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Computer Studies SG Grade 12 - 2003

Last updated 04 Jun 2003

Theory examination May 2003 - 90 minutes - 100 marks

Section A - 25 marks

Question 1 - Multiple-choice questions - 1 mark each - 10 marks

Select one answer to each question.

  1. Routines that are executed before the operating system interprets and executes the commands entered:
    1. Bootstrap loader
    2. Command processor
    3. Operating system
    4. POST
  2. The built-in facility of Windows 98+ to automatically add new hardware:
    1. 32-bit data bus
    2. Plug and Play
    3. TCP/IP 
    4. Windows Explorer
  3. A dedicated channel or circuit is established connecting the sender and receiver by a single path for the duration of the call:
    1. Cell switching
    2. Line switching
    3. Message switching
    4. Packet switching
  4. A technique used to prevent unauthorised use of sensitive information is …
    1. blocking.
    2. decryption.
    3. encryption.
    4. hashing.
  5. Which of the following characteristics of an operating system will be sufficient if it is required that a numbers of users, interactively, via terminals, simultaneously need access to a program on a central server?
    1. Remote job entry
    2. Multiprogramming (also called multi-tasking)
    3. Multi-access
    4. Timesharing
  6. The most popular LAN architecture today is ...
    1. ArcNet.
    2. CSMA/CD.
    3. Ethernet.
    4. Token passing.
  7. When you turn on your computer, the central processing unit performs instructions given by the ... that searches the disk drive for the main operating system files.
    1. CMOS
    2. POST
    3. RAM
    4. ROM BIOS
  8. The Microsoft Certified System Engineer qualification studies the …
    1. Linux system.
    2. Novell system.
    3. Microsoft NT server.
    4. Microsoft Office package.
  9. The Internet ...
    1. cannot be accessed from a computer which does not have a modem.
    2. in the USA is distinct from the Internet in Africa and Asia.
    3. is a global collection of LANs, WANs and individual users.
    4. is another name for a Wide Area Network.
  10. The network component which links a network cable to the motherboard is a …
    1. EMI.
    2. FDDI.
    3. NIC.
    4. UPS.

/10/ 

Question 2 - Matching columns - 1 each - 5 marks

Write down the letter of the item in Column B which best matches the description in Column A. 

Column A Column B
  1. In local area networks, a device that enables networks with identical architectures, to exchange data.
  2. In the early years of computers it required a separate utility program but now it is part of modern operating systems.
  3. Operation performed to prepare a disk before information can be stored on it.
  4. Programs written on chips like the Basic input/output system (BIOS).
  5. Rules and procedures to govern the way data is transmitted between any two devices in a computer network.
  1. Attenuation 
  2. Bridge 
  3. CD-ROM 
  4. Defrag 
  5. DVD-ROM 
  6. Ergonomics 
  7. File allocation table (FAT) 
  8. Firmware 
  9. Format 
  10. Hard drive
  11. Linux 
  12. Netiquette 
  13. Protocol 
  14. Router 

/5/

 

 

Question 3 - True or False - 1 mark each - 5 marks

State whether each statement is True or False. Correct each of the false statements by rewriting the statement, changing the bold-printed portions only. No marks will be awarded for simply negating the false statement.

  1. Within Access the text key serves to prevent duplicate entries, blank entries, and automatically sorts or alphabetizes. 
  2. In client-server based networks each workstation can both request and provide services which include devices like CD-ROM drives, tape drives and removable cartridge drives.
  3. The source code of Windows NT is copyrighted under the GNU public licence, i.e. the system is freely distributed with the source code made available.
  4. WinZip is shareware software used to compress files on two disks so that they fit onto one disk.
  5. In desktop publishing the advantage of Quark is that one is able to use moveable objects.

/5/

Question 4 - Fill in the missing word OR choose the correct word - 1 mark each - 5 marks

  1. Transmission with a start bit and a stop bit is known as ... transmission.
  2. A digital/analog signal goes from the computer to the modem.
  3. Infrared has a low/moderate/high cost of installation.
  4. Coaxial cables systems do/do not make use of hubs.
  5. ... technology is a short-range data transfer technology based on very high frequency radio signals with a short range of 10-15 metres.

/5/

Section B - 60 marks

Question 5 - Software - 30 marks

  1. GUI and WIMP are acronyms that apply to the user interface component of the operating system.
    1. What do these acronyms stand for?  (2)
    2. What do they tell us about how the user interacts with the operating system?  (1)

      [3]

  2. When the hard disk is used to supplement physical RAM it can lead to something called 'thrashing' when things go wrong.
    1. What is 'thrashing'? (1)
    2. Name two ways to prevent it from happening?  (2)

      [3]

  1. Processing:
    1. Briefly explain how it is possible to play music, download a file and type a word document all on the same computer at the same time.  (2)
    2. What is this technically known as?  (1)
    3. Do all operating systems allow this to happen?  Motivate your answer. (1)

      [4]

  2. Explain the difference between sharing a folder containing the marks system of your school
    1. on a peer-to-peer network (1)
    2. on a server-based network (1)

      [2]

  3. Explain file organisation with reference to directories and FAT.             

    [4]

  4. How can you make sure a computer system cannot be infected with a computer virus.      

    [2]

  5. Drivers:
    1. What is a driver? (1)
    2. Who supplies the drivers which are loaded onto the operating system for the different hardware components? (1)
    3. Name another type of system software (apart from the drivers) that plays an important role in enabling the computer to 'talk' to devices. (1)

      [3]

  6. List three embedded operating systems and indicate where each is used.            

    [3]

  7. A computer which has been used for the last few months, creating, modifying and deleting files has become slower and slower. 
    1. What is wrong?   (1)
    2. What should be done to make it function faster? (1) 

      [2]

  8. Complete the following table with respect to descriptions and qualifications in the computer field.  
  Career/Job Description Computer qualification
1 Personal assistant Assists managing director  
2 Technician Repairs and installs computers  
3 Network administration   CNA
4 Junior secretary Does general work in an office  

[4]

/30/

Question 6 - Data communication and networks - 30 marks    

  1. What is the difference between a LAN and a MAN?  

    [3]

  2. Describe four ways of protecting network resources. (Single word answers will not be sufficient to obtain marks.)

    [4]

  1. Describe four ways of protecting data in a computer system, i.e. stand alone or networked environment. (Single word answers will not be sufficient to obtain marks.)

    [4]

  2. Provide a scenario where one would use a hub, repeater and a bridge.  Your answer must cover a real-life practical application of your own choice where such devices would be used.  

    [3]

  3. Refer to the following two systems and answer the questions that follow:

System A:  A banking organisation that uses Automatic Teller Machines country wide.
System B: A packaging company whose head office has five storeys with a LAN on each storey.   The LANs use the operating system Novell 4.0.  Each of these LANs is connected by a fibre backbone.

  1. Describe the type of network (LAN, MAN, WAN) that would be used in each system. (2)
  2. Would either system be a global WAN or an enterprise WAN?  Motivate your answer by defining a global WAN and an enterprise WAN. (3)
  3. What type of transmission lines would System A use?  Motivate your answer. (2)
  4. What type of cable(s) would System B use? (1)
  5. What does the term 'fibre backbone' mean? (1)
  6. Name and describe one possible network topology that could be used in System B. (2)
  7. What type of data communications devices would each system use? (4)
  8. System A would need to use the PSTN to communicate around the country.  What does PSTN stand for? (1)

[16]

/30/  

Section C - 15 marks

Question 7 - 15 marks

  1. The table below shows an extract from a spreadsheet. In each of the following cases write down the formula which will ...

    2.   A B C D
    1 111 222 333 444
    2        
    3        
    4        
    1. calculate 111 + 222 + 333 + 444 by using only two cell references.
    2. give the answer to 111 + 444 in cell A3.
    3. increase the value of D1 by 20%.
    4. count how many entries are made in cells A1, B1, C1, D1, A2, B2, C2, D2, A3, B3, C3 and D3, and place the answer in D4.

    [4]

  2. Most organisations use a letterhead on which to type official letters. How will they go about typing letters using a word processor
    1. on pre-printed letterheads? (1)
    2. when the letterhead is added electronically and must always be displayed in exactly the same way? (1)

    [2]

  3. One of the fields in a database of items found in a music shop that sells compact disks and tapes will be formatted as TEXT, e.g. the TITLE of the music recording. Name three other formats (with the exception of text) and for each give an example of such a field in the relevant database.

    [3]

  4. A tennis club's secretary treasurer wishes to create a database of the members of the club including their personal details and membership fees. Each member has a unique membership number. There are 50 members of the club.


    Note these facts and answer the following questions:

    1. Name two types of data, which can be used in the design of fields. Next to each type of data give an example that could be found in this database. (2)
    2. How many records will be in this database? (1)
    3. Give a suitable file name with an extension for the file in which this database is stored. (1)
    4. Name a primary key field found in this database. (1)
    5. How can she use this database to address these invitations? (1)

[6]

/15/

This work may be freely copied for non-commercial use only. Copyright © Pam Miller.