Name………………………………………………………...

Index No………………………

School……………………………………………………Candidates signature………

Date…………….

451/1
COMPUTER STUDIES
Paper 1
(Theory)
March 2023
Time 21/2 hours

FORM FOUR REGIONAL EXAMS

Kenya certificate of secondary education (k. c. s. e)
451/1
COMPUTER STUDIES
March 2023
Time 2 ½ hours

INSTRUCTION TO THE CANDIDATE

❖ Write your name and index number in the space provided above

❖ This paper consists of TWO section A and B

❖ Answer ALL the questions in section A

❖ Answer question 16 and any other three questions in section B

❖ All answers should be written in the space provided in this question paper

❖ This paper consists of 12 printed pages

FOR EXAMINER’S USE ONLY

SECTION QUESTION SCORE

a 1-15

Page 1 of 10
 b 16

17

18

19

20

Total score

SECTION A
Answer all the questions in this section in the spaces provided
1. State four basic characteristics that makes a computer better than human beings (2marks)
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
2. a) List two examples of wireless communication media. (2marks)
……………………………………………………………………………………………………..
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
b). Give three advantages of modular programming approach (3 marks)
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
3. Describe the proper sitting poster while using a computer (2 marks)
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
4. State two reasons why daisy wheel printers are in extinct (2marks)
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Page 2 of 10
5. List four types of ROM classified according to methods used to write or erase the
firmware
(4marks)
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
6. State the unit for measuring processor speed (1 mark)
………………………………………………………………………………………………………

7 a). Explain a multilevel list as applied in word processor application (2marks)

………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
b). Describe a bug as used in computer programming (1 mark)
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
6. Differentiate access time and direct access (2mark)
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
7. Describe utility program as used in computing (1 mark)
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
8. Explain the following internet address http://www.google.com in reference to the
structure of URL (2
marks)

Page 3 of 10
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
9. Explain the importance of master pages in desktop top publishing software (2 marks)
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
10. List four examples of desk top publishing software (2marks)
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
11a). Differentiate between report and labels as used in Microsoft access (2marks)
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
b). State three characteristics of a good algorithm (3 marks)
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
12. List three types of relationships that can be established between two tables (3marks)
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
13. Convert 101.1012 to a base 10 number (2marks)

14 a). Differentiate between logical file and physical file (2marks)

Page 4 of 10
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
b). Differentiate between sequential file organization methods and serial file organization

(2marks)
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
15. State two ways to prevent viruses in a home computer connected to the internet
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
SECTION B (60 MARKS)
Answer question 16 and any other three questions in this section
16 a). State three advantages of low-level languages (3 marks)
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
b). State two reason why HTML is not considered as a true computer programming
language (2
mark)
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………………..
c). Define a control structure as used in programming (2marks)
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
d). Sauti Saul talent organization runs a football competition. If a team wins it earns 3 points,
a draw earns 2 points and a loss is 1 point. Draw a flowchart that accepts the team results,
determines whether it is a win, draw or loss and calculates the total points for the 10
matches played.

Page 5 of 10
17. a). Describe two types of feasibility studies that can be carried out in system
development (4 marks)
………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………
b). List three-requirement specifications analysis carried out by the system analyst for
the proposed system. (3marks)
………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………
c). With an aid of a diagram descried system control and how it is achieved through
feedback (4marks)

Page 6 of 10
 d). State four weaknesses of prototype model structured system development
methodology. (4marks)
………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………

18. a). Using an illustration describe the four primary stages of the data processing cycle.
(4
marks)
………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………
b). Describe any two types of electronic data processing modes (4marks)
………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………

Page 7 of 10
 c). Distinguish between usability testing and functional testing as used in system
development (4 marks)
………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………
d). State three elements that makes up a computer file (3marks)
………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………

19. a) State three hardware devices that may be required to connect a computer to an
existing local area network (3marks)
………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………
b) Interpret each of the following spreadsheet formula: (4marks)
i. =countif(D2:D9,”>“& B4)
………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………
ii. =sumif(B3:B11”4M”,D3:D11)
………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………
c). The following are the fields of products table in a database created to store records of
products manufactured in a factory
● product number

● product name

Page 8 of 10
 ● price

● product description
i) State the appropriate data type for each field (2marks)
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………………..
ii) State three properties to be put in place during table design to ensure integrity of the
data entered (3marks)
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
c). State three advantages of hardcopy output (3 marks)
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………

20.a). Convert 11.0112 to a decimal number (3marks)

c). Convert 11118 to base two equivalent (3marks)

d). Convert the hexadecimal number 1AD116.4c into its base eight equivalent (3marks)

Page 9 of 10
e). using two’s complement, work out 15.75-18.375 in binary (6marks)

Page 10 of 10