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MZUZU DIOCESE HAC MOCK EXAMINATIONS

2021 MALAWI SCHOOL CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION EXAMINATION

COMPUTER STUDIES
th
Tuesday, 10 August Time Allowed: hours
1:30 – 3:30 am

PAPER I
(100 marks)

Instructions Question Tick if Do not write in

Number answered these columns
1. This paper contains 10 printed pages. 1
Please check. 2
2. There are two sections in this paper, A and B. 3
4
3. Answer all questions in sections A and B.
5
4. The maximum number of marks for each 6
answer is indicated against each question. 7
8
5. Follow the instructions for each section. 9
6. Write your Candidate Name at the top

of each page of the question paper.

7. Use of computers is strictly prohibited in this

paper.
8. Use of calculators is not allowed.
9. In the table provided on this page, tick against
the question number you have answered.

© 2021 HAC MOCK Turn over

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Section A (55 marks)

1. a. Define the following terms
i. CPU
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
(2 marks)
ii. Pixel
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
(2 marks)
iii. Artificial intelligence
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
(2 marks)
b. Mention any two things that would occur if the right procedure for
shutting down the computer is not followed
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
(2 marks)
c. State any two characteristics of a microcomputer.
i. ______________________________________________________
(1 mark)
ii. ______________________________________________________
(1 mark)
d. Differentiate between basic phone and a touch screen feature
phone
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
(3 marks)
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2. a. Contrast desktop publishing software and Microsoft word processor

_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
(4 marks)
b. Explain any two types of operating system
i. ______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
(2 marks)
ii. ______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
(2 marks)
c. What are the uses of the following keyboard keys?

i. ______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
(2 marks)

ii. ______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
(2 marks)
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d. The figure below shows part of application window of specific software.

Use it to answer the questions that follow

X Y

i. Identify the application software

______________________________________________________
(1 mark)
ii. Explain the importance of the parts labeled:
X.
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
(1 mark)
Y.
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
(1 mark)
3. a. Define “Database”
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
(2 marks)
b. Give two ways in which accidental loss of information held on magnetic
media can be avoided.
i. ______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
(2 marks)
ii. ______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
(2 marks)
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b. Explain why social networking is attractive to business investors

_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
(2 marks)
4. a. Define the following terms as used in computer network
A. Node
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
(1 mark)
B. Server
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
(1 mark)
b. Compare between TCP/IP and OSI models used in networking
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
(2 marks)
c. With the aid of a well labeled diagram describe elements of
communication system.

(5 marks)
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5. a. Mention one importance of checking computer system

__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
(2 marks)
b. Explain any two types of computer virus
i. ________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
(2 marks)
ii. ________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
(2 marks)
c. Differentiate between a router and a hub
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
(2 marks)
d. How can computers be used in the Library system
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
(2 marks)
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Section B (45 marks)

6. a. What does formatting refer to in word processing
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
(1 mark)
b. Explain the importance of a product key
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
(1 mark)
c. State any three factors that would hinder the installation of Linux
operating system
i. ________________________________________________________
(1 mark)
ii. ________________________________________________________
(1 mark)
iii. ________________________________________________________
(1 mark)
d. Draw a star network topology and label the parts

(3 marks)
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e. Mention two characteristics of the following printers

I. Impact
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
(2 marks)
II. Non-Impact
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
(2 marks)
7. a. Define the following terms
i. Source code
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
(2 marks)
ii. Object code
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
(2 marks)
b. What are the two categories of programming languages?
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
(2 marks)
c. In what situation would an email user receive a bounced message?
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
(2 marks)
d. What is a device driver?
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
(2 mark)
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e. How can a processing speed of a computer be increased?

_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
(2 marks)
8. a. What do the following errors mean in excel?
i. #VALUE
________________________________________________________
(1 mark)
ii. ########
________________________________________________________
(1 mark)
b. Explain the function of a power supply
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
(2 marks)
c. Describe the mail merge process
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
(6 marks)
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9. a. What type of a keyboard is used by PDA?

_____________________________________________________________
(1 mark)
b. Study the output devices below and answer the questions that follow.

X Y
I. Identify the type of an output devices X and Y
X: ___________________________________________________ (1 mark)
Y: ___________________________________________________ (1 mark)
II. Explain any two advantages of using output device X over Y
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________ (4 marks)
c. State any four disadvantages of using networks
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
(4 marks)
END OF QUESTION PAPER