admin@kcseforecast.com

Q&A-KCSE Computer Studies Paper 1

Mention at least two trends in the technological revolution of computers.

  • Continual decrease in computer size
  • Improved speed and power of processing
  • Decrease in computer physical size and its related facilities cost
Question Image

Differentiate between a function parameter and a function argument

A parameter represents additional information that  a function requires to perform its task. Each parameter required by a function is specified in the function header

An argument the value supplied in the function call. When the function is called, the argument value is passed into the function parameter so that the function can perform its task

Question Image
Name four data management tools used in spreadsheets. (2 marks)
- Filtering - Sorting - Input validation - Subtotals - Data entry forms
Question Image

State three advantages of  biometric authentication

  • Protection against Password-related Vulnerabilities: Traditional password-based authentication methods are vulnerable to various risks, such as weak passwords, password sharing, or password theft.
  • Stronger Access Control: Biometric readers add an additional layer of access control to laptops. Even if someone gains physical possession of the laptop, they would still need the authorized user's biometric data to unlock it and access the data. This helps prevent unauthorized individuals from accessing sensitive information stored on the laptop,
  • Audit Trail and Accountability: Biometric authentication systems often come with built-in logging and auditing capabilities. This means that each time someone accesses the laptop using their biometric data, it can be recorded and associated with a specific user. This creates an audit trail, allowing organizations to track and monitor access to laptops and establish accountability in case of any security incidents or breaches.
Question Image

State what is meant by Computer Aided Design (CAD).

Give three different applications that make use of CAD.

Name three specialist input/output devices used in CAD.

software that can be used to design new products/amend existing products
makes use of features such as 2D, 3D, wire frames, library of parts, links to CAM

Give three different applications that make use of CAD.

aerospace
architecture
designing cars
designing consumer goods
chemical/nuclear plant design
designing electronic circuit boards
ergonomic design
landscape/garden design

Name three specialist input/output devices used in CAD.

large monitor/screen with hi-res
touch screen
plotter
space mouse/space ball/4D device
3D glasses (in some applications)
light pen
graphics tablet
3D printer
3D scanner

Question Image

Explain how an SSD stores data

Uses transistors( resistors and capacitors) . It can be implemented by the use of NAND or NOR gates. Data is stored on the chip as a charge

Question Image

Give four features of a Data Protection Act

  • data must be up to date
  •  data can only be read/used for the purpose for which it was collected
  • data must be adequate, relevant and not excessive
  • data must be accurate
  • data must be destroyed when no longer needed/don’t keep longer than necessary
  • data user must register what data stored
  • data must be used/collected fairly and lawfully
  • data must be held securely
  • data must be protected from accidental damage
  • only authorised personnel can have access to the data
  • fines are imposed for data mis-use
  • data should not be passed on to a third party without permission
  • a person can view data and have it changed/removed if incorrect
Question Image

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
Question Image

State Advantages of online booking

  • It prevents double-booking which could happen in paper-based booking system
  • The customer gets immediate feedback on the availability of seats
  • The customer can make  booking at any time of the day
  • Emails provided by customers during booking can be used by companies for advertisement
Question Image

Describe two possible causes of computer failure. In each case state how it could have been prevented

  1. Hardware failure
  2. Corrupted software files
  3. Hacking into the system
  4. Power failure
Question Image

State two computer-based careers  that have arisen as a result of  computer-based data processing in a factory    (2 marks)

System analyst

Web designers

Network administrators

Database administrators

Programmers

Computer technicians

Question Image

 Lucy wrote: “I should validate the input into my database by typing in the same data twice”.Why was her statement incorrect?

  • she had actually described verification
  • data could be incorrect, therefore same incorrect data typed in twice
  • accept description of validation process e.g. range check
Question Image

State three documents that are used during mail merging in word processing

  • Main document
  • Data source
  • merged document
Question Image

State advantages of batch processing

  • once instructions are given, the processing runs automatically hence requiring little supervision
  • tasks are processed as a group hence reducing the cost
  • It is faster since the since runs automatically
  • there is increased output since the processor works without any interruption
Question Image

State the differences between a hub and a switch

 

  • switches can send and receive data simultaneously - they are full duplex
  • a hub is half duplex- only one host can communicate at a time.
  • a hub broadcast signals to all computers connected in a network while a switch directs data to its intended destination
Question Image

State two reasons for carrying out software updates

  • To get the latest features
  • To update security features
Question Image

Internet and E-mail Questions

Define the term internet      1mk

  • The global interconnection of computer networks for purpose of communication and resource sharing

Explain the term web page    1mk

  • A hypertext  page prepared to display the content on the web

Explain the following internet address http://www.google.co.us in reference to the structure of a URL    3mks

  • HTTP- hypertext transfer protocol or simply protocol
  • WWW – subdomain
  • google – the name of the computer with the web content/domain name
  • .co – top level domain for commercial organization
  • .us- a TLD extension for the country US

 

What is the world wide web                                       1mk

  •  A virtual space on the internet that allows web pages and sites to be accessed

Define the term browser                                    1mk

  •  A software that used viewing of web content

Explain the meaning of the word hyperlink     1mk

  • A text or picture that is a link to another webpage on the internet

What is a search engine?     1mk

  • Is a special program that collects and stores links to information websites allowing users to search its database for them
  • A specialized web-based application that help the user to search for specific information on the internet.

Explain the meaning of the term internet service provider            1mk

  • A company that offers internet services to end-users

Identify three elements apart from a computer that is required for one to be connected to the internet    3mk

  • Modem
  • Internet software
  • Internet service provider
  • Telecommunication lines
  • TCP/IP protocols

 

Define the term modem 1mk

  • Stands for modulator-demodulator
  • A device that enables telecommunication to use telephone lines

What is a protocol? Write the following in full: TCP/IP, HTML, HTTP and FTP           5mks

  • Protocols – are special communication rules that govern sending and receiving of messages by computers on a network
  • Html – hypertext markup language
  • Hypertext transfer protocol
  • Transmission Control Protocol
  • Internet Protocol
  • File Transfer Protocol

What would you do if a website refused to load on the browser within the first attempt?   1mk

  • Click the refresh button on the toolbar

 State three internet services                         3mks

  • Instant messaging
  • E-mails
  • E-commerce
  • Social media and networks
  • E-learning

 

Define the term internet telephony      1mk

  • Transmission of voice data over the internet

State three benefits of the internet in our society

  • Provides a platform for conducting business and marketing
  • Provides many platforms such as social media through which people can contact each other
  • Cost saving
  • Efficient communication

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

Question Image

With the aid of an example, explain the term multilevel list as used in word processing

  • it is a format style that shows the listed items of different levels rather than at one level. Each level has a different indentation and numbering style

1. Chapter 1

     1.1. Introduction

                 1.1.1.Definition of terms

Question Image

451/1

COMPUTER STUDIES

PAPER 1

THEORY

DECEMBER 2021

TIME: 2 HOURS

 

FORM TWO END OF TERM TWO 2O21 EXAM

451/1

COMPUTER STUDIES

PAPER 1

THEORY

TIME: 2½ HOURS

 

INSTRUCTIONS TO CANDIDATES:

  • Write your name and ADMISSION number in the spaces provided above.
  • Write the date of examination and sign in the spaces provided.
  • This paper consists of two sections.
  • Answer all the questions in section A.
  • Choose one topic to answer in section B
  • All answers must be written in the spaces provided in this question paper.
  1. SECTION A
  2.  Answer all questions in this section
  3. What is a computer?                                                                                                            1mks
  4. State three physical components that make up a computer                                                 3mks
  5. State the hardware technological differences between the second generation and third generation computers                                                                                                          2mks
  6. State and explain three characteristics of a computer                                                         3mks
  7. State the functions of the following special memories in a computer                                3mks
  8. Buffers
  9.  
  10. Registers
  11. Cache
  12.  
  13. Define the following as used in data representation in a computer                                  (5mks)
  14. Bit
  15.  
  16.  
  17. Byte
  18.  
  19.  
  20. Nibble
  21.  
  22.  
  23.  
  24. Word
  25.  
  26.  
  27.  
  28. Word-length
  29.  
  30.  
  31. State two reasons why a DVD is superior to a typical compact disk                               (2mks)
  32. State three advantages of flat panel monitors over cathode ray tube monitors                   3mks
  33. Explain the following terms as used in word processing                                                  3mks
  34. Section breaks
  35. Thesaurus
  36. Superscript
  37. State two advantages of  impact printers                                                                             2mks
  38. State the function of the following keys on the computer keyboard                                  3mks
  39. Enter key
  40. Insert key
  41. Delete key
  42. State the technology used by the following secondary devices to store data                      3mks
  43. Magnetic storage devices
  44. Solid state storage devices
  45. Optical storage devices
  46. State three reasons why an operating system is important in a computer                         3mks
  47. A typical computer’s main memory consists of both volatile and non-volatile memory.
  48. i)  Explain what is meant by the term volatile memory                                          (1mark)
  49. ii) What is normally stored in the non-volatile part of a computer’s main memory (1mark)
  50. Explain why having cache memory can improve the performance of the CPU         (2mks)
  51. What is a computer system?                                                                                           (1mk
  52. Give two differences between a solid state drive (SSD) and a hard disk drive (HDD)   2mks
  53. State three categories of software classified according User license agreement              (3mks)
  54. State two disadvantages of Random Access Memory                                                       (1mk)
  55.  
  56.  
  57. a) Explain the functions performed by the following components of a processor   (2 marks)
  58. Control unit
Question Image