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CANDIDATES’S SIGNATURE …………………
BARINGO – COUNTY EDUCATIONAL IMPROVEMENT TEST
Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (K.C.S.E)
451/1
COMPUTER
Paper 1
July/August 2012
2 ½ Hours
INSTRUCTIONS TO CANDIDATES
This paper has TWO sections A and B.
Answer ALL the questions in section A
Answer question 16 (compulsory) and any other THREE questions from section B.
All answers should be written in the spaces provided on the question paper.
FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
SECTION QUESTION SCORE
A 1-15
B 16
17
18
19
20
TOTAL MARKS
This paper consists of 12 printed pages.
Candidates should check the question paper to ensure that all
pages are printed as indicated and no questions are missing.
Section A (40 Marks)
BARINGO – COUNTY 2012 EDUCATIONAL IMPROVEMENT TEST
Page 1 of 14
Answer ALL Questions from this section
1. (a) Distinguish between Optical scanners and Magnetic scanners. (2marks)
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(b) The automated input is sometimes referred to as: (½ mark)
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2. (a) Differentiate between digital signal and analog signal as used in data Communication.
(2marks)
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(b) Give four ways in which computers are used in communication industry. (2marks)
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3. A form four student tried to save his project from a hard disk to a CD but was not
successful. List three possible causes of the anomaly. (3marks)
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4. Define the following terms as pertaining to computer software (3marks)
a) User friendliness
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b) Portability
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c) Compatibility
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5. List any three hardware considerations that must be considered before buying a computer.
(3marks)
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6. a) Give four characteristics of cathode ray tube monitors. (2 marks)
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b) Name two examples of flat panel display (FPD). (2 marks)
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BARINGO – COUNTY 2012 EDUCATIONAL IMPROVEMENT TEST
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7. A computer should be connected to a stable power supply. Highlight one reason. ( ½ mark)
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8. a) Distinguish between the following spreadsheet functions.
i) SUMIF and COUNT (2 marks)
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b) Explain the term “What if analysis” as used in spreadsheet. (2 marks)
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9 a) Controls in database can either be bound or unbound. Explain. (2 marks)
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b) State any three ways of moving round the page in a desktop publishing window. (3
marks)
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10. Give any four reasons why it is difficult to detect and prevent computer crimes?.
(2 marks)
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BARINGO – COUNTY 2012 EDUCATIONAL IMPROVEMENT TEST
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11 Describe the following terms
a) Blog (1 Mark)
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b) Hyperlinks (1 Mark)
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c) Web portal (1 Mark)
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12. List the four stages of data collection. (2 Marks)
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13. State two methods or tools that an analyst may use in a system design task. (1 Marks)
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14 Explain the functions of the following network devices. (2 Marks)
i) Router
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ii) Gateway
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15. Define the term simulation (1 Mark)
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SECTION B (60MARKS)
Answer question 16 and any other three questions from this section
16. Makindu company suppliers pays 10% commission on sales that are above Kshs.20,000
and 4% on any sales that are less than this target. If the sales salesperson sells in cash,
there is an extra 5% commission on total sales, else no commission if on credit. (7 Marks)
a) Write a Pseudo – code for a program that would;
i. Prompt a user for sales, terms of sale, and name of salesperson.
ii. Calculate the commission and the total amount of sales.
iii. Display the commission and the total amount of sales for a particular salesperson.
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b) Draw a flow chart for the above Pseudo – code (8 Marks)
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Page 8 of 14
17. a) Describe the following careers in the computing field. (3marks)
i) Computer Engineer
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ii) Software engineer
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iii) Computer technician
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b) Identify any four duties of an information system manager. (4 marks)
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c) Giving an example, mention three categories of places where one can advance his/her
computer skills after K.C.S.E. (3marks)
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d) Mention any FOUR formatting features used in Ms Word application. (2marks)
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BARINGO – COUNTY 2012 EDUCATIONAL IMPROVEMENT TEST
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e) i)Define the term electronic spreadsheet. (1mark)
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ii) Explain the following terms as used in spreadsheets. (2 marks)
a) Range
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b) Automatic recalculation
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18 a) What is the hexadecimal equivalent of 7478 (3Marks)
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b) i) Use one’s compliment to convert - 610 to its binary equivalent. (2 Marks)
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ii) Convert 7.12510 to its binary equivalent. (2 Marks)
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iii) State any two reasons for using binary system in digital technology. (2 Marks)
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c) Explain the term attenuation as used in networking. (2 Marks)
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d) Explain the following terms as used in fibre optic cables. (4 Marks)
i) Single mode
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ii) Multi-mode
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19. a) (i) Explain any TWO causes of system change. (2marks)
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(ii) Explain any THREE causes of system maintenance. (3marks)
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b) i) Explain the importance of requirement specification phase of Systems development.
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ii) Use of questionnaire is one of the most popular fact finding methods. State any TWO
advantages and TWO disadvantages of using this method to gather data (2 marks)
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c) Explain any TWO reasons why a new system is tested before implementation.
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d) The director of a college is attempting to convince his staff to use CAL and CAI
software. State one benefit and one limitation of using such software. (2marks)
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e) State any ONE advantage and ONE disadvantage of using expert systems in medicine
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20. Banks issue customers with plastic cards containing magnetic strips that can be used
to withdraw money from an ATM machine
a) Describe any two items of information that can be stored on the magnetic strip
(2marks)
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b) How does a bank prevent its customers from withdrawing more money than they
have in their accounts? (3marks)
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c) i) What is telecommuting? (2marks)
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ii) Name three pieces of hardware that would be needed for one to telecommute
(3marks)
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d) i) Differentiate between kernel and shell as used in operating system (2 marks)
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ii) Explain any THREE functions of an operating system (3 marks)
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