CAPE Computer Science Unit 1 · 2006 · Paper 1

54 questions and parts from this paper. Open one to see it in full, then practise it on Quelpr and get it marked against the mark scheme.

1. 1(a)4 marksExplain how an Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) helps to protect a computer system.
2. 1(b)3 marksExplain the term 'port connectivity' using an appropriate example.
3. 1(c)3 marksProvide a brief description of satellites when used as a transmission medium.
4. 2(a)2 marksExplain what is meant by a computer's 'instruction set'.
5. 2(b)(i)1 markGive an example of client software.
6. 2(b)(ii)2 marksExplain the primary function or purpose of the client software identified in 2(b)(i).
7. 2(b)(iii)3 marksExplain how the corresponding server software operates in tandem with the specified client software.
8. 2(c)2 marksDefine and explain what constitutes a peer-to-peer network.
9. 3(a)4 marksDescribe two typical functions or features provided by disk management software included with operating systems.
10. 3(b)2 marksExplain what the term 'memory management' signifies in the context of operating systems.
11. 3(c)(i)2 marksExplain the term 'multitasking' and provide an illustrative example.
12. 3(c)(ii)2 marksExplain the term 'multiprocessing' and provide an illustrative example.
13. 4(a)6 marksExplain three standard features typically offered by a network operating system (NOS).
14. 4(b)4 marksDescribe two system utilities present in system software, aside from disk management software.
15. 5(a)(i)2 marksExplain one way in which an extranet is similar to the Internet.
16. 5(a)(ii)2 marksExplain one way in which an extranet differs from the Internet.
17. 5(b)(i)2 marksDefine the phrase 'capacity of a storage device'.
18. 5(b)(ii)2 marksExplain what is meant by 'access speed' in relation to storage devices.
19. 5(b)(iii)2 marksExplain what is meant by 'portability' in relation to storage media.
20. 6(a)(i)3 marksExplain what is meant by an 'expert system'.
21. 6(a)(ii)2 marksDiscuss briefly how an expert system can assist management in making decisions.
22. 6(b)(i)3 marksExplain what constitutes a data warehouse.
23. 6(b)(ii)2 marksDiscuss briefly the processes that take place during data mining.
24. 7(a)4 marksUsing an appropriate example, explain the function and purpose of a monitoring and control system.
25. 7(b)2 marksDiscuss one way in which user interfaces continue to undergo improvements.
26. 7(c)4 marksDescribe two factors that influence whether a specific computer application is suitable for an organization.
27. 8(a)4 marksDescribe two distinct forms of data security.
28. 8(b)3 marksUsing an example, explain how a system backup is conducted to enhance data security.
29. 8(c)3 marksUsing an example, explain what is meant by the phrase 'real-time updating of files'.
30. 9(a)(i)2 marksExplain how a firewall helps protect data from unauthorized access.
31. 9(a)(ii)2 marksExplain how encryption helps safeguard data against unauthorized access.
32. 9(b)4 marksSuggest two ways in which computers can assist a newly established company providing financial services.
33. 9(c)2 marksDistinguish between batch processing and on-line processing.
34. 10(a)(i)2 marksExplain the concept of telecommuting.
35. 10(a)(ii)2 marksState two advantages associated with telecommuting.
36. 10(b)2 marksState two ways in which computers have altered how individuals entertain themselves.
37. 10(c)4 marksDescribe two ways in which computers have transformed the ways people communicate with one another.
38. 11(a)4 marksState two similarities and two differences between information stored on a CD-ROM and information accessed via a digital library.
39. 11(b)(i)2 marksExplain one reason why a newspaper can serve as an effective source of hurricane information.
40. 11(b)(ii)2 marksExplain one reason why a newspaper might not be a suitable source of information for this situation.
41. 11(b)(iii)2 marksDescribe an alternative source of information Melissa could utilize to monitor the hurricane.
42. 12(a)6 marksExplain three reasons why the businessman should not have relied upon the information received in the anonymous email.
43. 12(b)4 marksIdentify and explain two alternative information sources the businessman ought to have investigated before making the investment decision.
44. 13(a)(i)4 marksDescribe two sources, excluding direct personal interviews or contact, from which Jeffrey can obtain information on household incomes.
45. 13(a)(ii)4 marksDiscuss two drawbacks Jeffrey might encounter if he chooses direct personal contact to gather the required data.
46. 13(b)2 marksExplain what is meant by the phrase 'depth of coverage' when assessing an information source.
47. 14(a)3 marksState two similarities and one difference between a DVD-ROM and a CD-ROM as sources of information.
48. 14(b)(i)3 marksIdentify three relevant sources of information Francis can consult regarding local and US universities.
49. 14(b)(ii)4 marksFor two of the sources named in 14(b)(i), explain why each represents an appropriate source for this purpose.
50. 15(a)(i)1 markIdentify a software application best suited to demonstrate the trends in sales over the specified five-year timeframe.
51. 15(a)(ii)2 marksDescribe a feature of the software identified in 15(a)(i) that effectively displays these sales trends.
52. 15(a)(iii)2 marksDescribe a software tool suitable for maintaining inventory records, including item descriptions and product numbers to track sales.
53. 15(b)(i)3 marksIdentify and describe a software tool that is most appropriate for deploying multimedia applications over the Internet.
54. 15(b)(ii)2 marksDescribe a precaution that should be observed when utilizing the software tool identified in 15(b)(i).