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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_130417_w21_ms_130417/13/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 tablet computer has input and output devices. (a) Give two examples of input devices which are part of a tablet computer. 1 …… 2 …… [2] (b) Give two examples of output devices which are part of a tablet computer. 1 …… 2 …… [2]
Mark scheme
1(a) Two from: 2 Touchscreen Camera Microphone 1(b) Two from: 2 Speakers Screen
Question
MICR, OCR and OMR are examples of recognition systems. Tick (3) the most appropriate recognition system which relates to the following statements. MICR OCR OMR (3) (3) (3) This system magnetises the special characters on cheques in order to read them This method is used to read car number plates A bar code is an example of this system If the media from this system is photocopied it cannot be read by the recognition system [4]
Mark scheme
2 4 MICR OCR OMR This system magnetises the special Π characters on cheques in order to read them This method is used to read car Π number plates A bar code is an example of this Π system If the media from this system is Π photocopied it cannot be read by the recognition system
Question
(a) Identify two applications that use expert systems. 1 …… 2 …… [2] (b) Identify three components found in an expert system. 1 …… 2 …… 3 …… [3]
Mark scheme
3(a) Two from: 2 Mineral prospecting Car engine fault diagnosis Medical diagnosis Chess games 3(b) Three from: 3 Knowledge base Rules base Inference engine Interactive user interface Explanation system
Question
A library system has two tables; one for borrowers and one for books. Extracts from these tables are shown. Borrower_ID Borrower_name Contact_telephone Contact_email 5404 Susan Stranks 01632 960321 rockit@cambridgeinternational.org 9867 Fei Hong Zhao 07700 900222 tawara@cambridgeinternational.org Borrowers table Book_ID ISBN Name_of_book Author_of_book Date_published Borrower_ID Date_due_back 1 0859550153 Bird of Prey David James 1977 5404 27/10/2021 34 3301028345 The Fifth Man Colin Turner 1998 9324 05/10/2021 35 4237681321 A View of the Temple Yu Yan Zhang 2017 8854 07/10/2021 59 4237681321 A View of the Temple Yu Yan Zhang 2017 5404 27/10/2021 Books table (a) Name the most appropriate validation check for each of these fields. Your answer must be different for each field. ISBN …… Date_due_back …… [2] (b) (i) For the books table, name the most appropriate field that could be used as a primary key. …… [1] (ii) The librarian has created a relationship between the books table and the borrowers table. For the books table, name the most appropriate foreign key field that would be used to create the relationship. …… [1] (c) The data type for Contact_telephone has been set as text. Explain why this field has been set to text rather than integer. …… [2] (d) At the end of each day the tables are searched to issue reminders to borrowers about books that are overdue. Describe the automatic processing involved in searching and issuing of reminders for overdue books. …… [6]
Mark scheme
4(a) ISBN: Check digit 2 Date_due_back: Format check 4(b)(i) Book_ID 1 4(b)(ii) Borrower_ID 1 4(c) Two from: 2 The field is not needed for calculation Number starts with a zero/+ symbol May include a space 4(d) Six from: 6 Books table opened Borrowers table opened First record is read from the books table First record is read from the borrowers table Date_due_back in books table is compared with the current date If the Date_due_back is after the current date then… …Move to next record If the Date_due_back is before or equal to the current date then… …Contact_email is located A reminder is generated automatically The reminder is sent to the borrower Process continues with next record
Question
Keeping data secure is very important in any computer system. Many organisations use encryption when sending data. (a) Describe the term encryption. …… [4] (b) Another way of protecting data in a computer system is to use passwords. Identify methods to prevent hackers from gaining knowledge of someone’s password. …… [4]
Mark scheme
5(a) Four from: 4 Scrambling of data Changes the data into a form that is not understandable Requires a decryption key/encryption key to decode Encrypted using a encryption key/code Changes plain text into cypher text 5(b) Four from: 4 Use anti-spyware to prevent key logging Change passwords regularly//Do not repeat the same password Use a different password for each system Avoid common/predictable patterns as they are easier to guess Use longer passwords as they are harder to guess Use strong passwords Use two-factor authentication so that hackers need both parts Use a dropdown list for password entry Use a biometric password Do not use passwords that directly links to the user Do not allow webpages/device to remember the password
Question
The internet has both moderated and unmoderated forums. Explain what is meant by an unmoderated forum. …… [4]
Mark scheme
6 Four from: 4 Online discussion forum/social platform/website Do not have an administrator Posts are not controlled/monitored Relies on a voluntary code from its users People write what they want There are no rules//Users cannot be barred for what they write
Question
Many customers now use contactless payment and internet banking. (a) Describe the computer processing involved in using contactless bank cards to pay for purchases. …… [4] Fewer and fewer customers now use high street banks, preferring to bank online using the internet. (b) Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of internet banking for the customer. …… [6] Transactions with the bank’s website use a variety of technologies including SSL. (c) Explain what is meant by SSL. Include in your answer why SSL is used. …… [3] (d) The web address of the bank is: https://www.tawarabank.com Describe the following parts of the web address. https:// …… tawarabank …… .com …… [3]
Mark scheme
7(a) Four from: 4 The reader checks the amount to pay is less than the contactless limit The seller’s bank's computer contacts the customer’s bank's computer The card is checked if it is valid An authorisation code is sent to the seller The price of the purchase is deducted from the customer’s account Transferred to the seller’s account Message sent asking ‘do you require a receipt’ Receipt is sent to the printer If valid/enough money the transaction continues If not valid/enough money the transaction is terminated 7(b) Six from: 6 Advantages Saves time rather than travelling to the bank/waiting in queues Saves cost of travelling to the bank Customers can use international banks which could have better interest rates Better interest rates than physical banks Safer less likely to get mugged/robbed Operates 24/7 Can be used from any location Disadvantages Easier to press the wrong button and lose money Online security issues more of a concern Cannot deposit/withdraw cash Internet connection is required Mistakes are more difficult to rectify due to the speed of operation The customer may experience internet/network problems To gain full marks there must be at least one advantage and one disadvantage 7(c) Two from: 3 Secure Socket Layer Communication protocol Security technology Encrypted link… …between the server and the client Ensures all data remains private – 1 mark 7(d) https:// 3 One from: This is the hypertext transfer protocol secure // ensures site is secure Set of rules//protocol tawarabank This shows the domain name/company name that the company have purchased .com The company/domain is registered in multiple countries/USA
Question
When a system is being planned, analysis needs to take place. Questionnaires and interviews are examples of methods of researching existing systems. Evaluate, by weighing up the advantages and disadvantages, each of these methods. …… [6]
Mark scheme
8 Six from: 6 Quicker method of answering the questions for questionnaires Questionnaires can be completed in the respondents own time whereas interviews have to be undertaken at a set time In interviews need to pay for time off work/employing an interviewer which is expensive Respondents can remain anonymous on questionnaires whereas interview they cannot Analysis of the results can be quicker with questionnaires With interviews the interviewer can direct the questions to give answers they want People tend not to hand questionnaires back as they can be anonymous Inflexible in the answers on questionnaires whereas interviews allow for expansion on the answers from the previous question If the respondent gets stuck with a question, there is no easy way to ask for clarification in questionnaires If they do not understand the question then they may answer differently to what was needed in questionnaires In questionnaires questions cannot be modified whereas interviews can add extra questions or go into more depth The analysis of the data in a questionnaire can be displayed easier/graphed Both can gather information that can be used for later analysis Both methods may not be answered honestly
Question
Rockit Motors has opened a car store in a shopping mall. Customers can test drive the cars they are planning to purchase using virtual reality systems within the store. (a) Name two devices which would be used in this virtual reality system. 1 …… 2 …… [2] (b) Explain the term virtual reality. …… [3] The manager of Rockit Motors has created many different types of documents including letters and memos for the company. Each of them is produced using its corporate house style. (c) Explain why corporate house styles are required. …… [4]
Mark scheme
9(a) Two from: 2 Headset/head mounted displays/HMD Data goggles Steering wheel Large monitor/screen/projector Surround Speakers 9(b) Three from: 3 A computer-generated simulation Uses a three-dimensional environment Can be interacted within a real or physical way The equipment is fitted with sensors 9(c) Four from: 4 Ensures consistency across all documents Lets people know that the stationery/documents belong to the same Motor company Easier to recognise documents from the same company To reduce the time spent in setting up and formatting documents To reduce cost of setting up and formatting documents To reduce the risk of errors e.g. misspellings, logos omitted, etc.
Question
Many young people now use social media rather than other forms of communication. Evaluate your own use of social media and explain any eSafety strategies you could use to help minimise the potential dangers. …… [6]
Mark scheme
10 Problem: 6 Award a mark for each problem identified Max four from: If I receive requests from unwanted users/people I do not know If I get approached from people I do not know If I receive unwanted and abusive messages If I wish to post images of myself on the social media site When talking to people on social media If someone tells me private and personal information about themselves Strategies Max five from: I never arrange to meet them alone/take a chaperone I always tell a responsible adult if I plan to meet someone I always meet in a public place I always chat to them in the main room I avoid giving away personal information I block them and report them I report the sender of the messages I avoid publishing inappropriate images/videos I avoid showing images of myself in school uniform I always use appropriate language/content I respect other people’s confidentiality Make your account private I only follow friends I do not post my location until I have left it
Question
A student has taken a photograph of him and his friend, using a digital camera. He needs to increase the size of the image to include it on a poster. (a) Give one disadvantage of increasing the size of this image. …… [1] (b) He now wishes to edit the image to remove his friend. He edits the image by cropping it and removing part of the image. Describe, step by step, how he would crop the image. …… [5]
Mark scheme
11(a) One from: 1 Can cause pixelation Lose some of the resolution/image quality reduced 11(b) Five from: 5 Open graphics/image editing software Load/import the image Select the image Click crop Click an edge/crop handle of the image Click and drag the edge/crop handle inwards … …until cropped area appears Click done/finish Save the image
Question
A doctor measures the blood pressure of some of his patients regularly. The patients take home a blood pressure machine and record their results on a spreadsheet which the doctor has created. Part of the spreadsheet is shown. A B C D E F G H I 1 Blood pressure readings Blood pressure warnings 2 Date Sys Dia Warning Sys Dia Warning 3 10-Feb 134 74 Normal 60 40 Low 4 11-Feb 137 67 Normal 120 80 Normal 5 12-Feb 145 81 Mild 140 90 Mild 6 13-Feb 150 86 Mild 160 100 Moderate 7 14-Feb 180 74 Severe 180 110 Severe 8 15-Feb 134 75 Normal 9 16-Feb 130 57 Normal (a) When a reading produces a Severe or Low warning then the text automatically changes to a red font on a light red background. Explain how the doctor could set up automatic colour change for these warnings on the spreadsheet. …… [5] The doctor has set up a named range called Bloodpressure for the cells F3 to H7. (b) Explain why the doctor has used a named range. …… [3] The formula =VLOOKUP(B3,Bloodpressure,3) has been entered into cell D3. (c) Explain what the formula does. …… [4] The doctor has created a graph of the readings for one patient and has displayed it on the spreadsheet. However, there are elements missing. A B C D E F G H I J K L M 1 Blood pressure readings Blood pressure warnings 2 Date Sys Dia Warning Chart Title 3 10-Feb 134 74 Normal 4 11-Feb 137 67 Normal 200 180 5 12-Feb 145 81 Mild 160 6 13-Feb 150 86 Mild 140 7 14-Feb 180 74 Severe 120 8 15-Feb 134 75 Normal 100 9 16-Feb 130 67 Normal 80 10 60 11 40 20 12 0 13 09-Feb 10-Feb 11-Feb 12-Feb 13-Feb 14-Feb 15-Feb 16-Feb 17-Feb 14 Sys Dia 15 16 (d) Explain how the doctor created the graph. Write in your answer one improvement that could be made to the graph. …… [3] (e) At the end of the month the doctor needs to produce a hard copy document showing information about a patient: their name, date of birth and patient number, as well as data and the graph from the spreadsheet. Design a suitable document layout. The document must have appropriate spacing. [5]
Mark scheme
12(a) Five from: 5 Highlight Column D Select Conditional Formatting Select Highlight Cell Rules Select Equal to Type in the Equal to box…Severe/Low Click on Format Select/Set the red font on light red background Repeat the process for Low/Severe 12(b) Three from: 3 Removes the confusion over absolute and relative referencing Reduces the issues involved in changing the range Easier to understand the formula Easier to check for errors in the formula Easier to enter the formula//Less errors in entering the formula Faster to write the name than to select the range 12(c) Looks up the value of B3 4 Looks in the named range Bloodpressure Returns the corresponding value from the 3rd column 12(d) Two from: 3 Highlight A2 to C9 Click Insert Select table…Click Chart Select 2D line chart/select type of graph One from: Add a chart title Add axis title Remove 09-Feb/17-Feb as not needed 12(e) Five from: 5 Include Name, Date of birth Include Patient Number Graph is displayed Must look like a hard copy report Fills the report Suitable title at the top of the page title must relate to blood pressure readings
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Information and Communication Technology 0417/13 for October/November 2021 is out of 100 marks, with 2 hours to answer it.
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