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Q&A-KCSE Computer Studies Paper 1

Explain three ways a computer can store negative numbers                                            (3 marks)

Prefixing an extra sign bit- A negative number is representes by prefixing a digit 1 to the number

Ones complement- This is flipping the binary equivalent of the number

Twos complement- this involves getting the ones complement and then adding a 1

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Explain the purpose of each of the following features of a spreadsheet chart (KCSE 2021 Computer Studies, Q19 (a))

Legend

  • Legends are a small visual representation of the chart's data series to understand each without confusion.

A data series

  • is a row or column of numbers that are entered in a worksheet and plotted in your chart, such as a list of quarterly business profits
  • A group of related data points or markers that are plotted in charts and graphs

Data Marker

 

 

Explain the purpose of each of the following features of a spreadsheet chart (KCSE 2021, Q19 (a))

Legend

  • Legends are a small visual representation of the chart's data series to understand each without confusion.

A data series

  • is a row or column of numbers that are entered in a worksheet and plotted in your chart, such as a list of quarterly business profits
  • A group of related data points or markers that are plotted in charts and graphs

Data Marker

  • A symbol on the chart that represents a single value in the worksheet.
  • A column, dot, pie slice, or another symbol in the chart representing a data value

https://www.lifewire.com/data-series-data-points-data-labels-3123411

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Distinguish between an optical scanner and a magnetic ink scanner

  • Optical scanner is used read data by use a beam of light while a magnetic ink scanner is used to read data encoded/written using magnetic ink by magnetising the ink characters and translating them
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Explain what is meant by a LIFO data structure.

  • Data enters at one end (of a stack)
  • Leaves at the same end
  • Hence 'last in, first out'
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State any four applications of electronic spreadsheets

  • Financial accounting
  • Prediction and forecasting
  • Inventory keeping
  • Budgeting
  • Keeping records
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Describe overtype and insert modes as used in word processors

  • Overtype mode: deletes the current text at the cursor position and replaces the existing characters with new text
  • Insert Mode: pushes the existing text away as new text is inserted between the existing text
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List three electronic data processing modes used in computers

  • Realtime processing
  • Batch processing
  • Timesharing
  • multiprogramming
  • Online
  • Batch
  • Distributed
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Define disk formatting and state three reasons for formatting a disk

Definition

  • Disk formatting is the process of preparing a data storage media for initial use

Reasons:

  • To make a disk blank for reuse
  • To make it compatible with another operating system
  • to create tracks and sectors for first time use
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Differentiate between logical and physical network topology

Physical topology - the physical arrangement of nodes of a computer network

Examples

  • bus topology
  • ring topology
  • mesh topology
  • star topology

Logical topology- the way data flows in a network

Examples

  • Ethernet
  • Ring
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What situations are likely to call for the use of Direct Changed Over?

  • where the new system is completely different from the old one
  • if there has been extensive testing of the system and the system analyst has confidence in its functionality
  • If the system is not critical
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State what is meant by Computer Aided Design (CAD).

Give three different applications that make use of CAD.

Name three specialist input/output devices used in CAD.

software that can be used to design new products/amend existing products
makes use of features such as 2D, 3D, wire frames, library of parts, links to CAM

Give three different applications that make use of CAD.

aerospace
architecture
designing cars
designing consumer goods
chemical/nuclear plant design
designing electronic circuit boards
ergonomic design
landscape/garden design

Name three specialist input/output devices used in CAD.

large monitor/screen with hi-res
touch screen
plotter
space mouse/space ball/4D device
3D glasses (in some applications)
light pen
graphics tablet
3D printer
3D scanner

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Viruses, pharming and phishing are all examples of potential Internet security issues.
Explain what is meant by each of these three terms.

Virus

  • - program/software that replicates/copies itself
  • – can delete or alter files/data stored on a computer
  •  – can make the computer “crash”/run slow

Pharming -

  • malicious code/software installed on a user’s hard drive/actual webserver
  •  – this code redirects user to a fake website (without their knowledge)
  •  – to obtain personal/financial information/data

Phishing

  • - legitimate-looking emails sent to a user
  • – as soon as the recipient opens/clicks on the link in the email/attachment …
  • – … the user is directed to a fake website (without their knowledge)
  • – To obtain personal/financial information/data
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(ii) State what ROM and RAM store.

 

ROM stores BIOS / bootstrap / start-up 

RAM stores currently executing programs and data

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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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KCSE 2007, COMPUTER STUDIES PAPER 1

SECTION A (40 MKS)

Answer all the questions in this section in the spaces provided.

1.Describe the computer booting process.    (2 mks)

2. State the functions of the following keys on the computer keyboard   (2 mks)

  a) Backspace

  b)Insert (ins)

3. Jane has noticed the following problems with her computer keyboard    (2mks)

  • It is taking a longer time to start-up;
  • It is often hanging;
  • Applications are taking longer to load.

 State three possible causes of these problems and how they can be solved (3mks)

4 a)Define authenticity as used in software selection  (1mk)

  b) List four ways of acquiring software in an organization     (2mks)

5 some of the storage disk available are:  zip disks, 3 ½ inch floppy disks, DVDs and 5 ¼ inch floppy disks. Arrange these devices in ascending order of storage capacity.    (2mks)

6.You have been asked to change your computer password. State a precaution you need to take in order to avoid each of the following:           

a) Forgetting the password     (1mk)

b) Hacking       (1mk)              

7.State four benefits of using a computer in a school library   (2 mks)

8. Using six bits, find the two’s complement of -2310.     (4 mks)

9. Explain data series, axis and legends as used in spreadsheet charts.  (3mks)

  • Data
  • Axis
  • Legend                       

10. a) Describe the term data integrity.                                            (2 mks)

     b) State four situations in which data may lose integrity.           (2mks)

11.State the function of each of the following:

            a)Network interface card                                                           (1 mk)

            b)Network protocol                                                                    (1 mk)

           c)Hub                                                                                         (1mk)  

12. List four types of publications that can be designed by using desktop publishing software.   (2mks)

13. Differentiate between the following pair of terms as used in database design:

    a)  Input mask and design.                                                           (2 mks)

    b) Table and query                                                                      ( 2mks)

14. List four factors to be considered when purchasing an operating system.     (2mks)

15   Write an algorithm to compute the area of a triangle.   (2mks)

SECTION B (60 MARKS)

Answer question 16 and any other three questions from this section in the spaces provided

16. Study the flowchart below and answer the questions that follow

 

i) Name the control structures used in the flowchart                 (2mks)

ii) Determine the values of M, N, P and Q.                                ( 4 mks)

M………………………….. N………………………..

P ………………………….. Q ………………………

  iii) Write the pseudo code for the flowchart   (7mks)

 b)  List four functions of an assembler    (2 mks)

17. Define the following web related terms:       

 i)  Web browser   (1mk)

 ii)  Hyperlink      (1mk)

iii) Hypertext document                (1mk)

b)  List six activities performed on the web      (3mks)

c) An institution has ten stand alone computers

i)  Suggest with reasons the most appropriate topology required to inter-connect the computers.   (3mks)

ii) State the necessary steps required to connect the computers to the  internet.      (4mks)

d) Below is an email address:

                       

                     

                       

Name the parts labeled:

                        i)

                        ii)

                        iii)

18.A computer C directory has folders for form 1, form 2, Form 3 and form 4.  Each class has student’s folders labeled according to their number.  The students create their own folder for the subject the are studying based on the table shown below

 

Form 1

Form 2

Form 3

Form 4

OS

SP

Pr.

ADB

WP

DTP

DB

Internet

 

 

a)Assuming there is one student per class, draw the corresponding directory tree structure.  (6 mks)

b) i)  a form four student wants to create a folder to store her project. State the path for that project folder.(2 mks)

ii)Suggest how the student can ensure that:

                        1.         Work is not lost in case the hard disk fails.                (1mk)

                        2.         The project is not copied by other students.               (1mk)

c) i).  Other than I/O devices, list other three devices under the control of the operating system.                                                  (3mks)

 ii)Explain any one of the devices named in C (i) above            (1mk)

d)Define the term trouble shooting    (1mk)

19. A manager wishes to replace the current manual system with a computerized one

 a)Describe three main areas that must be evaluated to justify the  replacement   (6mks)

b) List the three areas that would be considered in the requirements specifications.      (3mks)

c)State and explain three ways that can be followed to replace the current system    (6mks)

20. a)  A head teacher keeps the following student details in a database:  Name, Address, Town, Date of Birth, Marks scored, Fees paid.

i)Name the most appropriate primary key. Give a reason      (2mks)

ii)For each item in the student’s details above, indicate its most appropriate data type as used in the database.           (3mks)

iii)Explain why input screens are better data entry designs than entering data directly to a table.        (2mks)

b)List two career opportunities associated with databases.       (2mks)

c)Distinguish between:

i) A table in a word-processing application and a table in a database application (2mks)

ii)Mouse pointer and insertion point.    (2mks)

d)Outline the steps to be followed in order to merge cells in a word processing table.    (2mks)

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Define what is meant by a ‘network protocol

  • An agreement / set of rules / standard for how computers should communicate or how data is sent/received/transmitted on a network
  • Example of what could be agreed in the protocol (e.g. speed / error checking / etc.)
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Describe the function of a web browser

Convert the HTML into a webpage which is rendered on the screen

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State the seven layers of the OSI model

  1. Application
  2. Presentation
  3. Session
  4. Transport
  5. Network
  6. Data link
  7. Physical

State the functions of the following features in word processors

  • Thesaurus - Is a feature in a word processor that suggest words with the similar or opposite meaning to the one selected
  • Comments: a feature in a word processor that allows a user to attach a remark about the selection
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For your item named in (a) describe two different tasks that the microprocessor performs.

  • camera film speed, position (end of film), distance, light
  • washing machine amount of water, speed of wash/temperature/time
  • fridge temperature, display panel
  • air conditioning temperature, timing, display pane
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