FORM 2 -MARKING SCHEME COMPUTER STUDIES
1. Define the following terms. (5marks)
a. Computer- An electronic device that processes user input/data to desired output under the
influence of programs.
b. ICT-Information and Communication technology- The integration of telecommunication facilities
and computers for the purpose of communication.
c. Computer laboratory- a room set aside and prepared specifically for safe installation and use of
computers.
d. Data Interface cables – cables that connect peripheral devices to the system unit to allow
transmission of data to and from the devices.
e. Peripheral devices – devices connected to the system unit through ports.
2. Differentiate between the following computer terms: (4marks)
a. Central processing unit and system unit-CPU is the central part of a computer where data
processing takes place while system unit is the part that houses the CPU and other internal
components.
b. Data and information-data is raw facts that do not have much meaning to the user while
information is processed data that has more meaning to the user.
3. Describe four main physical parts of a computer. (4marks)
a. System unit- the part that houses the CPU and drives
b. Monitor – the par that displays output and helps the user to monitor what is going on in a
computer.
c. Keyboard – it allows the user to enter data and instructions to the computer by pressing its keys.
d. Mouse – a pointing device that allows a user to execute commands. It controls a pointer on the
screen.
4. a) Name and explain three different ways classifying computers. (6marks)
i. classification according to physical size and processing power
ii. according to purpose
iii. according to functionality
b) Name two categories of computers as classified in (a) above. (6marks)
i) Physical size- supercomputers, mainframe, minicomputers and microcomputers
ii) Purpose- general and special purpose computers
iii) Functionality- hybrid, analogue and digital computers
5. a) What is the name of the machine developed by Charles Babbage? (1mark)
b) State six characteristics of the first generation of computers. (6marks)
Very large in size
Used vacuum tubes
Emitted allot of heat
Broke down easily
Consumed a lot of power
c) With the aid of diagrams illustrate the difference between analog and digital data signal. (4marks)
Diagram of Analogue and digital signal
6. Give five advantages and five disadvantages of using computer today. (10marks)
a. Increased efficiency in performance and service delivery
b. Job creation
c. Improved communication
d. Access to information
e. Store a lot of data
f. Can be used in hazardous
g. Can be used to perform complex activities e.g. in hospitals ICUs
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Disadvantages
a) Over reliance
b) Job loss to illiterate users
c) Decreased rate of production as workers waste time on social networks e.g. face book
d) Loss of data or manipulation
e) Health risks e.g. eye strains and poor posture due to over use of computers
7. List and Explain five areas where ICT is applied in our society today. (5marks)
a. Hospitals
i. Storing patients records
ii. In life support machines
iii. Perform complex operations e.g. scanning
iv. In medical research
b. Banks
i. To record customers details and other records
ii. In ATM machines
iii. Document processing
c. Supermarkets
i. Stock control
ii. Security
iii. Processing sales receipts
d. Law enforcement agencies
i. Record keeping
ii. Using biometric analysis to identify persons
iii. Security enhancement using CCTV cameras
iv. Tracking down criminals using the information in their databanks
e. Education
i. CAL and CAI
ii. For learning purposes
iii. Record keeping
8. Before setting up a computer lab Shujaa School was advised to make several considerations to ensure
they put up a favorable lab.
a) What are the factors to be considered when preparing a computer lab? (4marks)
Security
Number of users
Number of computers to be installed
Stable power supply
b) What measures should Shujaa school put in place to ensure the security of:
i) The computers in the lab. (5marks)
Burglar proofing the room
Installing fire prevention and control equipment
Providing stable power supply
Dust and dump control
Ensuring users do not eat or drink in the lab
ii) The users of the lab. (5marks)
Insulating power cables
Standard furniture
Anti-glare screens
Proper ventilation
Avoid over-crowding in the room
a) Differentiate between cold booting and warm booting. (4marks)
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- Cold booting – starting a computer that was originally off while warm booting is restarting a computer.
b) Outline the procedure for
i) Cold booting a computer (3marks)
- When booting a computer undergoes a POST to check if existing devices are working properly
- If they are OK it loads the OS
- After loading the OS the desktop is displayed
ii) Shutting down a computer. (3marks)
Click start button
Click turn off computer/ shutdown on the start menu
From the dialog box displayed select shut down / turn off
The computer will undergo shut down process.
c) Explain five categories of keys found on a standard keyboard. (5marks)
Alphabetic keys
Numeric keypad
Cursor movement and editing keys
Function keys
Special PC keys
9. State four factors to consider before purchasing a computer hardware or computer accessories. (4marks)
Processor type and speed
Portability
Warranty
Storage capacity
Display type
Memory capacity
Compatibility
Color and design
Interoperability
10. Give five resources that are managed and controlled by an operating system. (5marks)
Processor
Memory
Input/output devices and ports
Secondary storage devices
Communication devices
11. List three types of files found in a computer system. (3marks)
Application files
System files
Data files
12. List four factors to be considered when acquiring a printer. (4marks)
Initial cost
Print quality
Running cost
Speed of the printer
Whether colored or black and white
Paper size
Nature of work
Volume of work
Technology involved e.g. printing from storage media
13. Describe each of the following computer cable. (4marks)
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Parallel cable- it is a communication cable which has high speed of transmission and transmits several
bits at the same time.
Serial cable- it is a communication cable which has a low speed of transmission and bits follow one
another in sequence or are transmitted one at a time.
14. Define the following terms: (4marks)
Disk compression -Disk Compressing -is the process of reducing the space occupied by files and
folders to enable create more disk space for data storage
Disk formatting - Formatting a disk is the process of preparing a disk or other storage
