Information Communication Technology (Theory)

Information Communication Technology (Theory) — 2023

KNEC Diploma in Supply Chain Management, Module I. Original examination questions with explained model answers for revision.

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March/April 2023

Paper codes: 2903/103A
Time: 2 hours
Instructions: Answer any FOUR questions. All questions carry equal marks.

Question 1(a) — 3 marks

Outline three characteristics of the second generation computers.

Model answer

1. They used transistors in place of vacuum tubes.
2. They were smaller and consumed less power, producing less heat than first-generation machines.
3. They were faster and more reliable than first-generation computers.

Question 1(b) — 4 marks

With the aid of an example, explain each of the following types of cell references as used in a spreadsheet program:

(i) absolute;

(ii) mixed.

Model answer

1. Absolute reference: both column and row stay fixed when copied; for example $A$1 remains $A$1 when its formula is copied down or across.
2. Mixed reference: only one part stays fixed. In $A1 the column A is fixed but the row changes; copied down one row it becomes $A2. In A$1 the row is fixed but the column can change.

Question 1(c) — 4 marks

State two differences between random access memory (RAM) and read only memory (ROM) as used in computers.

Model answer

1. RAM is normally volatile and loses its contents without power; ROM is non-volatile and retains its contents.
2. RAM is read and written during normal processing to hold working programs/data; ROM normally holds firmware read during operation and is not routinely rewritten by user programs.

Question 1(d) — 4 marks

A network administrator of a college has been tasked to network their computers. Outline four network components that the administrator would require to create the network.

Model answer

1. Network interface cards/adapters for the computers.
2. A network switch to interconnect devices.
3. Network transmission media, such as Ethernet cables and connectors.
4. Network operating software and communication protocols to manage communication and sharing.

Question 2(a) — 4 marks

Outline four methods of organizing computer files in a storage media during data processing.

Model answer

1. Serial organisation: records are stored in arrival order.
2. Sequential organisation: records are arranged in a key order.
3. Indexed-sequential organisation: an index helps locate ordered records.
4. Direct/random organisation: a key/address determines a record’s storage location.

Question 2(b) — 4 marks

A business enterprise acquired computers to be integrated in their business operations. Outline four ways the enterprise could use these computers.

Model answer

1. Preparing accounts, invoices and financial reports.
2. Managing inventory balances and reorder information.
3. Communicating with customers and suppliers.
4. Processing payroll and maintaining employee records.

Question 2(c) — 4 marks

Distinguish between blind carbon copy (Bcc) and carbon copy (Cc) as used in email programs.

Model answer

1. Cc sends a copy to additional recipients whose Cc addresses are visible to other recipients.
2. Bcc sends a copy while concealing the Bcc recipients’ addresses from the other recipients.

Question 2(d) — 3 marks

Janet was tasked to create a document using a word processing program. State six examples of page formats she could apply in the document.

Model answer

1. Margins.
2. Page orientation.
3. Paper/page size.
4. Page columns.
5. Headers and footers.
6. Page borders.

Question 3(a) — 3 marks

State the meaning of each of the following terms as used in databases:

(i) record;

(ii) field;

(iii) module.

Model answer

1. Record: a collection of related fields describing one entity or occurrence, such as one stock item.
2. Field: an individual attribute stored for each record, such as ItemName.
3. Module: a collection of programming declarations and procedures used to automate operations in a database application.

Question 3(b) — 6 marks

Explain the function of each of the following keyboard keys in a computer:

(i) Caps Lock;

(ii) Insert;

(iii) Num Lock.

Model answer

1. Caps Lock toggles the alphabetic keys between normal lower-case entry and capital-letter entry, subject to Shift.
2. Insert toggles insertion and overtype entry in applications that support these modes.
3. Num Lock toggles a numeric keypad between number entry and its navigation/control functions.

Question 3(c) — 4 marks

Distinguish between online and multi-tasking data processing modes in computing.

Model answer

1. Online processing involves direct communication between a terminal/device and a running computer system, enabling interactive input and access to results.
2. Multitasking allows multiple tasks/programs to make progress concurrently through processor scheduling or multiple processors. A system can be both online and multitasking.

Question 3(d) — 2 marks

Figure 1 is an extract of a word processing document. Identify text wrap formatting options applied on the pictures in the sections labelled (i) and (ii) in the document.

Model answer

1. (i) In Front of Text: the opaque picture overlays and obscures part of the paragraph.
2. (ii) Top and Bottom: text stays above and below the picture, with no text alongside it.

Question 4(a) — 3 marks

State the meaning of each of the following terms as used in the Internet:

(i) website;

(ii) web browser;

(iii) search engine.

Model answer

1. Website: a related collection of web pages/resources under a common site address.
2. Web browser: software that retrieves, interprets and displays web pages.
3. Search engine: a service that searches an index of online resources in response to user queries.

Question 4(b) — 2 marks

A student wishes to apply motion effects to an object in a slide created using a presentation program. Explain the feature in the program that he could use.

Model answer

1. Use object animation: select the object and apply an entrance, emphasis, exit or motion-path effect. Set timing, direction and duration to control its movement during the slide show.

Question 4(c) — 4 marks

Describe a circumstance that would necessitate a user to perform each of the following operations on a computer:

(i) cold booting;

(ii) warm booting.

Model answer

1. Cold booting is needed when the computer is switched off and must be started by turning on its power.
2. Warm booting is used to restart a computer that is already powered on, for example after an installation requires a restart.

Question 4(d) — 6 marks

With the aid of a diagram, describe a local area network as used in computer networks.

Model answer

1. A LAN connects computers and other devices within a limited geographical area, such as a college building or campus.
2. Network adapters and wired/wireless links connect the devices, commonly through a switch or access point. Protocols allow them to exchange data.
3. Users can share resources such as a server, files and printer. The diagram shows one possible star arrangement; a LAN need not have an Internet connection.

Question 5(a) — 4 marks

Explain the function of each of the following views in a spreadsheet program:

(i) page layout;

(ii) page break preview.

Model answer

1. Page Layout view shows how worksheet content will look on printed pages, including margins and headers/footers.
2. Page Break Preview displays the divisions between printed pages and allows page-break positions to be reviewed or adjusted.

Question 5(b) — 4 marks

A database administrator was tasked to create a database to manage inventory records. Outline four examples of data types the administrator would use while creating the tables in the database.

Model answer

1. Text for item names or stock codes.
2. Number for quantity in stock.
3. Currency for unit cost or selling price.
4. Date/Time for receipt or issue dates.

Question 5(c) — 3 marks

Banks use batch processing mode in managing some of their financial transactions. Outline three reasons for the use of this processing mode.

Model answer

1. Many similar transactions can be grouped and processed efficiently.
2. Work can be scheduled for quieter periods, reducing pressure on interactive systems.
3. Transactions that do not require an immediate response can be processed together under consistent controls, such as periodic statement generation.

Question 5(d)(i) — 2 marks

Figure 2 is a spreadsheet extract showing the number of items sold in a shop in a period of three months. Use it to answer the questions that follow. Write a formula that could be used to compute the total number of items sold during the month of February.

	A	B	C	D	E
1		MONTH
2	ItemName	Feb	March	April	Average
3	Shirt	160	150	120
4	Trouser	130	110	100
5	Total

Figure 2. MONTH spans columns B–D in the original.

Model answer

In B5: =SUM(B3:B4)

Step	Working	Result
Add February quantities	160 + 130	290

Question 5(d)(ii) — 2 marks

Write a formula that could be used to compute the average number of trousers sold for the three months.

Model answer

In E4: =AVERAGE(B4:D4)

Step	Working	Result
Total trousers	130 + 110 + 100	340
Divide by three months	340 ÷ 3	113.333… (approximately 113.33)

Question 6(a) — 2 marks

State two reasons that would necessitate the use of a watermark on a word processing document.

Model answer

1. To indicate document status or handling instructions, such as DRAFT or CONFIDENTIAL.
2. To identify the organisation or owner through a background name/logo. A watermark alone does not prevent copying or unauthorised access.

Question 6(b) — 4 marks

Describe each of the following categories of printers used in computer systems:

(i) impact;

(ii) non-impact.

Model answer

1. Impact printers form characters by striking an inked ribbon against paper; a dot-matrix printer is an example and can produce multi-part forms.
2. Non-impact printers form output without striking the paper through a ribbon; examples include inkjet printers that spray ink and laser printers that use toner.

Question 6(c) — 6 marks

An organisation installed an in-house developed application software to support their operations. Explain three advantages they would gain by using this software.

Model answer

1. Close fit to requirements: developers can implement the organisation’s specific workflows instead of forcing work into a generic package.
2. Control of maintenance: internal access to the code and expertise makes changes and fixes easier to prioritise.
3. Integration and control of information: the application can connect with existing internal systems while keeping development knowledge and data handling under organisational control.

Question 6(d) — 3 marks

Ben intends to create a presentation using a presentation program. Outline three ways he could use to create the new presentation.

Model answer

1. Start with a blank presentation.
2. Create one from a built-in or downloaded template/theme.
3. Create a presentation from an existing presentation and adapt its slides.