1. Complete the following sentences, using items from the list below.

a bar code reader a chip reader a laser printer a microphone

a magnetic ink character reader a PIN pad a retina scanner a touch pad

(a) A device that reads black and white lines on a product is called…….........................................
(b) A device that inputs the sound made by a human voice is called……........................................
(c) A device which is used to read the data from the bottom of bank cheques is called…….........
(d) An input device used to input the biometric details of the eye is called

Answer
(a) a bar code reader [4]
(b) a microphone
(c) a magnetic ink character reader
(d) a retina scanner

2. Tick whether the following are examples of internal memory or backing storage.

internal memory backing storage

(✓) (✓)
Random Access Memory
Portable hard disk
Pen drive
Magnetic tape
Answer

Internal, Backing, Backing, Backing [2]

3. Tick whether the following are examples of impact printers or non-impact printers

Impact Non-Impact
(✓) (✓)
Dot Matrix
Inkjet Printer
Laser Printer
3D Printer
Answer

Impact, Non-Impact, Non-Impact, Non-Impact, [2]

4. A new system has to be tested before it can be implemented. A variety of test data is used.
Name the following types of test data.
(a) Data that is outside the boundaries of acceptability. ……........……..........…….........
(b) Data that is on the boundary of acceptability. …….........…….......…….........……...........
(c) Data that is not on the boundary but is within the range of acceptability. …….........……......
(d) Data that has been used before and has known outcomes. …….........…….........…….........
Answer

(a) Abnormal [4]

4(b) Extreme
4(c) Normal
4(d) Live (data)

5. Tick whether the following activities are part of the Design or the Implementation or the
Evaluation of a system.

Design Implementation Evaluation

(✓) (✓) (✓)
Comparing the outcomes with the original task
requirements
Changing over to the new system
Identifying any limitations and necessary
improvements to the system
Selecting validation routines
Answer

Evaluation, Implementation, Evaluation, Design [2]

6. Laptop computers are often equipped with Solid State Drives (SSD) or Hard Disk Drives
(HDD).
(a) Give four advantages of SSD compared to HDD.
Any four from: [4]
The SSD is lighter in weight than the HDD therefore the laptop will be lighter
and more portable
The speed of access in SSD is a lot quicker
The speed of data transfer in SSD is a lot quicker
There is less chance of the data becoming corrupted as it can save whilst the
laptop is moving
It is a smaller device therefore the laptop will be smaller/thinner
SSD uses less energy
Less chance of impact damage

(b) (b) People now tend to buy laptops rather than desktop computers. Despite this, desktop
computers are still fairly popular. Describe three advantages of using a desktop computer
rather than a laptop computer
Any three from: [3]
As the elements are separate units there is more choice of devices/can be
replaced if fails
Can be easier to upgrade
Easier to reduce glare on screen as it is separate
Laptop more expensive for same performance
Lower chance of it being stolen/lost

7. Describe how security can be improved in a WiFi network

Any two from: [2]
Secure the wireless router/network with a strong password
Do not broadcast the wifi security key/SSID
Enable WPA encryption
Disable remote administration to the router
Enable user management
Change from the default SSID
Use MAC address filtering/change the router IP address
Use wireless security software

8. Validation is a way of checking data in a database.

Name the most appropriate validation check that matches each description below
Length check [4]
Range check
Type check/Character check
Format check/Picture check

9 Explain the meaning of the following terms used in document production

Gutter – A margin placed on the fold of a book // A margin between the page [4]
margin and the fold of a book
Header – This is an area at the top of every page
Widow – When the last line of the paragraph is the first line of a new page
Wrapping – Text is written around an image in a word processed document

10 A city hospital has decided to use emerging technology to automate its packaging and
dispensing of medicines to patients. It has decided to use a robotic system which identifies
the medicine using bar codes.
Discuss the advantages and disadvantages to the hospital of using robots within this
environment rather than using humans to carry out the task.
Any three from: [6]
Advantages
Robots can work in environments where humans would have difficulty i.e.
cooler and less light
Can work without breaks/non-stop/can work 24/7
Less expensive in the long run
Overall wage bill is reduced as there are fewer workers
Productivity is higher
Less mistakes are made/more accurate
Allow humans to do more skilled work than picking the tablets
Greater consistency
Any three from:
Disadvantages
Expensive to maintain (only if Less expensive in the long run
has not been given)
Expensive to purchase/set up
Replace labour, leads to increased redundancy payments
If the bar code damaged the human would read the number but robot cannot
think for itself
A mark can be awarded for a reasoned conclusion
Maximum 7 marks.

11. Sukhjit has just discovered a large amount of spam emails in her inbox and is worried
it may be a phishing attempt.
(a) Explain some other dangers of opening spam emails.
Any two from: [2]
Spam email may contain viruses/spyware/malware/key loggers
an example of what viruses/spyware/malware/key loggers/pharming can do
If you open and reply to spam emails then the spammer knows the email
address is active
Spam can fill up the inbox
Spam is sometimes associated with phishing emails.
(b) Describe how Sukhjit would recognise a phishing email.
Any two from: [2]
Check the name of sender matches the content of the email
Check any URL link matches the content of the email
Might contain grammar/spelling mistakes
Check plain text
Check the message is not an image
Check if the message is asking for personal information
Might contain unexpected attachments
Urgent/too good to be true
Not address the user by name/generic name used
Might be in your SPAM emails/alerted by service provider

12. 3D printers are being used for producing personalised prescription drugs.
(a) Give two advantages of using 3D printers for this purpose
Any two from: [2]
Tablets can be customised to individual needs
Easier to change the percentages of drug in the tablet
Mass produced or small batches therefore reducing waste
Created as needed therefore reducing waste
Patient gets the drugs quicker

(b) Give two disadvantages of using 3D printers for this purpose

Any two from: [2]
Cost of buying the printer is expensive
Materials are expensive
Can be used for illegal production of drugs
There are not many 3D printers created to date to do this

13. An automatic washing machine contains a device to read RFID chips sewn into
clothing. When an item of clothing is placed in the washing machine it is scanned.
(a) Describe how the data is read from the RFID chip
Any two from: [2]
 The washing machine sends out (interrogation waves) radio signal to read the
data from the RFID
 They act as a passive transponder
Or
 The clothing has a battery (attached to the RFID)
 The radio signal is given out by the chip read by the receiver...
 ...using its antenna

(b) Explain the benefits of using RFID technology in a washing machine

Any two from: [2]
 It stops material being incorrectly washed
 It stops coloured items of clothing being in the wrong wash
 It stops clothing of different material being washed with others
 It allows the wash cycle to be set automatically
 It will know the amount of water to use so won’t waste water

14.The city of Venice is in danger of being damaged due to rising sea levels. A new
computer controlled flood defence system is being planned. The developers of the system
are using a spreadsheet tomodel the plan.
(a) Give three reasons why computer models are used to simulate the flood defence system.
Any three from: [3]
 Cheaper than building the real thing
 Quicker to see results rather than building it
 Safer than building the real thing
 Easier to change variables in the model/can use what ifs

(b) The city uses a manual system for detecting flood waters. This relies on people watching
for the rising levels of water.
Explain why creating a computerised system is better than using the manual system
Any two from: [2]
 The sensors are out in the bay therefore there is a faster response to floods
 Safer as flood watchers are not put in danger from rising waters
 Data collected is more accurate
 The data readings can be taken more frequently
 Data collection can be continuous
 The town's people can be alerted faster of the danger
 Predictions can be made from the data easily

(c) The developers have used the results from the model to choose a computer controlled
flood defence system. It will have a barrier which can open or close.
Describe the role of the microprocessor in such a system
Any three from: [3]
 The microprocessor reads the data from the sensor
 The microprocessor has a set of pre-set values stored
 The microprocessor compares the readings from the sensors with the pre-set
values
 If higher the microprocessor sends a signal�
 � to the actuator to close the barrier
 If lower the microprocessor sends a signal�
 � to the actuator to open the barrier

15. (a) You have created a spreadsheet to help your teacher to show progress in a series of tests

(a) Write a formula to be placed in cell C2 to produce the following: [4]

“Making progress” if the mark is 75 or more
“Satisfactory” if the mark is 50 to 74 marks
“Needs improvement” if the mark is 0 to 49 marks

For example: [4]

=IF(B2>=75,"Making progress", IF(B2>=50,"Satisfactory",IF(B2>=0,"Needs
improvement")))
or
=IF(B2>=75,"Making progress", IF(B2>=50,"Satisfactory","Needs
improvement"))
or
=IF(B2<=49,"Needs improvement", IF(B2<=74,"Satisfactory","Making
progress"))
1 mark for IF(� )
1 mark for B2>=75,
1 mark for B2>=50, / 1 mark for B2<=49,
1 mark for second IF( )
1 mark for all of the outputs being correct;

(b)
(i) Having created the formula, it needs to be tested to show that it displays the correct
comment for each mark. Suggest an item of test data that would satisfy each of the
following tests. Each item of test data must be different.

[4]
Test data
e.g. any number between 75 and 100
e.g. any number between 50 and 74
Either 0 or 49
Either 50 or 74

(b)(ii) ) Explain why testing is important

Any two from: [2]
To prove the system works as designed
So that the system can be implemented correctly/modify the system if errors
show up
Trapping all errors
Meets the user’s expectations/requirements

(c) You are now asked to enter the marks for an additional 19 students into the
spreadsheet and
to produce a bar chart showing the student names and their test marks.
Describe how you would create the bar chart
Any three from: [3]
Select cells A1 to B21
Insert chart/click on the chart icon
Select bar chart
Add/edit titles/label the axes/legend

16. You use a computer to do your homework. You are concerned about the health issues
of using a computer.
Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of different methods you could use to help
minimise
the health problems of using the computer
Advantages [4]
Max four marks:
 If the screen is 90 degrees to the window it reduces the glare/eye strain
 If you use a screen filter/blue glasses eye strain is reduced
 If LCD/TFT screens are used then eye strain is reduced
 If my eye is level with the top of the screen it will reduce eye strain/neck ache
 If I take breaks from excessive clicking on the mouse/keyboard this reduces
RSI
 Using voice activated systems reduces RSI
 If I use a wrist rest/an ergonomic mouse it will reduce RSI
 If I use an ergonomic chair it will reduce back ache
 If I do not use the computer for long periods of time this will reduce
 RSI/back ache/eye strain/Carpel syndrome/Cubital syndrome/Neck pain/DVT
Disadvantages
Max four marks:
 Turning the screen can reduce your ability to see clearly on the screen
 Laptops can be difficult to ensure the screen is 90 degrees as the whole unit
needs to be moved
 The cost of safety equipment can be expensive
 Using voice activated systems can be prone to many errors which may
increase RSI correcting them
 Users can become over-reliant on equipment
 With laptops/screens it can be difficult to position it so the eye level is at the
top of the screen
 Taking breaks every hour can increase the work time
A mark can be awarded for a reasoned conclusion

17. A library has a relational database consisting of two tables – one containing information
about its books and the other containing information about borrowers. Below are two lists
showing the field names for each table. A borrower can borrow several books at a time

(a) Identify the primary key in the Book table.

Book_ID [1]
(b) Identify the foreign key in the Book table
Borrower_ID [1]
(c) Identify the type of relationship that exists between the tables
One to Many/Many to One [1]
(d) Describe two advantages of using a relational database rather than a flat file database
Any two from: [2]
Data is only stored once/avoids data duplication
Saves storage space
Complex queries can be carried out using several tables
Better security
Avoids inconsistent records/less errors

(e) When the systems analyst was creating the new system she had to produce appropriate
datatypes for each field.
Write down the most appropriate data type for each field. [4]
Field name Data type
Cost_of_Book Numeric/currency/real/fixed point decimal
Borrower_name Text/alphanumeric
Telephone_contact Text/alphanumeric
Date_due _Back Date/(date/time)

18. (a) A picture is an element of a web page. Name three other elements that could be used
in a web page
Any three from: [3]
 Text
 Moving images/movies/animation
 Sound
 Hyperlinks

(b) A student is designing a web page about herself which she plans to publish on the
internet.
The web page will contain a picture of herself as well as other details.
She wants to place a picture ‘‘sport.jpg’’ on it.
Write the line of HTML markup to display the picture or to display the words ‘‘play
sport’’ if the
browser cannot locate the picture
<img src=”sport.jpg” alt=”play sport”> [3]
1 mark for <img src=”sport.jpg”
1 mark for alt=”play sport”>

19. Describe how an expert system can be used to suggest car engine fault diagnoses
Any five from: [5]
Enter data into/use the interactive user interface
Questions are asked about the car engine fault
The user answers the questions/Yes or No answers to the questions are typed in
Further questions are asked based on the previous answers
The inference engine compares data
Compares data with that held in the knowledge base�
� using the rules base/set of rules�
� until it finds a match/matches found
System suggests probabilities/possible solutions
The explanation system explains how the solutions were arrived at

20. Discuss the benefits and drawbacks of using the cloud for storing data rather than
other methods.
Examples [6]
Drawbacks
Loss of control of the data�
� as the data is controlled by a data storage provider
� the user needs to be able to trust the service provider and its staff
� security issues with the storing of the data with the provider
� fire/flood/electricity spikes can affect data without the user knowing
If data is not encrypted�
� can lead to security issues due to loss of control/hacking
If connection is lost then the cloud cannot be accessed�
� data could be lost due to this
If there is a mass/lot of data the data could be split over several servers�
 may have problems retrieving the data
may lead to security issues
data may be lost during the saving process
Cost of storing data may be higher than physical methods
most computers have storage so don’t need to purchase one
private clouds can be expensive
Difficult to delete all copies of a file
as the data is stored/backed up several times
Benefits
The data is accessible anywhere
helps to migrate data from one device to another
helps to synchronise data
Don’t have to buy storage devices
some devices do not have hard discs/storage
cheaper than buying storage devices
the cloud can be used for all storage requirements
More storage space than using physical devices
the cloud has lots of storage
Don’t have to manage the storage
the service provider manages the storage
user does not have to worry about security measures as service provider
secures data
Allows many users to access the data
... as the data is stored centrally
Only pay for the storage you use
much of the space on the hard disc may be wasted
The data is regularly backed up