
(1 mark) 7. State three reasons why an organisation may opt to develop its own software in-house rather than buy off-the-shelf software.
8 The topology below is formed by combining two types of topologies.
(a) Give one name for the combined topology in figure 2. (1 mark)
(b) Name the two topologies forming the combined topology in figure 2. (2 marks)
9 An organisation intends to replace an existing system by carrying out the process in stages.
(a) Name this implementation strategy. (1 mark)
(b) Give two reasons why the organisation is opting to use the implementation strategy in (a) above. (2 marks)
10 (a) Explain the importance of disk partitioning. (2 marks)
(b) Differentiate between pull-down menu and pop-up menu as used in Graphical User Interface (GUI) operating systems. (2 marks)
11 The 21st century has had many forms of ICI‘ technologies improving the various means of communication. However, these changes have brought many challenges. State three negative social impacts of these technologies. (3 marks)
12 Explain why a DTP application would be preferred to a word processing application when designing a publication. (2 marks)
13 A computer is idle but the hard disk light is blinking, indicating some activity. State two possible causes of this. (2 marks)
14 Describe compatibility as a factor to consider when purchasing a computer. (2 marks)
15 identify the appropriate output device for the production of each of the following:
(a) receipts where carbon copies are required;
(b) an architectural drawing where precision is required; (1 mark)
(c) output where the user is visually impaired.
SECTION B (60 marks)
Answer question 16 and any other THREE questions from this section in the spaces provided.
16. (a) Figure 3 shows a flowchart. Use it to answer the questions that follow.
(i) Determine the output from the flowchart if:
I. X = 5; (2 marks)
II. X = 7. _ (2 marks)
(ii) Write a Pseudocode for the flowchart in figure 3. (5 marks)
(iii) Modify the flowchart so that it can be used to get the sum of integers between 50 and 100. (4 marks)
(b) List two programming language translators. (2 marks)
17 (a) Describe three types of validation checks as used in data processing. (6 marks)
(b) A company has opted to store its employees’ personal details in a computer system.
Describe two software methods that may be used to prevent unauthorized access to these details. (4 marks)
(c) (i) Describe each of the following data processing modes: ‘ l. real-time; I (2 marks)
II. interactive. (2 marks) (ii) State an application area where real-time data processing mode is applied. (1 mark) 18 Figure 4 shows an advert placed in a newspaper. Use it to answer the questions that follow.
(a) (i) Define a laptop computer. (l mark)
(ii) The screen is said to be 17 inches. Explain what this means. (2 marks)
(b) State one advantage of having each of the following provided with a laptop.
(i) modem ……………………………
(ii) USB
………………………………………………………………………………………………………. ..
(iii) free suite
………………………………………………………………………………………………… ..
(3 marks)
(c) State the software package in the free suite which is most suitable for each of the following:
(i) computing budgets
………………………………………………………………………………….. ..
(ii) creating documents ……………………. ..
(iii) designing of brochures
…………………………………………………………………………….. ..
(iv) records management
…………………………………………………………………………………. ..
(4 marks)
(d) (i) State three advantages of using a computer to design an advert such as the one in Figure 4. (3 marks)
(ii) State two benefits of having the advert uploaded on the internet. (2 marks) A worker is unable to travel to the office but may still be able to do the office work through telecommuting.
19 (a) Explain why the worker may use each of the following:
(i) email; (2 marks)
(ii) fax; (2 marks)
(iii) digital camera; (2 marks)
(iv) firewall. (2 marks)
(b) The worker needs to make regular backups of documents sent to the office. State three reasons for this. (3 marks)
(c) Explain two benefits that the employer will get by allowing this worker to do the office work through telecommuting. (4 marks)
20 a) Differentiate between 0ne’s complement and two’s complement in data representation. (2 marks)
(ii) Explain the preference of binary number systems over decimal number systems in computers. (2 marks)
(b) (i) Using one’s complement, subtract 1000112 from 0100102. (4 marks)
(ii) Convert the number 21 0312510 to its binary equivalent. (S marks)
(c) Perform the following binary operations.
