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Chapter 3 Hardware: Answers to coursebook questions

and tasks
Syllabus sections covered: 1.3 (1.3.1 – 1.3.2)

Extension question 3.01

There is no one definitive answer here. There must be examples of magnetic, optical
and solid-state devices. There must be a distinction between built-in and external
devices. Only magnetic disk or solid-state should be suggested for internal storage
but some students might include a ROM chip as an example. A USB is not a storage
device but is a technology associated with connecting a storage device.

Extension question 3.02

Again, there is no one definitive answer here. The question is quite open-ended.
Some students might focus on the distinction between a touch screen and a non-
touch screen or consider the options for touch-screen technology. Others might
consider how a cursor could be made to move. Alternatively, some might consider
the use of typical screen elements such as buttons and drop-down lists.

Exam-style Questions (with mark allocation in brackets):

1 a i RAM is volatile (1), nothing stored when system is switched off (1), can
write to RAM (1), so data can be updated or deleted (1).
ii Random access (1), data can be read (1).
iii D stands for dynamic, which in this context means that there has to be
regular recharging to maintain the data stored (1). S stands for static,
which has no such requirement (1). No marks for discussing cost,
access time or capacity.
b i Moving parts in magnetic or optical (1), concentric tracks for magnetic
or spiral track for optical (1), solid-state is a form of EEPROM or all data
has to be deleted before new data is added to a block (1).
ii Magnetic and optical use sectors (1), direct or random access (1), need
compensation for variation in speed across the radius (1).(Max 2)
2 a i Key matrix of wires (1), key press causes contact at an intersection (1),
built-in microprocessor (1), detects closed circuit (1), ROM stores data
(1) which can be used to identify which key pressed (1), creates a
character code (1), which is sent to the processor (1). (Max 4)
ii A somewhat open-ended question; possible credit-worthy answers
include descriptions of a screen display for entering text (2), use of
voice recognition software (2), a text file being read by a program (2).
(Max 2)
b i Inkjet uses ink or ink stored in cartridges(1), printhead (1) has nozzles
(1), any aspect of how a laser printer works (1). Overall need two
differences with two matching descriptions for four marks.
ii Effectively create an array of pixels (1), image created by moving from
one position to an adjacent one (1), use cyan, magenta and yellow (1).
(Max 2)

© Cambridge University Press 2016

https://sites.google.com/view/cambridgecomputerscience
 AHMED THAKUR | https://www.facebook.com/computerscience.oalevel

© Cambridge University Press 2016

https://sites.google.com/view/cambridgecomputerscience