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Q&A-KCSE Computer Studies Paper 1

In reference to word processing, define the following terms

Word wrap

Justification

Drop cap

Word wrap - Is a word processing feature in which a word that does not fit in the current line is automatically moved at the start of the next line

Justification - refers to aligning text on both left and right margins

Drop cap - Make the first character of a paragraph occupy more than one line below it

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Explain what is meant by the two terms download speed and upload speed

download speed :
– speed at which information/data is transferred FROM server/Internet
– speed at which information/data is transferred TO the user’s computer
upload speed :
– speed at which information/data is transferred FROM user’s computer
– speed at which information/data is transferred TO the Internet/server

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KCSE 2016 COMPUTER STUDIES PAPER 1

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
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Explain the differences between parallel running and direct changeover as ways of implementing the new system.

Direct changeover – new system replaces existing system immediately/overnight

 Parallel running – new system runs alongside/together with existing system

Parallel running – there is always the old system to fall back on in the event of the new system failing/information is not lost/always a second copy

Direct changeover – if things go wrong lose all data/old system is not available

Direct changeover – training is more difficult to organise

Parallel running – training can be gradual Parallel running is more expensive to implement than direct changeover....

Direct changeover is a quicker method of implementation than parallel running

Direct Changeover: The old system is stopped completely, and the new system is started. All of the data that used to be input into the old system, now goes into the new one.

 Parallel Running: The new system is started, but the old system is kept running in parallel (side-by-side) for a while. All of the data that is input into the old system, is also input into the new one. Eventually, the old system will be stopped, but only when the new system has been proven to work.

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What is social engineering?
The act of soliciting for sensitive information from unsuspecting users. According to study.com, it is the use of various forms of technology to deceive people into divulging private information:study.com
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What are the functions of the system clock in the CPU?

  • It dictates the speed at which data is transferred between these components and enables the sequential execution of instructions in the correct order.
  • generates a timing signal that is used to synchronize communication between CPU components and the rest  of the computer system
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What is block operation as used in Microsoft word?

An editing or formatting procedure that is carried out on a selected block of text in a word-processing document.

A formatting or editing operation that is applied to a block of text after selecting. The block of text can be a paragraph, line, word, page or the whole document. It is much easier to apply editing or formatting to a block of text than to apply it to every single character

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State the type of software that is needed for logging onto the Internet and finding websites selling goods and services.

  1. logging on
  2. finding websites

logging on

  •  dial-up/communications software/ISPsoftware

finding websites

  •  browser/search engine
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State two places where robots are used.

  • car factories/factories
  • chemical/nuclear factories
  • production lines
  • warehouses
  • deep in the ocean/down mines
  • on other planets/in space
  • road junctions

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 the functions of the following registers

Program counter // PC
Stores the address of the next instruction to be fetched
Memory address register // MAR
Stores the address where data/instruction is to be read from or saved to
Memory data register // MDR
Stores data that is about to be written to memory // Stores data that has just been read from memory
Current instruction register // CIR
Stores the instruction that is currently being decoded/executed

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State advantages of solid state storage media

  • Portable
  • Light
  • Faster access speed
  • No moving parts
  • Efficient power consumption
  • Durable
  • Small physical size
  • Large storage capacity
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Distinguish between one to one and one to many relationships as used in relational databases

One to one  - Each record in the parent table has exactly one related record in the child table, and vice versa.

One to Many -  Each record in the parent table can have multiple related records in the child table, but each record in the child table is related to only one record in the parent table

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Distinguish between operating system software and an application software

  • OS controls operation of system/hardware
  • Applications software allows the system to do something useful
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What is a backup?

A backup is a copy of data that can be used if the original data is lost.

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List three types of errors that are likely to exist in a program                             (3 marks)

Syntax errors-Incorrect use of programming language

Logical errors- The program do not give the expected output

Runtime errors- Premature end of a program

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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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Describe each of the following types of program errors, using an example.

Syntax error

Logical error

Run-time error

Syntax error

  • An error in the source code of a program like pront("Hello, " + name) instead of print
  • These are errors that emanate from improper use of language rules such as spelling mistakes,improper use of variables and misuse of reserved words

Logical error

  • A mistake in a program's source code that results in incorrect or unexpected behaviour like if age == 65: print("Eligible for a discount.") instead of using if age >= 65: print("Eligible for a discount.")
  • These are errors that occur due to imperfect comparisons

Run-time error

  • An error which occurs when a program is asked to do something that it cannot, resulting in a ' crash'9. For example, asking a number to be divided by 0 such as 72/0.
  • An error that results in a sudden halt of an executing program

 

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Identify one component common to all computers.

  • Processor
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Describe one task that is commonly undertaken during the first phase of system development life cycle

  • The preparation of a system proposal which lists the problem definition, objectives of the study, terms of reference of study, constraints, and expected benefits of the new system, in light of the user requirements
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