GCSE ICT Sample questions and answers The answers given to the questions in this section are not perfect examples. They contain some of the more commo...
GCSE ICT Sample questions and answers The answers given to the questions in this section are not perfect examples. They contain some of the more common mistakes made by candidates. You should read the examiner’s comments carefully after each question to find out where marks were lost, why they were lost and how the answer could be improved. 1. (a) Explain what is meant by the term data.
(2)
Data that doesn’t mean anything like 123abc. (b) Explain what is meant by the term information.
(2)
Data that means something. (c) Tick one box next to each item in the table below to show whether it is data or information. Data
(4)
Information
AQ
(i)
04022002
A
(ii)
4th February 2002
√
(iii)
it is a sunny day
√
(iv)
day a it sunny is
(NE AB) 200
√ Comments
√ 2 Paper 2 Tier H
The answer to part (a) received full marks – but a better answer would have been something like: Data has no context or meaning, e.g. oncatthematsat. The answer to part (b) only received one mark because the candidate did not give a suitable example of information – a better answer would have been something like: Data that has been given a meaning or context e.g. the cat sat on the mat. Part (c) gained full marks.
2. RAM and ROM are both types of memory used by personal computers. (a) (i) Which one of these types of memory is volatile?
(1)
RAM (ii) Explain the difference between volatile and non-volatile memory.
(2)
The contents of volatile memory can be lost but non-volatile memory can’t. (b) Why does a personal computer need both of these types of memory?
(2)
ROM stores permanent programs and RAM is used to store work like Word documents. AQA (NEAB) 2001 Paper 2 Tier H Comments The answer to part (a) (i) is correct and received one mark. Part (a) (ii) only received one mark for the point that the contents of non-volatile memory can’t be lost. More detail is needed about volatile memory – the contents of which are lost only when the computer is turned off. To gain full marks the candidate would need to have said something like: The contents of volatile memory are lost when a computer is turned off. The contents of non-volatile memory are permanent and are not affected when a computer is turned off. Part (b) received no marks. This answer is too general – more detail is needed about what permanent programs are and when RAM would store a Word document. A correct version of this answer would be: ROM stores permanent programs like boot software and RAM is used to store work like Word documents when they are in use.
3. An operating system is a type of computer software. (a)
Give four tasks that are carried out by all operating systems.(4)
Dealing with system security. Controlling printers. Running programs. Start up the system. (b)
Describe one additional task that a multi-tasking operating system would be able to carry out.
(2)
Run more than one program. (c)
Describe one additional task that a multi-user operating system would be able to carry out.
(2)
Deals with many users. AQA (NEAB) 2002 Paper 2 Tier H Comments The answer to part (a) received four marks. Some other possible answers for functions, or tasks, carried out by an operating system are: •
detect and install new hardware or peripheral devices;
•
manage memory space;
•
deal with errors;
•
communicate with the user;
•
manage the loading, storage and transfer of data.
The answer to part (b) only received one mark because the candidate did not go on to explain that these programs would be running at the same time. A better answer would be: Running more than one program at the same time.
The answer to part (b) only received one mark because the candidate did not make the second required point that a multi-user operating system shares out the processing time of a central computer by allocating time-slices. 4. Graphical user interfaces (GUIs) are found on many computers. (a)
Why do computers need a user interface?
(1)
So you can use the computer (b)
Give one input device, other than a keyboard, that can be used with a graphical user interface.
(1)
Mouse (c)
Give four features of a graphical user interface.
(4)
Windows Pictures Menus Pointer (d)
(i) Give one other type of user interface.
(1)
MS-DOS (ii) Give two benefits to an inexperienced user offered by a graphical user interface compared to this type of interface. (2)
Faster to use Don’t need to remember commands AQA (NEAB) 2001 Paper 2 Tier H
Comments The answer to part (a) is far too general and received no marks. A better answer would be: To allow users to communicate with the computer. The answer to part (b) received one mark – other possible answers are monitor or touch-sensitive screen. The answer to part (c) received three out of four marks. The second feature –
picture – lost a mark. The candidate probably meant icons but the examiner can’t just assume this. Make sure you use the correct technical terms – a revision list of terms and their definitions will help with this. The answer to part (d) (i) received no marks. Types of user interface that would have received a mark are: command-driven, menu-driven or voiceactivated. Although MS-DOS is a command-driven user interface it is a specific product. The names of products should generally not be used in answers to questions. Another example of this might be a question that asked you what type of software would be suitable for writing a letter. The correct answer is word processing software; however a candidate who gave ‘MS Word’ as their answer wouldn’t receive a mark. The answer to part (d) (ii) received one mark for the second benefit. The first answer, ‘Faster to use’ is too general. A better answer would have gone on to explain why GUIs are easier to use: Faster to use because you don’t need to type in commands.
5. A garage specialises in selling second hand cars. A database is used to store information on the cars for sale. Part of the database file is shown below. Make
Model
Colour
Audi BMW BMW Citroen Fiat Ford Ford Ford Honda Honda Nissan Peugeot Renault Rover Rover Rover Vauxhall Vauxhall Volkswagen Volkswagen
A4 318 SE 520 SE Saxo Punto SX Focus Zetec Mondeo Scorpio Ghia Accord LS Civic Micra 306 GTi Laguna 218S 420 620 SLi Astra Estate Sintra Sharan Polo l.4E
Green Blue Green White Red Blue Blue Black Silver White Red Yellow Silver Grey Red Green Red Blue Green Green
Additional feature Alloys Full service history Full electric pack Full service history Electric windows Air conditioning Full service history Metallic paint Full electric pack Power assisted steering Very low mileage One owner Alloys Power assisted steering Diesel Full service history One owner One owner Low mileage Factory sun roof
Explain what is meant by the following terms. You may find it helpful to give examples. (i)
Record
A collection of related fields (ii)
(b)
(i)
Field
One single part of a record
(2)
Which field is the key field in this database?
(1)
Registration number (ii)
Explain why the field you have chosen is suitable to be used as a key field.
Because this is different for every record
(1)
(c)
In order to search the database, the following commands are used. List For Equals Greater than Less than And Or
So the search List Model For Colour Equals Silver would produce the result Accord LS Laguna What would be the results of the following searches? (i)
List Make For Number of doors Equals 7
(2)
Vauxhall Volkswagen (ii)
List Model, Registration number For Price Less than £2000
Mondeo (d)
(2)
M673 FRD
Write down the instructions needed to produce the following. (i)
A list of the model of cars that have a full service history as an additional feature.
(2)
List Model For Additional feature = Full service history (ii)
A list of the make and model of cars, where the price of the car is between £3000 and £5000.
(3)
List Make, Model For Price Greater than £3000 And Price Less than £5000 AQA 2003 Higher Tier
Comments Part (a) (i) and (ii) received one mark each. An alternative answer would have been to give examples related to the table. E.g. each row of the table shown is one complete record; the column headings show the fields so each cell is one field. Part (b) (i) received one mark. Part (ii) would also score a mark but a better answer would be: Registration number uniquely identifies each car. Part (c) (i) received one mark. This is because the search results need to be on separate lines as shown in the example: Vauxhall Volkswagen In part (c) (ii) the candidate hasn’t spotted the second record matching the search criteria – notice that there are two marks for this part of the question so it is likely the search will find two records. The correct answer is: Mondeo
M673 FRD
218S
M12 GHR
In part (d) (i) the candidate has used = in place of equals in the search command – this has lost one mark. Always be careful to use just the commands given exactly as they appear in this type of question. The correct answer would be: List Model For Additional feature equals Full service history The answer to part (d) (ii) only received one mark for the first part of the search command List Make, Model For. The second part would not find cars with prices of exactly £3000 or £5000. To correct this the equals command needs to be used as well: List Make, Model For Price Greater than Equals £3000 And Price Less than Equals £5000
An alternative answer would be to use the Greater than/Less than commands but change the values specified for price: List Make, Model For Price Greater than £2999 And Price Less than £5001
6. A school has decided to extend its computer network. The Headteacher uses software to help him work out the cost. His first attempt is given below.
Tick one box to show which type of software package has been used. Tick one box Spreadsheet
√
Desk Top Publishing Communications CAD (1) (b)
State the formulas which would be contained in the following cells. (i) D4
=………………………………… B4 x C4
(ii) F4
=………………………………… D4 x 0.9
(iii) F12
= SUM (F4:F10) …………………………………
(3)
(c)
Tick one box to show which word describes the data in the highlighted cell C5. Tick one box Text Numeric Formula Date
√ √
(1) (d)
The Headteacher has only £30 000 to spend. He can reduce the cost to less than £30 000 by reducing the number of software licences he buys. Why would this not be a sensible thing for him to do?
(1)
Because he could be sued (e)
Tick three boxes to show the advantages to the Headteacher of using this software package to help him work out the cost, rather than using a calculator and paper. Tick three boxes only Easier to edit
√
The computers will arrive faster He will get a bigger discount Changes are automatically re-calculated in the totals
√
Time can be saved by replication of cells
√
He does not need to do any work
(3) (f)
Describe two possible disadvantages to the Headteacher of using this software package to help him work out the cost rather than using a calculator and paper.
(2)
He needs to buy the spreadsheet software The computer could crash AQA (NEAB) 2001 Paper 1 Tier H Comments
The answer to part (a) is correct and received one mark. The answer to part (b) (i) did not receive a mark because the candidate used the
x symbol for multiplication rather than the * symbol. This is a common mistake – virtually all spreadsheet packages use a * for multiplication – other than this the formula is correct. The answer to part (b) (ii) did not receive a mark for the same reason as part (b) (i). The candidate has also written 4D instead of D4 – this is another common mistake in spreadsheet questions and would have lost the mark here even if the
* symbol had been used. The answer to part (c) did not receive a mark because the candidate has ticked two boxes. The tick for numeric is correct but can’t be given a mark because of the extra tick in the first box. The answer to part (d) is not correct. The school must have a licence for every copy of the software used or they will be breaking copyright law. The consequence of this would be a fine – the school would not be sued. The answer to part (e) is correct and received three marks. The answer to part (f) received one mark for the first point. The second point would have received a mark if the candidate had gone on to explain the consequence of the computer crashing. A better answer would have been: If the computer crashed he could lose his work. Other possible answers here could be: •
he might not know how to use a computer;
•
he might not know how to use a spreadsheet;
•
it could be quicker to do this particular task by hand rather than set up a spreadsheet.
6. The system life cycle describes the stages that are worked through when a new computer system is being developed. (a)
List the stages of the system life cycle given below in the correct order. The first one has been done for you. Design Implementation Analysis Feasibility study Evaluation Testing
(b)
Stage 1
Feasibility study
Stage 2
Analysis …………………………………………………….
Stage 3
Design …………………………………………………….
Stage 4
Implementation …………………………………………………….
Stage 5
Testing …………………………………………………….
Stage 6
Evaluation …………………………………………………….
(5)
Give two activities that would take place during the analysis stage of the system life cycle.
(2)
Find out what the problems are Describe the criteria to be achieved (c)
Give two activities that would take place during the design stage of the system life cycle.
Decide which software to use Produce designs
(2)
(d)
Give three different types of test data that should be used during the testing stage of the system life cycle.
(3)
Data that is correct Data that is wrong Data that is normal (e)
Give three topics that should be included in the user documentation for a new computer system.
(3)
How to start up the system How to save How to deal with errors (f)
Give two items that should be included in the technical documentation for a new computer system.
(2)
What the new system can do How to install the system What hardware and software is needed AQA (NEAB) 2001 Paper 2 Tier F
Comments The answer to part (a) is correct and received five marks. Part (b) received two marks. Some of the other activities that would take place during the analysis stage are: •
identify the problems with the current system;
•
identify the needs of users;
•
use questionnaires to collect information about the current system;
•
interview staff to collect information about the current system;
•
examine documents and other paperwork;
•
identify the input and output in the current system;
•
establish a timescale for developing the new system.
Part (c) received one mark for the first point – the second point is too general and the candidate should have given a more specific example like:
Produce designs showing input screen layouts Some of the other activities that would take place during the design stage are: •
prepare a design specification;
•
describe the current system e.g. using systems flowcharts, entity-relationship diagrams, data flow diagrams;
•
choose the software that will be used to develop the new system;
•
choose the hardware that will be needed by the new system;
•
produce a design for the user interface of the new system;
•
design data structures for the new system;
•
specify security procedures and backup procedures;
•
prepare a test plan;
•
produce user documentation;
•
produce technical documentation.
The answer to part (d) received one mark for the third point – the three types of test data are normal, extreme and erroneous. Part (e) received three marks. Some of the topics that should be included in user documentation are: •
how to load and run the system;
•
a description of what the system can do;
•
the minimum hardware and software requirements for the system;
•
instructions on how to load and run the system;
•
where to get more help.
Part (f) received no marks – all of these points are items that would be included in user documentation. Some of the items that should be included in technical documentation are: •
system design specification;
•
systems flowcharts;
•
data flow diagrams;
•
descriptions of the various parts of the system;
•
screen layout designs;
•
user interface design;
•
test plan and results.
7. LAN and WAN are both types of computer network. (a)
(i) What do the letters WAN stand for?
(1)
Wide area network (ii) What do the letters LAN stand for?
(1)
Local area network (b)
Give two differences between a LAN and a WAN.
(2)
A LAN is just in one building but WAN computers could be all over the world like the Internet LAN computers are connected with cables but WAN computers aren’t (c)
Give three advantages to computer users of a LAN rather than working on stand-alone machines.
(3)
They can share programs and files They can all share the same printer The can send messages to each other (d)
Give one method which can be used to prevent the misuse of data being transferred between computers.
Coding AQA (NEAB) 2001 Paper 2 Tier F Comments The answer to part (a) (i) is correct and received one mark. The answer to part (a) (ii) is correct and received one mark. Part (b) received one mark for the first point. To receive a mark for the second point the candidate should have gone on to say how computers in a WAN are connected – a better answer would have been: LAN computers are connected with cables but WAN computers use communications links like telephone lines.
Part (c) received three marks – other possible points here are: •
users can store their data on central backing store;
•
work saved on central backing store can be accessed at any computer on the network;
•
the same applications software is available on every computer.
Part (d) did not receive a mark – the method used to prevent data from misuse when it is being transferred between computers is encryption.
8. Describe three rights given to data subjects by the 1998 Data Protection Act.
(3)
Get a copy of any data held about them. Have data deleted. Get compensation for problems caused by any wrong data. AQA 2003 Short Course Higher Tier
Comments This answer received 2 out of 3 marks. The second point ‘Have data deleted’ is not correct – a data subject can only have data deleted if it is incorrect. A better answer would have been: ‘Have any incorrect data corrected or deleted’. Other possible answers are: •
prevent the processing of data that could result in personal distress;
•
prevent the data from being used for direct marketing;
•
prevent automated decisions being made based on data held about them;
•
ask the Data Protection Commissioner to investigate if they feel any of the principles of information handling have not been followed.
