C1 Questions [32 marks]

1. [Maximum mark: 16]

Schools use websites to provide information to students, teachers and parents.
Figure 5 shows the home page of a school’s website that was highly rated for its
design.

Figure 5: Webpage from the One2Seven school website

[Source: [logo] Latypova, G., n.d. Education Book Logo. Vector design – stock illustration. [image online] Available at:
https://www.gettyimages.co.uk/detail/illustration/education-book-logo-vector-design-royalty-free-
illustration/1221128440?phrase=school+logo&adppopup=true [Accessed 22 August 2023]. Source
adapted.
[photo] supersizer, n.d. We can make it work - stock photo. [image online] Available at:
https://www.gettyimages.co.uk/detail/photo/we-can-make-it-work-royalty-free-image/1403446891?
adppopup=true
[Accessed 16 August 2023]. Source adapted.]

(a) State the domain name in the uniform resource locator (URL) in
Figure 5. [1]

Markscheme
 Award [1 max]

one2seven.org

Note: Do not accept www.one2seven.org

Examiners report

Most students found this question easy to answer but a few wrote the
whole URL as domain name.

The school’s website consists of several components.

(b) Identify two components of the school’s website. [2]

Markscheme

Award [2 max]

Banner;
Navigation bar;
Hero section;
Logo;
Content sections (Embedded) video / presentation / image gallery;

Note: Accept any other reasonable answer.

Examiners report
 The majority of students identified two correct components of a website.

The school’s website is viewed using a browser.

(c) Identify two functions of a web browser. [2]

Markscheme

Award [2 max]

Rendering Web Pages: Displays HTML, CSS, and JavaScript content from
websites, allowing users to view and interact with web pages;
HTTP/HTTPS Communication: Sends requests to web servers and receives
responses, handling protocols to securely access websites;
JavaScript Execution: Executes JavaScript code, enabling interactive
elements like forms, buttons, and animations on web pages;
Managing Cookies and Local Storage: Stores cookies and other data locally,
which websites can use to remember user preferences, sessions, or login
states;
Bookmarking: Allows users to save and organize favorite websites for easy
access;
History Management: Keeps a record of previously visited websites,
enabling users to revisit or find past web pages;
Tab Management: Provides the ability to open multiple pages in separate
tabs, making it easier to switch between and organize websites;
Extensions and Plugins Support: Supports additional functionalities
through extensions or plugins, which can add features like ad-blocking,
password management, and more;
Security and Privacy: Manages security features like SSL certificate
validation, safe browsing checks, private/incognito browsing mode, and
phishing protection;
Caching: Saves copies of web resources locally, improving load times for
frequently visited sites by reducing the need to reload all elements from the
 server;
Developer Tools: Offers tools for developers to inspect HTML, CSS,
JavaScript, and network requests to debug and optimize web pages;

Note: Accept any other reasonable answer.

Examiners report

While most students identified at least one correct function, many failed to
provide two correct functions.

The source code below shows the website uses a cascading style sheet (CSS).

<link rel="stylesheet" media="all"

href="https://questionbank.ibo.org/assets/application-6d2c1.css"/>

(d) Explain one advantage of developing a website using

cascading style sheets. [3]

Markscheme

Award [3 max]

The use of CSS allows a consistent format to be used across multiple pages;
One change in the CSS code can cascade through many pages, updating
styles site-wide;
This saves developer time when updating the website, as edits are
centralized;

Faster page loading speed is achieved as file sizes are smaller (styles are
centralized);
CSS provides more flexible formatting options, improving the user
experience;
 Quicker page development time is possible due to the separation of style
and content;

CSS improves compatibility across different devices, allowing pages to

adapt to various screen sizes;
It supports responsive design, helping websites look good on both mobile
and desktop devices;
This centralized styling approach makes it easier to scale and maintain
large websites;

Note: Do not allow mixing of points from different clusters.

Examiners report

Most students were able to identify the advantage of using a CSS but failed
to explain it further to develop a website.

Figure 6 shows the script embedded in the homepage of the school website.

Figure 6: The embedded script on the One2Seven homepage

(e.i) Identify the type of scripting used in the JavaScript example in

Figure 6. [1]

Markscheme
 Award [1 max]

client side scripting;

(accept - script which executes on the client / browser);

Examiners report

The majority of students identified the correct scripting type.

(e.ii) Describe the processing that occurs when this webpage is

opened in a browser. [3]

Markscheme

Award [3 max]

Checks for the parameter “check=false” in the url/search string;

If the parameter exists then it does nothing;
Checks for the device type as iPhone, iPad, Android, Blackberry or WebOS in
the (user agent string);
If any of these exist, it redirects the browser to a different location/page
(mobile.html);

Examiners report

Most students were able to describe the process correctly.

(e.iii) Identify one reason why the user agent is used on this webpage
instead of on the server. [1]

Markscheme
 Award [1 max]

The user agent originates in the browser (before being sent as an HTTP
Header to the server);
It saves time by not sending the user agent to the server;
It reduces the server load/demand on the server;
enhances the user experience by avoiding a server round-trip;

Examiners report

The majority of the students were able to identify why user agent was used
in this scenario.

Some school websites contain sensitive information that is not shared with
people outside of the school community.

Figure 7 shows the login page for the secure section of the school’s website.

Figure 7: The login page for the secure section of the One2Seven school website

The school’s website uses both client-side scripting and server-side scripting.
(f ) Explain why the school would use client-side scripting and
server-side scripting. [3]

Markscheme

Award [3 max]

Client-side scripting -
Client-side scripting is simpler to implement than server-side scripting;
It is suitable for basic tasks that do not require access to sensitive
information;
Using client-side scripting can improve the user experience on web pages;
Instant feedback on data input, such as validation, animation, and
visualization, is possible;

Server-side scripting -
Server-side scripting allows the school to restrict access to databases and
prevent potential hacks;
This is possible as databases are not accessible from outside the school LAN;
Server-side scripting helps the school safeguard the security of sensitive
information;
Sensitive data protection is ensured by handling access control through
server-side scripting;

Conclusion -
Using a combination of client-side and server-side scripting gives the
school the best of both worlds;
The school can make quick and easy changes to the website;
Security of information is maintained while enhancing website
functionality.

Mark as [1] + [1] + [1].

Examiners report
 The majority of students were able to explain the use of both client-side
and server-side scripting.

2. [Maximum mark: 16]

The web browser shown in Figure 6 includes a feature that enables the user to
inspect the source code.

Figure 6: The source code for the web page

(a) Outline why the URL in Figure 6 is a “Full URL”. [2]

Markscheme
 Award [2 max].

Award [1] if up to 2 components identified;

Award [2] if all components identified.

The URL contains the protocol/scheme, domain, sub domain and Top-level
domain (path); and the file resource (Query/&fragment);

For reference:
Scheme/Protocol: https://
Subdomain: www
Domain Name: educationalsite.org
Top level domain: org
Path: /assets/home.html

Examiners report

Most students found this question easy to answer but failed to identify all
the required components. A majority of the students could only name two
to three components.

(b) Sketch the output of the code in Figure 6. [3]

Markscheme

Award [3 max].
Award [1] for the text above the top row being correct;
Award [1] for top row being correct;
Award [1] for the body of the table being blank.
 Examiners report

The majority of students sketched it correctly; however, a few did not meet
two of the three requirements.

(c) Outline why the web page in Figure 6 is a static web page. [2]

Markscheme

Award [2 max].

The web page does not display different content each time it is viewed; it
doesn’t change dependent on either user input, time of day etc;

A static web page requires the source code to be rewritten/edited/modified;

to add new content to be added;
 A static page is one where the construction of the page is controlled by the
browser on the client device and does not link to an external data source;

Whereas a dynamic web page is linked to an external data source. The data
sources could include text files, a database, XML files etc;

Examiners report

While most students provided adequate reasoning, a few couldn't answer

correctly due to their limited understanding of why the given page was
static.

The web page in Figure 6 uses Javascript elements.

(d) Explain why the support of client-side scripting languages is a

key function of web browsers. [3]

Markscheme

Award [3 max].

Client-side scripting languages would include Javascript, jquery etc;

These are commonly used languages that add functionality and interaction
to pages;
There is broad implementation of the languages; and are accepted as a
standard;
Client-side languages are rendered in the browser rather than on the server;
Failure to correctly support may reduce functionality; cause errors in
appearance or interaction;
Broad support of client-side scripting languages allows similar functionality
and therefore similar browsing experience independent of browser type;
 Examiners report

This question was answered correctly by the majority of the students,

showing a good understanding of client-side scripting as a key function of
web browsers.

(e) Distinguish between a protocol and a standard. [2]

Markscheme

Award [2 max].

A protocol is a set of rules which enable network communication that must

be followed;
A standard is a set of rules which have broad support and should be
adhered to and provide a framework for development.

Examiners report

The majority of students answered this correctly, distinguishing between

the protocol and standard.

A user wants to access another website and enters its URL into the address bar.

(f ) Describe how the domain name service (DNS) enables the user
to access the new site. [4]

Markscheme

Award [4 max].
The DNS server or Domain Name Service server, translates the Domain
names into an IP Address;
The browser first checks its own cache to see if it has a recent DNS record for
the domain.
If found, it uses this information to directly connect to the website’s IP
address.
If the required DNS record is not found locally, the DNS query is sent to the
configured DNS resolver until the top-level Domain (TLD).
Top-level domain servers are the ultimate authority for the domain and
hold the master list of sites for the domain.
Address resolution occurs in the application layer of TCP/IP.
The DNS resolver sends the IP address back to the user's web browser and
information is displayed.
If it is not found, an error message is sent back to the client’s browser.

Examiners report

The majority of students described four valid steps and scored full marks.

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