Year 9

ICT
Homework #02 – Model Answer
Chapter 02 Input and Output Devices
Question 01:
Identify three items of data contained in the chip on a bank card.
• Card Number
• Personal Identification number (PIN)
• Card Expiry Date
• Sort Code
Question 02:
When a book is borrowed the borrower presents the book and library card to
the librarian. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of different input
devices which could be used by the librarian.
• Bar code reader and Magnetic stripe reader are quicker to enter data than
keyboard
• Bar code reader and Magnetic stripe reader are more accurate when
entering data than keyboard
• If bar code is missing or damaged, it is difficult to enter data
• Easier to damage a bar code than a magnetic stripe or chip
• Chip reader can input more information than magnetic stripe or bar code
• Chip, stripe and bar code readers have to be bought but keyboard comes
with the computer
• Continuous use of mouse or keyboard can cause RS
Question 03:
When surgeons operate on patients, they sometimes need to use computers.
Give two reasons why they would use a light pen as an input device.
• Light pens are more accurate than touch screens.
• They are small, so can be used where space is limited.
• Easy to use because surgeons put on gloves which would make it more
difficult to control other devices.
• Easier to keep clean than other devices.
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ICT
Question 04:
Describe four advantages that the use of chip and pin systems have over a
magnetic stripe system.
1. They have reduced fraud as the true cardholder has to input their PIN.
2. Chips are harder to copy compared to a magnetic stripe.
3. The storage capacity for data on a chip is much higher than that for a
magnetic stripe.
4. The card will not be affected by any magnetic field.
Question 05:
Discuss why different user interfaces require the use of different types of input
device.
Command Line Interface
• With a CLI Instructions must be typed to get a computer to carry out an
action, keyboard is used to type
• Typing is key component of CLI
• With CLI syntax has to be precise
• Devices other than a keyboard would be less accurate when entering text
Graphical User Interface
• With a GUI you just click on an icon
• With a GUI icons represent applications
• Separate windows are used for different pieces of work/software
• With a GUI menus are offered to help choose an action
• Moving a mouse enables users to manoeuvre a pointer around a screen
• A mouse can be used to drag windows/icons around a screen
• People with physical disabilities can use a trackerball to manoeuvre the
pointer around a screen
• Pointing devices are easier to control a pointer/menu selection/icon
clicking
• Joysticks can be used to mimic the behaviour of a mouse
• Buttons on the mouse enable users to select icons
• Buttons on a mouse enable users to see menus on a screen
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ICT
• Touchscreen can be used to directly select options from a screen.
Question 06:
Computers are used to manage data in schools. Name the different methods
used to input personal data about students and their attendance and discuss
the advantages and disadvantages of these.
• Type in/use keyboard
• Use touch screen
• Scan Bar code/use bar code reader
• Swipe Magnetic stripe/magnetic stripe reader
• Use biometric methods
OMR
• Magnetic stripe quicker than keying in
• Bar codes more accurate than keying in
• Magnetic stripe more accurate than keying in
• Keyboard entry more robust than bar codes
• Keyboard can be used to enter additional data unlike bar code reader
• Magnetic stripe more robust than bar codes
• Biometric methods difficult to forge
• Biometric methods more accurate than other methods
Question 07:
Give one advantage and one disadvantage of using RFID than barcode reader
Advantages:
• Tags can be read at a distance.
• Compared to barcodes tags store more data.
• RFID systems can scan multiple items at the same time
Disadvantages
• RFID is more expensive than a comparable barcode system.
• Because RFID uses radio waves, they are relatively easy to jam or interrupt.
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ICT
Question 08:
The system currently uses bar codes to read the data on the medicine packets as
well as the shelf that the medicine packets are located on. The hospital is
considering using embedded RFID chips in the packaging rather than bar codes.
Explain the advantages of using RFID chips in this scenario.
• Can be read at a greater distance
• Don’t need to be positioned in line of sight
• Can be updated easier
• Read at faster rate
• More reusable/more robust
• Larger storage capacity
• Greater security
• Cannot misread if RFID grouped together
Question 9:
Compare and contrast the use of RFID chips with bar codes
Comparisons
• Both are direct data entry systems
• Both are used to communicate with the reader
Contrasts
• RFID chips can be read from a greater distance/bar codes need to be closer
to the reader
• Bar codes need to be in line of sight with the reader/RFID chips do not need
to be
• RFID chips can be uploaded easier/bar codes require a brand new code
• RFID chips read at a faster rate
• RFID chips are more useable/more robust
• RFID chips are more secure
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ICT
Question 10:
A school is going to introduce an automatic registration system controlled by
computer. Students will carry a card which will be read automatically by an
input device every session so that the school office will know that they are
present. Instead of using this system the school ICT teacher suggests using
student fingerprints. Describe two advantages and two disadvantages of such a
system.
Advantages: Disadvantages
• Unique so students can’t check • Parents might object to
each other in children’s fingerprints being
• Students could forget cards taken
• Students could lose cards • Method can be slower than
• Sets of cards may be expensive cards
to buy • Equipment/set up is more
expensive
• Time taken to gather all the
fingerprints would be very long

Question 11:
Shopping often requires the use of a credit card. Give three methods of reading
the data from the credit card.
• Magnetic stripe reader
• Chip reader
• Contactless reader/RFID reader/NFC (Near Field Communication) reader
• Using a manual/physical imprint card reader
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ICT
Question 12:
A bank has introduced a system whereby its customers will use contactless
smart cards to make purchases. This method of payment involves customers
holding their card close to a reader at shopping outlets and restaurants. Discuss
the advantages and disadvantages of this method of payment compared to
using chip and PIN cards.
• Contactless systems reduce the time taken by retailers to deal with each
customer
• Customers don’t need to queue for so long as contactless cards speed up
the transactions/ quicker than inserting the card and entering the PIN
• Only checks whether the card is not cancelled or stolen not always making
a full check on what the balance of the holder’s account is.
• Customers are limited in what they can buy as transactions must be below
a certain value
• In some cases, the customer can unwittingly pay for another customer’s
purchase if they get too close to the terminal.
• A thief armed with a suitable reader, within a few feet of the customer,
would be able to interrogate all of the cards in their wallet without their
knowledge.
• If customer lost card a thief could make purchases without having to know
a PIN
• Customer can pay twice as terminal may detect the card for contactless
payment but has inserted the card to use the PIN.
• Customer doesn’t have to worry about PIN being overseen/shoulder surfed
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ICT
Question 13:
Recently mobile phones have been used to pay for goods in stores and
supermarkets. One method of payment involves holding the phone close to a
reader in the store. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of this method of
payment compared with other methods of credit/debit card transactions.
Advantages
• Simple to use as all have to do is hold the phone by the reader
• No swiping of a card so less damage to the card
• Faster method than swiping the card
• No PIN
• No signature
• Stops shoulder surfing
• As the credit card does not have to be physically present it cannot be stolen
• The credit card number is not used in transactions stores do not gain access
to names and numbers
• No tracking of the data as there is no card
• Several cards can be stored and selected
• Everyone carries a phone nowadays
• Doesn’t matter if you forget credit/debit card
Disadvantages
• Need a compatible phone
• Not available online
• Stores need the reader
• May be issues with connectivity as a phone is used
• Hackers accessing the phone signal
• Phones can run out of battery
• There is a limit on how much can be paid
• Older people may not have phones
• More difficult for older people to us
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ICT
Question 14:
Contactless debit cards are replacing standard debit cards. Some countries are
introducing contactless debit card transactions at ATM machines. Give three
disadvantages to the customer of using these cards at an ATM.
• The card may be read accidently
• Only small amounts can be withdrawn
• More chance of fraud if card is stolen/lost
• May not be able to use the ATM as not everyone will be contactless due to
cost
• Devices can read the cards wirelessly to steal money
Question 15:
An office has a microprocessor controlled central heating system. Name and
describe, in detail, the use of two input devices in such a system.
• Number pad/touch screen/remote control
• For the user to input the required temperature
• Temperature sensor
• To input current temperature of the room/office
Question 16:
Computers are used in supermarkets at checkouts. Identify three output devices
which could be used when an item is purchased.
• Printer
• Speaker/buzzer
• LCD display
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ICT
Question 17:
Modern LCD monitors and televisions use LED back-lit technology. Give two
advantages of using this new technology compared to the older cold cathode
fluorescent lamp (CCFL) method.
• no need to warm up
• whiter tint/more vivid colours/brighter image
• higher resolution
• much thinner monitors possible/lighter weight
• more reliable technology/longer lasting
• uses much less power/more efficient
Question 18:
Describe Wide format printers
Used for wide printouts (e.g. maps, posters and plans) and can use laser or inkjet
technology and are expensive specialist printers.
Question 19:
Describe 3D printing and give two uses
Use an additive technique where layers of a substance (usually plastic, glass,
ceramic or metal) is repeatedly sprayed in layers to build up the 3D effect. Uses
include:
• Dentistry for producing crowns, bridges, veneers and false teeth that are
designed using computer-aided design software and printed using a 3D
printer.
• For producing hearing aids that fit a patient's ear perfectly.
• For producing quick prototypes of products (e.g. the body design of a new
car)
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ICT
Question 20:
Cars have to be designed before they can be manufactured. 3D printers can be
used to produce models of a car. Describe the process involved in producing the
models
• 3D digital copy is made and put in the software.
• Software slices the model into hundreds of layers.
• Printer creates the model layer by layer.
• Binds them together
Question 21:
3D printers are being used for producing personalised prescription drugs. Give
two advantages of using 3D printers for this purpose.
• 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
Give two disadvantages of using 3D printers for this purpose.
• 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
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ICT
Question 22:
A payroll office, which prints out large numbers of payslips every month, has
decided to install a new printer. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of
using a laser printer, an inkjet printer or a dot matrix printer in this office
Laser printer advantages
• High printing speed
• The toner cartridge lasts longer than inkjet cartridges.
• Laser is cheaper to buy than a dot matrix
Laser printer disadvantages
• More expensive running costs than dot matrix.
• Produce ozone and volatile organic compounds because of their method of
printing and type of toner/ink used. These have been linked to health
hazards in the office.
Inkjet printer advantages
• Much cheaper to buy than laser printers.
• Relatively quiet compared with dot matrix printer.
Inkjet printer disadvantages
• Difficult to print a sealed secure payslip.
• Ink cartridges don’t last long and so are not suitable for large print jobs.
Dot matrix printer advantages
• Cheaper to run than inkjet and laser printers.
• Can be used to print carbon copy.
Dot matrix printer disadvantages
• Very noisy – the pins make a lot of noise when they strike the inked ribbon.
• Very slow to print.
Conclusion
• I think that a dot matrix printer would be the most suitable in a payroll
office, since high quality is not needed when printing payslips.
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ICT
Question 23:
The head teacher needs one thousand copies of this newsletter. Give four
reasons why a laser printer should be used rather than an inkjet or a dot matrix
printer.
• Laser is faster at printing than other two for this task
• Laser has a better quality printout than dot matrix
• Laser has a larger paper tray than inkjet
• Laser doesn’t need to change cartridges as often as an inkjet
• Laser is cheaper to buy than a dot matrix
Question 24:
Describe three types of medical aid which can be produced using a 3D printer.
• Surgical and diagnostic aids
• Prosthetics and medical products
• Tissue engineering
• Artificial blood vessels
• Designs of medical tools and equipment