FORM 1 COMPUTER APRIL HOLIDAY ASSIGNMENT

1. (a) Give one major environmental and one energy problem Kenya faces as far as computer
installations are concerned.
_lack of enough sunlight for solar generation
_Inconsistent electricity
(1 mark)
(b) How could these problems be avoided?
_Having energy storage
_ power backup (2 marks)
2. What actions should be taken in case of a fire outbreak in the computer laboratory?
(4
marks)
- Alert people in the laboratory and activate the alarm
- Use correct fire extinguisher
- Avoid smoke or fumes
- Always maintain accessible exit

3. Describe the ideal environment for a computer to work properly. (3 marks)

- Cool place to avoid heating of the computer
- Good air circulation
- Reliable and enough source of power supply
4. Identify three facilities that will ensure proper ventilation in a room. (3 marks)
- Cooling fans
- Air conditioning system
- Enough windows and doors
5. For each of the following, give one reason why they are not allowed in a computer
laboratory. (2 marks)
(i) Smoking. _some circuits won`t react well
(ii) Eating foods. _its particles are serious enemies of sensitive electronic tools such as a
computer.
(iii) Beverages/liquids. _personal safety risks can result from cross-contamination and
ingestion
6. Why would it not be good to install Powder or Water-based fire extinguishers in the
computer room?
- The use of powder or water extinguishers on electrical equipment such as computer
can damage them.
(2 marks)
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7. (a) State one reason why a computer needs to be connected to a stable power supply.
_are prone to problems when exposed to unreliable power supplies
(1 mark)

(b) Give two reasons why it would be necessary to have a UPS (Uninterruptible power
supply) in a computer laboratory.
_it protects equipment
_it is appropriate for situations where electrical loads may be sensitive to power loss
(2 marks)
8. Mention two things that are likely to cause eye-strain in the computer room. (2 marks)
_screen glare
_poor lighting
9. Identify three proper sitting postures while using the computer. (3 marks)
_relax your shoulders
_do not cross your legs, knees or ankles
_ankles should be in front of your knees
10. Computers are usually susceptible to dust, humidity, and heat. State two ways of how you
would control each of the three hazards in a typical computer laboratory? (3 marks)
_ keep the room clean and vacuumed regularly
_use positive air pressure
11. What do you understand by the term ‘Write-protected’ with reference to a diskette?
_to protect a recordable disk from accidental change.
12. List three things that can spoil a Printer if they are not of the correct specification, and
explain what damage may be caused.
_use of improper inks or papers
_cleaning the printer inappropriately
_picking the sweet spot to place the printer (3
marks)
13. A computer teacher has put a rule that diskettes should not be used in the Computer
Laboratory.
(a). Give a reason for the rule. (1 mark)
_introduction of viruses and other bugs from the diskette
(b). State two alternatives that can be used to achieve the same objective. (2 marks)
_by disabling the diskette drive
_having to update antivirus software that will defect and eradicate any virus in the
diskette.
14. State and explain three ways that computer technology could make office work more
efficient.
_can automate the workflow of almost any function in a business
_can inefficient, tedious tasks into seamless and automated process
_automation and time saving tools
(6 marks)

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15. (a) Explain the steps you would follow to set up a new computer. (3 marks)
_create an account
_update your computer
_get rid of bloatware

(b) Explain the correct procedure for shutting down the computers in the computer
laboratory.
_press the start button
_select shut down
_wait for the monitor to turn off
_press on the monitor power button
(4 marks)
16. A computer must go through the process of booting/initialization before use.
(a) Briefly explain the term “computer booting”. (1 mark)
_to load an operating system into the computer`s main memory or RAM
(b) Explain what happens in the computer during the booting process. (2 marks)
_by loading a small program into the computer and then giving that program control so that
it, in turn, loads the entire operating system
(c) Give and explain two types of booting. (2 marks)
_cold booting: when the computer is started after being switched off
_warm booting: when the operating system alone is restarted after a system crash or freeze
(d) What type of memory is used to store the boot up program (the first program to be
executed on switching on a computer.
_ROM (1 mark)
(e) State two ways of warm booting a computer. (2 marks)
_Pressing the control, alt
_delete keys simultaneously
17. Classify the following keyboard characters. (6 marks)
a) A, B, C ……..Z_ are alphabets that belong to the category of letters
b) 0, 1, 2 ………9_numeric digits
c) F1, F2 ……..F9-
d) Del, Insert, Backspace
e) Home, End, Page Up, Arrow keys
f) CTRL, SHIFT, ALT
18. State five different types of keys found on a standard keyboard. (5 marks)
_backspace
_delete
_shift
_caps lock
_enter

19. Name and explain the function of the keyboard keys represented by the following symbols.

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 (i) (2 marks) tab- to take the cursor to the next tab stop

_enter-used- causes a command line, window form or dialog box to

operate its default function.
(ii) (2 marks)

(iii) Shift-used to type capital letters and alternate upper characters

(2 marks)
20. (a) Explain the following terms associated with the use of a Mouse:
i) Left-clicking.-select an item by pressing the left-hand button of a mouse
ii) Double-clicking.-to open the selected item
iii) Right-clicking.-opens the context menu
iv) Drag and drop.-moving computer files from one place to another by clicking them
with the mouse and moving them across the screen

COMPUTER SYSTEMS
1. (a) Define the following terms as used in computing: (2 marks)
i). System.-a regular interacting group of items forming a unified whole
ii). Computer system.-complex configuration composed of hardware, software and
additional equipment designed to work in synchrony to facilitate data processing
(b) Differentiate between a Computer and a Computer system. (2 marks)
-a computer exists in a single place and does primitive set of functions while a computer
system combine a computer with many other thing to perform a complex set of functions
2. (a) List and explain three functional elements of a computer system (3 marks)
-hardware -the physical component such as keyboard
-software - set of programs and instructions which perform several specific operations

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 (b) Using a well-labelled diagram, give a descriptive illustration of a computer system.
(7
marks)

monitor

CPU
keyboard

mouse

3. (a). The diagram below represents the essential features of a computer system. Study the
diagram and answer the questions that follow:

B
A Output
devices
C

Secondary
storage

(i). Name the components A, B, C, and D

A-input unit
B-arithmetic or logic unit
C-control unit
D- main memory (4 marks)
(ii). On the diagram above, indicate the direction of the data flow using arrows.
(3
marks)
4. Give an example of a: (3 marks)
i) Device that reads data.-disk drive
ii) Pointing device.- mouse
iii) Voice input device.-microphone

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5. (a) What are computer scanning devices? (1 mark)
-a device that allows you to digitize physical documents and convert them into digital format
that can be viewed, edited or stored in a computer
(b) Name the type of scanner used: (2 marks)
i) To capture prices of goods at points of sale terminals in supermarkets and
superstores.- datalogic scanner
ii) To grade multiple choice examination-OMR scanner
6. Briefly describe how each of the following I/O devices work.
i) Tracker ball. (3 marks)
-by utilizing sensors that detect the movement of the ball
ii) Touch screen. (3 marks)
-when you touch the screen your finger will draw some of its electricity which lowers
the electrostatic field.
iii) Light pen. (3 marks)
-detects changes in brightness of nearby screen pixel when scanned by cathode-ray
tube electron tube
iv) Graphic (Digitizing) Tablet. (3 marks)
-it contains a rough surface upon which the user may draw or trace an image using the
attached stylus
v) MICR. (3 marks)
-Printing a line on a check using magnetic ink or toner
vi) OCR. (3 marks)
-storing many different fonts and text image patterns as templates
vii) Speech (voice) recognition device. (3 marks)
-breaking down a speech recording into individual sounds
viii) Speech (voice) Synthesizer. (3 marks)
-The computer generates audio using basic sound frequency ton mimic the human
voice like musical instrument.

7. (a) Explain the principle of a Kimball tag as a data input device. (3 marks)
- a lens system enlarged the image of a tag`s hole projected by a gas-type photoflash tube
onto an array of phototubes
(b) Outline any two advantages of a Light pen as an input device. (2 marks)
- easy to use for any monitor including CRT and LED
-provides an accurate design for high resolution pixel scanning from the CPU
8. (a) Identify two advantages and four limitations of the Speech recognition devices.
ADVANTAGES
-talking is much faster than talking
-it can be used by any industry
DISADVANTAGES
-configuration
-hardware
-clinician preference

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-training (6 marks)

(b) State two situations in which speech recognition devices may be useful as a method of
data entry. (2 marks)
-automated phone system
-bluetooth
9. (a) What are turnaround documents? (1 mark)
-computer-generated form that is sent to a third party who is supposed to fill in the document
and return it to the issuer
(b) Name any two data capture techniques that make use of turnaround documents.
(2
marks)
-optical mark recognition
-optical character recognition
10. Magnetic Ink Character Reader (MICR) technology uses the principle of magnetism to
encode certain characters/data.
i) Recommend one application areas where this technology is used. (1 mark)
-manufacturing
ii) Name any three data items that can be encoded using magnetized ink. (3 marks)
-bank code
-bank account number
-document type indicator
11. Name four factors one would consider when selecting a data input device. (4 marks)
- The budget
- The accuracy
- Volume of data entry required
- The type of computer system used
12. (a) Describe three functions performed by the CPU. (3 marks)
- they perform logic, control, arithmetic and input and output operations specified by its
programming to perform basic tasks
(b) Explain the functions performed by each of the following central processing unit
elements.
i) Control Unit. (2 marks)
- It coordinates the flow of data out of, into and between various sabunits of a
processor
- It understands commands and instruction
ii) Arithmetic and Logic Unit. (2 marks)
- To take binary inputs, execute the operation, and create, store and distribute binary
output
iii) Registers. (1 mark)
- To transfer data for immediate use by CPU data processing
iv) The Main memory. (2 marks)

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 - Holds instructions and data when a program is executing
v) The System clock. (1 mark)
- Regulates the internal components of a computer by issuing a high-frequency signal.
13. In reference to ALU, explain the meaning of logic operations, and give an example of this
processing operation. (2 marks)
- Ability to compare two quantities or numbers to determine which is greater than, less
than such as NOT AND OR
14. (a) Give four types of registers found in the CPU. (4 marks)
- instruction register
-flag register
-data register
- MAR register
(b) Explain how the CPU registers may be used to carry out a basic calculation such as:
2+3=5 (4
marks)
- fetching it from memory
- using its ALU to perform operations
- story the results to memory
15. State the function of each of the following computer bus. (3 marks)
(a) Data bus.
- Transfer data to and from the memory of a computer or into or out of the CPU that
acts as the devices engine
(b) Address bus.-to transfer data between devices
(c) Control bus.- carries control signals from processors to other components