MURANG’A HIGH SCHOOL

FORM 3 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER ASSIGNMENT - 2024

COMPUTER STUDIES
1. What is meant by
a) Analogue data
b) Digital data (4 mks)
2. What actions should be taken in case of a fire outbreak in the computer laboratory? Describe the
computer booting process.(2 mks)
3. State the functions of the following keys on the computer keyboard (2 mks)
a) a) Backspace b)Insert (ins)
4. .State two reasons why it is necessary to use standard furniture in a computer laboratory.
5. State two function of the control unit.(2mks)
6. Write each of the following acronyms in full as used in computing.
CAD b) DVD c) WORM d) POS
7. State three risks posed by improper cabling in a computer laboratory
8. State two circumstances under which warm booting of a computer may be necessary
9. State two advantages of using portable computers.
10. State three possible causes of fire outbreak in a computer laboratory.
11. Some of the storage disks available are: zip disks, 3 ½ inch floppy disks, DVDs and 5 ¼ inch floppy
disks. Arrange these devices in ascending order of storage capacity.
12. State the purpose of each of the following memories in a computer system.(2 Marks)
(a) RAM (b) Hard disk
13. State one function of each of the following elements of a computer system:
(a) Hardware; (b) Software; (c) Live ware
14. List four devices that use scanning technology that would be used to capture data directly from the
source.
15. State two disadvantages of CD-ROM over magnetic disks.
16. When purchasing a computer , the clock speed , RAM size, Hard disk size and monitor size are often
quoted
17. State the unit of measuring: (2 Marks)
(a) Clock speed; …………………………………………………………………..
(b) RAM size ……………………………………………………………………..
(c) Hard disk size; ………………………………………………………………
(d) Monitor ……………………………………………………………………….

18. A student saved a document in a diskette. Later on, the student found the diskette could not open and
therefore the work got lost.
19. Give three precautions the student should have taken to ensure the work was not lost.
20. A computer is idle but the hard disk light is blinking, indicating some activity. State two possible
causes of this (2 Marks)\
21. Identify the appropriate output device for the production of each of the following :
a) Receipts where carbon copies are required;
(b) an architectural drawing where precision is required;
(c) output where the user is visually impaired;
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22. Differentiate between hardware and software portability.

23. State two advantages of CD-ROMS over magnetic disks.

24. a) Write each of the following in full

i) SRAM.....................................................................................................................

ii) C.I.S.C.....................................................................................................................

iii) C.R.T.......................................................................................................................

iv) A.L.U......................................................................................................................
b) State the technology used in the following computer generation

i) 4th Generation

ii) 2nd Generation

25. A button or key that is used to turn a feature both on and off is called a button or key?

26. The electronic commerce (E-commerce) has enabled to do business through the internet. This is
just enough to save time spend less and reduce movement. What could be the major obstacles in
this trade?

(a Differentiate between hard system and soft system.

(b) Give two factors that may lead to system entropy.

27. With reference to User Interfaces describe any two types of operating systems.

28. (a) Jane a computer student was asked by the father to accompany him to a computer shop
where he wanted to purchase a computer. The following were some of the specifications
he needed to be guided. State the units for measuring each of them.

a) Clock speed

b) RAM size

c) Hard disk size

d) Monitor size

29. State the stage of development life cycle in which each of the following activities take place.

a)Determination of the cost effectiveness.

30. List and describe any two strategies of conversion from an old system to a new system.

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31.a) List two factors to consider when choosing a monitor.

b). State any two precautions that should be observed when installing a new piece of hardware into a
computer system.

32. Logically group the list of hardware items below into two functional categories.

Data projector, Joystick, VGA, Touch pad, LED

Functional category List of hardware items.

Input devices

Output devices

33. List four stages in data collection.

34. a) An E-mail window is divided into folders. State the purpose of the following folders.
(i) Inbox
(ii) Drafts

35. Explain any two types of cell referencing techniques.

36.. Describe three ways of ensuring that an online publication is secure from unauthorized access.

37. List three health problems associated with improper sitting posture while using a computer.

38. (a).List down six rules of flowcharting.

(c) Describe two error detection methods used during program testing.
(d) State two qualities of a good pseudo code.

39. (a) (i)List and explain the THREE types of errors that can occur during data collection stage of data
processing cycle
(ii)Distinguish between master file and transaction file

b).List 3 methods of data entry into a computer.

c).Most companies are now shifting from the use of geographically distributed personal computers.

This method of data processing is known as Distributed Data Processing (DDP)

i) Name any threes computing resources that can be distributed.

e).Explain five characteristics of a system

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40. a) Use the figure below and answer the question that follows.

Digital Computer specification.

S/NO. RAM Hard disk Processor Monitor type cost
(MB)
SPEED TYPE

1 128 20 GB 2.4 GHZ INTEL CRT 35,000

2 256 40 GB 2.8 GHZ CERELON TFT 50,000
3 1024 80 GB 3.0 GHZ INTEL TFT 60,000
145,000
TOTAL

i) Identify four formatting features applied to this figure.

ii) Write a formula that would be used to calculate the total cost.

iii) Give two advantages of using tables to present data.

(b) Give two benefits of print previewing a document before printing.

41. (a) Currently there is a shift in technology towards digital from analog. State any three advantages
of digital technology over analog technology.
(a) Convert 25.12510 to base 2
(b) Convert 101.111102 to base 10
(c) Using one’s complement work out 1410-910 (leave your answer in base 2)
(d) Use two complement to work out 110002-11112

42. (a) List any three database models in use today

(b) State TWO uses of primary keys in a database

(c) A database requires data to be defined by assigning data types to fields for purposes of
consistent storage. Describe any FOUR data types that can be allowed in Ms Access.
d) List four types of publications that can be designed by using desktop publishing software

e) State the purpose of the following disk management techniques

(i) Disk partitioning

(ii) Disk compression

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 (iii) Disk defragmentation

f) Give the main root directory of the hard drive

43. (a) (i) Define a laptop computer.

(iii) The screen is said to be 17 inches. Explain what this means.
(b) State one advantage of having each of the following provided with a laptop.
(i) Modem
(ii) USB
(iii) Free suite
(c) (i) State three advantages of using a computer to design an advert such as one in figure 4.
(ii) State two benefits of having the advert uploaded on the internet.
44. State four characteristics which makes computers better than human beings.

45. Give three reasons why primary storage devices are not used for secondary storage.

46. The account department of a secondary school is using a system that generates invoices that are printed in
triplicate using carbon papers.
(a) Name one type of printer suitable for this task.
(b) Give a reason for your answer in (a) above

47. State three benefits of using optical magnetic reader to register candidates to register for an examination

48. List four factors to be considered when acquiring a printer.

49. State three circumstances under which voice input would be preferred over other methods of data capture.

50. Describe two layout guides in a desktop publishing program that assist a user to place an object in preferred
position.

51. a) What meant by the term user-friendly as used in software development?

b) Distinguish between the terms single-tasking and multi-user as used in
Operating systems

52. a) One of the functions of an operating system is job scheduling. Explain

what is mean by job scheduling.
b) List and explain three types of user interfaces.
c) Describe the following categories of software:
i) Firmware
ii) Proprietary software

53. a) Define authenticity as used in software selection

b) List four ways of acquiring software in an organization

54. List four factors to be considered when purchasing an operating system.

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