Cambridge IGCSE ICT Quiz

State one use for each of the following storage devices and media:

a. ROM [1]

b. RAM [1]

c. Blu-ray disc [1]

d. Magnetic tape [1]

Answer explanation

a. One from: Contains: Start-up instructions; BIOS; Hardware initialisation routines; Self-test procedures

b.Stores the data the computer is currently processing

c. One from, for example: Storing HD movies; Video games; Data backup

d. One from: Storing backup data; Stores an archive

A computer can use different generic file formats. Describe each of the following generic file formats:

a. csv [2]

b. rar [2]

c. txt [2]

Answer explanation

a.Two from:

Comma Separated Values; Delimited by commas; Text file

b. Two from:

Roshal Archive ;Used for data compression ;Data container to hold other files

c. Two from: Plain text file; Contains un-formatted text data; Can be used by any text editors

The file formats txt, rar and csv are examples of generic file formats. State three other examples of generic file formats. [3]

Answer explanation

Three from:

css; gif; htm / html; jpg / jpeg; mp4 / mp3; pdf; png; rtf; svg; zip

Explain the need for generic file formats. [2]

Answer explanation

Two from:

• - Allows users to save files so that they can be opened on any platform

• - The formatting of the file is not package-specific therefore formatting will not affect the file

• - Using generic formats allows files created on one type of computer to be read on another type of computer

Many people use portable solid-state drives (SSD) rather than portable hard disk drives (HDD). Compare SSDs and HDDs. Your answer should include both similarities and differences. [6]

Answer explanation

Similarities

Max five from:

Both store data; Both have fast access; Both have fixed storage capacity; Both store files permanently; Both can be plugged into any computer system; Both are secondary storage; Both allow data to be written to and read from

Differences

Max five from: SSD uses semi-conductor technology; HDD uses magnetic technology; HDD can be affected by strong magnetic fields; SSD are more robust as no moving parts; SSD produces less heat; SSD uses less processing power; SSD use less electrical power

A number of different communication devices can be connected to a network.

Explain how the following devices operate.

a. Switch [4]

b. Router [4]

Answer explanation

a. Four from:

• A switch connects a number of computers together to make a LAN

• Each device has a unique MAC address

• The switch receives a signal from one device

• The signal contains the MAC address of the sender and receiver

• Reads the recipient’s MAC address

• Sends data to the specific device

b. Four from:

• A router connects to a modem

• The router splits the data into packets

• Each packet contains the IP addresses and the data

• A router sends data packets to different networks

• A router receives data packets from different networks

• All devices within the network contain unique IP addresses

• The router stores IP addresses in its routing table

• The router reads the destination IP address

• Checks the IP address against its routing table

• Finds the best / fastest route to the device using the routing table

• If it cannot find the best route it uses the default one

• The router forwards the packet to the appropriate network segment

• Directs incoming and outgoing internet traffic to the device with the local IP address

• The router can store a route to the target device

Ensuring the privacy and confidentiality of data becomes more important when using computer networks. Evaluate the different ways in which a user can ensure the privacy and confidentiality of data by using passwords. [6]

Answer explanation

Six from:

• - Strong passwords make it harder to crack the password

• - Change passwords frequently using an unused password

• - Change passwords regularly to ensure that unauthorised access is lower

• - Use different passwords on different accounts to ensure that if one password is guessed others are safe

• - Using biometric passwords as these are unique to the user

• - Biometric passwords are very hard to forge

• - Safer to use a combination of different types of password

• - For added security a One Time Password could be used

• - Ensure that the password cannot be linked back to the user as it makes it easier to guess

• - Biometric passwords can be affected by the environment

• - Biometric passwords can be affected by human changes

• - OTP / biometric passwords require extra hardware to be used

Schools can use School management systems. Describe the inputs, processing and outputs required by a School management system to show learner performance. [6]

Answer explanation

Inputs

Max three from, for example:

Student personal details

Marks and grades

Student behaviour

Student test results

Attendance data

Punctuality data

Processing

Max three from, for example:

Average grades are calculated

Comparison made with forecast grades

Class averages are created

Data is saved

Graphs are created

Outputs

Max three from, for example:

Termly/yearly reports are printed / sent to parents

Progress against forecast grades are printed / sent

Statistical analysis is produced

Computer Aided Learning (CAL) can be part of a School management system. Explain what is meant by Computer Aided Learning. [2]

Answer explanation

Two from:

It is a method of learning

It is an application / software / program

Used to help students to learn about a subject

It is tailored to the individual student

It can take account of previous assessments when setting learning objectives

For each of the fields shown, state and describe the most appropriate validation check that could be used on the data.

a. Ref No [2]

Validation = ...

Description = ...

b. Price ($) [2]

Validation = ...

Description = ...

Answer explanation

a.

One mark for check and one mark for description form:

• - Format check: The data must be in the format LLNNN

• - Length Check: The data must contain 5 characters

• - Presence check: The field must contain data / cannot be null

b.

One mark for check and one mark for description form:

- Range check: The price must be in the range of 10–100

- Type / character check The field only contains number