PHS CyberSchool

Computer Studies SG Grade 12 via the Internet in 1999

Last updated 28 August 1999

Theory examination August/September 1999 - 90 minutes
- 100 marks

Section A - Answer all the questions in this section - 30 marks

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

Select the one answer to each question that you think is the correct or best answer. Only write down the number of the question and the letter of your choice.

1. Conventional memory is a type of …
   1. read only memory (ROM).
   2. read-write memory (RAM).
   3. secondary memory.
   4. virtual memory.
2. The ability to have a number of applications running at the same time:
   1. Multitasking
   2. Multithreading
   3. Networking
   4. Windowing
3. … cable is lighter and can transmit data faster than any other cable.
   1. Coaxial
   2. Fibre optic
   3. Telephone
   4. Twisted pair
4. Which of the following is listed in order of magnitude?
   1. Database, databank, record
   2. Database, record, field, character
   3. File, field, record, character
   4. Row, column, character, file
5. NOT a file format of paint or raster graphics:
   1. BMP
   2. DXF
   3. GIF
   4. WMF
6. Linked series of programs that control, assist and supervise all other programs on a computer system and allows dissimilar hardware systems to work together:
   1. Central processing unit
   2. Control unit
   3. Network software
   4. Operating system
7. Windows 95 feature that automatically begins playing a CD when it is inserted into the drive:
   1. Autoplay
   2. Load
   3. Plug and Play
   4. Virtual reality
8. Type of network found in the computer room of a school:
   1. GAN
   2. LAN
   3. MAN
   4. WAN
9. A tool used frequently by marketing people to communicate a message or to persuade clients:
   1. Database file
   2. Presentation graphics
   3. Spreadsheets
   4. Word processors
10. A device that can produce a digitised image:
    1. Plotter
    2. Printer
    3. Scanner
    4. Synthesizer

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Question 2 - Matching columns - 1 mark each - 10 marks

Write down the letter of the items in Column B which best matches the descriptions in Column A.

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Question 3 - True or False - 1 mark each - 10 marks

State whether each statement is True or False. Correct each of the false statements by changing the bold-printed portions only. No marks will be awarded for simply negating the false statement. (However you change the BOLD words the sentence must be grammatically correct.)

1. The reserved area of the immediate access memory used to increase the running speed of a computer program is the cache memory.
2. The Config.BAT file is an ASCII file that contains instructions to DOS regarding your system configuration.
3. Video conferencing, such as that used by Dimension Data in Rondebosch, uses asynchronous transmission of data.
4. An area of artificial intelligence that simulates certain experiences using special headgear, gloves and software that translates data into images is called hypermedia.
5. Morphing is the process of transforming an object into another object before your eyes.
6. The removable cartridge that can hold more than 125M on a single 3.5 inch disk is called a stiffy drive.
7. The RAM allows booting up the machine, and allows you to control certain hardware settings.
8. The kernel is the central module of an operating system that is loaded into main memory when the machine starts up, and remains there during the entire time the operating system is loaded.
9. Modems translate the computer's analogue signals into digital signals that the phone was designed to carry. Today's modems can transfer data at up to 32600 bits per second but analogue services will facilitate higher transmission speeds.
10. bluemountain.com is a cyber bookstore.

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Section B - Answer all the questions in this section - 50 marks

Question 4 - Computer architecture - 12 marks

1. If you intend doing DTP or graphics work name two computer hardware components which should be the very best possible. Give a reason for your answer.

   [2]

2. Answer the questions based on the following advertisement for a computer found in SA Computer Magazine May 1999. Cost only R6080.

   Line 1 - Intel Pentium II 350 MHz CPU
   Line 2 - Asus Pentium II 440BX 100Mhz FSB Motherboard
   Line 3 - 4Mb AGP VGA S3 Virge Superfast Video Card
   Line 4 - 64Mb DIMM RAM
   Line 5 - Teac 1.44MB Stiffy Drive
   Line 6 - 4.3 Gig. Western Digital EIDE HDD
   Line 7 - 40X U-DMA CD ROM
   Line 8 - 16-Bit 3-D Sound Card
   Line 9 - 80W Amplified Speakers
   Line 10 - Compal 14" 1024 x 768 Monitor
   Line 11 - ATX Midi Tower Case
   Line 12 - 104 Win 95 PS-2 Keyboard
   Line 13 - Genius P-II Easy Mouse
   Line 14 - 56K Internal Rockwell Fax Modem

   
   

   1. Which company manufactured the processor?
   2. Would the size of the monitor be suitable for an engineer who does drawings on his computer? If not, motivate and state which size(s) you would recommend.
   3. What is the capacity of the hard drive?
   4. The computer has 64 Mb DIMM RAM. What does DIMM mean or stand for?
   5. Could this computer connect to the Internet? Give a reason for your answer.
   6. How much memory does the computer have?
   7. Would it be possible to use this computer to save work on a CD-ROM? Give a reason for your answer.
   8. If the user wanted to play games which required video speed should the 4Mb AGP VGA S3 Virge Superfast Video Card be replaced with a IDE type video card? Give a reason for your answer.
   9. Would it be more economical to buy a 80286 processor computer for R2000? Give a detailed reason for your answer.
   10. If you needed to store many AVI, BMP and WAV files what would you require more of?

[10]

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Question 5 - System software - 15 marks

1. In table format compare the DOS and Windows (95, 98, NT) operating systems under the following:
   1. Process management
   2. Memory management
   3. Secondary storage
   4. I/O control
   5. Network capabilities

   [10]

2. Write down a letter/number of the item in Column B which best matches each of the descriptions in Column A.

   Column A Description

   Column B Operating system

   Flexibility; graphical user interface; more memory; multiprocessing; multitasking; multiuser; networking capabilities; share data between applications Many existing users and applications; system requirements Multiprocessing; multitasking; multiuser; networking capabilities Ease of use; graphical user interface; multitasking; quality graphics; upgrade support Graphical user interface; many applications; more memory; multitasking; share data between applications

   DOS Macintosh Unix Windows Windows NT

[5]

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Question 6 - Data communication - 8 marks

1. Consider the following networks:

   Network A - A set of dumb terminals connected to a file server.
   Network B - A set of microcomputers each with 8 MB RAM and colour VDU but without hard disks, connected to a file server forming a client-server network.
   Network C - A set of microcomputers each with 8 MB RAM, colour VDU and small hard disks connected together to form a peer-to-peer network.
   

   Using the networks described, state with reasons, which network is best suited to each of the following applications:

   1. A computer system for a school where learners are developing their own programs.
   2. A computer system at a company for recording sales.
   3. An information retrieval system at a library, where users look up the catalogues of books on the computer system.
   4. A computer system in a large company using a text-based word processor.

[8]

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Question 7 - Computers in society - 15 marks

1. During the last few days your examiner has been judging web sites in the ThinkQuest competition. She looked at and judged Myths and legends; A world of difference - Bridging the gap; Chess - It's your move; and The wonder of Israel, amongst others.

   While she was judging the Israeli entry for the competition she suddenly realised that she was looking at an official Israeli government web page. How did she realise that it was an official site and not made by one of the children who had entered the competition? To phrase it another way, how can one judge the authority of a web site? Explain with examples.

   [2]

2. Viruses:
   1. What measures can a person take to make sure they do not get a virus via the Internet?
   2. What measures can a network administrator take to prevent his network from being infected by viruses?

   [2]

3. Software:
   1. What is the difference between Freeware and Shareware?
   2. What kind of software is PaintShop Pro, Freeware or Shareware?

   [3]

4. The following is taken from the Mail and Guardian, Smart money & technology, August 20 to 26 1999, p. 30.

   The organisation for monitoring and enforcing "software law" in South Africa is the Business Software Alliance (BSA), a Section 21 company that works closely with the major software manufacturers (including Microsoft, Corel and Lotus).

   1. Name one popular software suite manufactured by Microsoft.
   2. Give two ways in which "software law" effects your ethical usage of computers.

   [3]

5. The following is an advertisement from the Sunday Times Business Times Appointment section of 22 August 1999 or www.bigbreak.co.za

   INTERNET DEVELOPERS R190 - R175K Recently listed concern. Degree / diploma with 1-2 yrs exp on Unix/Windows platforms utilising 3 of the following: HTML/DHTML/SQL/ASP/Java/VB Script/C++. Focus on E-Commerce and banking arenas. Turnkey project involvement. Opp to become a recognised specialist within this acclaimed enterprise.

   Answer the following questions based on the advertisement:

   1. Which of the programs above is a database application?
   2. Which of the programs above is a standard for structuring and describing a document on the World Wide Web?
   3. Which of the programs listed above has made the World Wide Web and many web sites more dynamic and exciting? (When a person connects to a web site that uses that program they download an applet which then runs on their own computer.)
   4. Which of the programs above does the Computer Studies SG course offered by the WCED at PHS attempt to teach?
   5. Where in Cape Town could one study for a diploma which would satisfy the requirements of this advertisement?

[5]

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Section C - 20 marks

Question 8 - Presentation Skills Module - 20 marks

1. Answer the following questions very carefully backing up your choices with good reasons:
   1. When would you use a desktop publishing rather than a word processor package? Why?
   2. When would you use a CAD package such as KeyCad, rather than a graphics package such as MS Draw, the package in MSWord? Why? (Both can draw straight lines, boxes and shapes.)
   3. Which type of font is preferable for headings, road signs or advertisements? - Serif or sans serif. Why?
   4. When is the best time of day and or week to access the World Wide Web? Why?
   5. Why would you try not to use (digitised) speech on a web site to be viewed in South Africa? When could you use (digitised) speech in South Africa? Why?

   [10]

2. The postmaster at Pinelands High School received a request from letskeepitprivate@ih2000.net to put information on the Pinelands High School Past Pupils' web page recently. She complied with the request. The information between brackets is the information on the Pinelands High School web page a few days later.

   (The 1951 graduating class are organising a class union on October 2, 1999. They will take part in the activities of Pineland Day, then class members will gather at the Catfish Cabin in Jasper for dinner that evening. <{letskeepitprivate@ih2000.net"}>Helen Rake Class of '51 is the contact person.

   Oh dear. I have made a huge mistake. I received an email letter from Helen. I checked the dates and it did not sound correct but I put up the information as requested. It took a day to register. The message was aimed at Pineland High School in the USA! - Oops, Sorry - Pam Miller, PHS Postmaster)

   Answer the following questions:

   1. When Helen Rake emailed the postmaster, how should she have known the country in which the school was situated? Explain with examples.
   2. The postmaster at Pinelands High School did not recognise the domain in Helen Rake's address.
      1. What are two very common domains in South African email addresses?
      2. What is a common domain for American email addresses?
   3. What is the role or duty of a postmaster (not webmaster)?
   4. How did Helen Rake in Texas find the URL of PinelandS High School? Explain very carefully giving names and examples.
   5. What are the first 10 characters of the URL of the Pinelands High School web site?
   6. When Helen Rake looked at the Pinelands High School web page, what web browser would she probably have used?
   7. If Helen Rake had looked at the web page closely she could have seen the Pinelands High School badge. Explain carefully how she could have taken the GIF badge off the page to use in her own newsletter describing the funny incident.
   8. If she had used the GIF badge and made it a different size it would have developed fuzzy lines. Is the file format a bitmap or a vector format?
   9. What Internet feature would allow the two people to have a private discussion in real time ?

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