Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education

2018 Computer Studies - Paper1

1. State two reasons for the increased use of laptop computers

in government offices. (2 marks)

2. Computer network technicians prefer to use command -line

based operating system when configuring networks. State
three reasons for the preference. (3 marks)

3. State three measures that should be put in place in a

computer laboratory to safeguard users’ health. (3 marks)

4. State three ways in which barcode readers may be used in

schools.(3 marks)

5. State three advantage of flat panel monitors over cathode

ray tube monitors as used in computers. (3 marks)

6. State three possible reasons for the extinction of daisy

wheel printers in the market. (3 marks)

7. State three ways in which an oper ating system secures a

computer system. (3 mark)

8. A law firm prefers to use hard copy output over soft copy
output when handling documents for legal matters. State two
reasons for this preference. (2 marks)

9. State the function of each of the following features in a word

processor application: (a) Thesaurus;(1 marks)

(b) Comments.(1 marks)

10. With the aid of an example, explain the term multi -level
list as used in word processing. (3 marks)

11. Distinguish between real-time operating system and

distributed operating system. (3 marks)

12. Explain the function of protect sheet feature in a

spreadsheet program. (2 marks)
13. State four computer-based careers introduced as a result
of computerised data processing method at the airport. (2
marks)

14. In a spreadsheet, the formula =If(A1>10, A1*77, A1*50)

is entered in a cell. Interpret the results. (3 marks)

15. State a stage in systems development life cycle where

each of the following activities are carried out:

(a) identifying the technologies that may be u sed in a

proposed system; (1 mark)

(b) identifying shortcomings of a system; (1 mark)

(c) preparing the system migration plan.(1 marks)

. SECTION B (60 marks)

Answer question 16 and any other three questions from this

section in the spaces provided.

16. (a) With the aid of a flow chart, describe a loop control
structure as used in programming.(4 marks)

(b) Study the following pseudocode and answer the questions

that follow.

1. Start

2. Get value l and value2

3. If value I > value2 Then

4. Maximum = valuel

5. Else If value l < value2 Then

6. Maximum = value2

8. Else Go to 9

9. Display Maximum

10. Stop
(i) State the purpose of the pseudocode.(1 mark)

(ii) Draw a flowchart equivalent to the pseudocode. (6 marks)

(c) Distinguish between a source program and a c ompiler as

used in computer programming.(4 marks)

17. (a) (i) Explain the term search engine as used in the
Internet.(2 marks)

(ii) Peter intends to download a movie from the Internet.

State the three factors that may determine the total time
taken to complete the download. (3 marks)

(b) Wakulima online is an organisation that runs a web based

system for assisting farmers to obtain market for their farm
produce.

State four technological reasons that may cause a farmer not

to access the organisation’s system. (4 marks)

(c) Explain a situation when each of the following Desktop

Publishing program features may be used when creating a
publication:

(i) cropping;(2 marks)

(ii) transparency.(2 marks)

(d) List two areas where infrared waves are used in data
communication.(2 marks)

18. (a) State four activities of the planning stage of systems

development. (4 marks)

(b) Explain a circumstance when each of the following

feasibility studies are carried out during systems
development:

(i) Technical;(2 marks)

(ii) Economic;(2 marks)

(iii) Schedule.(2 marks)

(c) Table 1 and Table 2 are related tables in a database. Use
them to answer the questions that follow.

Table 1

Dept Code Dept Name

001 Computer

002 Aviation

003 Engineering

Table 2

Dept ID Students Registration No. Students Name

002 st1 Alex Toro

003 st2 Naomi Komi

002 st3 Peter Kengo

(i) Identify the appropriate primary key for each table. (1

mark)

(iii) Explain two benefits of enforcing referential integrity in

the database. (4 marks)

19. (a) Describe each of the following validation checks as

used in data processing:

(i) Preserve check;(2 marks)

(ii) Data type check;(2 marks)

(iii) Check digit.(2 marks)

(b) Write each of the following abbreviations in full:

(i) BCD;(1 marks)

(ii) EBCD;(1 marks)

(iii) ASCII.(1 mark)

(c) Using 10 — bits binary number system, perform the

following decimal operation using two’s complement (6 marks)

l29 10 128 10

20. (a) The figure shows a network design. Use it to answer the
questions that follow.
(i) Explain the function of each of the following in the network.
I Router;

II Firewall;(2 marks)

III File server.(2 marks)

(ii) State two categories of software that must be installed in

a computer so that users can use it to access the internet. (2
marks)

(b) State four ways in which computers may be used to

manage data in a research environment.(4 marks)

(c) 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 w ill have on their

customers. (3 marks)

Questions and Answers

2018 Computer Studies - Paper1

1. Reasons for the preference for laptops.

 They are small and fit in a small storage space.

 They are light weight hence can be carried to areas where
their services are required.
 The monitor, system unit, keyboard units are attached
together hence making its use to be convenient.
 Rechargeable / backup battery. Any 2 x 1

2. Reasons for the use of command — line interface OS

   They do not take up a lot of memory hence boot faster

than the GUI OS.
 They have direct access or most hardware devices.
 They are cheaper to acquire as some can be downloaded
free of charge. They can run on lower —bit hardware systems
such as 32-bit computers. Any 3 x 1

3. Measures to be put in place in the laboratory to

safeguard user health.

   All power cables must be insulated and hidden from

users.
 The furniture used must be of standard computer furniture.
 The room should be lit with adequate lighting.
 The room must be ventilated.
 Computer monitor should be fitted with antiglare to filter
excess light rays emanating from the monitor.
 Avoid slippery floors/cemented floors.
 Controlling dust.

4. Ways in which barcode readers can be used in a

school.

   To take inventory of items in the school.

 To keep track of employee login log out.
 Used to transact business in the library.
 Used to keep track of movement of goods.

5. Advantages of flat panel monitors.

   They are compact and light weight;

 They consume less power;
 They do not suffer from geometrical distortions;
 They do not cause eye fatigue.
 They support many advanced technologies;
 They can be made in almost any size and shape; They
support higher resolution.
 Low heat radiation.

6. Reasons why daisy wheel printer are in extinct.

   They supported one font size and font face;

 They were monochrome printers;
 They produced noise while printing;
 They were very slow;
 Did not print graphics.
 Had poor print quality.

7. Ways in which an OS secures computer system:

   Access controls: Authentication of users in order to

access files;
 Performing regular patches of updates;
 Creating secure accounts with required privileges;
 Scrutinizing all incoming and outgoing packets of data
through a firewall;
 Encryption of data, during the transmission stage;
Password / biometric analysis;
 Log files to detect any breach. Any 3 x 1

8. Advantages of hardcopy output.

   - They are acceptable as exhibit in cases of litigation.

 Can be used without a computer.
 They are difficult to change without leaving any trace.
 They can be used without power.
 They can be used without the experience of computer
usage. Any 2 x 1

9. (i) Thesaurus:

 It is a feature in a word processor that suggest words with

similar or opposite meaning to the selected word @l.

 (ii) Comments:

 It is a feature in WP that allows a user to attach a remark

about the selection @l.

 10. Multilevel list:

 It is a format style that shows the listed items of different
levels rather than one at one level.

 Each level has different indentation and numbering style

@2.

 Example (Accept any)

 1. Chapter One

 Introduction

 Definition of terms @l.

 11. Distinction between real-time and distributed OS.

   Real-time OS reads information from input devices

and must respond within a short duration of time to ensure
correct performance.
 Distributed OS distributes computation among several
physical processors which do not share memory or clock.

12. Function of protect sheet:

   It is a feature used to prevent unwanted changes to be

made on the data contained in a sheet by limit the ability to
make changes.

13. Computer based careers created by in troducing

computerized data processing.

   System analysts Hardware technicians

 Data entry clerks
 Programmers Networks technicians

Database administrators

   Web designers
 Network administrator

14. = If (A1 > 10, Al * 77, Al * 50)

 Compares the value in cell Al If it is greater than 10, if

comparison is True, the results of operations Al * 77 is
displayed, if it is False the results of the operations Al * 50 is
displayed.

 15. (a) Identifying technologies that could be used in

the system.

 — System ana1ysis/ information gathering/problem

recognition (@ 1)

 (b) Identifying the shortcoming of the old system

 — Problem definition

 (@ 1)

 (c) Prepares the software migration plan

 — Implementation stage (@ 1) 3

 Section B (60 Marks) Marking Scheme

 16. (a) Looping is the control structure that allows a

block of code/statements to be repeated until a certain
condition is fulfilled. @ 2 marks

 

 Accept any type of looping control structure

 

 (c) Distinction between a source program and

compiler
  Source program is the original computer based
instructions written by a programmer in a programming
language while

A compiler is a program that processes

statements/instructions and translates them into machine
language.

 17. (a) (i) Search-engine

 It is a web-based application used to locate for an item or

information from world wide web.

 (ii) Factors that affects duration of download

   The size of the video

 The band width of the media used
 Availability of network
 Other activities that may be running in the computer.
 Other restrictions enforced in the computer
 The restrictions by the ISP
 Speed of computer (Any 3 @ l)

(b) Causes of Wakulima system’s failure

   Lack of power supply to the system servers.

 Network infrastructure breakdown/poor network
coverage/lack of connection.
 Program failure in the system/malware (virus).
 Hardware failure in the system.
 Human action which could be accidental or intentional.
 Lack of access rights.
 System overload (Any 4 @ 1 mark)

(c) (i) Cropping

 Used when handling a graphic and there is a need to remove

some of the portions in the graphic.

 (ii) Transparency
 Used when there is a need to make the background of a
graphic to be visible.

 (d) Areas where infra-red radio waves are used.

   TV remote control communication; DVD remote

control communication
 Communication between peripheral devices and the
computer
 Data link over short distance using mobile phones Radio
remote control
 Remote locking / opening doors/devices

18. (a) Activities at the planning stages

   Identify opportunity for the new project.

 Analyse feasibility to establish the viability of the project.
 Develop a work plan.
 Identify appropriate staff to work in the project.
 Control and direct the project.

(b) (i) Technical Feasibility

 Meant to determine whether the proposed solution is

technically practical/establish whether the technology is
available /expertise is available. (@ 2)

 (ii) Economic Feasibility

 Meant to establish whether the proposed system will be cost

effective. (@ 2)

 (iii) Schedule Feasibility

 Meant to establish whether the system can be implemented

within an acceptable time kame. (@ 2)

 (c) (i) Primary keys in the table Table 1 : Dept code @

 Table 2 : Student’s Registration No. @

 (ii) Benefits of referential integrity in the table

   No record can be added to the table 2 if its
corresponding record in Table 1 does not exist.
 No record in Table 1 can be deleted without first deleting
associated records in Table 2.
 Reduces data redundancies.
 Prevent deletion of related tables. (Any 2 x 2)

19. (a) (i) Preserve check

 It is a measure placed used to ensure that data item is in its

original status. (@ 2 marks)

 (ii) Data type check

 It is a measure that ensures that correct data type is

entered for each field. (@ 2 marks)

 (iii) Check digit

 This is a number calculated by the computer to make sure

that the other numbers in a sequence have been entered
properly. (@ 2 marks)

 (b) (i) BCD

 Binary Coded Decimal

 (o i)

 (ii) EBCDIC

 Extended Binary Coded Decimal Interchange Code.

 (iii) ASCII

 American Standard Code for Information Interchange

  

 20. (a) (i) I. Router It is the device meant to forward data

packets between computer network in the school and the
internet. (@ 2 marks)

 H. Firewall

 It is a device that prevents unauthorized access to or from

a private network (school’s LAN) (@ 2 ma rks)

 III. File server

 It is a computer attached to a network whose purpose is to

provide location for shared disk access (shared storage of
computer files). (@ 2 marks)

 (ii) Software to be installed in a computer

   Network operating system

 Browser/Mozi11a,firefox Necessary system drivers to
supports installed hardware
  Protocols(SMTP,HTTP) (Any 2 @ 1 mark)

(b) Use of computers in research for data management

  Used for data manipulation;
 Computers aid in data capturing;
 Computers can be used to store researched and analysed
data;
 Information in computers can be a secondary source of
data;
 Computers can be used to generate reports;
 Computers can be used to communicate researched work.
(Any 4 x 1)

(c) Advantages of online application services and shared

processing resources.

 Users will not be required to have powerful processing

devices;

  Users can access the services from anywhere in the

world;
 Users can access services at any time (24/7);
 Users can offload their data to the cloud infrastructure;
 Users can collaborate with remote users to process the
data;
 The approach will cut out high cost of hardware;
 Sharing of resources;
 Faster access to service;
 Cost effective;
 Orders are made without going to the shop. (Any 3 x 1)