GCSE BITESIZE Examinations

General Certificate of Secondary Education

ICT
FOUNDATION TIER
Time allowed 1 hour 30 minutes
Total marks: 90
Answer all questions in the spaces provided

1. Information can be provided in many ways. Complete the table by choosing the best way of
providing the information from the list.
Text on paper, map, bar-chart, sound, symbol, text on a screen

Information to be provided
Essay on Roman Britain

Method

Location of your school

Monthly Rainfall information
Road junction ahead
Time and destination of next train at a station
Live commentary on a football match
6

(6 marks)
2. Look at the diagram and answer the questions below.

MOUSE

COMPUTER

SCREEN

E
KEYBOARD

HARD DISK

a) Add another input device to the diagram by writing its name in box A.

(1 mark)

b) Add another output device to the diagram by writing its name in box B.

(1 mark)

c) Show the direction of data movement by putting arrows on lines C,D, and E. (3 Marks)
5

3. Choose words from the list to complete the following sentences.

CD-ROM
Hard Disk
Printer
Sensor
Modem
i)

Data-logging
Information
Encryption
RAM
Scanner

ROM
Document
CPU
MICR
Back up

Data
Simulation
Spreadsheet
Justification
Analysis

. is . given meaning by putting it in a context.

ii) A can hold more data than a ..

iii) is memory that keeps its content when the computer is switched off.
iv) is memory that loses its content when the computer is switched off.
v) A . allows data from a computer to be transmitted along an ordinary
phone line
(7 marks)

4. The advert below is used by a plumber to advertise his business.

MACS PLUMBING
AND HEATING
All plumbing and
heating repairs carried
out
Reasonable rates
Phone 01027 191 191

Describe four different ways in which the plumber could use features of a desk-top publishing
package to make his advert more effective.
1..
.
2
..
3.

4..

(4 marks)

5. The system life cycle consists of Analysis, Design, Implementation, Testing and Evaluation.
For each of the tasks in the table below, give the stage of the life cycle when it happens.

Task
Setting up a database query

Stage of Life Cycle

Writing a test plan

Checking how well the new system meets requirements
Interviewing users of the old system
Finding out if a spreadsheet gives the right answers
Drawing screen layouts

(6 marks)

6. For each of the following, state whether the device is an input device, an output device or a
storage device.
Laser printer

..

Scanner

..

CD ROM

..

Bar code reader

..

Microphone

..

Speaker

..

(6 marks)

7. Explain the meaning of the following terms:

File

Record

Field

(3 marks)

8. It is important that data stored in computer systems is kept safe. One way in which data can be
damaged is by viruses.
a) Describe two other threats to data stored on a hard disk.
1.
.....
2. .....
...
(2 marks)
b) How can attack by viruses be prevented?

(2 marks)

9. a) Instructions are used to control a small robot that draws lines. The instruction set includes the
following commands:
Penup raises the pen above the paper
Pendown lowers the pen onto the paper
Forward n move forward n cm
Back n - move backward n cm
Left n turn left n degrees
Right n turn right n degrees
The robot starts in the position shown, facing in the direction of the arrow with the pen on the
paper.
Using only these commands write the instructions needed to draw the pattern shown below.
You will need to use commands more than once.
25 cm

5 cm
5 cm

10 cm

Start

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..
(5 marks)

b) Many bus season tickets are read automatically by a machine when a passenger boards.
Information is contained on a magnetic strip on the back of the ticket.
Give four pieces of data that are held on this magnetic strip
1
2
3
4
(4 marks)
c) Give two advantages to the bus company in using automatic tickets.
1.
2.
(2 marks)
11

10. A sports club wants to collect the following information about new members.
Surname
Forenames
Street address
Town
Postcode
Phone number
Date of Birth
Gender
The club also wants to know which teams the new member wants to join. Members can
choose up to three teams from badminton, basketball, hockey, football, cricket and tennis.
The club needs to know how good the new members are at the sports they have chosen.
Members can choose beginner, average or very good.
a) In the space provided on the next page, design a data capture form to collect all the
information the club needs. Think about the probable length of the information the
members will write and how you will get their choices.
(8 marks)
b) At the top of the form is a space for the club to record the member number. Why is this
field needed in the clubs database?
.
.
.

10

(2 marks)

Data Capture Form

THE SPORTS CLUB

Application for membership

Member number

11. Paula wants to go on holiday with her friends and has used a spreadsheet to work out how
much she needs to save. She has entered the formulae to update her spreadsheet
automatically.

a) The cost of the flight is reduced by 10.

i)

Which cell should Paula change?

.
(1 mark)

ii) Name two other cells which would change as a result.

..

(2 marks)

b) Give one advantage to Paula of using a spreadsheet for this task rather than a
calculator.
..
..
..
(1 mark)

12. The diagram represents a data logger that is designed to be used out of doors.

a) Give one example where this data logger could be used to collect data.
1
(1 mark)
b) Using the list below, select the letter from the diagram that matches the different parts.
Sensors
Battery compartment
Screen
Connects data logger to a
computer
(4 marks)
c) Give two examples of the type of information that could be displayed on the screen.
1.
2.

(2 marks)

13. Networks connect computers together so they can share resources and data.
a) Give two differences between a LAN and a WAN.
1.

2.

(2 marks)

b) Companies that have offices in different countries may use video-conferencing

to enable employees to communicate.
b) Give two advantages of using video conferencing
1
2 (2 marks)
c) Give two disadvantages of using video conferencing
1
2 (2 marks)
6

14. Trading on the internet is called e-commerce. Companies provide many different products and
services online, including banking, shopping and travel booking.
a) Describe the advantages to the customer and the business providing the service of
internet trading.

(3 marks)

b) Describe the disadvantages of e-commerce to businesses and customers.

(3 marks)

15. Small joysticks may be used to control electric powered wheelchairs. People who use this type
of wheelchair may have little movement in their arms or hands. Describe how the movements
of a joystick may make it easier for people with this type of disability to control their electric
wheelchair.

(5 marks)