Computer Studies Questions - Alliance Boys High School Post Mock KCSE 2020

INSTRUCTIONS TO CANDIDATES

• This paper has two sections; A and B.
• Answer ALL the questions in section A.
• Answer question 16(compulsory) and any other THREE questions from section B.
• All answers should be written in the space provided on the question paper.

SECTION A (40 MARKS) 

1. List and describe three classifications of computers based according on size (3 marks)
2. Differentiate between an analog signal and a digital signal (2 marks)
3. Define the term systems software (1 mark)
4. Define the term portability as used in software. (1mark)
5. Outline any four editing features of a word processor, (2 marks)
6. An employee in a business company is charged with the responsibility of updating the company advertisements on their website. (i)
   1. Name the professional title of the employee. (I mark)
7.  
   1. What is the denary equivalent of the binary number 101.1? (2 marks)
   2. Define the terms: -
      
      1. Nibble
      2. Byte
8. State three factors to consider when selecting an operating system to install in a computer. (3 marks)
9. Name two categories of computer monitors. (2marks)
10. Explain five electrical safety precaution rules that should be observed in a computer room. (5 marks)
11.  
    1. Write the meaning of the acronym DBMS. (1 mark)
    2. List four advantages of using database systems. (2 marks)
12. In a database system, data integrity ensures the correctness and completeness of the data in the database. Differentiate the following types of integrity constraints:
    1. Validity Integrity (1 mark)
    2. Entity Integrity (1 mark)
    3. Referential Integrity (1 mark)
13. Describe the four System Changeover approaches. (4 marks)
14. What is the meaning of 'Protocol in Computer networking? (1 mark)
15. Repetitive Strain Injury happens when one overuses the computer keyboard or mouse, causing inflammation or injury on muscles or tendons.
    1. Describe two measures users can apply to prevent or reduce RSI. (2 marks)
    2. Explain two ways the Internet can be used to enhance commerce. (2 marks)
       
       SECTION B
       Answer question 16 (compulsory) and any other three questions
16.   
    1. What is a translator as used in programming? (2 marks)
    2. Describe three types of language processors in programming (3 marks)
    3. Read the following algorithm and then answer the questions that follow:
       Set total to zero
       Set counter to zero
       Input first temp_reading
       Repeat
       Add temp_reading to total
       Add one to counter
       Input next temp_reading
       Until temp_reading is less than zero
       Divide total by counter
       Output result
    4. What is the result if the following data is input? 10, 31, 15, 13, 41, -1
17.  
    1. An Automatic Teller Machine (ATM) is simply a data terminal with two input and three output devices. Identify them. marks)
    2. What is a 'computer based simulation'? Give an example of where it is used. (2 marks)
    3. Explain the following effects of ICT in our society:
       
       1. Effects on employment. (2 marks)
       2. Issues of workers' health (2 marks)
       3. Cultural effects (2 marks)
    4. Give two applications of computers in airlines (2 marks)
18.  
    1. Describe four advantages of database systems. (4 marks)
    2. The following is an extract of a select query (QBE) in Microsoft Access, about a Hospital Database.
       
       
       1. Other than select queries, name two other types of queries. (2 marks)
       2. Write an expression that will make the query return only those patients who are 40 years old. (2 marks)
    3. Explain the following concepts as used in a spreadsheet.
       
       1. Automatic recalculation. (1 mark)
       2. What if analysis. (1 mark)
       3. Label
       4. Value
       5. Formula (1 mark)
    4. Name the two files that participate in mail merging. (2 marks)
19.     
    1. Explain the difference between information and an information system (2 marks)
    2. List any 2 qualities of a good Systems Analyst. (2 marks)
    3. Other than a Systems Analyst identify 4 other career opportunities in the field of ICT. (4 marks)
    4. Name two ICT Courses offered at Masters level. (2 marks)
    5. Programmers may sometimes create a model of all or a part of a system to show the users early in the design stages how the new system eventually looks like. This kind of model is called a prototype. State three uses of prototyping (3 marks)
20.     
    1. Describe the following ways of processing.
       
       1. Batch processing.
       2. Real time processing.
    2. Differentiate between Multi programming and multi processing operating system, (2 marks)
    3. File organization refers to the arrangement of records on secondary storage. Briefly describe the following file organization methods: (5 marks)
       1. Serial
       2. Sequential
       3. Random
       4. Indexed sequential (3 marks)
    4. Use the two's complement to solve the following.
       110010 - 11001
    5. Bit patterns can be interpreted in a number of different ways. A character in a computer is represented by the bit pattern 0011 0110. What is its decimal value if it represents:
       
       1. a pure binary integer (1 mark)
       2. a BCD (Binary Coded Decimal)? (1 mark)