COMPUTER STUDIES 451 MARKING SCHEME

FORM ONE ZERAKI ACHIEVERS EXAMS

1. State fours factors to consider when setting up a computer laboratory.

▪ Maximum number of users the lab can accommodate.
▪ Maximum number of computers it can accommodate.
▪ Reliability of the source of power.
▪ Hardware and software security.
(Award 1mark each max 4)
Note Do not award availability of power.
2. State four reasons why a mobile phone is considered as a computer.
▪ It has a screen/output unit.
▪ It has a memory.
▪ It is uses electrical impulse to process data.
▪ It has a keyboard/output unit.
▪ It has a processor that converts data to information.
(Award 1mark each max 4)
3. Matelok Mixed secondary school bought new computers and installed them in the computer
lab. Describe four actions the administration needs to take to ensure security of computers
and programs.
▪ Employ security officers to monitor moment in and out.
▪ Fitting grill on windows and doors.
▪ Installing CCTVs in the room.
▪ Install security alarms at the entrance to prevent forceful entry into the room.
▪ Use biometric system for authenticating users at the entrance.
▪ Use swipe cards to gain access to the building.
▪ Install motion sensors coupled with sound systems.
(Award 1mark each max 4)
4. Identify two logical operations performed Arithmetic Logic Unit
▪ Sorting
▪ Comparison of figures
(Award 1mark each max 2)
5. Briefly describe the following types of special purpose memory
(a) Cache memory
▪ Cache memory is an extremely fast memory type that acts as a buffer between
RAM and the CPU. It holds frequently requested data and instructions so that
they are immediately available to the CPU when needed. Cache memory is used
to reduce the average time to access data from the Main memory.
▪ (Award 2marks each max 2)
(b) Buffer
▪ Is a special purpose memory used during the input /output or processing to
temporarily hold data or instructions between the communicating elements.
▪ (Award 2marks each max 2)

6.

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 (a) State three functions of uninterruptable power supply
▪ Regulates power during power surge and brown out.
▪ Provides temporary power during black out for the user to save his work correctly
and switch off using the right procedures.
▪ Notifies the user that there is no current flow to the system as it produces a beep
sound during black out.
(Award 1mark each max 3)
(b) Describe two effect of unreliable power supply to a computer.
▪ May lead to loss of data.
▪ May damage programs causing malfunction of the computer.
(Award 1mark
each max 2)
7. Apart from Traditional keyboard name any other four types of Keyboards.
▪ Flexible Keyboard
▪ Ergonomic Keyboard
▪ Onscreen Keyboard
▪ Braille keyboard
(Award 1mark each max 2)
8. List four devices housed within the system unit.
▪ Processor
▪ Heat sink.
▪ Ram modules.
▪ Rom chips.
▪ Power supply unit
▪ Hard disk
▪ CMOS battery
▪ Expansion slot
▪ Fan
▪ Speaker
▪ DVD/CD Drive
(Award 1mark each max 4)
9. Describe five disadvantages of using computers in an organization.
▪ Computers are power dependent. Therefore, it will only process data in the presence
of power
▪ GIGO effect (garbage in garbage out) computer will process data provide so if
wrong data is keyed in then it processes and give the wrong output.
▪ They cause unemployment. Computers have taken the tasks that were being
performed by the human beings making them jobless.
▪ May lead to health problems such as eye strain and other health conditions.
Prolonged use of computer may some ailments that affect human health.
▪ May be affected by malicious programs (viruses). Computer viruses usually affects
the functionality of the computer which eventually may cause serious data loss.
▪ Computer breakdown. Organizations that rely heavily on computers for their daily
transactions may suffer greatly when the computers are down.
▪ Setting up a computer platform to support organization activities require a lot of
money.
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 (Award 1mark each max 5)
10. Give five ways of maintaining proper ventilation in a computer laboratory.
▪ Installing air conditioners/Fan
▪ Avoid overcrowding in the computer laboratory.
▪ The room should be made with vents for proper air circulation.
▪ Fitting the room with Standard windows
▪ The room must standard doors for air circulation.
11.
(a) Apart from abacus name any four non-electronic computing devices.
▪ Slide rule.
▪ La Pascaline
▪ Weaving loom.
▪ Napier’s bones.
▪ (Award 1mark each max 4)
(b) Represent 6754 using abacus (3marks)

▪ Lower section represents one unit.

▪ Upper section represents 5 units.
(Award one mark for correctly represented number in the abacus)

12. Briefly describe five challenges experienced by users of the first-generation computers.
▪ They were bulky hence occupy an exceptionally large space.
▪ They consumed a lot of power. First generation require a lot of energy to process
data.
▪ They generated a lot of heat.
▪ They were prone to hardware failure as the vacuum tubes would easily break/
unreliable.
▪ Limited memory. Memory of first-generation computer were too small and
therefore could not support many programs.
▪ Limited programming ability. First generation computer relied heavily on machine
language which was difficulty to understand and use.
▪ Input unit was punch card which was not user-friendly therefore posed a lot of
challenges during data entry.
(Award 1mark each max 5)
13. State three hardware technological difference between First generation computers and third
Generation computer
▪ First generation computers used vacuum tubes while third used integrated circuits.

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 ▪ First generation computers used print outs for out while third generation computer
used monitors for output.
▪ First generation computers used punch cards to feed data while third used
keyboard to feed data.
(Award 1mark each
max 3)
14. Mention three reasons to justify why most banks prefer the use of Magnetic Ink Character
Recognition during cheque processing (3marks)
▪ They are difficult to forge.
▪ They are both computer readable and human readable.
▪ They store large information using few characters.
(Award 1mark each max 3)
15. Use the diagram below to answer the questions that follow:

(a) Identify the device in the diagram above.

▪ Barcode reader
(Award 1mark each max 1)
(b) Describe three application areas where the device stated in (a) above is used.
▪ In supermarket to read information stored using the product code at the point of
sell terminal.
▪ In used by publishers to represent details of the book normally at ISDN
▪ Learning Institution usually embed barcodes on the student card to restrict access
to some areas e.g., the library.
(Award 1mark each max 3)

16. With an aid of a diagram distinguish between analog and digital data
▪ Analog data is continuous in nature and is represented as a sign wave form.in while
digital data is discrete in nature and is represented in square wave form.
▪ Analog signals bandwidth is low while the bandwidth of the digital signal is higher.
▪ The accuracy of the digital signal is better than that of the analog signal.

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 Award one mark each for the first three
differences then award one mark each for
the correct labelled diagram.
(Do not award unlabeled diagram)

17. Briefly explain the following characteristics of a computer

(i) NO IQ
▪ Computers purely depend on programs installed in them hence do not have the
power to make their own judgment therefore must rely on the programs in order to
execute the tasks.
(Award 2marks each max 2)
(ii) High memory
▪ Computers have high ability to recall data and instruction presented to it.
(Award 2marks each max 2)
(iii) Diligent
▪ Computers can process data without getting tired or experiencing fatigue.
(Award 2marks each max 2)
18.
(a) Mention three toggle keys found on a computer keyboard (3mks)
▪ Caps lock
▪ Num lock
▪ Insert
▪ Scroll lock.
(Award 1mark each max 3)

(b) Briefly describe the functions of Keys represented by the symbols shown below
(3marks)

(i)
▪ Tab key- used to move cursor at set interval on the screen.
(Award 1mark each max 1)

(ii)

▪ Enter- moves cursor to the beginning of the next line/ moves characters on the
right of cursor to the next line when pressed.
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 (Award 1mark each max 1)

(iii)

▪ Deletes characters from right to left when pressed.

(Award 1mark each max 1)

19. State how computers are used in the following areas:

(a) Hospital
▪ Used to view cross sectional section of patients’ body by use of MRI and CT
SCAN.
▪ Use of CCTVs for monitoring and surveillance of patients.
▪ Controlling life support machines like the ICU using computer-based programs.
▪ Keeping patients records using database and other computer programs in order
to provide easy access to patient’s diagnostics history.
▪ Computer services such as telemedicine are used to remind patients of time of
taking medicine.
▪ Settling bills in the hospital using M-pesa, credit card and other forms of
payments
▪ Communication via email, WhatsApp, skype, messenger etc.
▪ Research using the internet to study or get more information on the current
trends in the health sector.
(Award 1mark each max 4)
(b) Banking
▪ Are used for security by installing CCTV cameras.
▪ Computers are used in banks to store information by use of database.
▪ Computers can be used to automate cash withdrawal and deposits by use of
ATM (automated teller machine)
▪ Computers are used for cheque clearing by use of MICR.
▪ Advertisement using smart displays.
▪ Organize how customers are served in the bank using queue management
system.
(Award 1mark each max 4).
(c) Horticultural farm (4marks)
▪ For advertisements by using electronic display boards
▪ Storing information of goods produced by use of database.
▪ For research by use of various electronic services such as Google.
▪ Buying and selling of products via ecommerce
▪ Use appropriate programs to control climatic conditions within a green house.
▪ Organize online conference to train farmers using videoconferencing.
▪ (Award 1mark each max 4)
Note for a student to score one mark then the technology must be included for example buying
and selling goods and services via ecommerce. The technology in that answer is ecommerce.

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20.
(a) List three examples of special purpose computers
▪ Play station.
▪ Calculator
▪ Fuel pump
(Award 1mark each max 3)

(b) Describe how computers are classified based on the data they process.
▪ Analog computers process data that is continuous in nature
▪ Digital computer process data that is discrete in nature
▪ Hybrids combine process both digital and Analog data.
(Award 1mark each max 3)