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Q&A-KCSE Computer Studies Paper 1

The data before encryption is known as .................................................. text.
To scramble the data, an encryption .................................................., which is a type
of .................................................., is used.
The data after encryption is known as .................................................. text.
Encryption prevents the data from being .................................................. by a hacker

The data before encryption is known as .......plain.................. text.
To scramble the data, an encryption ......................key.........................., which is a type
of ...................key............................, is used.
The data after encryption is known as ....................cipher............................. text.
Encryption prevents the data from being ......................understood...................... by a hacker

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Outline one advantage and one disadvantage of interviews and questionnaires as data gathering techniques.
 

Interviews

Advantages

  • can gather specific information and additional information
  • high response rate to questions
  • The question can be rephrased to seek more clarification
  • it is possible to win the confidence of the interviewee and get honest answers

Disadvantages

  • time consuming
  • responses to interview questions are subjective.
  • the interviewee may not open up on some sensitive issues
  •  

Questionnaire

Advantages

  • easy to administer
  • can be anonymous.

Disadvantages

  • fixed (inflexible) design
  • potential differences in understanding and interpretation.
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Identify the protocol used to transfer data in networks.

  • TCP/IP
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KCSE 2021 Computer Studies PP1  Prediction Q.20

20. a) The figure shows a network design. Use it to answer the questions that follow.

NB/ The diagram dor 20 (a)  is at the bottom

 

b. Explain the function of each of the following in the network

I     Router                                                                                                             [2]

- connects school LAN to the Internet/identifies the best route for data transmission/forwards data packets between a computer network and the Internet

II   Firewall                                                                                                                                  [2]

Hardware/software that filters unauthorized access to or from the school’s LAN

III  File Server                                                                                                                                [2]

Provides location for shared files/disk access/resources

c. State two categories of software that must be installed in a computer so that users can use it to access the Internet.                                                                                                                                  [2]

  • Network operating system
  • Browser e.g. I.E, Mozila, Google (accept examples)
  • System drivers
  • Protocol

d) State four ways in which computers may be used to manage data in a research environment.         [4]

The guiding principle is the candidate must mention the use and the technology to score

e.g.

1. Use of databases in data manipulation (Technology is database and the use is data manipulation)

2. Use of scanner to aid in data capturing

3. Use of Internet to communicate researched work

4. Use of printers to generate reports

5. Use of databases r hard disk to store data

etc etc

e) Some computer companies have opted to use the Internet to provide shared processing resources and online application services to users. State three advantages that this approach will have on their customers.                                                                                                                                 [3]

- The guiding principle is benefit/enhancement to the customer

  • Customer will not be required to have powerful processing devices
  • Customers can access services from anywhere
  • There will be cost reduction for the customer
  • Customers can collaborate with remote users
  • Customers can access services at any time of the day
  • Customers can upload/backup work in the cloud/Internet
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State three features of a typical operating system

- (provides) user interface
input/output control
security
handling interrupts
spooling
memory management
processor management
utilities (e.g. copy, save, delete, re-name, etc.)
maintain user accounts
load/run software
error reporting/handling
multiprogramming
batch processing (JCL)/real time processing
multitasking/multiuser/multi-access
file management

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State three utility programs associated with the use of a hard drive. Explain the purpose of each the program

  • File handling - Copy/move/delete
  • Anti-virus software - To protect files from attack by a virus
  • Defragmentation - To keep files sensibly arranged on the hard drive
  • Format - To divide the surface of a drive into smaller areas to aid storage
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State a stage in system development where each of the following activities are carried out    (KCSE 2018)

(a) Identifying technologies that may be used in a proposed system

  • System Analysis/Information gathering/Problem recognition

(b) Identifying the shortcomings of the old system

  • Problem definition

(c) Prepares the software migration plan

  • Implementation stage
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A school has 3000 students sitting final examinations.

Each student sits eight examinations.

Write an algorithm, using pseudocode or a flowchart, which:

inputs the marks for all 8 examinations for each student

outputs for each student the average mark for their 8 examinations

outputs the highest mark overall

highest = -1
for student = 1 to 3000
total = 0
for exam = 1 to 8
input mark
total = total + mark
if mark > highest then highest = mark
next
average = total/8
output average
next
output highest

Python code:

highest = -1
for student in range(1, 3001):
    total = 0
    for exam in range(1, 9):
        mark = int(input("Enter mark: "))
        total += mark
        if mark > highest:
            highest = mark
    average = total / 8
    print("Average:", average)
print("Highest mark:", highest)

VBA Code

Option Explicit

Sub CalculateAverageAndHighest()
    Dim highest As Integer
    Dim total As Integer
    Dim mark As Integer
    Dim average As Double
    
    highest = -1
    
    For student = 1 To 3000
        total = 0
        For exam = 1 To 8
            mark = InputBox("Enter mark:")
            total = total + mark
            If mark > highest Then
                highest = mark
            End If
        Next exam
        average = total / 8
        MsgBox "Average: " & average
    Next student
    
    MsgBox "Highest mark: " & highest
End Sub

 

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What characterises a phased implementation approach?

  • Phased means that only one part of the system is implemented at a time
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State advantages of batch processing

  • once instructions are given, the processing runs automatically hence requiring little supervision
  • tasks are processed as a group hence reducing the cost
  • It is faster since the since runs automatically
  • there is increased output since the processor works without any interruption
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Describe the role of the one-dimensional array in programming

  • holds an indexed sequence of variables of the same data type
  • Arrays can be used to store values of the same data type and the array is then used as a singular variable to increase efficiency
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What is an information system ?  (KCSE 2012))

Is an arrangement of people, data, processes, communication and IT that interact to support problem solving

 

Components of an information system

  • Hardware
  • Software
  • Data - information manipulated by software
  • people- all people involved
  • Processes - steps to accomplish a goal
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Distinguish between microwave and a radiowave transmission and a microwave transmission  (KCSE 2017 PP1)

Microwaves can cover shorter distances. On the contrary, radio waves can travel a long distance. Radio wave is usually propagated through sky mode while microwave uses the line of sight propagation. 

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Explain why a developer, who is good at both low-level and high-level programming, would normally use high-level languages when writing programs.

  • High-level languages have built-in functions;
  • High-level languages have built-in libraries;
  • High-level languages have more support/help;
  • High-level languages have structures (such as selection and iteration);
  • High-level languages can be less machine-dependent/more portable;
  • It (usually) requires fewer lines of code to be written;
  • It is (usually) quicker to develop code in high-level languages;
  • It is easier to find mistakes in code;
  • The code is easier to maintain//understand;
  • It is easier to structure code in high-level languages;
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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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A company has a website that is stored on a web server.
(a) The website data is broken down into packets to be transmitted to a user.
Describe the structure of a data packet.

  • it has a header that contains the destination address, the packet number, and the originator’s address
  • it has a payload
  • it has a trailer.

 

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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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State three categories Operating Systems grouped according to user interface

  • Commandline/ Character interface Operating systems
  •  Menu Driven Operating Systems
  •  Graphical User Interface Operating Systems
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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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Identify and describe four roles of the operating system when managing the resources of a personal computer.

Manages memory (RAM)

  •  Allocates memory to programs currently executing 

Ensures programs/data do not corrupt each other

  • Ensures all programs and data including itself is stored in correct memory locations

Manages processes

  • Ensures different processes can utilise the CPU and do not interfere with each other or crash  

Allows the user to run programs 

  • On a multitasking operating system, it ensures that all tasks appear to run simultaneously 

Other roles

  • Allocates time slices
  • Scheduling of programs
  • Handles interrupts
  • Allows the user to configure hardware
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