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Cambridge IGCSE Information and Communication Technology (0417), Paper 1 Written Paper, February/March 2020. Read both free below, or download them. Done the paper? Get it marked by AI against this mark scheme.
0417_m20_qp_120417_m20_ms_120417/12/F/M/20
Each question as it's printed, and the mark scheme's points for it, as text. Diagrams, tables and graphs are in the PDFs above.
Question
A list of hardware items is given. 3D printer Actuator LCD monitor Memory stick Mouse RAM Touch screen Video card Webcam Wide format printer (a) Identify two input devices from the given list. 1…… 2…… [2] (b) Identify two internal hardware devices from the given list. 1…… 2…… [2]
Mark scheme
1(a) Webcam 2 Mouse 1(b) RAM 2 Video card
Question
Tick (✓) whether the following statements refer to the internet or an intranet. internet intranet (✓) (✓) This type of network is public This is the more secure type of network This type of network is global This type of network is more likely to be monitored [2]
Mark scheme
2 2 internet intranet This type of network is public This is the more secure type of network This type of network is global This type of network is more likely to be monitored
Question
Chess players can use expert systems to help them practise chess moves. Name two other applications which involve the use of expert systems. 1 …… 2 …… [2]
Mark scheme
3 Two from, for e.g.: 2 Oil prospecting Mineral prospecting Diagnostic systems Careers Medical diagnosis
Question
Smart technology is increasingly being used in everyday life. Many people are now using smart devices such as smartwatches. (a) Tick (✓) whether the following statements most appropriately refer to a desktop computer, a tablet computer or a smartwatch. desktop tablet computer computer smartwatch (✓) (✓) (✓) A computer made up of separate units Is an example of wearable technology A portable device that allows text to be typed relatively easily Most easily used for fitness and health monitoring by runners [4] (b) Smartphones are more likely to be used than laptop computers for everyday ICT use. Describe three advantages of using a smartphone rather than a laptop computer. 1…… 2…… 3…… [3]
Mark scheme
4(a) 4 desktop tablet smartwatch computer computer A computer made up of separate units Is an example of wearable technology A portable device that allows text to be typed relatively easily Most easily used for fitness and health monitoring by runners 4(b) Three from: 3 More portable as it is lighter in weight Smaller in size therefore can fit in in your pocket More likely to have the smartphone with you at all times Easier to receive and make phone calls on the move More of a chance of retaining the signal//can be used in more places than a laptop computer Less power consumption
Question
A school examinations officer has set up a spreadsheet of candidates for the IGCSE examinations. Part of the spreadsheet is shown: The formula in cell A3 is IF(A2<>'''',VLOOKUP(A2,E3:F6,2),'''') (a) Explain what the formula in cell A3 does. …… [5] (b) The examinations officer is planning to change the range E3 to F6 in the formula to a named range. (i) Explain why he should do this rather than using the cell references. …… [3] (ii) Give an example of an appropriate name he should give the range. …… [1] (c) A formula has been placed in cell F9. The formula is COUNTIF(A4:A15,''E'') Explain what the formula in cell F9 does. …… [2]
Mark scheme
5(a) IF(A2<>"",VLOOKUP(A2,E3:F6,2), "") 5 If the contents of A2 are not empty – 1 mark Otherwise display a blank cell – 1 mark Three from: Looks up/searches the value in A2 Looks up in the range E3:F6 Retrieves/displays the corresponding value From the second column of the range Displays the value/produces ICT in A3 5(b)(i) Three from: 3 Used if the range of cells is to be used many times Easier to remember a name rather than cell references Only has to type in the name rather than the cell references Less chance of errors when entering the range If the range of cells moves/copied the name still refers to the cells 5(b)(ii) Example name – Subjects 1 5(c) Counts the number of candidates/people that are opting for the ICT examination 2 or Counts the number of ‘E’ in the range A4:A15
Question
A teacher has created a hierarchical file structure to save the registers and marks of each of her classes on her laptop computer. Part of the structure is shown: C: Work Class_A1 Examination_Marks Registers Class_Reports (a) Write down the file path to locate a document which is stored in the folder Examination_Marks. C: …… …… [3] (b) The teacher could have saved the document as a .txt or an .rtf file format. Describe what is meant by .txt and .rtf file formats. …… [2] (c) Explain the differences between the two file formats. …… [3] (d) A master document has been created. The teacher will mail merge the personal details of each student into the document. Explain why mail merged documents are used. …… [4]
Mark scheme
6(a) \Work\Class_A1\Examination_Marks\ 3 \Work – 1 mark \Class_A1 – 1 mark \Examination_Marks – 1 mark 6(b) .txt is a text file format – 1 mark 2 .rtf is a rich text format – 1 mark 6(c) Three from: 3 RTF has basic formatting (embolden, underline, etc.) while TXT is plain text RTF is capable of paragraph formatting while TXT is not RTF is capable of creating bulleted lists while TXT is not RTF files can include images while TXT cannot TXT takes up less memory while RTF takes up more memory 6(d) Four from: 4 To save time typing the personal details of each student onto the document To help reduce the number of errors in the typing of the data Used to save time editing the document Produces a personalised document for each student So the teacher does not miss out a student
Question
A company is considering developing a laptop computer that only uses biometric methods to authorise user access to this laptop computer. The developers are considering using facial recognition. (a) Explain, giving other examples, why biometric methods are considered to be a more secure way of authorising access to the laptop computer rather than typing in passwords. …… [6] (b) Describe the disadvantages of using facial recognition to authorise access to the laptop computer. …… [4]
Mark scheme
7(a) Max five from: 6 The biometric data is unique to the user Biometric data is always with you Passwords can be copied/forgotten/guessed/cracked Difficult to copy/forge biometric data Eliminates shoulder surfing Prevents key logging software Max two from, e.g.: fingerprints, Retina scans, Voice recognition, Iris scans, Handprint 7(b) Four from: 4 If the user wears glasses/grows a beard/damages the face/aging effects, then the laptop computer may not read the face correctly Position of the face and distance from the screen is important Possible concerns about personal liberty infringement/intrusive Equipment/set up is more expensive The system has to be set up before use and this can take more time than setting up a password May activate accidentally Once set up it is difficult to reset
Question
A headteacher plans to use a computer database to keep records of the members of staff that teach in her school. She must choose between using a flat file database or a relational database. (a) Explain the differences between a flat file database and a relational database. …… [2] (b) The school keeps details of the teachers in one file and the subjects they teach in another file. A teacher teaches more than one subject. Describe the steps the headteacher would need to take to create a relational database from this data. …… [4]
Mark scheme
8(a) Two from: 2 A flat file database stores data in one table//a relational database uses multiple tables In a relational database the tables are linked In a relational database must have a primary key and a foreign key in the linked tables 8(b) Four from: 4 Open database package Select database tools The teacher’s file and subject file would be imported to separate tables A primary key is identified/set The foreign key is identified in the subject table Click/create/select relationships The primary key is dragged to the foreign key Save the database
Question
Documents use headers, footers and margins. The statements refer to a header, a footer or a margin. Tick (✓) the most appropriate term for each statement. header footer margin (✓) (✓) (✓) Text entered that can appear at the top of each page automatically An area between the main content of a page and the edge of the page An additional space between facing pages Text entered that can appear at the bottom of each page automatically [4]
Mark scheme
9 4 header footer margin Text entered that can appear at the top of each page automatically An area between the main content of a page and the edge of the page An additional space between facing pages Text entered that can appear at the bottom of each page automatically
Question
Arjun is taking a gap year between his studies and will be travelling through Kenya. He needs to remain in contact with his parents and is considering using either a cell phone or VoIP. (a) Describe the benefits of using each of these communication methods to stay in contact with his parents. Cell phone …… VoIP …… [4] (b) From time to time Arjun’s parents transfer money from their bank account to his bank account using online banking. Identify one type of transaction they cannot do using online banking. …… [1] (c) When Arjun logs onto his online banking he needs to enter his username and password. The system may also ask him to provide an answer to a security question. Tick (✓) whether the following are appropriate examples of a security question or not. Appropriate Not appropriate (✓) (✓) How old are you? What is your mother’s maiden name? What is your PIN? Which town were you born in? [2] (d) Give three benefits of Arjun using online banking in this scenario. 1…… 2…… 3…… [3] (e) Give two drawbacks of Arjun using online banking in this scenario. 1…… 2…… [2]
Mark scheme
10(a) Four from: 4 Cell phone He could use his cell phone to send text messages Text messages can be sent at any time of the day//Text messages are not affected by time zone differences He can capture image/audio and send them VoIP Used on any computing device that can connect to the internet Can connect using hot spots Live videos can be sent To gain full marks it needs at least one benefit of using a cell phone and at least one benefit of using VoIP 10(b) One from: 1 Pay in cash/money Withdraw cash/money 10(c) 2 Appropriate Not Appropriate How old are you? What is your mother’s maiden name? What is your PIN? Which town were you born in? 10(d) Three from: 3 Saves money by not having to pay for transport to the bank Saves time by not having to travel to the bank He does not carry cash therefore less chance of robbery Banking is 24/7 Money from his parents can be sent at any time therefore speeding up the time it takes to reach his account Saves time rather than queueing in the bank He can select his own language 10(e) Two from: 2 May not have a stable internet connection It is easier to make an error with online banking There may not be the facilities to carry out online banking in remote parts of Kenya Security issues as he could be using public hot spots May need cash as isolated communities may not have facilities
Question
Robots are used in many car production lines. Discuss how their use has affected the nature of employment in the car production industry. …… [6]
Mark scheme
11 Max four from: 6 The introduction of robots has reduced the number of car production/factory floor workers Vehicle production factories/robots work ‘24/7’ Workers could be working unsociable hours De-skilling of staff Increase in training for staff Max four from: Increase in the number of supervisors/quality control workers Increase in the number of maintenance staff Increase in part time/job sharing Increased number of staff compressing hours Increase in the number of engineers/designers/programmers to build the robots
Question
When people use the internet for shopping and banking it is essential that they use a website that has a secure server. (a) Describe the features of a web page that identify it as using a secure server. …… [4] (b) As more and more people use smartphones as computer systems, security can be breached. Smishing and pharming are ways in which data can be compromised on a smartphone. Compare and contrast smishing and pharming. …… [6]
Mark scheme
12(a) Four from: 4 The web address should start with https There is a closed/green padlock When the padlock is clicked a message will state the connection is encrypted/secure The web page has a digital/SSL certificate The green padlock shows it has an Extended Validation (EV) certificate/CA certificate 12(b) Max four from: 6 Differences Pharming downloads a file/program/malicious code onto the user’s smartphone When the user enters a correct website the software redirects them to the fake website When the user enters his password/personal data it is sent to the hacker’s computer Pharming can be stopped by not downloading .exe, .bat files In Smishing the user receives a text message from an unknown person In Smishing the user is asked to phone a number/reply to the text/click on a link Smishing can be stopped by not replying to unknown text messages Max three from: Comparisons Both are attacks on the smartphone Both redirect the user to a fake company/person/fake website Both require the user to enter/divulge personal information Both obtain/steal personal/your data
Question
A sales representative is planning a presentation about a new product. He is considering whether to use a multimedia presentation or to give a talk and hand out leaflets. (a) Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of using a multimedia presentation rather than printed leaflets. …… [8] (b) The sales representative decides to create a multimedia presentation and wishes to place an image of the new product on one of the slides. Explain the steps he would need to take to do this. …… [4] (c) He searches his company website to find a suitable image for his multimedia presentation. Part of the markup language from the web page to load the image is shown. <img src =''New_product.jpg'' alt=''company logo''> When the markup is run, the words ‘company logo’ are displayed and not the image. Explain why this may be the case. …… [2]
Mark scheme
13(a) Advantages 8 Max five from: Allows the use of sound/animation/video/transitions to make the presentation//leaflets cannot use sound/animation/video Can be more interactive therefore can be used on a company website/interactive whiteboard Hyperlinks can be used//the users of the leaflet would have to type in the hyperlink No printing costs More accessible (speak text, etc.) People can throw away leaflets without reading them Easier to update Disadvantages Max five from: Special equipment is needed to view the presentation Power/equipment failure/corrupted software can be an issue There could be more focus on the presentation rather than the content People have to be present in the lecture room The leaflet can be read at any time Presentations cannot be written in braille 13(b) Four from: 4 Open the presentation Take/photograph an image of the product Upload an image of the new product from a camera/file/the company website//export from camera Save the image Select the correct slide Create a frame on the slide Browse/search for the image Import/insert/copy and paste the image into the presentation/slide Place/drag the image in correct place Edit the image Save the presentation 13(c) Two from: 2 The image is not in the current/same folder The name of the image/format/extension is incorrect The image does not exist//software does not support the file extension The image has not been uploaded
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Information and Communication Technology 0417/12 for February/March 2020 is out of 100 marks, with 2 hours to answer it.
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