Information Technology 9626/32 October/November 2019: question paper and mark scheme
Cambridge AS & A Level Information Technology (9626), Paper 32 Advanced Theory, October/November 2019. Read both free below, or download them. Done the paper? Get it marked by AI against this mark scheme.
Vector images use ‘nodes’.
(a) Describe what is meant by a ‘node’ in a vector image.
…… [2]
(b) Describe how node editing can be used to change a vector image.
…… [4]
Mark scheme
1(a) Two from: 2
Control point for lines/paths in image
Has defined positions on the x- and y- axes
Determines direction/vector of path
Defines/shows the start and end points of lines/arcs/paths.
1(b) Four from: 4
(Unrelated) nodes can be joined together
Nodes can be moved to change the shape/path direction
Add a new node(s) to change overall shape/add new path
Delete a node to change overall shape/delete path
Use of symmetrical nodes to create smooth, flowing curves on either side of a
node.
Use of asymmetrical nodes to obtain a different amount of curve on each side
of the node (keeping a smooth flow through the node)
Adjusting the length of each control arm without changing the direction
Use of cusp nodes to create extreme changes in direction
Adjusting the length and direction of each control arm independently
Use of smooth nodes to create smooth transitions between straight/curved
line segments
A director of a building company is overseeing a large number of projects that are managed using project management software.
• The director oversees several project managers
• The director reports to the managing director
• The director’s report will include several graphs and tables
• The director and managers work from their offices
• Each manager oversees a team of project supervisors
• Project supervisors will supervise one or more projects and may share projects
• Supervisors can work from home as well as when they are visiting the building sites.
Describe, with reasons, the most appropriate type of project management software that each of the mentioned personnel could use to manage the projects.
…… [6]
Mark scheme
2 Six from: 6
Director would use desktop PMS because he requires high quality graphics
Managing Director would use desktop PMS because he requires high quality
graphics/only needs to oversee/view final work so only needs to use desktop
Director does not need to share/collaborate with others on amends but just
oversee them so only needs to use desktop
Project managers could use desktop or web-based as based in office
so will probably be using a desktop computer which can also access the
internet
Project managers need to share/collaborate/amend work from supervisors
and so more likely to use web-based software as not all desktop software
facilitates collaboration
Project supervisors could use web-based PMS as can use remotely
Some supervisors may need to use mobile devices (may not have desktop
software installed but can access the internet) so would need to use web-
based software.
JavaScript uses strings to store data.
This script is intended to display the contents of three variables on a web page.
Line numbers are provided only for your convenience when referring to the code.
1 <html>
2 <body>
3
4 <p id="names"> </p>
5 <script>
6 var statementtxt1 = "It's only me, 'Hardeep'";
7 var statementtxt2 = "His name is "Peter"";
8 var statementtxt3 = "We call her Jasmine";
9 document.getElementById( 'names' ).innerHTML = statementtxt1 + "<br>"
+ statementtxt2 + "<br>" + statementtxt3;
10 </script>
11 </body>
12 </html>
Explain, giving reasons, why no output is produced when this JavaScript is executed by a web browser as part of a web page.
…… [3]
Mark scheme
3 Three from: 3
Line 7 contains a syntax error
”Peter” is enclosed in quotes that are the same as the quotes for the string
(Strings in JavaScript can contain quotes but) the quotes in a string must not
be the same as the enclosing quotes
Any syntax error causes the script to fail/not run
No error message is produced.
A web page uses JavaScript code to display a list of food crops.
Line numbers are provided only for your convenience when referring to the code.
1 <html>
2 <body>
3 <p id="foodcrops"></p>
4 <script>
5 var crops = ["corn", "rice", "maize", "sugarcane"];
6 var i = 0;
7 var show = "";
8 while (crops[i]) {
9 show += crops[i] + "<br>";
10 i++;
11 }
12 document.getElementById("foodcrops").innerHTML = show;
13 </script>
14 </body>
15 </html>
(a) Explain, in detail, how the JavaScript code produces this list from an array.
corn rice maize sugarcane
…… [8]
(b) Explain how you would amend the existing JavaScript code to add ‘beans’ to the array so that it would produce this list.
beans corn rice maize sugarcane
…… [2]
Mark scheme
4(a) Eight from: 8
Code is embedded in HTML code of the website by <script> and </script>
delimiters/markers
The browser executes the JavaScript code within the delimiters
Variable crops is set to contain the list of crops
Variables i and show are initialised
While loop will continue looping as long as crops[i] contains data/string
(var) i is incremented by 1 each time loop is executed
(var) show is set to the current value of show concatenated with next crop
value
Loop terminates when array has no more items/final value in array is reached
Final values of (var) show are displayed on screen/web page
Values shown in vertical list as <br> code forces carriage return/line feed.
4(b) Two from: 2
Amend the array var crops = [] 1 mark
to [“beans”, "corn", "rice", "maize", "sugarcane"]; 1 mark
Add the line
crops.unshift("beans"); 1 mark
any line between var crops and while() 1 mark
Amend the var show line to 1 mark
"beans <br>"; 1 mark
Discuss the impact on students of their use of smartphones.
…… [8]
Mark scheme
5 Command word: Discuss: give important arguments for and against. Often 8
requires a conclusion.
Positive impacts include e.g.:
Can search for information related to study using internet anywhere/anytime
Can search for journals/articles/references without having to visit/book time
library/computer room
Can be used to set reminders about due dates/times of submission of
assignments
Helps to avoid using stationery for notes/can dictate/write notes for later
reference (during lectures)
Use of device to coordinate social activities
Can be used to monitor health of student
Negative impacts include, e.g.:
Use of smartphones during physical exercise can reduce the benefits of the
physical exercise
Can be a source of harm to student well-being e.g. constant use, dependency
on device reduces personal social interaction
Can be a source of distraction from tasks in hand
Can be used to harass other individuals
Can be used to cheat in examinations
Can reduce ability to engage in verbal/face-to-face conversations with others
Can create poor behaviour e.g. intolerance/withdrawal from society/social
life/aggression towards others
Max 6 for all positive or all negative impacts.
1 mark available for a valid, reasoned conclusion.
Describe the benefits of using lasers to transmit data between devices.
…… [6]
Mark scheme
6 Six from: 6
Can transmit data long distances along thin fibre optic cables
Laser light is coherent so is not easily lost by dispersion
Can carry vast amounts of data/implement very high bandwidths for data
transmission
Can be used in free space/just air so no need for cables
Can be used in a vacuum so can be used between spacecraft
Immune to electromagnetic interference
Increased security as difficult to intercept in fibre/free space
No licence to use is required (for use in free space) in most areas of the world
Can be used to power devices in free space.
Robotic delivery systems are being used by organisations to deliver goods direct to customers.
Evaluate the use of robotics in the delivery of goods.
…… [8]
Mark scheme
7 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 in detail the advantages and disadvantages of the
use of robotics by delivery companies
The information will be relevant, clear, organised and presented in a
structured and coherent format.
There may be a reasoned conclusion/opinion.
Subject specific terminology will be used accurately and appropriately.
Level 2 (4–6 marks)
Candidates will explain the advantages and disadvantages of the use of
robotics by delivery companies
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 describe at least one advantage and at least one
disadvantage of the use of robotics by delivery companies
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.:
Airborne drones do not need roads
Airborne drones have direct routes to recipients
Airborne drones do not need drivers
Can provide ‘last mile’ delivery options/handle small orders over limited
distances
Can provide assistance for elderly/disabled when collecting items e.g.
prescriptions/groceries
Use of robotic systems for room service in hotels may not be popular with
guests due to use of cameras and recording systems
Requirement for GPS and cameras to enable robotic delivery system to
navigate and negotiate roads/sidewalks
Require PIN code/smartphone access to collect goods
Airborne drones have limited carrying capacity
Airborne drones have limited range
Airborne drones are liable to interception with no immediate source of
help/prevention by humans
7 Airborne/urban/ground robot delivery system can cause disruption to
pedestrians/cars/aircraft
Sidewalks/pavements are already overcrowded
Sidewalks/pavements are subject to local ordinances/byelaws
covering/restricting use by vehicles
Urban/ground robot delivery system may need special roads/routes to be
built/set aside
Urban/ground robot delivery systems travel at low speeds
Urban/ground robot delivery systems have difficulties avoiding
objects/people/crossing roads.
A bank stores details of customer accounts on its computer system. Customers and staff can access the accounts by logging in to the bank’s website.
(a) Describe the security methods that could be used to ensure that the person logging in is authorised to do so.
…… [6]
(b) The bank insists that its staff use a VPN when accessing the accounts from outside the bank’s intranet.
Describe the network protocols that could be used by this VPN.
…… [6]
Mark scheme
8(a) Six from: 6
Use of user ID with password/PIN known only to user
Request random selection of three of the digits of password/PIN
Transaction authentication number sent to customer/generated by code
machine held by customer or by number on screen/sent to cell phone of
customer
... OTP/TAN is entered after user ID/password/PIN as next level of
authentication
... OTP/TAN checked against list issued to/held by customer
Use of one-time password generated by a security token
Multi-factor authentication using tokens/sequence of characters
Use of security questions/memorable words plus example
Use of biometrics such as fingerprint/retinal scan
Query use of different devices to log in.
8(b) Six from: 6
IP security (IPsec) encrypting the data in the packet/encrypting entire packet
Layer 2 Tunnel Protocol (L2TP) and IPsec where L2TP creates the tunnel
while IPsec does the encryption
Secure Socket Layer/SSL creates handshake system in conjunction with
Transport Layer Security/TLS
Point-to-Point Tunnelling Protocol/PPTP to create a tunnel and encapsulate
the data packet
An additional protocol will handle the encryption, e.g. TCP Secure Shell (SSH)
SSH will create the tunnel and carry out the encryption of the tunnel (not the
data).
Compare and contrast the use of a Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) with the use of online tutorials.
…… [6]
Mark scheme
9 Two from: 6
MOOC and online tutorials both use the World Wide Web
MOOC and online tutorials are both interactive using multimedia
With both, courses are either bought off-the shelf or custom built
Students will learn in isolation i.e.as individuals
Four from:
MOOC provides interactive user forums whereas online tutorials do not
provide these
MOOC content can be re-interpreted by students leading to loss of control by
the instructors whereas online tutorials are fixed in in their aims/objectives.
MOOC covers more content than a tutorial because tutorials are focussed on
one/limited topic(s)
MOOC are more easily scalable to encompass more content than online
tutorials
Unlike an online course which focuses more on content, MOOCs focus more
on context.
Online courses are closed-ended with static content whereas the content in a
MOOC evolves dynamically through learner participation
Describe the effect of bit rate on the quality of streamed video.
…… [4]
Mark scheme
10 Four from: 4
Bit rate represents the amount of information/data that is stored per unit time
in the streamed/recorded video
Bandwidth of available connections determines bit rate that can be used for
the video
If transmission medium does not have sufficient bandwidth to carry the
required bit rate the video will stall/be jerky/impose constant buffering
... and reduce the viewer’s quality of experience of the video
Video can be sampled at different bit rates/compressed to different bit rates
Low bit rates produce video that lacks detail/is pixelated/shows motion in jerky
steps
The more bits that are used the higher the quality of the video e.g.
... 16 kbit/s is suitable only for video phone applications as detail is
lacking/any significant movement pixelates the image
... 2.5 Mbit/s is suitable for low quality internet streaming
... 9.6 Mbit/s is DVD quality
... 8 to 15 Mbit/s is HD quality
... 40 Mbit/s will allow 1080p/Blu-ray disc quality for the video.
Fig. 11.1 shows a photograph of a scene. Fig. 11.2 shows the same scene after the photograph has been edited with image editing software.
Fig. 11.1 Fig. 11.2
Describe how image editing tools could have been used to change the photograph in Fig. 11.1 into that in Fig. 11.2.
…… [8]
Mark scheme
11 Eight from: 8
Removal of ‘Private barrier’/structure:
Freehand selection tool(s) to select irregular objects/barrier structure
elements
Cut tool to remove object from the image
Colour picker tool to select background colour next to/behind barrier
Paint(brush) tool to fill in area where barrier removed/paint over barrier
structure
... using selected colour to match backgrounds/blend with backgrounds where
barrier was
Use a tool which allows cloning to fill pixels that were removed/use of clone
tool/select and copy and paste to disguise where shadow of barrier was on
path
Addition of new lamp post:
Freehand select tool to draw around existing lamp post/select lamp post
Copy/paste tools to copy lamp post to clipboard (leaving existing in place)
Create new layer for additional lamp post/paste new lamp post into
layer/image
Position new lamp post to precise position required
Clean up pasted image:
Colour picker tool to select colour to be painted into edges of added image
and paint tool used to fill pixels around image to make it ‘blend’ in
Use of appropriate brush size
Adding text for title:
Create new layers for text and path
Type text and create/draw path for the text
Use text to path to create shaped text
Position text/title
Remove temporary layers used to construct title
Finalising image:
Merge layers (down) to ‘flatten’ image.
A new app has been created for smartphones, but is unreliable due to some unknown coding errors.
A group of testers has been asked to locate the errors and suggest, in a report, corrections that should be made to the code before the app is ready for sale. The testers have been given a list of milestones to record their progress. These are shown:
Milestones to be reached:
1 Check that the plan will solve the unreliability issue.
2 Create a plan to correct the code.
3 Create a theory as to which lines/areas/blocks/sections of code are causing the unreliability.
4 Document the results of the testing in a report.
5 Download and install app on the smartphone.
6 Identify the problem with the code by running the app.
7 Suggest corrections that could correct the unreliability.
8 Test the suggested corrections.
9 Test the theory to see if the unreliability can be replicated elsewhere.
List, by writing the number of the milestone, the order in which these milestones should be reached by the testers.
…… [5]
Mark scheme
12 Correct order should be: 5
56 39 27 18 4
5 Download and install ‘app’ on the smartphone
6 Identify the problem with the code by running the ‘app’
3 Create a theory as to which lines/areas/blocks/sections of code are
causing the unreliability
9 Test the theory to see if the unreliability can be replicated elsewhere
2 Create a plan to correct the code
7 Suggest corrections that could correct the unreliability
1 Check that the plan will solve the unreliability issue
8 Test the suggested corrections
4 Write a report on the results of the testing
Max 5 from:
1st and 2nd correct – 1 mark
3rd and 4th correct – 1 mark
5th and 6th correct – 1 mark
7th and 8th correct – 1 mark
9th correct – 1 mark.
Computer Aided Design software has been used to create a design for a new kitchen as shown:
Plan Image 1 Image 2
Describe how the software tools would have been used to create the plan and the images from it.
…… [4]
Mark scheme
13 Four descriptions from e.g.: 4
Tools to create plan:
Editing tools:
The required dimensions of the room are entered
Location/position of windows and doors are entered
Objects are brought in from the image library and positioned
Chairs and cupboards are rotated/flipped/mirrored using rotate/flip tool
Chairs are replicated/copied and pasted
Use a fill tool to colour the objects
Flip/mirror image objects
Tools to create 3D images:
Push tool used to pull 2D object into 3D
Drag/pull tool used to move image/pull image around to show interior/other
views.
Evaluate the impact of holographic imaging on medicine.
…… [4]
Mark scheme
14 Four from: 4
Advantages:
You can see inside the patient without the need for surgery
Can look at patient’s condition from more angles than using exploratory
surgery
Can see what's happening with the anatomy while carrying out a procedure
Makes training more realistic – three dimensional rather than two
Disadvantages:
Initial cost of the machinery/software required to produce holographs
Expense of training technicians/doctors to use software
Greater disk storage space is needed than with X-ray images.
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Where can I find the 9626/32 October/November 2019 mark scheme?+
On this page, free: the mark scheme for AS & A Level Information Technology 9626/32, October/November 2019 (9626_w19_ms_32), and the question paper (9626_w19_qp_32), to read or download, with each question's marking points written out underneath.
How many marks is 9626/32 out of?+
Information Technology 9626/32 for October/November 2019 is out of 90 marks, with 1 hour 45 minutes to answer it.
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Yes. Upload your answers to 9626/32/O/N/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.