Information Communication Technology Theory — July 2021

Information Communication Technology Theory — July 2021

Source: 02 INFORMATION COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY (THEORY) JULY 2021 _compressed.pdf | Paper code: 2912/103A; 2918/103A

Source note: Theory questions only. Handwritten notes were excluded; source figures are reproduced beside the relevant questions.

Question 1(a)

Outline two roles of computers in business. (2 marks)

Answer

1. Process and store business records.
2. Support communication and routine operations such as accounting, sales and stock control.

Question 1(b)

Explain two features a database. (4 marks)

Answer

1. Structured organisation: related information is held in defined fields and records, often arranged in tables.
2. Relationships and controlled retrieval: related tables can be linked and queried to obtain consistent information efficiently.

Question 1(c)

Maria, a company’s secretary was instructed to write a letter to be sent to many recipients. Describe the word processor feature she would use. (3 marks)

Answer

She would use mail merge. A main document contains the common letter and merge fields; a data source contains recipient details. Merging produces personalised copies for the different recipients.

Question 1(d)

Using diagrams in each case, describe the following LAN topologies: (i) bus; (ii) star. (6 marks)

Answer

1. Bus: devices connect to one shared backbone cable, normally terminated at both ends in the classical arrangement. Data travels along the shared medium.
2. Star: each device has a separate connection to a central switch or hub, through which communication passes.

Question 2(a)

Explain the functions of the following components in a computer central processing unit: (i) control unit; (ii) arithmetic logic unit. (4 marks)

Answer

1. Control unit: fetches and decodes instructions and coordinates their execution by issuing control signals.
2. Arithmetic logic unit: carries out arithmetic calculations and logical operations or comparisons.

Question 2(b)

Differentiate between single clicking and right clicking mouse operations. (4 marks)

Answer

Single clicking	Right clicking
Normally pressing and releasing the primary mouse button once.	Normally pressing and releasing the secondary mouse button once.
Usually selects an item or activates an interface control.	Usually opens a context menu of actions relevant to the item.

Question 2(c)

Alice used cell references while performing calculation in a spreadsheet program. Describe two such references she could have used. (4 marks)

Answer

1. Relative reference, such as A1: changes appropriately when a formula is copied to another location.
2. Absolute reference, such as $A$1: fixes both column and row when the formula is copied.

Question 2(d)

During an ICT lesson, a student was required to insert a chart in a worksheet. Outline three types of charts that the student is likely to use. (3 marks)

Answer

1. Column or bar chart.
2. Line chart.
3. Pie chart.

Question 3(a)

Outline three types of file access methods. (3 marks)

Answer

1. Sequential access.
2. Direct or random access.
3. Indexed access.

Question 3(b)

Jantech Company has been communicating with its clients via email. Explain three benefits that the company has accrued from this move. (6 marks)

Answer

1. Rapid delivery reduces communication delays.
2. Messages and attachments create a convenient written record.
3. One channel can reach clients in different locations without sending separate physical letters.

Question 3(c)

A computer technician was asked to install system software to a new computer. Outline two types of such software he is expected to install. (2 marks)

Answer

1. An operating system.
2. Device drivers appropriate for the hardware.

Question 3(d)

Describe each of the following computer devices: (i) bar code reader; (ii) keyboard. (4 marks)

Answer

1. Barcode reader: an input device that scans a barcode and sends the encoded identification data to a computer.
2. Keyboard: an input device with keys used to enter text, numbers and commands.

Question 4(a)

Outline three factors to consider when selecting computer hardware. (3 marks)

Answer

1. Required performance and capacity.
2. Compatibility with existing systems.
3. Purchase cost, operating cost and available support.

Question 4(b)

Outline the syntax of if function in a spread sheet program. (4 marks)

Answer

=IF(logical_test, value_if_true, value_if_false)

logical_test is the condition being checked; value_if_true is returned when it is true; value_if_false is returned otherwise. Some regional settings use semicolons in place of commas.

Question 4(c)

Differentiate between formulae and function as used in spreadsheet. (4 marks)

Answer

Formula	Function
An expression entered to calculate a result, such as =A1+B1.	A predefined named operation used within a formula, such as SUM in =SUM(A1:B1).
May contain references, constants, operators and functions.	Uses the function’s specified name and arguments to perform a defined calculation.

Question 4(d)

A student has been using folders to store his work during practical lessons. Explain two reasons that could have led to this action. (4 marks)

Answer

1. Organisation: grouping related files makes work easier to find.
2. Management: separate folders make it easier to copy, back up or control access to a set of files.

Question 5(a)

Outline three presentation views found in a presentation program. (3 marks)

Answer

1. Normal view.
2. Slide Sorter view.
3. Slide Show view.

Question 5(b)

Figure 1 show a section of a tool bar in a word processing program. Explain the function of the features labelled (i) and (ii). (4 marks)

Answer

1. (i) Margins: sets the blank space between the page edges and the document’s text area.
2. (ii) Columns: arranges the selected text or document section in newspaper-style columns.

Question 5(c)

During an ICT lesson, a lecturer opted to use slides to make a presentation. Explain two reasons for his choice. (4 marks)

Answer

1. Slides organise key points in a clear sequence that helps the audience follow the lesson.
2. Text, images, charts and other media can illustrate ideas and improve understanding.

Question 5(d)

James, a programmer, has developed a tailor-made software for Maji Technical College. Explain two challenges that the software will pose to the College. (4 marks)

Answer

1. Development, testing and future modification can be expensive.
2. Dependence on a particular developer can make support and maintenance difficult if that developer is unavailable.

Question 6(a)

Outline three paragraph alignments used in a word processor. (3 marks)

Answer

1. Left alignment.
2. Centre alignment.
3. Right alignment. Justified alignment is another valid option.

Question 6(b)

A network administrator at Zushi Company intends to secure the company’s network. Explain three benefits the company will accrue from this move. (6 marks)

Answer

1. Confidentiality: reduces unauthorised access to information.
2. Integrity: reduces the risk of unauthorised alteration.
3. Availability: helps protect services and data from disruption.

Question 6(c)

Differentiate between text and memo data types in databases. (4 marks)

Answer

Text / Short Text	Memo / Long Text
Stores relatively short alphanumeric values such as names or codes.	Stores longer descriptive material such as notes or comments.
In Access, Short Text supports up to 255 characters.	Long Text supports substantially longer content; exact limits depend on storage and use.

Question 6(d)

Dashtech Company management opted to use the internet to market its products. Outline two challenges the company could face from using this approach. (2 marks)

Answer

1. Strong competition and difficulty reaching the intended audience.
2. Connectivity, security or trust problems that discourage customer engagement.