Answer Key: Prelims Paper1

1)
a) 54
b) (i)00011011
(ii)Each right shift is equivalent to dividing the number by 2.
(iii) 1 0 1 0 0 1 1 0 0-The max denary value that can be fit in 8bits is 255.
Generation of 9th bit indicates that the value has exceeded and this is called an
overflow.
2)
a) (1 mark for each Point)
 It is a form of lossless file compression.
 It reduces the size of a String of adjacent data
 A repeating String is encoded into number of times and ASCII value of that data item.
b) It is 4×8 grid it will require 32 bytes as each square requires 1 byte of storage.
[2 marks for the explanation -all values in the grid are correct/1 mark for any two
rows correct)

(4 marks for the correct compressed data-2 for white and 2 for black)
The compressed file takes 20 Bytes of storage

3B 2W 4B 9W 4B 2W 1B 2W 2B 2W 1B

30 21 40 91 40 21 10 21 20 21 10

3)
a) Size of
Sample=44100×1×60×60=158760000
Multiply by 2 as two channels are used= 317520000 bytes
To convert to MiB - 317520000/1024×1024=302.8 MiB
b) Sampling rate is the number of sound samples taken per sec
Sampling resolution is the number of bits per sample
4)

c) the first cypher

cannot deduce rest of cypher having identified some characters/more random
substitution

5) a)
Any four from: −

Printer generates interrupt

− Interrupt is given a priority
− Interrupt is queued
− Interrupt stops CPU from processing current task
− CPU will service interrupt // Interrupt handler services interrupt …
− … generating an output message to state there is a paper jam

b) Any two from: −

- A suitable description of any error that might occur
− A peripheral is connected/disconnected
− A key on a keyboard is pressed
− A mouse button click
− A printer runs out of ink
− Opening an application
− When switching from one application to another
c) Any two from:
− Bits sent one at a time
− down a single wire
− Data sent in both directions …
− but only one direction at a time
6)

6) a)
Any three from:
• More visible pixels // higher resolution
• Higher colour contrast (in ambient lighting) // more vivid colours
• Colours are (often) more accurate
• Image (usually) appears brighter (with same wattage)
• Will be stationary so does not need the portability of DLP
• Does not need the compactness of DLP
• Cost of purchase (usually) less
• Run quieter
• Any surface can be used as a display
• Uses less power
• Produces less heat
• Does not give the rainbow effect DLP often gives
• Longer lasting lamps

b) 1 mark for naming appropriate device

• hard disk / HDD / magnetic
• solid state drive / SSD / USB memory stick / flash drive
 1 mark each for matching justification to max 3. e.g. HDD
• Large capacity storage
• …for videos/films that have large file sizes / require large storage space
• Longevity // Can be read from/written to large number of times
• … the copies will be accessible for a long time // device will not break if accessed
regularly
• …may require large number of read/write to access fields
• Relatively cheap per GB // cheaper than SSD per GB …
• … there is a large capacity required therefore overall may cost less than other
devices
• Device will not be moved regularly so no need for portability/durability SSD
• Large capacity storage
• …for videos/films that have large file sizes / require large storage space •
No moving parts
• …can be carried/moved to other locations with limited risk of damage
• Fast access speed
• … videos are large files that will be stored/accessed in less time
• Cost per GB is not significant (in comparison)
• …there is a large capacity required therefore overall cost will not be significantly
more than others
• Used as a copy of files to may not be accessed regularly
• … the limited number of read/write times/longevity is inconsequential
• Uses less power // runs cooler
• No latency // does not take time to start-up

8) (i) Memory(ii) Hardware (iii)Hardware (iv) Memory (v) Security

9) a)
 They both report/check for errors 1
b) Four from (MAX 2 per translator):
 An interpreter translates the code line by line (and executes each line
immediately)
 … whereas a compiler translates the whole code at the same time (before
executing it)
 A compiler produces an executable file
 … but an interpreter does not
 An interpreter is required to run the code each time if used
 … whereas a compiler is not
 An interpreter stops and reports an error as it is encountered
 … whereas a compiler creates a report of all errors at the end of translation
 An interpreter will run code up to the point it finds an error
 … whereas a compiler will not run the code at all if an error is found
10) Any four from:
a)
• multiple computers are used as bots
• designed to deny people access to a website
• a large number / numerous requests are sent (to a server) …
• … all at the same time
• the server is unable to respond / struggles to respond to all the requests
• the server fails / times out as a result.
b) firewall OR proxy server

11) Encryption-Scrambles data for secure transmission

 Secure Socket Layer- Provides a secure connection between web browsers and web
sites allowing secure transmission of private data
Phishing-Legitimate looking email is sent in the hope of gathering personal information
Pharming-malicious code installed on hard drive; will redirect the user to a fake website
Firewall- Uses rules and criteria to help protect the network from unauthorized access.
Proxy Server-Computer that acts as an intermediary between the browser and the
internet

12) One Mark for each correct step.

 Whenever a new transaction takes place, a new block is created
 A new hash value is created each time a new block is created. This hash value is
unique to each block and includes a timestamp, which identifies when an event
actually takes place.
 Any changes to the data within any block will cause the value of the hash to
change in all other blocks.
 This will prevent tampering (for example, by a hacker).
 Changes to all computers in blockchain network is prevented by proof-of-work,
which makes sure it takes ten minutes to determine the necessary proof-of-work for
each block before it can be added to the chain.
 This is ‘policed’ by miners, which are special network users that get a commission for
each new block created.
Thus, the whole process of creating new blocks is slowed down which foils hackers
and also means that the currency is regulated by all the network computers.
13) User interface-used to interact with the user
Inference engine-
 acts like a search engine examining the knowledge base
 problem solving part of the expert system that makes use of inference rules to
draw conclusions.
Knowledge base-Repository of facts
Rule base-set of inference rules used by the inference engine to draw conclusions.
Difference between AI and machine learning
AI-Represents simulated intelligence in machines
AI- The aim is to build machines that are capable of thinking like humans.
Machine Learning-Machines take decisions without being programmed to do so.
Machine Learning-The aim is to build a machine that learn through data acquisition to solve
new problems.