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Cambridge IGCSE Information and Communication Technology (0417), Paper 1 Theory, February/March 2023. Read both free below, or download them. Done the paper? Get it marked by AI against this mark scheme.
0417_m23_qp_120417_m23_ms_120417/12/F/M/23
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) Explain what is meant by the term software. …… [1] (b) State the two types of software used by computers. 1 …… 2 …… [2]
Mark scheme
1(a) One from: 1 Software are programs/apps used by a computer Software is used to control the operation of a computer Software are programs/apps for processing of electronic data 1(b) Applications 2 System
Question
Tick ( ✓) the device which produces hard copy. A Buzzer B Laser printer C Touch screen D Webcam [1]
Mark scheme
2 B Laser printer 1
Question
State three items that should be included in the technical documentation of a computer system. 1 …… 2 …… 3 …… [3]
Mark scheme
3 Three from: 3 Purpose of the system/program/software Limitations of the system Program listing/coding Program language used Program flowcharts/algorithms System flowchart Hardware requirements Software requirements File structures List of variables Input format Output format Sample runs/test runs Validation routines/rules
Question
Young people use the internet for research and communication. (a) Search engines can be used to research information on the internet. Describe three benefits of using a search engine to find information. 1 …… 2 …… 3 …… [3] (b) Social media can be used to communicate with friends. Give four precautions that young people should take when using social media. 1 …… 2 …… 3 …… 4 …… [4]
Mark scheme
4(a) Fast to find the information needed 3 More relevant websites are at the top of the list The amount of information found is reduced making it easier to find relevant information 4(b) Four from: 4 Block/report unwanted users Do not arrange to meet online strangers face to face Do not meet people you do not know alone Do not disclose personal data Do not use your real name for the social media name Do not post images that can link directly to you Do not post inappropriate images Do not use inappropriate language Respect people's confidentiality/privacy Set status to private
Question
The number of people using online shopping has increased. This has led to an increase in the number of journeys for the delivery drivers. Describe how an expert system can be used to produce the best route for the delivery of items. …… [6]
Mark scheme
5 Six from: 6 Interactive user interface asks questions about the route The user answers the questions with Yes/No answers The towns and areas visited/start/end point are typed/entered into the interactive user interface Answers lead to other questions The inference engine searches… …the knowledge base… …uses the rules base The knowledge base is searched for suitable routes between two points Suggested/probable routes and schedules are displayed
Question
Bluetooth is a method of wireless communication. State two devices found in the home which could be connected via Bluetooth. 1 …… 2 …… [2]
Mark scheme
6 Two from, for example: 2 Keyboard Headphones Printer Smart phone
Question
Describe the characteristics of a primary key and a foreign key. (a) Primary key …… [2] (b) Foreign key …… [2]
Mark scheme
7(a) Two from: 2 It is unique It cannot be a null value Identifies a record 7(b) Two from: 2 Is needed to act as a link in relationships It is only present in relational databases It is a primary key in another table
Question
Many devices in the home can connect to the internet. These are called smart devices. Describe four benefits of using these smart devices. …… [4]
Mark scheme
8 Four from, for example: 4 Can control the heating from your smartphone so that you come home to a warm house Smart TVs allow programs to be recorded remotely Smart TVs allow view on demand via the internet Money saving due to reduced utility bills as heating is only turned on when needed Smart fridges allow food to be automatically added to the food order Increased sense of security in the home due to monitoring the CCTV remotely The smart device sends alerts to your phone/portable device Can control the power to devices from anywhere in the home therefore saves money
Question
A web page can contain three web development layers. One of these is the content layer. (a) State one use of the content layer. …… [1] (b) Identify the other two web development layers and give a use for each. 1 …… Use …… 2 …… Use …… [4]
Mark scheme
9(a) One from: 1 Holds/to enter the information of a web page Create the structure of the web page 9(b) One from: 4 Presentation Styles One from: To display elements within the web page Holds the css/stylesheet Defines the format of a web page through styling elements Maintains the consistency of the elements in the web page One from: Behaviour Scripting One from: For scripting language to control elements within the web page Holds the forms/image galleries Adds Interactive content of the web page Adds functionality
Question
Some computers have touch screens. Describe three benefits of using a touch screen. 1 …… 2 …… 3 …… [3]
Mark scheme
10 Three from: 3 Quick to select options Small footprint Improved hand/eye coordination Allows the user to use zoom and pinch making item selection quick
Question
A student has downloaded a file which contains a virus. (a) Describe the possible effects on his computer system if he opens the file. …… [2] (b) Explain how the student could prevent the computer from being infected by viruses. …… [3] (c) Some files containing viruses have to be quarantined as they cannot be deleted. (i) State the type of files that may have to be quarantined rather than deleted. …… [1] (ii) Explain how the software detects and quarantines the file. …… [3]
Mark scheme
11(a) Two from: 2 Pop up messages can appear on the computer screen Causes the computer processing to slow down Causes the computer to crash Deletes/corrupts files/programs/data 11(b) Three from: 3 Download/use up to date anti-virus software Regularly scan the computer for viruses Only open email attachments from people you trust Scan all portable storage media before downloading files/software 11(c)(i) System files 1 11(c)(ii) Max two from: 3 Scan the computer for viruses If a virus is found in the file… …it alerts the user that the file needs to be quarantined Re-scan the computer to check for further viruses Max two from: Allows the user to accept/reject the quarantining of the file/ The file is moved to a hidden directory The user does not have access to the quarantined file
Question
A tennis coach is creating a presentation to explain to teenagers the basics of playing tennis. (a) Describe the design features that must be included to make the presentation appeal to the teenagers. …… [4] (b) The designer needs to be aware of copyright legislation when creating the presentation. Explain the need for copyright legislation. …… [2]
Mark scheme
12(a) Four from, for example: 4 Use of videos/animation relating to the topic Use images relating to the topic Consistent layout across all the slides Balance of pictures and text Balanced use of white space and content Use bullet points as easier to absorb information Balance of size between headings and text Use of interactive elements Use of background music/sound 12(b) Two from: 2 Copyright is a type of intellectual property It gives the owner of the copyright the exclusive right to make copies of the work It allows the owner to give permission for others to use the work
Question
People can watch a movie either by streaming or from a Blu-ray disc. Give two advantages of watching the movie by streaming rather than from a Blu-ray disc. …… [2]
Mark scheme
13 Two from: 2 Cheaper than buying the Blu-ray player Streaming works on different internet connected devices Streaming uses a simpler interface
Question
Compare RAM and ROM. Your answer must include similarities and differences. …… [4]
Mark scheme
14 Four from: 4 Similarities Both are internal memory Both are primary storage The data on both can be read Both are directly accessed by the CPU Differences RAM is volatile//ROM is non-volatile RAM data can be read from and written to//ROM is read only RAM is temporary memory//ROM is permanent memory ROM stores the start up instructions whereas RAM is used to store the current program/instruction To gain full marks the comparison must have correct answers for both similarities and differences
Question
Tawara Stores is a small company that does not make much profit. The managing director is deciding whether to implement a new IT system using direct changeover or parallel running. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of using direct changeover compared with parallel running in this scenario. …… [6]
Mark scheme
15 Six from: 6 Advantages Benefits are immediate whereas with parallel running it takes time for the new system to be fully running With direct they only have to pay for one set of staff therefore saves costs Costs are saved as only one computer system is needed With direct the maintenance is cheaper as there is only one set of computers Data is only entered once so saves duplication of data The new system is checked thoroughly before implementation Disadvantages Staff have to be trained and be fully ready to use the new system before it is implemented Staff cannot be trained on the new system whereas in parallel both systems are running If there is a problem, then all the data can be lost; this could be disastrous for the company whereas in parallel there is the original system With direct staff cannot be trained gradually To gain full marks the description must have correct answers for both advantages and disadvantages
Question
A school car park is controlled by a barrier. When teachers enter the car park their number plate is read and the barrier is raised automatically. camera microphone keypad speaker pressure sensor motor Fig. 16.1 (a) Visitors can use the keypad as an input device to enter a code which allows the barrier to be raised. Identify three other input devices shown in Fig. 16.1. 1 …… 2 …… 3 …… [3] (b) Automated Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) is used to read and check the number plate of the vehicle. Discuss the benefits and drawbacks of using an ANPR system. …… [6] Please turn over for Question 17.
Mark scheme
16(a) Microphone 3 Camera Pressure sensor 16(b) Six from: 6 Benefits Saves time in having to check the number plates manually Less errors as the recognition system is automatic Saves money as there is no need to check the number plates manually Secure system as it only allows stored vehicles Drawbacks All vehicles need to be added to the database If the number plate is obscured/dirty it is difficult to read Some number plates cannot be read due to odd font/sideways Data needs to be kept up to date Expensive to setup/maintain the system To gain full marks the discussion must have correct answers for both benefits and drawbacks
Question
Verification and validation are used to check data. (a) Identify and describe two methods of verification. Method 1 …… Description …… Method 2 …… Description …… [4] (b) Explain the following validation checks. (i) Presence check …… [1] (ii) Type check …… [1]
Mark scheme
17(a) Visual verification – 1 mark 4 Re-reading the document referring to the original – 1 mark Double data entry – 1 mark One from: One person types in the data again referring to the original document A second person types in the data from the original document and the two entries are compared Allow one mark for the method and one mark for the corresponding description 17(b)(i) Checks that the data has been entered/present into the field 1 17(b)(ii) One from: 1 Checks the input data does not contain invalid characters Checks the data contains the correct data type
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On this page, free: the mark scheme for IGCSE Information and Communication Technology 0417/12, February/March 2023 (0417_m23_ms_12), and the question paper (0417_m23_qp_12), to read or download, with each question's marking points written out underneath.
Information and Communication Technology 0417/12 for February/March 2023 is out of 80 marks, with 1 hour 30 minutes to answer it.
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