Computer Studies Questions and Answers - Form 1 Term 3 Opener Exams 2023

1. Describe four main physical devices or parts of a computer.   (8mrks)
2. Define the following terms. (10mrks)
   1. Computer
   2. ICT
   3. Computer laboratory
   4. Data Interface cables
   5. Peripheral devices
3. Give the meaning of the following computer terms: (8mrks)
   1. Central processing unit
   2. System Unit
   3. Data
   4. Information
4.  
   1. Name and explain the different three ways of classifying computers. (6mrks)
   2. Name two categories of computers as classified in (a) above. (6mrks)
5.  
   1. State four characteristics of the following first generation computers. (4mrks)
   2. With the aid of diagrams illustrate the difference between analog and digital data signal. (4mrks)
6. Give five advantages of using computer today. (5mrks)
7. List and explain five areas where computers are applied in our society today. (10mrks)
8. Before setting up a computer lab in a school several considerations must be put in place.
   1. What are the four factors that must be considered when preparing a computer lab? (4mrks)
   2. Explain five measures you would put in place to ensure the security of the computers in the lab. (5mrks)
9.  
   1. Explain two types of booting. (4mrks)
   2. Give five categories of keys found on a standard keyboard. (5mrks)
10. Give three differences between primary and secondary storage memory. (3mrks)
11.  
    1. Differentiate between softcopy output devices and hard copy output devices giving an example of each. (4mrks)
    2. State four factors to consider when choosing a monitor. (4)
    3. State five differences between a CRT and a flat panel screen. (5)
12.  
    1. Define a computer bus. (2mrks)
    2. List three types of computer buses found on a motherboard. (3mrks)

MARKING SCHEME

1. Describe the importance of the four basic physical parts of a computer. (8mrks)
   • Monitor – the part that displays output and helps the user to monitor what is going on in a computer.
   • Keyboard – it allows the user to enter data and instructions to the computer by pressing its keys.
   • Mouse – a pointing device that allows a user to execute commands. It controls a pointer on the screen.
   • System unit – the part that houses the CPU and drives
2. Define the following terms. (10mrks)
   1. Computer – An electronic device that processes user input/data to desired output under the influence of programs.
   2. ICT– Information and Communication technology- The integration of telecommunication facilities and computers for the purpose of communication.
   3. Computer laboratory – a room set aside and prepared specifically for safe installation and use of computers.
   4. Data Interface cables – cables that connect peripheral devices to the system unit to allow transmission of data to and from the devices.
   5. Peripheral devices – devices connected to the system unit through ports.
3. Give the meaning of the following computer terms: (8mrks)
   1. Central Processing Unit – CPU is the central part of a computer where data processing takes place system unit.
   2. System unit – is the part that houses the CPU and other internal components.
   3. Data – data is raw facts that do not have much meaning to the user.
   4. Information – information is processed data that has more meaning to the user.
4.  
   1. Name and explain the different ways of classifying computers. (6mrks)
      • Classification according to physical size and processing power
      • According to purpose
      • According to functionality
   2. Name two categories of computers as classified in (a) above. (6mrks)
      • Physical size – supercomputers, mainframe, minicomputers and microcomputers
      • Purpose – general and special purpose computers
      • Functionality – hybrid, analogue and digital computers
5.  
   1. State four characteristics of the following first generation computers. (4mrks)
      • Very large in size
      • Used vacuum tubes
      • Emitted allot of heat
      • Broke down easily
      • Consumed a lot of power
   2. With the aid of diagrams illustrate the difference between analog and digital data signal. (4mrks)
      • Digital signals are discrete in nature and are represented using two states i.e. ON and OFF while analogue signals are continuous in nature.
        
6. Give five advantages of using computer today. (5mrks)
   Advantages
   • Increased efficiency in performance and service delivery
   • Job creation
   • Improved communication
   • Access to information
   • Store a lot of data
   • Can be used in hazardous
   • Can be used to perform complex activities e.g. in hospitals ICUs
7. List and explain five areas where computers are applied in our society today. (10mrks)
   1. Hospitals
      • Storing patients’ records
      • In life support machines
      • Perform complex operations e.g. scanning
      • In medical research
   2. Banks
      • To record customers’ details and other records
      • In ATM machines
      • Document processing
   3. Supermarkets
      • Stock control
      • Security
      • Processing sales receipts
   4. Law enforcement agencies
      • Record keeping
      • Using biometric analysis to identify persons
      • Security enhancement using CCTV cameras
      • Tracking down criminals using the information in their databanks
   5. Education 
      • CAL and CAI
      • For learning purposes
      • Record keeping
8. Before setting up a computer lab several considerations must be put in place:
   1. What are the four factors to be considered when preparing a computer lab? (4mrks)
      • Security
      • Number of users
      • Number of computers to be installed
      • Stable power supply
   2. Explain five measures you would put to protect:
      1. The computers in the lab. (5mrks)
         • burglar proofing the room
         • installing fire prevention and control equipment
         • providing stable power supply
         • dust and dump control
         • ensuring users do not eat or drink in the lab
9.  
   1. Describe two types of booting. (4mrks)
      • Cold booting – starting a computer that was originally off while warm booting is restarting a computer.
   2. Give five categories of keys found on a standard keyboard. (5mrks)
      • Alphabetic keys
      • Numeric keypad
      • Cursor movement and editing keys
      • Function keys
      • Special PC keys
10.  
    1. Give three differences between primary and secondary storage memory. (3mrks)
       • Primary storage data is processed from storage directly while secondary storage data must be moved to primary storage.
       • Primary provides faster access time while secondary is slow.
       • Primary has low storage capacity, secondary has a high storage
       • Primary is found inside the CPU while secondary is found outside
11.  
    1. Differentiate between softcopy output devices and hard copy output devices giving example of each. (4mrks)
       • Softcopy output devices are devices that display information through the screen or heard through the speakers – examples – LCD projectors, VDU, LED displays.
       • Hard copy output devices are devices that produce tangible output e.g. printers, plotters
    2. State four factors to consider when choosing a monitor. (4mrks)
       • Type of the screen – whether polychromatic or monochromatic
       • Size of the screen – which depends on the application intended for the screen
       • Resolution
       • Monitor controls
    3. State five differences between a CRT and a flat panel screen. (5mrks)
       

       CRT	Flat panel screens
       It is bell shaped	Its screen is flat shaped
       Has poor resolution	Has high resolution
       Heavier, hence not portable	Light, hence more portable
       Occupies more space	Occupies less space
       Cheaper	Expensive
       Produces a high amount of radiation	Produces a low amount of radiation
       Consumes more power	Consumes less power

12.  
    1. Define a computer bus. (2mrks)
       • An electrical pathway found on the motherboard used to transmit data and control signals
    2. List three types of computer buses found on a motherboard. (3mrks)
       1. Control bus.
          • Pathway for all timing and controlling functions sent by control unit to other parts of a system.
       2. Data bus
          • Pathway for actual data transfer.
       3. Address bus
          • Pathway to locate storage position in memory where the data to be processed next is to be found.