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Cambridge IGCSE Information and Communication Technology (0417), Paper 1 Written, May/June 2021. Read both free below, or download them. Done the paper? Get it marked by AI against this mark scheme.
0417_s21_qp_110417_s21_ms_110417/11/M/J/21
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
Tick (✓) whether the following are examples of personal data. Yes No (✓) (✓) Full name Capital of England Gender Number of flowers in a garden [2]
Mark scheme
1 2 yes no Full name Capital of England Gender Number of flowers in a garden 2 marks for 4 correct ticks 1 mark for 2 or 3 correct ticks 0 marks for 0 or 1 tick
Question
Circle two input devices that could be used in a smartphone. HDD magnetic stripe reader microphone mouse remote control speaker touchpad touch screen [2]
Mark scheme
2 Microphone 2 Touch screen
Question
Describe four characteristics of a tablet computer. 1 …… 2 …… 3 …… 4 …… [4]
Mark scheme
3 Four from: 4 Screens tend to be anti-glare Uses touch screen Front and back facing cameras are included Has a built in battery Lightweight Uses Bluetooth/WiFi/3G/4G/5G Uses solid state memory Uses an onscreen keyboard Portable Small footprint
Question
Many banks have reduced the number of staff in their branches and replaced them with automatic teller machines (ATMs). These ATMs, which can be located within the bank, can be used by customers to deposit and withdraw money from their bank accounts. (a) ATMs can be used to deposit cheques. Describe the computer processing involved in depositing a cheque at an ATM. …… [6] (b) Customers can visit these banks or use internet banking. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages to a customer of visiting the bank rather than using internet banking. …… [6]
Mark scheme
4(a) Six from: 6 Customer is asked to enter their debit card in the ATM Customer’s bank computer is contacted The card details are searched in the bank database Card is checked to see if valid/in date/stolen Customer is asked to enter their PIN PIN is compared to the PIN stored on the chip Customer is asked to deposit cheque The system checks whether the cheque is valid The cheque is scanned/read by the ATM Amount is scanned Bank account is checked for sufficient funds The image of the scan is saved The customer is asked to select the account to deposit money Money is deducted from the bank of the cheque Money is added to the account of the payee A receipt is sent to the printer at the ATM 4(b) Six from: 6 Advantages Retention of banks therefore all customers could use them Easier for customers to speak to a member of the banking staff Customers do not have to purchase expensive computer equipment Safer than carrying out transactions over the internet Can withdraw cash Do not need the internet Disadvantages Have to pay to travel to the bank to use the service Customers could waste time standing in queues/travelling to the bank More difficult for people who have a condition which affects their mobility Smaller customer base as it is local Potential for physical robberies Cannot keep track of the accounts as easily Not 24/7 To gain full marks there needs to be advantages and disadvantages
Question
Tawara school has a shop that sells items needed by pupils in school. Part of a spreadsheet with details of the items is shown. (a) Write down the number of rows that are shown in the spreadsheet that contain text. …… [1] (b) Write down the number of columns that are shown in the spreadsheet that contain text. …… [1] (c) Tax is paid on certain items sold in the shop. The tax rate that has to be paid is 20% of the selling price. If tax is to be paid on an item, then ‘Y’ is placed underneath the Tax heading. The formula in I4 is: IF(F4=''Y'',($I$1*D4*G4),'''') Explain, in detail, what the formula does. …… [5] (d) Explain the steps that need to be taken to display cell H4 as US dollars. …… [2]
Mark scheme
5(a) 6 rows 1 5(b) 8 columns 1 5(c) Five from: 5 If Tax is payable then//If F4 is equal to "Y" then If true the tax is paid Multiply the rate of tax/I1 … … by the selling price/D4 … by the amount sold/G4 If Tax is not payable//If F4 <>"Y"//Else//Otherwise … … then display a blank … the tax is not paid 5(d) Two from: 2 Highlight/select cell H4 Select format cells Select currency/accounting Select dollar/USD icon
Question
You have been asked by the secretary of a soccer club to create a website to publicise its results, fixtures and other events. When the website has been created it has to be published on the internet. You plan to upload it onto the internet using FTP. (a) Explain what is meant by FTP. …… [2] (b) Explain how to upload and publish the content of a website using FTP. …… [4] (c) Before the website is published it needs to be tested. Write down three different features of the web pages that could be tested. For each feature, describe the method you would use to carry out the test. Feature 1…… Method…… Feature 2…… Method…… Feature 3…… Method…… [6]
Mark scheme
6(a) Two from: 2 File transfer protocol Network protocol Used for transferring files from one computer to another 6(b) Four from: 4 Download the FTP client program Connect to the FTP server ... ... using the FTP client program Login to the server ... ... using FTP username and password Locate the files on your computer Click upload button on FTP client program Upload the files to the folder/web hosting space 6(c) Matched pairs – 1 mark for the feature and 1 mark for the method 6 Hyperlinks Click each hyperlink to see that it takes the user to the correct web page/part of the web page/website Form buttons/icons Click to see that they carry out the correct task Text Use spellchecker/grammar checker/proofread text to check it makes sense Images Check the images are not pixelated/correct size/correct image Videos Check the videos run correctly/correct video Sound Check the sound file runs correctly/correct sound file linked
Question
A systems analyst has created a new computer system to keep records in a medical centre. She has created a relational database to store the medical records of patients. The database uses primary and foreign keys. (a) Describe what is meant by a relational database. …… [3] (b) Explain the difference between a primary key and a foreign key. …… [4] (c) A dentist works at the medical centre. The dentist stores the medical records of his patients. Describe four other uses of the database software that the dentist can use to help him in his work. 1…… 2…… 3…… 4…… [4] (d) The data stored on the computer system needs to be protected from unauthorised access. Discuss the effectiveness of different methods of increasing security of this data. …… [8]
Mark scheme
7(a) Three from: 3 Contains more than one table Tables are linked It uses relationships Removes redundancy of data Saves storage space 7(b) Four from: 4 Primary key holds unique data Primary key identifies the record Primary key can be automatically indexed Each table has one primary key whereas a table can contain a number of foreign keys Foreign key is used to link with the primary key of another table 7(c) Four from: 4 Searches/queries can be used to search details of patients Reports can be created about treatment carried out Formulas can be created to calculate the cost of treatment Charts can be created showing missed appointments by patients Images are stored of the x-rays to identify the patient/determine treatment Mail merge appointments that have been missed Any other appropriate use plus explanation 7(d) Eight from: 8 Factors increasing effectiveness Strong passwords are difficult to crack Biometric passwords are harder to crack Regularly changing passwords increases security Use of two-factor authentication Using different passwords for parts of the computer system makes it more difficult to gain access to the full system Firewall required to stop attacks from computers Firewall stops fraudulent sites attacking the computer Anti-spyware stops passwords being seen when typed in Factors reducing effectiveness Too complex a password can be easily forgotten Passworded files may not be backed up Using a number of different passwords can become cumbersome Regularly changing passwords means that passwords may be forgotten May be difficult to choose unique password if it is changed every few weeks Passwords may become more easy to guess if regularly changed Hackers can breach most passwords The firewall can affect the operation of the computer and stop some uploads The firewall may need to be shut down at times to upload files therefore making computer unsafe Some legitimate software can be blocked by the firewall To gain full marks both sides of the discussion are needed
Question
Compare and contrast the features of a switch and a hub. …… [6]
Mark scheme
8 Six from: 6 Comparison Both are network devices Both are hardware devices Both have computers and devices connected to them Both send data to devices//Both are communication devices Contrast In a hub data packets/data are broadcast to every device connected to it A hub is less secure than a switch in distributing data Switch checks the data packet Switch sends to an appropriate device To gain full marks both contrast and comparison is needed
Question
A company operates from 08:00 to 19:00, Monday to Friday. Full-time employees work a 40-hour week, starting at 09:00 and finishing work at 17:00. For each of the times worked by an employee, write down the most appropriate working pattern. (a) An employee works from 09:00 to 13:00, Monday to Friday. …… [1] (b) An employee works from 09:00 to 19:00, Monday to Thursday. …… [1] (c) The work of two employees combined is a 40-hour week; each work for two full days and a half day. …… [1] (d) An employee works a full 8-hour day but has negotiated with his employer to complete this at some point between 08:00 and 19:00, each day. …… [1]
Mark scheme
9(a) Part time 1 9(b) Compressed hours 1 9(c) Job sharing 1 9(d) Flexible hours 1
Question
Tick (✓) the most appropriate method of implementation to match the statements below. Direct Parallel Pilot (✓) (✓) (✓) All of the benefits are immediate. If the new system fails the whole of the old system is still operational. This is the cheapest implementation method. The system is implemented in one branch of the company. [4]
Mark scheme
10 4 Direct Parallel Pilot All of the benefits are immediate. If the new system fails the whole of the old system is still operational. This is the cheapest implementation method. The system is implemented in one branch of the company.
Question
Data stored on a computer system is at risk of being hacked. (a) Explain what is meant by the term hacking. Include in your answer two examples of the effects this can have on the computer system. …… [3] (b) Describe three measures that could be taken to protect the data from being hacked. 1…… 2…… 3…… [3]
Mark scheme
11(a) Gaining unauthorised access to a computer system – 1 mark 3 Two from: Examples Can lead to the identity theft of data Can lead to the misuse of/access to personal data Data can be deleted Data can be changed Data can be corrupted Place malicious files/software 11(b) Three from: 3 Use of firewalls to block unauthorised computer systems Use of passwords Use of intrusion detection software/anti-spyware Use two-factor authentication Switch off WiFi/computer when not in use
Question
An image has been changed in a number of different ways. Original image For each of the following images describe the software editing technique used in order to produce the edited images shown from the original image. Edited images A B C D A …… B …… C …… D …… [4]
Mark scheme
12 A - Resize the image maintaining aspect ratio 4 B - Rotate the image 90 degrees anti clockwise/counter clockwise//270 degrees clockwise C - Reflect the image in the Y axis D - Brightness adjusted
Question
RockIT Airlines representatives use a computer booking system to book flights for customers. A representative from the airline types in the customer reference number, the number of passengers, departure time, departure date, departure airport and the destination airport. A customer is planning to take a flight from London Heathrow Airport. The representative types in a code LHR for London Heathrow Airport. One of the reasons for using a code for the airport is to improve data accuracy. (a) Describe two other advantages of using a code rather than typing out the full name. 1…… 2…… [2] (b) Describe the importance of data accuracy when making a booking. …… [2] (c) Describe the processing and outputs involved in making the booking. …… [6] Question 14 starts on page 16.
Mark scheme
13(a) Two from: 2 Uses up less memory in the computer Quicker to enter the data Quicker to search for data 13(b) Two from: 2 If the data is typed in incorrectly then the booking may be rejected If an incorrect airport code is used they may fly to the wrong airport//May miss the flight If the customer reference number is typed in incorrectly then the booking may be assigned to the wrong person If the number of passengers is incorrectly entered then number of seats will be wrong/overbooked So that the wrong booking is not made 13(c) Six from: 6 Display flights available Booking database is searched for the customer reference number Matching record is retrieved Details of the customer are displayed on the screen Booking database is searched for matching departure airport Booking database is searched for matching destination airport If flight correct, date/time found Search if seats/tickets/flight available If unavailable error message output Outputs the price If seats available, flags seat as booked If not booked then flag removed Reduces number of seats/tickets available by number booked E-ticket/ticket details are output E-ticket/ticket details sent to customer Receipt is printed//Verification email sent
Question
A road through a village has a speed limit of 45 kilometres per hour. The police are checking and recording the speed of vehicles passing through the village using measuring hardware and software, so they can produce a report of their findings. (a) Explain the difference between measurement and control when using microprocessors. …… [2] (b) Describe the role of the microprocessor in this scenario. …… [4]
Mark scheme
14(a) Measurement is the monitoring/recording of physical variables without the 2 microprocessor taking action Control is when the microprocessor takes action depending on sensor readings 14(b) Four from: 4 Microprocessor reads the data Data/Speed limit is stored in the computer Divides the distance travelled by time taken between the readings The speed of the vehicle is then compared to the speed limit of the road The speed is recorded It sends the data for later processing Graphs are automatically produced of the number of cars speeding
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On this page, free: the mark scheme for IGCSE Information and Communication Technology 0417/11, May/June 2021 (0417_s21_ms_11), and the question paper (0417_s21_qp_11), to read or download, with each question's marking points written out underneath.
Information and Communication Technology 0417/11 for May/June 2021 is out of 100 marks, with 2 hours to answer it.
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