Computer Studies Paper 1 Questions and Answers - Form 3 End Term 3 Exams 2023

Instructions to Candidates

• This paper consists of TWO sections.
• Answer ALL questions in section A.
• Answer Question 16 and any other THREE Questions from Section B

SECTION A: 40 MARKS

Answer all the questions in this Section.

1. State two reasons for the increased use of Laptop computers in modern workplaces (2marks)
2. What precautions would you take in the computer laboratory incase users are complaining of overheating and suffocation (2marks)
3. Convert the decimal number 15.373₁₀ to its binary number system equivalent (3marks)
4. With an aid of a diagram describe the difference between Repeat Until and While… Do (3marks)
5. State three circumstances which may force an individual to acquire an impact printer instead of non-impact printer (3marks)
6. Sam prepared a five-page brochure of Maseno School using Ms-publisher. He wanted to insert a school badge in each page of the publication. State two methods he need to apply to execute this task (2marks)
7. State the difference between ones complement and twos complement (2marks)
8. State the function of each of the following features of an email software.
   1. Spam (1mark)
   2. Trash (1mark)
9. State four benefits of cloud storage in computing (4marks)
10. Describe the functions of the following disk management operations.
    1. Defragmentation(1mark)
    2. Partitioning (1mark)
11. Describe four ways through which an organization can minimize threats to it data integrity (4marks)
12. Study the following three sections of code and name accordingly (3marks)
    10101010110      MOV AL, 10           <OL> <li> Chemistry
    01010101010      MOV DL, 25                    <li>Biology
    01000010101      MUL DL                           <li>Physics</li></OL>
    10100010110
           (a)                            (b)                                       (c)
13. Identify how the operating system will label the following drives in case a computer has one floppy drive, one hard disk partition into two and a DVD (3marks)
14. Five students Jane, Beryl, Baroness, Linda, and Jael scored the following marks in mathematics: 45, 76, 34, 65 and 45. The marks were recorded in cell C3 to C7. Write down the most appropriate function that can be used to give them positions so that they can be awarded in descending order (3marks)
15. Using an example explain two main parts of an URL (2marks)
    
    SECTION B: 60 MARKS
    ANSWER QUESTION NUMBER 16 ANY OTHER THREE QUESTIONS FROM THIS SECTION
16.  
    1. Define the following terms as used in programming (3marks)
       1. Machine dependent
       2. Bug
       3. Syntax
       1. Give two reasons to justify why most programmers prefer using compilers instead of interpreters (2marks)
       2. Describe two limitations of machine language (2marks)
       3. Study the pseudo code below and design its equivalent flowchart (8marks)
          Start
                  Count=1
                  For count =1 to 5 Do
                  Get Value 1 and Value 2
                  If Value 1 > Value2 Then
                  Maximum =Value1
                  Else
                  Maximum =Value2
                  Endif
                  Display Maximum
                  Count=Count+1
           Stop
17.  
    1. The five-bit number 00101 is used to represent decimal number 5, show three methods of coding for negative 5 (3marks)
    2. Convert the binary number 101011110101101110001₂ into its
       1. Octal equivalent (2marks)
       2. Hexadecimal (2marks)
    3. Convert 10101.0101012 to decimal (3marks)
    4. Use 8-bit twos to subtract 35₁₀ from 17₁₀ (3marks)
    5. Perform the following calculation (2marks)
       110001₂+1111₂₋11111₂
18.  
    1. Define the term desktop publishing (2marks)
    2. List three nonprinting guides used in Desktop publishing (3marks)
    3. Explain the following features as used in DTP when manipulating graphical objects.
       1. Fill (1mark)
       2. Stroke (1mark)
    4. Describe any three types of action queries (3marks)
    5. Describe the function of the following features of a query grid.
       1. Criteria (1mark)
       2. Show (1mark)
    6. Mention three functions of database management software (3marks)
19.  
    1. State three causes of system entropy (3marks)
    2. Describe three main ways of maintaining a computer-based system (3marks)
    3. State three advantages of using pilot changeover strategy in system development (3marks)
    4. State a stage in system development life cycle where each of the following activities are carried out.
       1. Identifying shortcomings of the system (1mark)
       2. Prepare training manuals (1mark)
       3. Calculating the cost benefit analysis (1mark)
    5. State three outcomes that may result from using incorrect requirement specifications during system development (3marks)
20.  
    1.  Define the following terms.
       1. Downloading (1mark)
       2. Uploading (1mark)
       3. Blog (1mark)
    2. Briefly describe how internet platform have revolutionized business operations in the 21st century (3marks)
    3. Mention three emerging issues that make many people have a negative perception about internet (3marks)
    4. Explain the following terms as used in data processing.
       1. Multiprocessing (1mark)
       2. Batch processing (1mark)
    5. Explain the following types of errors.
       1. Overflow error (1mark)
       2. Truncation error (1mark)
    6. Mention two application areas of real processing (2mark)

                                                                                          MARKING SCHEME

1. State two reasons for the increased use of Laptop computers in modern workplaces
   • Laptops are portable and can be carried from one to another with ease.
   • Laptops have rechargeable batteries therefore can be used even in places without electricity once charged.   (Award 1mark each max 2)
2. What precautions would you take in the computer laboratory incase users are complaining of overheating and suffocation?
   • Fit standard windows and doors.
   • Have vents.
   • Install air conditioning systems.
   • Avoid overcrowding in the laboratory.         (Award 1mark each max 2)
3. Convert the decimal number 15.37310 to its binary number system equivalent (3marks)
                                               
   15 = 11112
   0.373 = 0.01011₂
   1111.01011₂
   Award 1 mark for converting 15₂ to binary.
   Award 1 mark for converting 0.373₁₀ to binary.
   Award 1 mark for the combined answer
4. With an aid of a diagram describe the difference between Repeat Until and While… Do
   • Repeat until allows the statements within it to be executed at least once since the condition is tested at the end of the loop.
   • While loop is used if a condition has to be met before the statements within the loop are executed
                                        
     Repeat Until While loop
     Award 2 marks for the difference and ½ each for the illustration max 1
5. State three circumstances which may force an individual to acquire an impact printer instead of non-impact printer.
   • When an individual has less money therefore cannot afford non-impact printers
   • When the output required is of low quality
   • When there is need for multiple copies in one instance of print   (Award 1 mark each max 2)
6. Sam prepared a five-page brochure of Maseno School using Ms-publisher. He wanted to insert a school badge in each page of the publication. State two methods he need to apply to execute this task.
   • Insert the badge at the footer or header.
   • Use the master page.                       (Award 1mark each max 2)
7. State the difference between ones complement and twos complement.
   • Ones complement has two ways of representing zero while Two’s complement has only one way of representing zero.
   • In ones complement the overflow is added and in twos complement the overflow is ignored
   • In ones complement the binary bits are bitwise or negated while in twos complement the binary bits are bitwise then one is added 
     (Award 1mark each max 2)
8. State the function of each of the following features of an email software.
   1. Spam
      • A folder that contains junk email or unsolicited bulk emails sent through the email system. Unsolicited emails mean the recipient did not grant permission for receiving those emails.
   2. Trash
      • The Trash folder is where any emails you have deleted, or which have been automatically deleted, are sent.   (Award 1mark each max 2)
9. State four benefits of cloud storage in computing
   • Flexible
   • Mass storage
   • Cost efficient.
   • Ensure data security.
   • Scalable            (Award 1mark each max 4)
10. Describe the functions of the following disk management operations.
    1. Defragmentation
       • To enable files and folders to be accessed within the shortest possible.
    2. Partitioning
       • For backup purposes
       • To all the computer to run more than one operating system        (Award 1mark each max 2)
11. Describe four ways through which an organization can minimize threats to it data integrity.
    • Use devices that capture data directly from source.
    • Using error detection and correction software when transmitting data
    • Design user interfaces that restrict invalid data entry
    • Backup data regularly
    • Control access to data by enforcing security measures.     (Award 1mark each max 4)
12. Study the following three sections of code and name accordingly.
            10101010110              MOV AL, 10                 <OL> <li> Chemistry
            01010101010              MOV DL, 25                          <li>Biology
            01000010101              MUL DL                                 <li>Physics</li></OL>
            10100010110
                    (a)                             (b)                                            (c)
    1. Machine Language
    2. Assembly language
    3. Web scripting language /HTML       (Award 1mark each max 3)
13. Identify how the operating system will label the following drives in case a computer has one floppy drive, one hard disk partition into two and a DVD.
    • Floppy drive A
    • Hard disk C and D
    • DVD E   (Award 1mark each max 3)
14. Five students Jane, Beryl, Baroness, Linda, and Jael scored the following marks in mathematics: 45, 76, 34, 65 and 45. The marks were recorded in cell C3 to C7. Write down the most appropriate function that can be used to give them positions so that they can be awarded in descending order.
              =RANK (C3, $C$3:$C$7, 0)
               Correct Function 1mark
               Correct range with absolute reference 1mark
               Correct bracket to bracket 1mark
15. Using an example explain two main parts of an URL.
    • Protocol part which describes the protocol used to transfer hypertext (https)
    • Web server is the name of the internet server on which the webpage resides.
      https://www.facebook.com
      
           (Award 1mark each max 2)
16.  
    1. Define the following terms as used in programming.
       1. Machine dependent
          • Software application that is designed to operate on a specific computers or hardware devices. Programs with this attribute are optimized for the target hardware.
       2. Bug
          • Bug is an error, flaw or fault in a computer program or system that causes it to produce an incorrect or unexpected result.
       3. Syntax
          • Syntax refers to the rules that define the structure of a language. Syntax in computer programming means the rules that control the structure of the symbols, punctuation, and words of a programming language.         (Award 1mark each max 3)
    2. Give two reasons to justify why most programmers prefer using compilers instead of interpreters.
       • Compiled programs run quickly since they have already been translated.
       • A compiled program can be supplied as an executable file. An executable file is a file that is ready to run.
       • Compilers optimize code. Optimized code can run quicker and take up less memory space.   (Award 1mark each max 2)
    3. Describe two limitations of machine language.
       • Machine dependent
       • Difficult to learn and use.
       • Difficult to debug.
       • Programs written using machine language are difficult to maintain.    (Award 1mark each max 2)
    4. Study the pseudo code below and design its equivalent flowchart.
       Start
               Count=1
               For count =1 to 5 Do
               Get Value 1 and Value 2
               If Value 1 > Value2 Then
               Maximum =Value1
               Else
               Maximum =Value2
               Endif
               Display Maximum
               Count=Count+1
        Stop
                             
       Start and stop = 1mark
       Initializing count = 1mark
       Count =<5 =1mark
       Get value1 and value2 =1mark
       Value 1> Value 2 = 1mark
       Max = Value1 and Max =Value 2= 1mark
       Count=count +1 =1mark
       Logic =1
17.  
    1. The five-bit number 00101 is used to represent decimal number 5, show three methods of coding for negative 5.
       

       Ones complement	Twos complement	Prefixing a sign bit
       00101  11010	00101  11010     + 1  11010	00101  10101

       (Award 1mark each max 3)
    2. Convert the binary number 101011110101101110001₂ into its
       1. Octal equivalent
            101     011   110   101   101   110   001
             5       3       6     5    5     6       1
                   5365561₈
          Grouping the bits in three bits and getting equivalent per group =1mark
          Final answer =1 mark
       2. Hexadecimal
           1      0101      1110       1011       0111       0001
          1       5     E           B           7           1
                         15EB71₁₆
          Grouping the bits in four bits and getting equivalent per group =1mark
          Final answer =1 mark
    3. Convert 10101.0101012 to decimal.
       (2⁴x1) + (2³x0) + (2²x1) + (2¹x0) + (2⁰x1)
        16 +   0 +    4     +0+     1= 21
        ¼ = 0.25
       ¹/₁₆ = 0.0625
       ¹/₆₄ = 0.015625
              0.328125
            21.328125
       Conversion of the whole number part = 1mark
       Conversion of the fraction part = 1mark
       Combined answer 1 mark
    4. Use 8-bit twos to subtract 35₁₀ from 17₁₀
                 35 = 100011
                 17=10001
              00100011
              11011100……………1c
              11011101 …………2c
               +10001
               11101110
       Getting the binary equivalent of 35 and 17 @ 1mark
       Ones complement ½ mark.
       Twos complement ½ mark.
       Answer 1mark
    5. Perform the following calculation.
          1100012+11112-111112
          110001
         1111
       1000000
          - 11111
       100001   
       Addition answer = 1mark
       Subtraction answers 1 mark
18.  
    1. Define the term desktop publishing.
       • Is the process of producing publication by designing, inserting, editing, formatting, and printing of text and graphical objects using desktop publishing software   (Award 2marks max 2)
    2. List three nonprinting guides used in Desktop publishing.
       • Margin guide
       • Ruler guide
       • Column guide          (Award 1mark each max 3)
    3. Explain the following features as used in DTP when manipulating graphical objects.
       1. Fill
          • Fill refer to applying pattern such as shading.
                                
       2. Stroke
          • Stroke refer to applying line style.
                                   (Award 1mark each max 2)
                                                                                   NOTE accept illustrations.
    4. Describe any three types of action queries.
       • Delete query – deletes specified records from one or more tables.
       • Make table query – creates a new table from dynaset.
       • Append query – adds data in a table.
       • Update query – change the data in a data to reflect the current position.     (Award 1mark each max 3)
    5. Describe the function of the following features of a query grid.
       1. Criteria
          • This is where you enter a condition or expression that will be used by the query to filter records.
       2. Show
          • Is used to specify whether to display a field in the dynaset.       (Award 1mark each max 2)
    6. Mention three functions of database management software.
       • Keep statistics of data items a database.
       • Ensure security and integrity of data by safeguarding it against unauthorized access.
       • Interface between database files and other application programs
       • Allows users to update or modify existing records.
       • Allows authorized users to add or delete records.             (Award 1mark each max 3)
19.  
    1. State three causes of system entropy
       • Advancement in technology
       • New management policies
       • Change in user needs
       • Directives         (Award 1mark each max 3)
    2. Describe three main ways of maintaining a computer-based system.
       • Perfective maintenance is software maintenance performed to improve the performance, maintainability, or other attributes of a computer program.
       • Adaptive maintenance is modification of a software product performed after delivery to keep a software product usable in a changed or changing environment.
       • Corrective maintenance is a concerned with put in place mechanisms that fix errors as they occur so as to keep the system running.
       • Preventive maintenance involves carrying out activities that prevent occurrence of bugs.    (Award 1mark each max 3)
    3. State three advantages of using pilot changeover strategy in system development.
       • Cheaper than parallel changeover
       • The implementation is on a smaller scale and therefore it is easier to manage that direct changeover.
       • Staff be trained gradually.
       • If the new system does not work correctly, it only affects a smaller percentage of the organization.   (Award 1mark each max 3)
    4. State a stage in system development life cycle where each of the following activities are carried out.
       1. Identifying shortcomings of the system
          • Problem definition
       2. Prepare training manuals.
          • System implementation
       3. Calculating the cost benefit analysis
          • Feasibility study    (Award 1mark each max 3)
    5. State three outcomes that may result from using incorrect requirement specifications during system development.
       • The system may be costing more than what was projected.
       • The system will be delivered later than schedule.
       • The system will not meet the user’s expectation.
       • The cost of maintaining and enhancing the system may be excessively high.
       • The system may be unreliable and prone to errors and downtime.
       • The system will not meet legal requirements.          (Award 1mark each max 3)
20.  
    1. Define the following terms.
       1. Downloading
          • Receiving data or a file from the Internet on your computer
       2. Uploading
          • Sending data or a file from your computer to somewhere on the Internet.
       3. Blog
          • A website that contains personal information which can easily be update.       (Award 1mark each max 3)
    2. Briefly describe how internet platform have revolutionized business operations in the 21^st century.
       • Promoted E-commerce where business activities can be carried out all over the world provided there is internet connectivity.
       • Internet have changed the mode of payment to electronic payment where money is transferred electronically.
       • Monitoring and surveillance using CCTV camera. Managers can monitor business operation without necessarily going to the business premises.
       • Internet open different avenues for communication between parties involved in business operations.        (Award 1mark each max 3)
    3. Mention three emerging issues that make many people have a negative perception about internet.
       • Spread of malicious software.
       • Security and Privacy
       • Pornography and dirty sites   (Award 1mark each max 3)
    4. Explain the following terms as used in data processing.
       1. Multiprocessing
          • Refer to processing of more than one tasks apparently at the same time.
       2. Batch processing
          • Data is accumulated over a period of time then later processed at once.    (Award 1mark each max 2)
    5. Explain the following types of errors.
       1. Overflow error
          • This type of error occurs if the result from a calculation is too large to be stored in the allocated memory space.
       2. Truncation error
          • Result from having real numbers that have a long fractional fraction part which cannot fit in the allocated memory space therefore excess bits will be cut off.  (Award 1mark each max 3)
    6. Mention two application areas of real processing.
       • Airline reservation
       • Defense application system like Radar
       • Bus booking and reservation system            (Award 1mark each max 2)