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Higher Computing Science Model Paper

This document provides a model paper for the Higher Computing Science exam, consisting of two sections worth a total of 90 marks. The paper includes 10 multiple choice questions in Section 1 worth 1 mark each, and longer questions in Section 2 worth between 1-2 marks each. It tests knowledge of topics including programming languages, HTML, operating systems, algorithms, and open-source software.

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Kumkum Bharadwaj
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
133 views

Higher Computing Science Model Paper

This document provides a model paper for the Higher Computing Science exam, consisting of two sections worth a total of 90 marks. The paper includes 10 multiple choice questions in Section 1 worth 1 mark each, and longer questions in Section 2 worth between 1-2 marks each. It tests knowledge of topics including programming languages, HTML, operating systems, algorithms, and open-source software.

Uploaded by

Kumkum Bharadwaj
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Model Paper

WITH ANSWERS

Higher Computing Science


This model paper is free to download and use for revision purposes. The paper, which may include a limited number of previously
published SQA questions, has been specially commissioned by Hodder Gibson, and has been written by experienced senior teachers
and examiners. This is not SQA material but has been devised to provide further practice for SQA National Qualification examinations
in 2016 and beyond.

Model Question Papers and Answers © Hodder Gibson. All rights reserved.

Hodder Gibson would like to thank SQA for use of any past exam questions that may have been used in model papers, whether
amended or in original form. Hodder Gibson is grateful for the use of the following:
Bill Bertram (Own work) [CC BY-SA 2.5 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5)], via WikimediaCommons
(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/33/ZXSpectrum48k.jpg) (Model Paper 1 Section 2 page 8);
unclepodger/Fotolia (Model Paper 1 Section 2 page 10);
Boris Ryaposov/Fotolia (Model Paper 1 Section 2 page 11);
B. Wylezich/Fotolia (Model Paper 1 Section 2 page 14);
Luap Vision/Fotolia (Model Paper 1 Section 2 page 19);
Luap Vision/Fotolia (Model Paper 1 Section 2 page 19);
Africa Studio/Fotolia (Model Paper 1 Section 2 page 19);
roger ashford/Fotolia (Model Paper 1 Section 2 page 19);
Elnur/Fotolia (Model Paper 1 Section 2 page 19);
Ivonne Wierink/Fotolia (Model Paper 1 Section 2 page 19);
Can Yesil/Fotolia (Model Paper 1 Section 2 page 21);
Nataly-Nete/Fotolia (Model Paper 1 Section 2 page 21);
H National
Qualifications
MODEL PAPER 1

Computing Science

Duration — 2 hours

Fill in these boxes and read what is printed below.

Full name of centre Town

Forename(s) Surname Number of seat

Date of birth
Day Month Year Scottish candidate number

D D MM Y Y
Total marks ­— 90
SECTION 1 ­— 20 marks
Attempt ALL questions.
SECTION 2 ­— 70 marks
Attempt ALL questions.
Show all workings.
Write your answers clearly in the spaces provided in this booklet. Additional space for answers
is provided at the end of this booket. If you use this space you must clearly identify the
question number you are attempting.
Use blue or black ink.
Before leaving the examination room you must give this booklet to the Invigilator; if you do
not, you may lose all the marks for this paper.

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HIGHER FOR CfE COMPUTING SCIENCE 38 HODDER GIBSON MODEL PAPER 1

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SECTION 1 — 20 marks THIS
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Attempt ALL questions

1. Artificial intelligence programs may consist of lists of facts and rules that are
written in no set order.
State the type of programming language that is being described. 1

2. Describe one activity that the passing of the Communications Act in 2003
made illegal. 1

3. The following HTML head section is written for a page in a cooking website.
<head>
<link rel=”stylesheet” type=”text/css” href=”recipes.css”>
<title>Chicken Recipes</title>
<meta name=”keywords” content=”Cooking”>
</head>

(a) The above HTML shows that an external style sheet is being used to
format the web page. State one advantage gained through using an
external style sheet in preference to internal styles. 1

(b) If a user entered “Chicken Recipes” into a search engine this page
would not be included in the results. Suggest a solution to this problem. 2

4. The memory management function of the operating system ensures that


data resident in memory is not overwritten by currently running programs.
Describe one other role of the memory management function when opening
an additional program. 1

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HODDER GIBSON MODEL PAPER 1 39 HIGHER FOR CfE COMPUTING SCIENCE

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5. A school pupil writes a small computer program to bombard a web server THIS
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with requests for a particular web page. This has the effect of preventing
other users from accessing the website.

(a) State the law the pupil has broken? 1

(b) Explain why bombarding a web server may deny access to legitimate
users. 1

6. Describe how keylogging software poses a security threat to users who are
unaware that the program is running on their computer. 2

7. Explain the role of a trace table when testing a computer program. 2

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HIGHER FOR CfE COMPUTING SCIENCE 40 HODDER GIBSON MODEL PAPER 1

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8. The algorithm below is implemented using a procedural programming THIS
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language.
Line 1. SET total TO 0
Line 2. SET noOfWeights TO 0
Line 3. SET weight TO 0
Line 4. SEND “How many weights do you wish to add up” TO DISPLAY
Line 5. RECEIVE noOfWeights FROM (INTEGER) KEYBOARD
Line 6. REPEAT noOfWeights TIMES
Line 7. SEND “Please enter a weight” TO DISPLAY
Line 8. RECEIVE weight FROM (REAL) KEYBOARD
Line 9. SET total TO total + weight
Line 10. END REPEAT
Line 11. SEND “Your total weight is” TO DISPLAY
Line 12. SEND total TO DISPLAY

(a) When prompted the user of the program enters the values 4, 3, 7.5,
1.5, 5.
Following this input, state what the output would be from line 12? 1

(b) State the data type that should be declared when initialising the weight
variable. 1

9. Open-source programs are increasing in popularity.


State one advantage and one disadvantage of using open-source programs. 2

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HODDER GIBSON MODEL PAPER 1 41 HIGHER FOR CfE COMPUTING SCIENCE

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10. A design is drawn showing two subroutines which are called one after the THIS
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other.

Store and output


an integer

Set variable – Output message


number – to the “your number
value 5 was” & number

(a) State the design methodology show above. 1

(b) If the design was implemented, without parameter passing and using
local variables, what would be the actual output? 2

11. Explain why increasing the amount of cache memory in a computer system
improves processing performance. 1

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HIGHER FOR CfE COMPUTING SCIENCE 42 HODDER GIBSON MODEL PAPER 1

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SECTION 2 — 70 marks THIS
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Attempt ALL questions

1. Matthew is designing a program that will store and process information on


the calorie content of different biscuits. He uses pseudocode to design how
data will be entered into the program.

Line 1. FOR counter FROM 1 TO 10 DO


Line 2. <get a valid biscuit name>
Line 3. <get a valid calorie content for the biscuit>
Line 4. END FOR

(a) Explain why the above pseudocode indicates that two arrays will be
required when the design is implemented. 1

(b) The calorie content of a biscuit may be an integer ranging from 0 to


200.
(i) Using pseudocode or a language with which you are familiar, write
a refinement of Line 3. 3

(ii) Describe, using multiple examples of each type of input, how you
would comprehensively test your refinement of line 3. 3

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HODDER GIBSON MODEL PAPER 1 43 HIGHER FOR CfE COMPUTING SCIENCE

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1. (continued) THIS
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(c) The following function has been used within the program. The
pseudocode for this function is shown below.
Line 1. 
STRING FUNCTION analysis (biscuitCaloriesArray,
biscuitNamesArray)
Line 2. Set maxCalories TO biscuitCaloriesArray[0]
Line 3. Set maxName TO biscuitNamesArray[0]
Line 4. 
FOR counter FROM 1 TO
Length(biscuitCaloriesArray)
Line 5. IF biscuitCaloriesArray[counter] >
maxCalories THEN
Line 6. SET maxCalories TO
biscuitCaloriesArray[counter]
Line 7. SET maxName TO
biscuitNamesArray[counter]
Line 8. END IF
Line 9. END FOR
Line 10. RETURN maxName
Line 11. END FUNCTION

(i) The two arrays used in lines 2 and 3 are passed as parameters into
the function. State whether the parameters should be passed by
value or by reference and explain your answer. 2

(ii) The two arrays hold the following 6 values:

biscuitCaloriesArray 102, 23, 83, 149, 56, 82


Kit Kat, Rich Tea, Chocolate Digestive,
biscuitNamesArray
Boasters, Ginger Snaps, Hob Nob
State the output from the function when tested with the above
values. 1

Total marks 10

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HIGHER FOR CfE COMPUTING SCIENCE 44 HODDER GIBSON MODEL PAPER 1

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2. In 1982, for his 12th birthday, Greg was given a Sinclair ZX Spectrum THIS
MARGIN
computer.

The specification of a ZX Spectrum home computer system is shown below.

Zilog 8 bit processor (16 bit address bus)


3.5 Mhz clock
16Kb ROM
48Kb RAM
256x192pixel, 4 bit colour output to TV

(a) Like most computers from the 1980s, the ZX Spectrum had no internal
backing storage.
(i) State where the operating system would have been stored? 1

(ii) Describe one advantage of storing the operating system in this


way. 1

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HODDER GIBSON MODEL PAPER 1 45 HIGHER FOR CfE COMPUTING SCIENCE

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2. (continued) THIS
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(b) The ZX Spectrum had a total of 64 Kb of memory (16 Kb ROM + 48 Kb


RAM). Using an appropriate calculation, prove that this was the maximum
amount of memory that could have been installed in the computer. Show
your working. 2

(c) Greg’s current computer has a clock speed of 3.5GHz, 1000 times faster
than that of the ZX Spectrum. When Greg researches the difference
between the raw processing power of his current PC and the Spectrum
he finds that his PC is significantly more than 1000 times faster at
processing data than the Spectrum.
With reference to differences in computer’s architecture (other than
clock speed), state two reasons why this is the case. 2

(d) While browsing the world wide web, Greg recently discovered and
downloaded a ZX Spectrum emulator which allows him to play all his old
games.
Discuss two possible hardware issues that the emulator program would
have to compensate for when running old spectrum programs on much
newer hardware. 2

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HIGHER FOR CfE COMPUTING SCIENCE 46 HODDER GIBSON MODEL PAPER 1

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2. (continued) THIS
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(e) The ZX Spectrum stored program files on magnetic tape.

A 48Kb game took 5 minutes to load from tape. The sounds were saved
in mono at a sampling depth of 1 bit. Calculate the sampling frequency
of the sound files used by the Spectrum? Show your working. 2

Total marks 10

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HODDER GIBSON MODEL PAPER 1 47 HIGHER FOR CfE COMPUTING SCIENCE

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3. Rory is studying app development at college. As part of a project assignment THIS
MARGIN
he creates an app for the members of his local table tennis club. The app
will allow its users to store match results, arrange matches with other users
and discuss training techniques.

(a) He uses a graphics package to create a design for the home screen of his
app.

(i) State the type of user Rory is designing the app for. Justify your
answer. 2

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HIGHER FOR CfE COMPUTING SCIENCE 48 HODDER GIBSON MODEL PAPER 1

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3. (a) (continued) THIS
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(ii) Describe why the accuracy of the input device being used will be a
factor in the design of the user interface. 1

(iii) Describe one way the current interface design could be improved. 1

(b) During the later stages of development, the table tennis app is Beta
tested.
Describe one attribute of Beta testing. 1

(c) Apps require storage for both program and data files.
(i) Explain why solid state storage is used in mobile devices. 1

(ii) Briefly describe a current trend in storage systems. 2

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HODDER GIBSON MODEL PAPER 1 49 HIGHER FOR CfE COMPUTING SCIENCE

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3. (continued) THIS
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(d) A later version of the completed app allows users to view current
rankings for every user.
(i) Explain why the rankings must be stored remotely from the app. 1

(ii) Describe how this feature could contribute to the growth of online
communities. 1

Total marks 9

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HIGHER FOR CfE COMPUTING SCIENCE 50 HODDER GIBSON MODEL PAPER 1

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4. A computer system collects data from THIS
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a sensor attached to a wind turbine.

(a) An example reading from the sensor


is 302.563 Watts. Each reading is
stored in memory as a 32 bit value.
Describe a method that could be
used to store a single reading. 2

(b) State the one possible function of the interface required to connect the
sensor to the computer. 1

(c) A sub-program is required to read the power being generated once a


minute and then calculate the average power reading for each hour.
The hourly average is to be stored in a text file. The pseudocode below
shows a design for the sub-program.
Line 1. Set averagePower TO 0
Line 2. Set powerReading TO 0
Line 3. OPEN FILE “Turbine Readings”
Line 3. WHILE switch = On
Line 4. REPEAT 100 TIMES
Line 5. <wait 60 seconds>
Line 6. RECEIVE powerReading FROM (REAL) SENSOR
Line 7. SET averagePower TO averagePower -
powerReading
Line 8. END REPEAT
Line 9. SET averagePower TO averagePower / 60
Line 10. RECEIVE averagePower FROM FILE “Turbine
Readings”
Line 11. <check if switch is on or off>
Line 12. END WHILE
Line 13. CLOSE FILE “Turbine Readings”

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HODDER GIBSON MODEL PAPER 1 51 HIGHER FOR CfE COMPUTING SCIENCE

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4. (c) (continued) THIS
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The above pseudocode contains three logic errors. Describe each of


these errors. 3

1.

2.

3.

(d) The complete program is implemented using rapid application


development techniques. Describe two advantages gained by developing
the program using this methodology. 2

(e) The wind farm where the turbine is situated uses a security camera to
monitor the site. The camera records compressed video using the
following settings: 8 bit colour, 460×320pixel, 2 fps, 50% compression
ratio.
Calculate the storage requirements for 1 minute of video. Show your
working. 4

Total marks 12

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HIGHER FOR CfE COMPUTING SCIENCE 52 HODDER GIBSON MODEL PAPER 1

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5. As a superhero, Catman must keep the manufacture of his crime fighting THIS
MARGIN
gadgets a secret.
The gadgets are manufactured as follows.
Each individual component is manufactured by a different company.
A technician employed by Catman’s company is given 5 of the components to
assemble into a sub unit. A sub unit is only a part of any complete gadget.
Catman himself uses several sub units to assemble each finished gadget.
A relational database with four tables is created to track the manufacture of
the each sub unit.
The tables and field names are shown below.

Components Manufacturers Sub Unit Technicians

Component ID Company ID Sub Units Name Forename


Component Employee
Company Name Surname
Name Number*
Component
Address Component ID* Gender
Price
Telephone Employee
Company ID* Component ID*
Number Number
Bank Account
Component ID* Employee Photo
Number
Component ID* Address
Telephone
Component ID*
Number

(a) State a one-to-one relationship that exists between the tables. 1

(b) Explain why the “Sub Units Name” field may be unsuitable as a Primary
Key for the Sub Unit Table. 1

(c) Catman uses the following form to enter data for each new technician.

Technician’s Detail
Forename Jack
Gender Male
Employee Number 34
Address 99 Alfred Drive
Forfar
Telephone Number 01393 638645
Surname Denton

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HODDER GIBSON MODEL PAPER 1 53 HIGHER FOR CfE COMPUTING SCIENCE

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5. (c) (continued) THIS
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Currently each new data item is typed in by the user. Describe two ways
to improve the usability of this form. 2

(d) Catman suspects that one of the female technicians has leaked
information about one of the sub units. He creates a report detailing all
the female technicians that have assembled the “battery pack for
grapple hook” sub unit.

Forename Surname
Sylvia Trench
Tatiana Romanova
Jill Masterton
Domino Derval
Rosie Carver

Describe how Catman could use the database software to produce the
above list. 5

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HIGHER FOR CfE COMPUTING SCIENCE 54 HODDER GIBSON MODEL PAPER 1

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5. (continued) THIS
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(e) The employee photos are stored as png files.


State the type of compression used by png and gif files. 1

Total marks 10

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HODDER GIBSON MODEL PAPER 1 55 HIGHER FOR CfE COMPUTING SCIENCE

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6. Signella manufacture toys for dogs. Their website contains dynamic web THIS
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pages that display products from their catalogue.

houndz.co.uk Search

Department Dogs Cats Reptiles Rodents Others


Toys 
Brand Bedding
 PlayIt
Food
 Beds
 ThrowIt
 SleepOnIt Blankets
Size
 Small
 Medium DT6300 Puller DT6301 Tugger DT6302 Chucker
 Large
Price
 Up to £5.00
 £5.00–£7.50
 £7.50–£10.00
 Over £10.00
DT6303 Bouncer DT6304 Snuggly DT6305 Cozy

(a) When the customer selects one of the filters shown on the left (for
example price between £5 and £7.50) the Signella website uses server-
side scripts to extract the required information from a database, create
a new page and return the page to the users browser.
(i) State two reasons why generating the web pages using server-side
scripts benefits the user of the website. 2

(ii) Name a programming language used in server side scripting. 1

(b) As shown in the above image, Signella’s website makes use of multi-
level navigation.
Explain how multi-level navigation can aid the accessibility of a website. 1

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HIGHER FOR CfE COMPUTING SCIENCE 56 HODDER GIBSON MODEL PAPER 1

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6. (continued) THIS
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(c) Signella’s database of products stores a photograph of each toy at a


resolution of 1024×768 pixels.
(i) The html tag below is used to display the images of the products
on the website.
<img src=”ball3.bmp” alt=”Bouncy Fetch Ball” width=”150” height=”100” >
Using information given in the above tag, explain how Signella
could optimise the download speed of their web pages. 2

(ii) Create a CSS rule that will display a blue border, 1 pixel wide
around each the image. The rule should also include a command
to create a 20 pixel wide blank area around the image. 2

(d) To protect against data loss, Signella back up their database to a second
hard disk drive installed within their web server.
Explain why copying data to a second backing storage device within the
same computer is not a suitable backup strategy. 1

Total marks 10

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HODDER GIBSON MODEL PAPER 1 57 HIGHER FOR CfE COMPUTING SCIENCE

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7. Smart Applications Ltd are a software company who specialise in creating THIS
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mobile phone applications for client companies. They have been contracted
by Fitboss Gyms to create a mobile phone application that will track the
distance its users walk during the course of a day.

DISTANCE CALORIES
1.5 140
MILES kCal

STOP PAUSE

(a) Smart Applications Ltd develop each new mobile phone app for three
different mobile operating systems. Explain why multi-platform
development may provide their client with a competitive economic
advantage. 1

(b) State three hardware factors that should be considered when


developing applications for mobile devices as opposed to desktop PCs. 3

(c) The distance walked by the user is to be recorded and uploaded to


cloud storage every hour.
(i) Other than storing data, describe two services that may be
provided from cloud storage providers. 2

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HIGHER FOR CfE COMPUTING SCIENCE 58 HODDER GIBSON MODEL PAPER 1

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7. (c) (continued) THIS
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(ii) State the type of cloud storage used by the application. 1

(d) Smart Applications Ltd are asked by their client to ensure that the data
created and accessed by the app is secure.
Describe how biometrics and encryption could be used in the app to
secure the users data. 2

(e) State why applications have a carbon footprint. 1

Total marks 10

[END OF MODEL PAPER]

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HODDER GIBSON MODEL PAPER 1 59 HIGHER FOR CfE COMPUTING SCIENCE

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HIGHER FOR CfE COMPUTING SCIENCE 60 HODDER GIBSON MODEL PAPER 1

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140 ANSWERS TO HIGHER FOR CfE COMPUTING SCIENCE

HIGHER FOR CfE COMPUTING SCIENCE Max


Question Expected Answer(s)
MODEL PAPER 1 mark
11. Cache memory can store an increased 1
Section 1 number of frequently used instructions
reducing the number of times
Max instructions are read from the slower
Question Expected Answer(s)
mark main memory.
1. Declarative 1
2. One mark for any one of the following: 1 Section 2
• dishonestly obtaining electronic Max
communications services Question Expected Answer(s)
mark
• possession of equipment used to
1. (a) The pseudocode shows two inputs inside 1
dishonestly obtain communications
a loop which tells us that the two inputs
services
must be stored multiple times before
• improper use of a public electronic
the values are then used elsewhere in
communications network
the program.
• an example of the above (for
example − SIM card cloning, trolling) (b) (i) REPEAT 3
3. (a) The styles in an external style sheet can 1 RECEIVE calorieContent FROM
be applied to multiple pages. (INTEGER) KEYBOARD (1 mark)
(b) The words “Chicken” and “Recipes” 2 IF calorieContent < 0 OR
(1 mark) should be added to the meta calorieContent >200 SEND “Error
tag (1 mark). message” TO DISPLAY (1 mark)
4. Memory management allocates 1 UNTIL calorieContent>=0 AND
sufficient memory address for the calorieContent<=200 (1 mark)
additional application. OR
5. (a) Computer Misuse Act 1 RECEIVE calorieContent FROM
(b) Bombardment may cause resource 1 (INTEGER) KEYBOARD (1 mark for both
starvation. RECEIVE lines)
6. Keylogging software stores every 2 WHILE calorieContent<0 OR
character entered on a keyboard which calorieContent>200 (1 mark)
may include usernames and passwords
SEND “Error message” TO DISPLAY
(1 mark). The captured data may be
(1 mark)
used by another user to gain access to
protected information or websites (such RECEIVE calorieContent FROM
as online backing) (1 mark). (INTEGER) KEYBOARD
7. A trace table records how a variable 2 REPEAT
changes value when code is executed (ii) To comprehensively test a program, 3
(1 mark). This helps the programmer test data should include:
find where errors are occurring (1 mark).
Normal test data − 12, 199, 54 etc
8. (a) 17 (loop 4 times then add 3 + 7.5 + 1.5 1 (1 mark for two examples between 0
+ 5) and 200)
(b) real 1 Extreme test data − 0 and 200
9. Advantages: 2 (1 mark for both)
(1 mark for any one of the following)
Exceptional test data − 345, -42, etc
• it’s usually free
(1 mark for two examples outwith
• it can be adapted to your specific needs
0 and 200)
• it evolves in response to the needs of
the community using the software (c) (i) Passed by Value (1 mark). Data is 2
passed in but is not altered (1 mark).
Disadvantages:
(1 mark for any one of the following) (ii) Boasters 1
• user interface often poorer 2. (a) (i) The operating system would be stored 1
• might be less support available if in ROM.
problems (ii) The contents can’t be changed/deleted 1
• although free there may be hidden (1 mark).
costs such as additional support
• as anyone in the community may OR
adapt the software it is more open to no loading required/accessed instantly
abuse such as virus insertion (1 mark).
10. (a) Structure Diagram 1
(b) your number was 0 (text − 1 mark, 2
value − 1 mark).
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ANSWERS TO HIGHER FOR CfE COMPUTING SCIENCE 141

Max Max
Question Expected Answer(s) Question Expected Answer(s)
mark mark
(b) Maximum Installable Memory = 2 (ii) Any one from the following: 1
2address bus width * data bus width • If an object is too small, the accuracy
Maximum Installable Memory = of the touchscreen may make it
216 * 1 byte (1 mark) difficult to select the object
Maximum Installable Memory = • The accuracy of the touchscreen
65,536 bytes will determine the minimum size of
screen objects
Maximum Installable Memory =
(iii) Any one from the following: 1
64Kb (1 mark)
(c) Any two from the following: 2 • Proper names could be given to the
menus instead of single letters
• The newer PC will have wider buses • The icons on the menu screen could
allowing for greater throughput of be increased in size
data • Contrasting colours could be used to
• The newer PC may have a multi-core make the objects stand out more
processor
(b) Any one from the following: 1
• The newer PC may have cache
memory • Beta testing may be undertaken by
• The newer PC’s processor will have persons outwith the programming
an increased number of internal team
registers • Beta testing will involve use of a
(d) Any two from the following: 2 complete (but not bug-free) product
• Beta testing will test how software
• The emulator will have to ensure that runs on hardware other than the
the games’ instructions are processed hardware the software was written on
at the same speed of the original
(c) (i) Low power consumption preserves 1
hardware
battery life or small physical size fits
• The emulator will have to
easily inside small portable devices.
compensate for the differences in the
colour depth of the game’s graphics (ii) Any two from: 2
and a modern high-colour monitor • Storage devices are reducing in size
when displaying the old game • More data can be stored in an
• The emulator will have to increasingly smaller physical space
compensate for the differences in low • The cost per unit of storage is
resolution of the game’s graphics and continually reducing
a modern high-colour monitor when • New storage devices may have
displaying the old game reduced power requirements
• The emulator will have to allow for
the use of modern input devices (d) (i) Each user has their own rank. To share
(mouse) that did not exist when to this with every other user, central
older computer was in use storage is required.

(e) Use the formula for working out the size 2 (ii) Rory’s app would allow a means to 1
of a sound file, reorder the equation to learn more about table tennis players
calculate the sampling frequency. encouraging the growth of the online
community.
sampling frequency * sampling depth *
4. (a) The number would be stored as two 2
channels * length (secs) = size of file
values, a mantissa and an exponent
sampling frequency * 1bit * 1 * (5*60) (1 mark) with a section of the 32bits
secs = 48Kb (1 mark) being allocated to each value (1 mark).
sampling frequency = (48*1024*8 bits) / Note 1 − If the answer given suggests
(1bit*1*300secs) (1 mark) that 2 *32 bits (double precision) is
sampling frequency = 393216 bits / used, this should be accepted.
300bits per sec Note 2 − this answer could also be
sampling frequency = 1310.72 Hz written as an example. 24 of the
32 bits could be used to store the
3. (a) (i) The app is being designed for novice 1
mantissa with the remaining 8 bits
users as it has a simple, easy-to-use
being allocated to the storage of the
layout.
exponent.
(b) Any two from the following: 1
• Voltage conversion
• Analogue to Digital Conversion
• Compensating for differences in data
transfer rates
• Data format conversion

© 2016 Hodder & Stoughton

60720_CompSci_HiCfE_ANS.indd 141 9/21/15 4:26 PM


142 ANSWERS TO HIGHER FOR CfE COMPUTING SCIENCE

Max Max
Question Expected Answer(s) Question Expected Answer(s)
mark mark
(c) 1 mark for each correctly identified 3 (c) Any two from the following: 2
error below: • The Gender field should have a
Error 1 − Line 4, should read REPEAT 60 restricted choice (drop down menu
TIMES (1 repeat for each minute in the or radio button) to speed up entry of
hour) data and reduce errors
Error 2 − Line 7, last part should add • The Employee Number field should be
powerReading on to averagePower and generated automatically instead of
not subtract it requiring the user to enter it
• The Surname field should follow the
Error 3 − Line 10, the averagePower Forename field as data is entered
should be written to the file and not faster by a user when it is in a logical
read from it order
(d) Any two from the following: 2 • Length checks could be used to
inform the user when they have
• Development teams can respond
entered invalid data, for example the
quickly to changing customer
telephone number
requirements
• Continual contact with customer (d) Create a query (1 mark) with the 5
ensures that the development team following fields:
are not guessing the wishes of the Sub Unit Table.Sub Units Name and
client criteria = “battery pack for grapple
• Testing is completed as the project hook” (1 mark).
progresses so errors are found earlier
• Projects are often more enjoyable as Technicians Table.Forname (1 mark).
regular goals are reached Technicians Table.Surname (1 mark).
• Software is produced faster giving Create a report using the Forname and
economic benefits to client and Surname fields from the query (1 mark).
developer
(e) Lossless compression 1
(e) Use the formula below to calculate the 4
uncompressed size of a video file. 6. (a) (i) Any two from the following: 2

Uncompressed video file size = • Load times of web pages generated


resolution * colour depth * frames per server side are generally faster
second * length of video (seconds) • The interactivity of the website will
be improved allowing the website to
Uncompressed video file size = 460*320 respond to the users actions (show
* 8bits * 2fps * 60seconds (1 mark for related items etc)
first three values, 1 mark for time) • The user does not require additional
Uncompressed video file size = plugins or browser scripting
141,312,000bits technology to view the website
Uncompressed video file size = (ii) Any one from the following list of 1
16.846Mb (1 mark) programming languages:
The file has been compressed by 50% so ASP, ANSI C scripts, ColdFusion Markup
is therefore half the size of the original Language, Java, JavaScript (using
uncompressed file = 8.423Mb (1 mark). Server-side JavaScript), PHP, SMX,
Lasso, WebDNA, Progress® WebSpeed®.
5. (a) Any one from the following: 1
• Components Table to Manufacturers (b) Multi-level navigation reduces clutter 1
Table (one component is on the page making links easier to find.
manufactured by one manufacturer) (1 mark).
(b) A Primary Key should be a unique value. 1 Multi-level navigation reduces the need
It may be possible the two sub units to navigate through multiple web pages
have the same name making this field to find the correct page (1 mark).
unsuitable as a Primary Key field.

© 2016 Hodder & Stoughton

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ANSWERS TO HIGHER FOR CfE COMPUTING SCIENCE 143

Max HIGHER FOR CfE COMPUTING SCIENCE


Question Expected Answer(s)
mark MODEL PAPER 2
(c) (i) The original images should be edited 2
to reduce the resolution to that used Section 1
on the webpage (i.e. from 1024x768 to
150x100) (1 mark). Max
Question Expected Answer(s)
The graphics are currently mark
uncompressed bmp files. They should 1. size of sound file = sampling frequency * 2
be converted to a file type that allows sampling depth * channels * length (secs)
compression (1 mark). size of sound file = 8000 Hz * 8 bits * 2 *
Revision note − both of these techniques 5 secs (1 mark)
reduce the amount of data being size of sound file = 640,000 bits
transferred which reduces the load times
of each web page. size of sound file = 78.125 Kb
(ii) .imageformat { 3 2. 1 mark for output ‘3 Left Over’ 2
border-width : 1px; (1 mark) 1 mark for explaining that the first
border-color : blue; (1 mark) output is displayed as the modulus
padding : 20px (1 mark) function calculates that the remainder
} of 13/5 is not 0.
(d) A second backup disk within the same 1 3. (a) The x coordinate is already greater than 1
computer system is vulnerable to the or equal to 240.
same risks that may damage the first
(b) Method 1
disk (for example, virus infection, fire,
high magnetic field etc). 4. A program is only portable it is runs 2
under different conditions (1 mark)
7. (a) Programs available for multiple 1
therefore moving a program to a
platforms will have increased sales.
computer with the same hardware and
(b) Any three from the following: 3 operating system is not an example of
• Reduced processing capability of portability (1 mark).
mobile devices 5. The interpreter will translate and 1
• Limited backing storage execute the code within the loop
• Limited memory 1000 times causing the program to run
• Touchscreen input (as opposed to significantly slower than an executable
keyboard and mouse) program translated once by a compiler.
• Screen can be rotated between 6. In Unicode one character = 16 bits 2
landscape and portrait (1 mark).
(c) (i) Any two from the following: 2
3200/16 = 200 characters (1 mark).
• Encryption of files 7. Any one from the following: 1
• Different payment methods
• Peer to peer network setup • More robust as no moving parts
• Public file hosting • Faster read/write speed to flash
• Choice of where data is located memory
(which country)
• Cloud hosted Net Drive
• Automatic backup of data
(ii) Public Cloud Storage 1
(d) Biometric such as Voice Recognition or 2
Fingerprint Recognition could be used
to ensure only the user accesses the
data.
Encryption could be used to make the
data unreadable should it be accessed
without permission.
(e) The creation and use of an application 1
requires a running computer that
uses electricity. The production
of electricity always has a carbon
footprint.

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60720_CompSci_HiCfE_ANS.indd 143 9/21/15 4:26 PM

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