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Cambridge IGCSE Information and Communication Technology (0417), Paper 1 Theory, October/November 2021. Read both free below, or download them. Done the paper? Get it marked by AI against this mark scheme.
0417_w21_qp_120417_w21_ms_120417/12/O/N/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
A computer consists of both hardware and software. (a) Give two examples of input devices which are part of a laptop computer. 1 …… 2 …… [2] (b) There are two types of software: system and applications. Give two examples of system software. 1 …… 2 …… [2]
Mark scheme
1(a) Two from: 2 Touchscreen Touchpad Webcam Microphone Keyboard 1(b) Two from: 2 Compilers Linkers Device drivers Operating systems Utilities
Question
Tick (3) the most appropriate printer which relates to the following statements. 3D Dot matrix Laser (3) (3) (3) This printer is an impact printer This printer uses toner This printer uses an inked ribbon This printer uses tomography [4]
Mark scheme
2 4 3D Dot Laser matrix This printer is an impact printer Π This printer uses toner Π This printer uses an inked ribbon Π This printer uses tomography Π
Question
(a) Describe two disadvantages of using a tablet computer rather than a laptop computer. 1 …… 2 …… [2] (b) Modern computers often do not have an optical drive. State two ways music can be transferred onto a computer that does not contain an optical drive. 1 …… 2 …… [2]
Mark scheme
3(a) Two from: 2 Can be more expensive to run if the internet is accessed by mobile data networks Touch screen can be more error prone when typing the data Laptop computers support more file formats Does not have a physical keyboard therefore more difficult to type Has a smaller screen therefore can be more difficult to read 3(b) Two from: 2 Streaming music from the internet Sent by Bluetooth from another device Plugging in an optical device/flash drive/HDD/SSD Downloading music from the cloud Direct input using a microphone Sent by email attachment
Question
Write down the most appropriate network device to match the following statements. Your answers should be different in each part. (a) This network device checks the data packet arriving from one computer and sends the data to a specific computer. …… [1] (b) This network device sends the data packet from a computer to all devices connected to it. …… [1] (c) This network device connects a LAN to the internet. …… [1] (d) This network device connects one LAN to another with the same protocol. …… [1]
Mark scheme
4(a) Switch 1 4(b) Hub 1 4(c) Router 1 4(d) Bridge 1
Question
The Internet of Things (IoT) is a computer network which allows users to control household devices remotely. It has many benefits, for example a user can turn on the house central heating via a smartphone. The IoT can use WiFi and Bluetooth which can cause problems regarding data security. Describe the methods that could be taken to protect the user’s data. …… [6]
Mark scheme
5 Six from: 6 Change default name/usernames and passwords on the router Change the default privacy//use a strong privacy setting Disable features not in use Use strong WiFi encryption Separate the IoT from the home WiFi account Keep software/hardware up to date Avoid public WiFi networks Ensure firewall is operational Use anti-spyware/up to date anti-virus Use strong passwords Use unique passwords for each device Change passwords regularly
Question
As a student you often use a computer keyboard. This could be a virtual keyboard or a physical keyboard on a desktop computer, a laptop computer or even a smartphone. Evaluate your use of computer keyboards in terms of health risks, and explain any strategies you use to minimise these health risks. …… [8]
Mark scheme
6 Health problem: 8 Award one mark for each problem identified I can reduce Carpel Tunnel Syndrome I can reduce Cubital Tunnel Syndrome I can reduce neck/back pain Strategies: Max six strategies Take frequent breaks Use hand exercises Not pressing the keyboard too hard Use software to reduce the pressure on the keys Use voice recognition/microphone Use predictive text//shortcuts Use ergonomic keyboards Use a wrist rest Lift the wrists up when typing Maintain a correct posture
Question
Rockit Motors recently created a new car sales website. The website uses internet shopping features. Customers can ask questions of the virtual salespeople on the website, and then purchase the car on the website. (a) Describe two other features of internet shopping. …… [2] (b) Discuss the benefits and drawbacks of using internet shopping for Rockit Motors. …… [6] (c) Before the website became operational it needed to be tested. The web designer created a test plan including module and whole system testing. Explain the difference between module and whole system testing. …… [4]
Mark scheme
7(a) Two from: 2 Menu of different types of cars Shopping basket in which to place bought items Login for username and password Create a customised car Calculates the price Checkout page for creating the order 7(b) Six from: 6 Benefits: Fewer staff/fewer shops therefore reduced overheads/lower costs The company can better target customers Updated more often Cheaper to publicise special offers rather than mail shots More special offers can be offered as lower overheads Broader customer base Operates 24/7 The customer can see immediately if the car is available Can be used from any location Saves cost/time of travelling to the showroom Drawbacks: Expensive due to the cost of setting up the website Expensive due to the cost of maintaining the website Expensive due to the need to re-train staff Internet access is needed by the customer Purchasing mistakes can be more easily made Mistakes are more difficult to rectify due to the speed of operation May be difficult to use as help is not as convenient If the system crashes during the purchase the car may not be bought The customer may experience internet/network problems Cannot test drive the car The pictures of the car may not be the same as the actual car To gain full marks there must be at least one benefit and one drawback 7(c) Four from: 4 Module testing tests the operation of each module Modules are tested separately Module testing tests the relationships between each module Module testing tests the data passing into and out of the modules Easier to find errors in module testing Whole system testing is carried out after module testing Whole system testing checks that the system works as it is supposed to//matches the user requirements Whole system tests the combined modules
Question
You are creating a presentation on the World Games. You have created a spreadsheet showing the number of gold, silver and bronze medals awarded to different countries. You are planning to create a graph in the presentation showing the country, the number of gold medals and the total number of medals. A B C D E F 1 World Games Medals 2 3 Country Gold Silver Bronze Total 4 1 Italy 153 145 142 440 5 2 United States 142 131 109 382 6 3 Germany 137 111 138 386 7 4 Russia 137 110 72 319 8 5 France 101 102 105 308 9 6 China 68 55 27 150 10 7 Great Britain 61 89 210 360 11 8 Japan 55 38 53 146 12 9 Ukraine 47 36 125 208 13 10 Spain 42 42 42 126 Original data (a) Explain how you would create a vertical bar chart, showing the name of the country, the number of gold medals and the total number of medals awarded to each country, on a new slide in the presentation. …… [6] (b) The total number of medals has been calculated manually and entered as a value. This could lead to errors. Explain how you could create a formula to calculate the total number of medals awarded for Italy, using only the mouse. …… [4] (c) Explain how the data could be sorted by the total number of medals won by each country. The country with the largest number of medals should be at the top of the list. …… [4]
Mark scheme
8(a) Max four from: 6 Open spreadsheet Load the file Select B3 to C13 Then hold CTRL and select F3 to F13 Click insert then click bar chart/graph Select the format/type of chart/graph Highlight the chart/graph Copy the bar chart/graph Max four from: Open the presentation software Add a new slide Click on new slide Paste the bar chart/graph Add titles/legend/axes labels Save the file 8(b) Four from: 4 Click on the cell F4 Select formulas Click Autosum/Σ Check the correct range has been highlighted/highlight/drag C4 to E4 Click 8(c) Four from: 4 Highlight B3 to F13 Click Data then Sort Select data has headers Sort by Total/Column F Select Largest to smallest/Descending/Z to A Click OK/enter
Question
Identify and describe the three web development layers. 1 …… 2 …… 3 …… [6]
Mark scheme
9 Three matched pairs from: 6 Content layer Content can consist of text or images Presentation layer This layer is defined by the CSS or styles to indicate how elements are displayed Behaviour layer This layer of a web page allows interaction
Question
A school is planning to change the way it reports back to parents about their child’s academic progress. They plan to produce a mail merged document and then email this to parents. They have created a spreadsheet which shows the pupil’s name, target, attainment and effort levels for Maths and the Science subjects. Part of the spreadsheet is shown. A B C D E F G H I J K 1 Name Target level Maths Biology Chemistry Physics 2 Attainment Effort Attainment Effort Attainment Effort Attainment Effort 3 Ahmal Wulandan 6 7 2 6 2 8 1 7 2 4 Nurul Prakoso 8 7 3 7 3 9 1 7 2 5 (a) Design a suitable document layout to display the information of one pupil. The name of the pupil must be clearly shown separated from the rest of the data. It must have appropriate spacing. Do not include the pupil’s data. [6] (b) The attainment levels range from 1 to 9 and the effort levels range from 1 to 3. Before teachers are allowed to enter data, the spreadsheet needs to be tested. Write down one example of extreme data to test the attainment field and one example of abnormal data to test the effort field. Attainment – extreme data …… Effort – abnormal data …… [2] (c) Describe four advantages of using a mail merge for this document. 1 …… 2 …… 3 …… 4 …… [4] (d) When the mail merge is created, a special field containing the date needs to be added. This date will change automatically each time the merged document is sent or printed. Explain how the date field can be added. …… [3]
Mark scheme
10(a) Six from: 6 Name is clearly shown at the top of the data Name must be on a line on its own Information fills the report – Is there a large space at the bottom or side; use professional judgement Suitable title at the top of the page above the name – title must relate academic progress/report Must be a mail merge template or a document, a letter The exact wording must be used for the following Target level All four subjects: Maths, Biology, Chemistry and Physics Attainment and Effort 10(b) Attainment: 1 or 9 2 Effort: less than 1/greater than 3/decimal number/symbol/text 10(c) Four from: 4 Faster than editing each individual letter Fewer errors than retyping the data More consistency in the reports Error checking only needs to be carried out once on the data and the template Reduces the time taken to type out all the reports separately 10(d) Three from: 3 Click on place where date is to be added Click on Insert field Click on Quick Parts then Field Click on Date Select the format Tick update automatically/automated date Click OK
Question
An air-conditioning system has been fitted in a hotel bedroom. The air-conditioning system will contain fans which operate at varying speeds. Identify the devices used in the system from the descriptions given. (a) This device captures the temperature from the room. …… [1] (b) This device changes the data from the microprocessor into a form that can change the speed of the fan. …… [1] (c) This output device operates the fan. …… [1]
Mark scheme
11(a) Sensor 1 11(b) Digital to Analogue Convertor/DAC 1 11(c) Actuator/motor 1
Question
Discuss the disadvantages of policing the internet. …… [6]
Mark scheme
12 These are points they will need to be expanded upon to gain the mark 6 Six from: Removes freedom of speech International therefore would be difficult to police Laws are different in each country/state The dark net would increase Electronic crimes would move away from the internet to other places, making them harder to intercept Internet users can be anonymous therefore it will be difficult to track down Who chooses what is blocked could affect day to day browsing Concern that everything you do is being watched therefore privacy is lost Could be breaches in sending/receiving confidential/personal data as others could not see it Increase in cost of security Reduction in speed of browsing/search Could lead to corruption/bribery//police may use the data No one owns the internet so it would be impossible to police effectively Very expensive to police the internet as extra police force has to be set up As the internet it so big it is hard to keep track on all the activity As the internet is dynamic it would be impossible to check everything
Question
The internet has both moderated and unmoderated forums. Explain what is meant by a moderated forum. …… [4]
Mark scheme
13 Four from: 4 Online discussion forum/social platform/website Where the posts are controlled/monitored by an administrator Those that break the rules are banned Filters out inappropriate posts Moderated forums have rules/policy
Question
Students in Tawara College are using the internet to find information for a project. They have been told that the college has a firewall. (a) Explain what is meant by a firewall and why it is used. …… [6] The students visit different websites to get information for their project. (b) Explain why it is not always easy for the students to find reliable information on the internet. …… [4]
Mark scheme
14(a) Two from: 6 Could be hardware or software Sits between the computer/network and the router Filters/controls/monitors data/traffic coming in and out of the college network Four from: Checks whether the data passing through it meets a given set of rules Blocks data that does not satisfy the rules Alerts user about unwanted data Can log all incoming and outgoing data/traffic to check later Can prevent/block access to undesirable/inappropriate websites/IP addresses Keeps a list of undesirable IP addresses Can prevent hackers gaining access to the system Can send out warnings Can block the unwanted traffic in and out of the network Keeps a list of desirable IP addresses/websites It can block IP addresses 14(b) Four from: 4 Anyone can post information on the internet Websites may contain incorrect information Any information found will need to be checked against reliable sources Similar websites may have conflicting data on the same topic The search engines tend to be generalised Search engines do not necessarily give the most reliable searches at the top of the list//paying to have information at the top of the list Data on the website could be out of date
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On this page, free: the mark scheme for IGCSE Information and Communication Technology 0417/12, October/November 2021 (0417_w21_ms_12), and the question paper (0417_w21_qp_12), to read or download, with each question's marking points written out underneath.
Information and Communication Technology 0417/12 for October/November 2021 is out of 100 marks, with 2 hours to answer it.
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