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Q&A-KCSE Computer Studies Paper 1

Describe two health risks associated with the increased use of computers.

  • RSI in wrists or fingers from prolonged typing or repeated clicking of mouse button
  • headaches/eyestrain/dry eye from staring at a monitor for long periods of time/glare from monitor
  • back ache/strain from sitting in the  same position for a long time/using chair with no adjustment
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Outline three ways through which ICT can used in marketing

ICT is used to create e-commerce platforms that have made business transactions easier and convenient by allowing customers make purchases and payments from anywhere at any time

ICT is used by marketing agents to create exciting multimedia presentations concerning products or services and present them to the target customers using presentation software such MS PowerPoint

Using multimedia, presentation and animation software, it is possible to design attractive advert materials and video clips to display on billboards, broadcast over a television or uploaded on the internet


 

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What is a utility software?

The following are some of the possible definitions:

It is system software designed to help the users to analyse, configure, optimize, or maintain a computer

System software that helps maintain the proper and smooth functioning of a computer system

Examples include antivirus software, Disk clean-up tools, disk defragmenters, backup software, etc

Describe what is meant by a MAC address.

  • used to identify a device
  • it is a unique (address)
  • it is a static address // it does not change
  • it is set by the manufacturer
  • the first part is the manufacturer ID/number / identifies the manufacturer
  • the second part is the serial number / ID.

 

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There are four change-over methods used in the implementation stage of the system development life cycle (SDLC): direct change-over, phased, parallel and pilot.

Direct Change-Over

  • A date is chosen for the shutdown of the old system, then at that time, the old system
    is turned off and the new system is implemented

Phased

  • Parts of the new system are implemented in stages or for a period of time, both the old and the new system are running together until all parts of the system are implemented.
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Factors to consider when choosing DTP software. (4 marks)

  1. Availability in the market
  2. Initial and maintenance cost
  3. User friendliness
  4. Compatibility
  5. User needs

Explain the difference between main memory and secondary storage.

  • Main memory is transitory/temporary/volatile, secondary storage is (semi-)permanent
  • The processor can only use data/instructions that are in the main memory
  • Main memory is directly accessible to the processor, secondary storage is not directly accessible to the processor 
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What is a web browser?

  • A software which can display a webpage on a user's computer screen
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How many hard disks are required to implement RAID 10?

  • 4 (four)
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State two reasons why the data in fields such SEX field in a database should be coded.

  • less errors on input
  • requires less storage space
  • validation
  • quicker to input
  • quicker to find
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Give three characteristics of an IP address.

  • consists of values between 0–255 / 0–FFF
  • values are separated by full stops/colons
  • it is a unique address
  • can be static or dynamic
  • can be public or private
  • can be IPv4 / have four groups of digits
  • can be IPv6 / have eight groups of digits
  • in IPv6: can replace groups of zeros.
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Identify the protocol used to transfer data in networks.

  • TCP/IP
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Describe how the database can be recovered from a system failure

  • backups/dumps of files
  • copy of files on CD/tape streamer
  • file generations
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Explain a reason necessitating  governments to enact data protection laws

  • To provide legal backing so that it is possible to seek redress if the rights are violated
  • To observe copyright for those who create original works
  • To protect the confidentiality of information kept  about an individual
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Explain the difference between
(i) serial and parallel,
(ii) simplex and duplex
modes of data transmission.

  • Serial is the transmission of data one bit at a time/through one wire
  • Parallel is the transmission of data more than one bit at a time/many wires
  • Simplex is the transmission of data in one direction only
  • Duplex is the transmission of data in both directions simultaneously
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State two ways of protecting computers against viruses.

  • do not allow outside floppy disks/CD’s/DVD’s
  • use disk free work stations
  • download/install and use anti virus software
  • scan hard disks regularly
  • update the anti virus program regularly
  • do not open file attachments from unknown sources/download
  • doubtful software from the Internet
  • do not use files that come from unknown sources
  • buy original software/do not buy pirated software
  • use firewalls
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The website has a uniform resource locator (URL).
An example of a URL is given.
https://www.google.co.ke/index.html
Complete the table to identify the name of each section of the URL.

https :  protocol

google.co.ke: domain name

/index.html: webpage/file name

 

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A workshop has a lot of heavy machinery operating throughout the day and requires a cable to connect a workstation to a switch. Which of the following, unshielded twisted pair (UTP) or shielded twisted pair (STP) cable, would be the more suitable? Justify your response.

Shielded twisted pair cable:
A twisted pair cable is made up of four pairs of twisted copper wires, a shielded twisted pair cable applies a shield to each one of the pairs on a cable or to all of the pairs together. This shield can reduce EMI (electromagnetic interference), which would be emitted from heavy machinery. This increased data transmission quality in the workshop. STP can also reduce crosstalk.

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List two areas where infrared waves are used in data communication.

TV remote, wireless mouse , wireless keyboard, used by robots to gauge distance and avoid obstacles,

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KCSE 2016 COMPUTER STUDIES PAPER MARKING SCHEME

State the function of each of the following keys on the computer keyboard :  (2mks)

Backspace;

  • Deletes characters to the left of the cursor

Insert

  • Add characters at the cursor position
  • Toggles between overtype and insert modes

An organization intends to replace an existing system by carrying out the process in stages .

Name the implementation strategy ;  (1mk)

  • Phased change-over

Give two reasons why the  organization is opting to use the implementation strategy  in (a) above     (2mks)

  • Gives employees time to learn
  • Organizations can revert to the old system in case of failure
  • Reduces resistance by the employees
  • It is easier to find system errors as you are dealing with only one part at a time
  • Accessing parts of the old system is still is possible in case of failure of the new system

 

A manager wishes to replace the current manual system with a computerized one. Describe three areas that must be evaluated to justify the replacement  (6 marks)

  • Technical feasibility
  • Does the current technology suffice
  • Economic feasibility
  • Benefits outweigh costs/ whether the project is cost effective
  • Schedule feasibility
  • Can it be done within the schedule

                                                                      

Headache, back and neck pain may result from the use of computers. State how each of them can be minimized                               (2mks)

  • Proper lighting
  • Regular breaks
  • Use of antiglare
  • Correct position of the screen
  • Ergonomic furniture

Students of a school intended to elect their school Captain by secret ballot.  State three ways in which computers can be used to improve the election process                          (3mks)

  • Registrations of voters
  • Voter identification
  • Actual voting
  • Tallying

Explain why intranet is a more secure way to share files within an organization compared to internet (2mks)

  • Intranet involves the interconnection of computers  within  the organization hence it is easier to monitor the access and sharing of files since the users in an organization can be assigned accounts and passwords which will enable to access files they are authorized to access unlike the internet where many can access what is stored in the organization’s website

List two career opportunities directly associated with computer networking               (2mks)

  • Network administrators
  • Network engineers
  • Network technicians

Distinguish between a formula and a function as used in spreadsheets

  • A formula is a mathematical expression that returns a value
  • A function is an excel inbuilt formula that returns a value given a range of values or arguments

 The C directory of a computer has folders named Form 1, Form 2, Form 3 and Form 4. Each class has students’ folder named according to their admission number.  The student created their own folder for subjects they are studying based on the table below:

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