PHS badge

PHS CyberSchool

Computer Studies SG Grade 12 - 2005

Last updated 22 Aug 2005

Theory examination September 2005 - 90 minutes - 100 marks

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

Select the one answer to each question which you think is the correct or the best answer. Just write down the letter.

  1. Which of the following is NOT a function of network administrator?
    1. To analyse the load on the network.
    2. To be responsible for the security of the data on the network.
    3. To install all the cabling on the network.
    4. To maintain a network database system of users of the network.
  2. Which of the following statements concerning a DVD disk is FALSE?
    1. A DVD drive can read a CD-ROM disk but not the other way around.
    2. Data on the disk is read by means of a laser beam.
    3. The storage capacity is larger than that of a typical hard drive.
    4. The transfer time is slower than that of a typical hard drive.
  3. Which of the following top-level domain abbreviations is the most likely to be associated with a non-profit institution?
    1. COM
    2. ENT
    3. ORG
    4. PRO
  4. Which of the following storage devices requires sequential access?
    1. CD-ROM
    2. Hard disk
    3. Magnetic tape
    4. Stiffy disk
  5. Which of the following is NOT associated with input?
    1. LCD
    2. MICR
    3. OCR
    4. OMR
  6. Which of the following can be called a utility program?
    1. Microsoft Excel
    2. Microsoft Paint
    3. Microsoft Works
    4. WinZip
  7. Which of the following ports is used by wireless devices to transmit signals?
    1. IrDA port
    2. Parallel port
    3. Serial port
    4. USB port
  8. Which of the following types of memory is volatile?
    1. BIOS
    2. CMOS
    3. RAM
    4. ROM
  9. Which one of the following is NOT a crime? 
    1. A game which was bought legally is also installed on a friend's computer. 
    2. A hacker breaks into a system to show his skills, but does no damage to the system. 
    3. Cracker breaks into a system and obtains unauthorised information. 
    4. Shareware is downloaded from the Internet. 
  10. Which transmission medium is immune to interference and eavesdropping from outside the cable, has a low attenuation rate, is reliable and secure, but its installation is complex and it is difficult to maintain? 
    1. Coaxial cables 
    2. Fibre optic cables 
    3. Infrared cables
    4. Twisted pair cables 

[10]

Question 2 - Matching columns - 1 each - 10 marks

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

Column A Column B
  1. Connector in a network that can execute intelligent route selections
  2. Electrical connection by means of which signals are transmitted from one component in a computer to another
  3. Graphical image that uses compression techniques to reduce the file size
  4. Internet version of junk mail
  5. Refers to technology that presents information in more than one medium, including text, graphics, video, music and voice.
  6. Small image that displays on screen to depict a program or some object
  7. Units in which the speed of the processor is measured
  8. Way in which data can be protected against being deleted
  9. Web page that lists as the result of a search
  10. Web page that offers a variety of Internet services from a single location
  1. Bandwidth
  2. Bus
  3. Button
  4. Dialog box
  5. Hit
  6. Home page
  7. Hyperlink
  8. Icon
  9. Internet
  10. JPEG
  11. Megabytes
  12. Megahertz
  13. Multimedia
  14. Netiquette
  15. Portal
  16. RAID
  17. Repeater
  18. RISC
  19. Router
  20. Spam
  21. Stiffy
  22. Thumbnail
  23. Virtual reality
  24. Virus
  25. WinZip
  26. Zip drive

[10]

Question 3 - Hardware, computer architecture and software - 35 marks

  1. Your father wants to buy a digital camera. Your mother finds the following advertisement and asks for advice.
    • 3.2 mega pixels
    • 3X smart zoom
    • 1.6 inch LCD
    1. Why would he want a digital camera instead of a conventional camera? List one reason. (1)
    2. What does the abbreviation pixel stand for? (1)
    3. What influence does the number of pixels have on the quality of a digital camera? (1)
    4. Name one storage device associated with a digital camera. (1) [4]
  2. What do we use a web cam for?  Discuss in detail. [2]
  3. The mouse is the most widely used pointing device. Name any other two pointing devices that can be used to assist with input. [2]
  4. Your friend has purchased a new laser printer and has connected it correctly.
    1. What are the advantages of using a laser printer instead of an ink jet printer? List two advantages. (2)
    2. When he tries to print, however, the computer displays a message that no printer is installed.  Describe the meaning of this message by referring to the concept of a printer driver. (1)
    3. The laser printer makes use of a toner cartridge to print.  These cartridges can be quite expensive.  Explain to your friend that he can save by printing his documents in "draft", "econo" or "ink saving" mode. Also explain to him how he can use this option. (2) [5]
  5. It happens to everyone.  At some point a hard drive crashes on an older computer and you are left with the question of whether to upgrade or simply replace the computer entirely.
    1. A decision has to be made to replace the hard drive.  List two criteria that must be taken into consideration when buying a new hard drive, excluding cost. (2)
    2. The person decides to continue with the upgrade and also replaces the central processing unit (CPU).
      1. What is the function of the CPU?  (1)
      2. Name two components of the CPU. (2)
    3. Another choice to be made is whether to increase the amount of memory on his graphics card or that of the conventional RAM on his computer.
      1. What is the function of RAM? (1)
      2. What amount of RAM should a home computer normally have? (1)
      3. What is the function of memory on a graphics card?  (1)
      4. When would you rather increase the amount of conventional RAM?  (1)
      5. When would you rather increase the amount of memory on the graphics card? (1)
    4. Apart from the physical failure of a component of the computer, give two other reasons why a person will consider upgrading his computer. (2)  [12]
  6. It is advisable to regularly make a backup of your hard drive on your PC because information can get lost easily.
    1. What does the term backup mean?  (1)
    2. Explain why it is not feasible to backup your hard drive onto a series of stiffy disks. (1)
    3. Explain what other measures you can take if it is not feasible to backup your hard drive onto a series of stiffy disks.  List both the hardware and the software needed. (2) [4]
  7. To further prevent the loss of items stored on a hard disk, you regularly should perform preventive maintenance such as defragmenting.
    1. What is the function of a disk defragmenter? (1)
    2. Give one advantage of a hard disk that has been defragmented. (1) [2]
  8. It is advisable to create a boot disk or rescue disk after you have installed your operating system.  Describe what is meant by the term boot disk and explain why it is of such importance to create one. [2]
  9. You find that the hard disk of your computer is nearly full.  How can you free up space on the hard disk?  Give two steps which you could follow and discuss each one in detail. [2]

/35/

Question 4 - Networking and data communications - 22 marks

  1. What is the function of a modem?  Explain in detail. [2]
  2. Transmission media are one of two types: guided or unguided.
    1. List one guided transmission media. (1)
    2. List one unguided transmission media. (1) [2]
  3. User security is very important in any network. This is usually managed by allocating user rights and passwords. 
    1. Write down two recommendations in connection with passwords and their use. (2)
    2. Give two aspects in which the rights of users may differ. (2) [4]
  4. Networking ...
    1. List and briefly describe two of the main aims of a network by referring to suitable examples. (2)
    2. Explain what is meant by the term topology. (2)
    3. List three network topologies. (3)
    4. Name two functions of a network administrator. (2)
    5. Describe three mechanisms to protect a network against unauthorised access. (3) [12]
  5. Internet technology has now extended to the business world in the form of Intranets and Extranets.  Explain the terms Intranet and Extranet by explaining the difference between them. [2]

[22]

Question 5 - Social implications and careers - 23 marks

  1. Smart card technology has become commonplace in the market place.
    1. Describe what you understand by the term smart card by explaining the difference between smart cards and conventional ATM and credit cards. (2)
    2. Give two applications of smart card technology. (2) [4]
  2. Viruses
    1. How will you know if your computer has contracted a virus? List two symptoms that may appear on your computer indicating the presence of a virus. (2)
    2. What is a worm? Explain in detail. (2)
    3. What is a virus hoax?  Explain in detail. (2)
    4. At the moment (2005) which country is known to be creating and distributing the most viruses? (1) [7]
  3. In finding information on the Internet most people use the domain name of a site instead of the IP address. Explain the difference between a domain name and an IP address. [2]
  4. People who frequently download web pages (via dial up) complain that it is a slow process. 
    1. Explain the term download. (2)
    2. How can people speed up the process?  Give some advice. (2) [4]
  5. What is a cookie and what is it used for? [2]
  6. How can you prevent children from accessing objectionable material on the Internet?  List two ways. [2]
  7. Explain the term digital divide and also indicate the negative effect that it has on society. [2]

[23]

/100/

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