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Cambridge IGCSE Information and Communication Technology (0417), Paper 1 Theory, October/November 2024. Read both free below, or download them. Done the paper? Get it marked by AI against this mark scheme.
0417_w24_qp_110417_w24_ms_110417/11/O/N/24
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
Analogue and digital data are used by computer systems. (a) State one reason why analogue data has to be converted to digital data. …… [1] (b) State one reason why digital data might have to be converted to analogue data. …… [1]
Mark scheme
1(a) So it can be processed by a computer 1 1(b) One from: 1 So it can be used in control systems So that the data can be understood by a human
Question
Complete each of the following sentences. (a) Software that the user requires to carry out a task is called …… [1] (b) Software that the computer requires to operate is called …… [1] (c) The collective name for the physical components of a computer is …… [1] (d) The component used to process instructions in a computer is called …… [1]
Mark scheme
2(a) Applications 1 2(b) System 1 2(c) Hardware 1 2(d) One from: 1 Central Processing Unit Micro processor
Question
A student uses a laptop computer for his studies. The laptop computer uses both backing storage and internal memory. (a) Describe the differences between backing storage and internal memory. …… [4] (b) (i) State one example of internal memory. …… [1] (ii) Cloud storage is an example of backing storage. State one other example of backing storage. …… [1] (c) The student is considering using cloud storage. Evaluate this type of storage. …… [6]
Mark scheme
3(a) Backing Storage 4 Max three from: Backing Storage is non-volatile only This is permanent storage Storage devices have slower access rates than internal memory Larger storage capacity than internal memory Secondary storage Internal Memory Max three from: Data can be either volatile or non-volatile Can be permanent or temporary storage Directly accessed by the CPU Primary storage 3(b)(i) One from: 1 Read Only Memory / ROM Random Access Memory / RAM 3(b)(ii) One from: 1 Magnetic storage Optical storage Solid state storage Allow a correct example as an alternative to each 3(c) Positives 6 Max five from: Data stored on the cloud can be shared by many people easier than other backing storage Easier to maintain files as there are no physical devices to manage Storage space is dynamic Easily expandable Users only pay for what is used Automatic backup of data to ensure data is not lost Easier to find items of data as they are all in one place Data can be synced across multiple devices / servers when changes are made Data can be accessed from multiple devices Data can be accessed from anywhere Negatives Max five from: Data control is lost Data security can be an issue as many copies are stored Requires a stable internet connection Subscription needs to be maintained otherwise the cloud account could be lost If the cloud provider closes down you may lose data
Question
A Graphical User Interface (GUI) can be used in an expert system. (a) Discuss the benefits and drawbacks of using a GUI. …… [6] (b) Describe the inputs and outputs involved in the use of an expert system. …… [4]
Mark scheme
4(a) Benefits 6 Max five from: Easy to use especially for a beginner Commands tend to be intuitive Commands do not need to be typed in therefore less typing errors No need to learn complex syntax A GUI lets users exchange data between different software applications Drawbacks Max five from: GUIs take up a large amount of hard disk space They need a significant amount of RAM to run They use a lot of processing power They can be slow for experienced programmers to use Restricted to pre-determined options 4(b) Inputs 4 Max three from: Data from experts is entered into the expert system Corrections are entered The user answers the question by typing yes or no Outputs Max three from: The data entered is displayed on the screen The question is displayed A list of diagnoses / probabilities / results is displayed An explanation is displayed
Question
An organisation is planning to replace its desktop computers with laptop computers. Contrast a laptop computer with a desktop computer. …… [6]
Mark scheme
5 Six from: 6 Laptop computers are mobile computers Laptop computers have a smaller footprint Laptop computers tend to be lighter in weight Laptop computer the main components are integrated Laptop computers can be run by battery power The components of a desktop tend to be standardised therefore if one breaks its easy to replace Laptop computers are more difficult to repair Laptop computers are more expensive to repair Laptop computers tend to have smaller screens Desktop computers tend to have a more stable internet connection
Question
State two direct data entry devices. 1 …… 2 …… [2]
Mark scheme
6 Two from: 2 Magnetic stripe reader Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) reader Optical Mark Reader Optical Character Reader Bar code reader QR scanner Biometric scanner
Question
One function of a router is to route data packets. (a) Identify two other functions of a router. 1 …… 2 …… [2] (b) Explain how a router routes data packets to a destination. …… [4]
Mark scheme
7(a) Two from: 2 Connecting networks and devices to the internet Storing computer addresses Forward packets based upon a routing table 7(b) Four from: 4 The data packet contains an IP address of the computer / network The router reads the data packet The data packet contains the IP address of the destination The router searches the IP address with its routing table The data packet is forwarded to the next router / network The data packet continues being sent to subsequent routers until it reaches the target device The router will use the IP address to work out the best route If the destination address is unknown it uses its default route Stores the IP address for future use
Question
A student needs to ensure her data is kept safe. (a) When the student logs into the university computer system, a physical token is used as an authentication method. Explain what is meant by a physical token. …… [2] (b) The student has received an email with an attachment. She needs to download the attachment and store it on her hard disk. Describe the steps that the student needs to take to ensure her data is kept safe when she downloads the attachment. …… [6]
Mark scheme
8(a) Two from: 2 A physical token is a small hardware device Authorises access to a system It generates / uses a single-use code to use when accessing a platform Provides an extra security layer 8(b) Six from: 6 Download an anti-malware software ensure the anti-malware software is up to date Set the email account to scan any email / attachments automatically Scan the email / attachment for viruses / malware If no virus found (1st) download the attachment (1) If a virus is found (1st) delete the email / attachment without opening / downloading it (1)
Question
(a) State three health problems that can be caused by entering data for a long period of time. 1 …… 2 …… 3 …… [3] (b) State three physical safety issues that can be caused by using a computer. 1 …… 2 …… 3 …… [3]
Mark scheme
9(a) Three from: 3 Eye strain Repetitive Strain Injury Back ache / Neck ache Headache 9(b) Three from: 3 Tripping over trailing leads Fire Electrocution Injuries caused by equipment falling
Question
The ICT department in a company is writing a report. (a) Members of the department can communicate with other members using VoIP. Explain what is meant by VoIP. …… [2] (b) The Head of the ICT department uploads the report onto the cloud. Describe the steps that members of the department must take to share and manage their work on the report. …… [4]
Mark scheme
10(a) Two from: 2 Voice over Internet Protocol Internet telephony Communication method over the internet 10(b) Four from: 4 Members of the team log into the cloud Access to the document is given to members of the team Members of the team edit the document Members of the team download / upload the document Each change causes the document to be automatically saved All copies of the document are synced A history of the changes can be easily created from the saved versions
Question
A traffic management company is planning to improve traffic flow at a major road junction. A computer model is to be used before any changes are made to the junction. (a) Describe the benefits and drawbacks of using a computer model. …… [6] (b) The junction has four roads and uses traffic lights to control the traffic flow through the junction. Explain how the computer model operates. …… [4]
Mark scheme
11(a) Benefits 6 Max five from: Cheaper than building the real object Can be safely tested under extreme conditions Can use it to find unexpected problems Able to easily test different scenarios Able to explore ‘what if’ questions Can speed things up / slow them down to see changes over long / short periods of time Drawbacks Max five from: Mistakes may be made in the programming The cost of setting up a computer model can be high Time may be needed to make sense of the results Reactions to the model might not be realistic / reliable Cannot take into account all variables The model is only as good as the data entered 11(b) Four from: 4 Data is entered into the model The computer model is run Vary the timings of the traffic lights Increase the number of vehicles at the junction Increase the number of vehicles that stop to turn right / left Consider emergency vehicles Consider different times of day Consider an increase in the number of pedestrians at the crossing To see how it affects the traffic flow Results are produced which are analysed to create the real junction Change the values to test for dangerous situations / scenarios
Question
A company produces medicines. Chemists working in the company use 3D printers. (a) The 3D printer is an example of an output device. State three other output devices. 1 …… 2 …… 3 …… [3] (b) The chemists use the 3D printers to produce customised tablets. Describe how a 3D printer produces a customised tablet. …… [3]
Mark scheme
12(a) Three from: 3 Monitors Multimedia projector Laser printer / inkjet printer / dot matrix printer Plotter Speaker 12(b) Three from: 3 Programmed to produce the tablet Data is entered The material used in the tablet is mixed (with a binding compound) 3D printer is filled with the mixture / powder Uses a nozzle that ejects a fine spray of the medicine The printer then repeats the process over hundreds of layers Layers build up the tablet
Question
A company is planning a new computer system. The current system needs to be analysed. Identify two methods of analysing the current system. 1 …… 2 …… [2]
Mark scheme
13 Two from: 2 Observation Interview Questionnaire Document analysis
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Mark my 0417/11Examiners follow the generic marking principles at the front of the scheme, then each question's points: method (M), accuracy (A) and independent (B) marks, error carried forward where the scheme allows it, and positive marking, so you're credited for what you got right.
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On this page, free: the mark scheme for IGCSE Information and Communication Technology 0417/11, October/November 2024 (0417_w24_ms_11), and the question paper (0417_w24_qp_11), to read or download, with each question's marking points written out underneath.
Information and Communication Technology 0417/11 for October/November 2024 is out of 80 marks, with 1 hour 30 minutes to answer it.
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