Name: ___________________________________ Class: _______________

ZINGWANGWA CLUSTER MOCK EXAMINATIONS

Computer studies Marking key
Paper I (100 Marks)

March, 2020 Time allowed: 2 hours

Question Tick if Do not

Number Answered write in
Instructions these
margins
1. This paper contains 8 pages. Please 1
check.
2. The maximum number of marks 2
for each answer is indicated against
each question. 3
3. Answer all questions in the spaces
4
provided.
4. Write your name and class on top 5
of every page.
5. In the table provided on this page, 6
tick against the question number
you have answered. 7
6. Hand in your paper to the
invigilator at the end. 8

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Name: ___________________________________ Class: _______________

Section A: (55 marks)

There are six questions in this section. Answer all the questions in the spaces provided.

1.
a) Define an “electronic spread sheet”.
 An electronic spreadsheet is an application software consisting of rows and columns
used to organise, calculate and analyse numerical data. (2 marks)

b) Give two reasons why you would choose electronic worksheet over manual
worksheet.
1. Electronic spreadsheet utilises the powerful aspects of computers namely speed,
accuracy and efficiency to enable the user easily perform numeric computations.
2. Electronic spreadsheets offer a larger virtual sheet for data entry and manipulation.
 See Excel & succeed, Book 3. Page 6-7 for more answers.

(2 marks)

c) Describe the following features of the excel spreadsheet application window:

i. Workbook
 A workbook is a spreadsheet file that consists of one or more related worksheets.
(2 marks)
ii. Name box
 Name box displays the address of the current cell. (2
marks)
d) Differentiate the following as used in spreadsheets:
i. Formula and function
 A formula is a mathematical expression defined and written by the user used to calculate
and return a new value, while a function is an in-built formula that can be quickly used.

(2 marks)

ii. Relative and absolute cell referencing

 In relative cell reference, a formula changes depending on its position of reference in the
worksheet, while in absolute cell referencing; a formula/reference is made to a specific
address and does not change even if the formula is copied to another cell.
(2 marks)
e) If formula =$A1 + B$1 is entered in cell C1. How will formula appear if
copied to D1?
 = $A2 + C$1 (2 marks)

2. a) Give any two examples of input devices

 Keyboard, Mouse, Joystick e.t.c (2 marks)

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Name: ___________________________________ Class: _______________

b) With a block diagram, explain how a computer processes data.

Output
Input (Data) Process (CPU)
(Information)

 Data is entered to into the computer system using the Input devices. When data has been
entered it goes to the CPU for processing. The processing is made possible by a set of
instructions called programs. The processed data is then shown or produced on the
Output devices as information. (5 marks)

c) Describe two types of computer components.

 Software: This refers to the set of instructions that directs/tells a computer what to do.
 Hardware: This refers to the physical or tangible components that make a computer
system (4 marks)

3. a) Describe one use of computer in the following areas:

i. Banks
 Use of ATMs for automation of cash deposits, withdraws and other bank related
transactions. E.T.C (2 marks)
ii. Transport
 Computers are used to monitor vehicle traffic in busy towns, in Aircraft navigation and
in making transportation reservations. (2 marks)

b) Describe any two ways of fixing a problem with sound output of computer.

 Adjust the volume to adequate level. In addition check to make sure that they are
plugged into the sound interface.
 Ensure that the speakers’ power cable is properly plugged into power outlet and the
speakers are turned on.
 Open the computer and make sure that sound adapter is available or properly plugged in.
 Check the sound adapter drives. (4 marks)

c) State any two duties of a Computer Technician.

 To maintain and repair computers.

 Setting up hardware and installing, configure software and drives.
 Installing well- functioning local area networks, Wide area networks and manages
components.
 Troubleshooting different computer issues. (2 marks)

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Name: ___________________________________ Class: _______________

4. a) Explain the meaning of “garbage in garbage out (GiGo)” in computing.

 This is a phrase which implies that erroneous data (incorrect data) is entered in a
computer and a command to process it is given, the computer will output erroneous
results. (2 marks)

b) Explain any two types of charts.

 Line chart: it represents data in lines with markers at each data value in the X-Y plane.
 Pie Chart: used to represent data on a circular pie partitioned into sectors representing
each item being analysed.
 See page 12 of Excel &Succeed, Book 4 for more answers. (4 marks)

a) Study the program below and answer the question that follows.
Private sub cmdOK_Click(……) Handles cmdOK. Click
Dim score As Integer
Dim comment As String
‘convert the score in the textbox to values
score = Val(txtScore.Text)
If score >= 50 Then
comment = “Pass”
txtRemark.Text = comment
End If
End Sub
I. Name two any variables are in the program above?
__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
(2 marks)
II. What type of programming language has been used to write the program?
__________________________________________________ (1 mark)

III. Dry run the program above and explain the output.
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________

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Name: ___________________________________ Class: _______________

____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
(4 marks)
5. a) Why is it wrong to touch sensitive chips on the motherboard with bare hands?
 Because the body can hold as much as 200 volts of static charge that can damage
sensitive components of the motherboard. (2 marks)

b) List any two tools that are required to assemble a computer system.

 Screw drivers, Antistatic wrist member, Pliers, device manuals. E.T.C (2 marks)

c) Describe any two advantages of low-level language.

 The CPU understands machine language directly with minimal or no conversion.

 The processor executes low-level programs written faster because complex instructions
are already broken in smaller simpler ones
 Low level languages are stable and hardly crash or breakdown once written. (2 marks)
d) Explain why early computers worked well with interpreters.
 This is because early computers did not have enough memory to store the object code.
(2 marks)

SECTION B (45 marks)

There are four questions in this section. Answer all the questions in the spaces provided.

6.
a) State three elements of communication systems.
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
(3 marks)
b) Differentiate half and full duplex transmission.
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
(2 marks)
c) Mention three ways on how you can fix sound problems of your computer.
I. ____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________

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Name: ___________________________________ Class: _______________

(2 marks)
II. ____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
(2 marks)

7.
a) Describe the following computer networks.
I. Local area network
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
(2 marks)
II. Personal area network
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
(2 marks)
III. Metropolitan area networks
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
(2 marks)
b) With a well labelled diagram compare and contrast bus and ring topology.

_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________

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Name: ___________________________________ Class: _______________

_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________ (8 marks)
8.
a) Define a website
__________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________ (2 marks)
b) Describe the following:
I. Internet
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
(2 marks)
II. Intranet
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
(2 marks)
c) Table 2 shows fields and data types used to create patients’ database objects. Use
it to answer questions that follow.
Table 2
Field Data Type
Patient Number Number
First Name Text
Last Name Text
Village Text

Write any three additional fields and their data types that could be used in
creating database table.
Field Data type
I. ____________________________________________________________
II. ____________________________________________________________
III. ____________________________________________________________
(6 marks)

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Name: ___________________________________ Class: _______________

d) State any one way of protecting patient’ database from unauthorized access.
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
(1 mark)
8.
a) Explain any one advantage of automated production.
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
(2 marks)
b) Give three characteristics of a Tablet phone.
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
(3 marks)
c) Explain any two negative effects of social networking.
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
(4 marks)
(8 marks)

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