Information Technology 9626/33 May/June 2019: question paper and mark scheme
Cambridge AS & A Level Information Technology (9626), Paper 3 Advanced Theory, May/June 2019. Read both free below, or download them. Done the paper? Get it marked by AI against this mark scheme.
Explain, with suitable examples, why computer graphics image editing software allows users to save bitmap images in different file formats.
…… [6]
Mark scheme
1 Six from e.g.: 6
Some graphics software may not support all file types so different export
options allows images to be shared e.g. use of JPEG / GIF is almost
universal
Images can be saved as compressed images / files to save storage space /
allow use in various scenarios / situations e.g. use of JPEG allows
compression by various amounts but the more compression the lower the
quality
GIF allows areas to be made transparent whereas JPEG does not support
this
Different file types support different colour depths for use in various
situations e.g. JPEG supports more colours than GIF
Quality of the image is affected by choice of filetype e.g. TIFF retains better
quality than JPEG / GIF when compressed
Bitmap (BMP) files restrict the use of the images to e.g. Windows OS so
availability of other types allows cross-platform use.
In JavaScript code, the sort() function is used to sort lists into ascending order.
(a) Explain, in detail, why, when using the sort() function, the list in Fig. 2.1 is sorted correctly, but the list in Fig. 2.2 is not.
Before sorting After sorting Before sorting After sorting
fly ant 1345 1111 cockroach beetle 3666 12 ant butterfly 1111 1345 butterfly cockroach 23 23 moth fly 37 3666 beetle moth 12 37
Fig. 2.1 Fig. 2.2
…… [4]
(b) Write a line of JavaScript code that could be used to sort the list of insects in Fig. 2.1 into descending order.
…… [2]
Mark scheme
2(a) Four from: 4
Function sort () treats values as strings not numbers
Strings are sorted alphabetically
Strings are not sorted numerically
a is before / ‘lower’ than b so list 1 is sorted alphabetically by the first letter
and then by the second etc.
in list 2, the list is also sorted alphabetically so e.g. 1111 is before 12
because 2 is ‘bigger’ than 1
Max. 1 for additional examples e.g.:
The third character in 1111 has no match so is ‘bigger’ than 12
3666 is before 37 because while the 3s match, and 6 is before 7, there is no
match for the second 6 so it is ‘bigger’ than no number.
2(b) A suitable line with the function is: insects.reverse(); 2
The variable name can be anything suitable, reverse() is the function.
Mark allocation:
Use of suitable variable name e.g. insects 1 mark
All correct function and syntax .reverse(); 1 mark
An online retailer uses a simple form on its website to enable customers to contact its After Sales department by email. The form looks like this:
Send an email to aftersales@mycompany.com:
Your Name:
Your email address:
Comment:
Send Reset
Some of the code that created the form is shown.
Note that the lines have been numbered only for your convenience and reference.
1 <html>
2 <body>
3
4 <h2>Send an email to aftersales@mycompany.com:</h2>
5
6 <form action="mailto: aftersales@mycompany.com" method="post" enctype="text/plain">
7
8 Your Name:<br>
9
10 Your email address:<br>
11
12 Comment:<br>
13
14
15
16 </form>
17 </body>
18 </html>
19
20
(a) Explain what the different parts of the code in line 6 do.
…… [6]
(b) Create some additional lines of code that could be inserted into the script at appropriate locations to collect the name and email address of the customer. Indicate, with reference to the line numbers, where your additional code should be inserted.
Line number Code
[4]
(c) Write down the code that would allow:
• the comment to be entered
• the form to be submitted
• the form to be reset.
Indicate which line numbers the codes would appear on.
Line number Code
[6]
Mark scheme
3(a) Six from: 6
<form action="mailto: aftersales@mycompany.com"
Tells the page that this is a form to be actioned by sending / submitting the
form to a specified URL / default URL is this page
To send an email via mailto to the specified address
method="post"
Specifies the HTTP method to be used when submitting the form
In this case post means not to display the submitted data / used for sensitive
or private / personal data / make the submitted data invisible in the field / will
not allow bookmarking / is not saved in browser history
Post can send unlimited amounts of data so no need to specify the size
enctype="text/plain">
Specifies the encoding of the data
As plain text.
3(b) Four from: 4
Line
Code
number
9 <input type="text" 1 mark
name="name"> 1 mark
<br> 1 mark
11 <input type="text name"="email"> <br> 1 mark
3(c) 6
Line
Code
number
13 <input type="text" name="comment" size="100">
14 <input type="submit" value="Submit your details">
15 <input type="reset" value="Reset the form">
Six from:
Code on correct lines
Correct syntax
Size="100" or suitable value
value="Submit your details" following submit
value="Reset the form" following reset
Correct input types 1 mark each
(a) Describe the drawbacks of storing company data in the ‘cloud’.
…… [8]
(b) Describe two benefits to a company of storing data in the ‘cloud’.
…… [2]
Mark scheme
4(a) Eight from: 8
Risk to data from unauthorised access through remote access via network /
internet
Data can be (more easily) lost / stolen while being replicated / distributed
across remote servers
Large number of people can access the data which leads to theft of data as
there are more people who can be compromised / make errors
Data travels over more networks’ so is more easily compromised / lost /
stolen / corrupted
Supplier of the storage may not be reliable / security aware to same degree
as owner of the data
Supplier of storage may go out of business / change their serve conditions /
be purchased by rival companies
Performance of cloud storage may not be as good as that of local storage
leading to increased access times
Owner of data may have no idea where the data is stored so may not be
aware that is being stored in another country
Owner of data is not responsible for e.g. backups so is reliant on third party
systems to maintain their data integrity
Data is extremely difficult to delete from the cloud
Legal regulations referring to the data / storage systems may be different in
different countries.
4(b) Two from e.g.: 2
Can allow access to data at any time / from anywhere with internet
connection provided one has valid User ID / password
Data can be accessed using different hardware so no need to carry
hardware with you
Company need only purchase / pay for the actual amount of storage needed
Energy use by company can be reduced by not having (large) server farms
for data storage
Number of IT staff can be reduced saving the company the cost of their
employment
Supplier of storage is responsible for e.g. backups / disaster recovery / virus
protection / security of the data.
Describe how data is transmitted using fibre optic technology.
…… [6]
Mark scheme
5 Six from: 6
Electrical signals converted to light for transmission / converted back to
electrical signals after transmission
LED / laser (at node) sends / transmits a light beam / electromagnetic wave
along the fibre
Data is modulated onto a carrier wave
Optical fibre connects the nodes / devices
ADC / DAC are used to modulate / demodulate the data onto / off carrier
wave
Laser is used where longer distances are to be covered
LED is used where shorter distances are to be covered as it is cheaper than
laser
Lasers produce coherent light which can allow greater bandwidth
Receiver is photo detector to convert light into electricity
Uses indium gallium arsenide in photo detector.
Discuss the impact of photo editing in politics.
…… [6]
Mark scheme
6 Six from e.g.: 6
Altered images can dissuade from / reinforce a belief of the viewer
Adding people to images can persuade the viewer that the person was
present when in fact they were not
Removing people from photographs can create the belief that the person did
not participate in an event
Removing disgraced / out of favour people from photographs can create the
belief that the person did not exist
Retouching images of politicians can make them appear more attractive
than in real life so more likely to appeal to a voter
Viewers can be unaware that an image has been manipulated so may make
decisions based on false information.
The manager of a company has decided to contact existing customers to gather detailed feedback about a product. She needs responses from a large number of customers as quickly as possible.
Use the information given in Fig. 7.1 to select, with reasons, the most appropriate method of asking the customers for their feedback.
Administered by:
Criteria
Post Telephone Email In person
High response rate 3 3
High speed of return of results 3 3
Highly detailed questions possible 3 3
Low cost 3 3
Rapport between manager and respondents 3 3
Short time of manager involvement 3 3
Fig. 7.1
…… [4]
Mark scheme
7 Four from: 4
Detail is needed so Telephone or Personal administration are options
Rapport is needed so Telephone or Personal administration are options
High response rate is needed so Telephone or Personal administration are
options
High speed of return of results is required so Telephone or Email are
options
Only Telephone meets all the requirements.
An online store sells goods through its website. The website has an ‘automated online assistant’ to help the customer through the purchasing process. An ‘automated online assistant’ on a website is a computer program that uses artificial intelligence to provide a customer with service and assistance.
(a) Describe how the components of an ‘automated online assistant’ provide help to the customer.
…… [8]
(b) Explain two benefits of the use of an ‘automated online assistant’.
…… [2]
Mark scheme
8(a) Eight from: 8
Human types a request / is flagged as requiring help / guidance by interface
/ dialog system
Dialog system provides interface between human input and the assistant’s
database
It translates human input into digital format
It generates human intelligible replies from the assistant for the human
It uses natural language processing
Avatar appears with indication that help / advice is available
Avatar represents a ‘real’ assistant to provide a more realistic experience for
the user / enhance the human-computer interaction process
Increases the trust that humans put in the system
Help / advice is generated by the system «
... for display by avatar
System provides the specific advice / help that the human requested.
8(b) Two from: 2
Help / advice is available 24/7
Decrease in number of humans required at call centre / online to provide
help / advice
Provides customised expertise for the particular website
Increase in trust of website by online shoppers.
Evaluate the use of physical security in combatting IT crime.
…… [8]
Mark scheme
9 Command word: Evaluate: discuss the importance of, weigh up, the 8
advantages and disadvantages, judge the overall effectiveness, weigh
up your opinions.
This question to be marked as a Level of Response.
Level 3 (7–8 marks)
Candidates will evaluate, giving advantages and disadvantages, of at least
three ways in which physical security can be used in combatting IT crime.
The information will be relevant, clear, organised and presented in a
structured and coherent format.
There will be a reasoned conclusion / opinion.
Subject specific terminology will be used accurately and appropriately.
Level 2 (4–6 marks)
Candidates will explain giving advantages and disadvantages of at least two
ways in which physical security can be used in combatting IT crime.
For the most part, the information will be relevant and presented in a
structured and coherent format.
There may be a reasoned conclusion / opinion.
Subject specific terminology will be used appropriately and for the most part
correctly.
Level 1 (1–3 marks)
Candidates will give advantages / disadvantages of using physical security
in combatting IT crime.
Answers may be in the form of a list.
There will be little or no use of specialist terms.
Level 0 (0 marks):
Response with no valid content.
Answers may make reference to e.g.:
Physical barriers such as wall / doors / bars / use of floors other than ground
floor which are cheap and easy to make use of / make use of existing
resources which lowers costs
Use of CCTV which can be placed overtly to deter unauthorised persons
just by their presence or by a warning / notice that watching is occurring /
can be cost effective as a deterrent
Video surveillance can be used to watch large areas with few staff
Physical presence of guards / security staff shows persons that a security
system is in operation
... can deal with issues quickly / immediately
Security lighting / automatic lights / sensor-controlled lights can illuminate
when persons present to act as deterrent / highlight intruders / warn
intruders that they have been seen and these have low cost if e.g. solar
powered
Computer devices can be easily / cheaply / quickly fixed / attached to large
objects / shelving to deter theft
Physical locks require keys that may be lost / key fobs etc may be lost or
stolen / given to unauthorised persons
Combinations to locks can be forgotten
9 Locks can be left unlocked in error
Physical keys can be copied / given to unauthorised person
Physical combinations to locks can be compromised by watching as lock is
accessed
Security staff / guards may not be alert / honest / in place when required.
A typical animation has 24 frames for every second of running time (24 fps).
A bouncing ball drawn on ‘twos’ is shown on this timeline:
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24
Frame number
(a) Explain why the ball is drawn on ‘twos’.
…… [4]
(b) Suggest one reason why the animator might choose to draw the animation on ‘ones’ instead of ‘twos’.
…… [1]
(c) Describe the effect of drawing the ball in this animation on ‘fours’ instead of ‘twos’.
…… [1]
Mark scheme
10(a) Four from: 4
Animator only needs to draw 12 frames instead of the full 24 so saves time /
effort
...fewer animators / less computer time needed for the whole project
(Drawing on ‘twos’) makes slow animations look / appear smoother to the
eye
Less precision / accuracy is needed than for drawing on ‘ones’ (‘ones’
animation does not look jerky) so drawing can be done faster / with less skill
from animator
(Drawing on ‘twos’) makes animations appear more lively / active than when
drawn on ‘ones’.
10(b) One from: 1
Action needs to appear very fast / active
Animation can include a flurry of activity around the main object
Can portray a very smooth animation of many objects in the animation.
10(c) One from: 1
The animation may appear jerky / flashing of objects on / off
Objects move very fast.
Discuss the impact of wearable computers in manufacturing.
…… [6]
Mark scheme
11 Command word: Discuss: give important arguments for and against. 6
Often requires a conclusion, this command word requires ‘Analysis’
and ‘Evaluation’
Six from:
Advantages:
First person / heads up display via headsets can enhance monitoring of
processes in real time from wearers point of view
Can allow enhanced monitoring of employee activity via wearable devices
on shop floor
Can track every step of activity in manufacturing by employee activity
Can allow enhanced / better manufacturing processes via wearable devices
that view / transmit live data from activity
Faults can be directly entered into fault database / expert system of
company
Can improve employee safety due to ability to remotely control machinery
while on shop floor / using wearable devices
Sensors can provide information about environment for working
Disadvantages:
Positioning of devices on body can lead to inaccuracies in the data / actions
performed
Wearable devices need power so have to carry heavy batteries
Wearable devices need charging so have downtime.
Staff may not wish to be monitored.
Max. 5 if all advantages or all disadvantages.
Analyse the use of virtual reality in healthcare.
…… [6]
Mark scheme
12 Command word: Analyse: explain the main points or effectiveness in 6
detail, identify their characteristics, examine closely.
Six from e.g.:
Use for VR therapy for psychological / occupational therapy
Patients can interact with harmless representations of trauma-causing
stimuli to reduce fear
Can be used to treat depression instead of use of drugs
Patient can role play in a fantasy world to help manage the depression
Can be used improve the skills of autistic patients by providing controllable,
different environments
Can be used to train healthcare professionals using simulations
Simulations provides a safe and repeatable set of activities
Can perform operations remotely reducing surgeon travel time / allowing
patients access to surgeons around the world
Can allow patients to experience the operation before they actually have the
procedure so are reassured / less worried.
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Where can I find the 9626/33 May/June 2019 mark scheme?+
On this page, free: the mark scheme for AS & A Level Information Technology 9626/33, May/June 2019 (9626_s19_ms_33), and the question paper (9626_s19_qp_33), to read or download, with each question's marking points written out underneath.
How many marks is 9626/33 out of?+
Information Technology 9626/33 for May/June 2019 is out of 90 marks, with 1 hour 45 minutes to answer it.
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Yes. Upload your answers to 9626/33/M/J/19 as a PDF or photos, and CIE Buddy marks every question against this paper's official mark scheme, using Cambridge's marking rules. You get your score, each lost mark explained on your own script, and the topics to revise. It's a guide, not an official Cambridge grade.