EXAMINATION NUMBER _____________________________________________________ FORM 4_____

LOYOLA JESUIT SECONDARY SCHOOL

2020 MALAWI SCHOOL CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION EXAMINATION

COMPUTER STUDIES
Subject Number: M039/I
Date: Time allowed: 2 hours
Paper I

(100 Marks)

Instructions

1. This paper contains. Please Check

2. There are two sections in this paper. A
and B Question Tick if Do not write in
3. Answer all questions in sections A and Number answered these columns
B using the spaces provided in this
1
question paper.
4. The maximum number of marks for 2
each answer is indicated against each 3
question.
5. Write your Name/Examination 4
Number at the top of each page of the 5
question paper.
6
6. Use of Computers and Computer related
7
devices is strictly prohibited in this
paper. 8
7. In the table provided on this page, tick 9
against the number of the question you
have answered.

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EXAMINATION NUMBER _____________________________________________________ FORM 4_____

1. a. Which computer virus depicts the following characteristic?

i. Replicating itself
___________________________________________ (1 mark)
ii. Programmed to self-initiate
__________________________________________ (1 mark)
b. Describe the following categories of system software
i. Firmware
__________________________________________________
__________________________________________ (2 marks)
ii. Utility Software
_________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________ (2 marks)

2. a. Figure 1.0 below shows a Windows Operating System three tier

hierarchy of information organisation. Use it to answer the questions
below .
A

Folder 1 Folder 2 Folder 3

B B

File 1 File 2 File 3 File 4

Figure 1.0
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EXAMINATION NUMBER _____________________________________________________ FORM 4_____

i. Identify parts labelled;

A: ________________________________________ (1 mark)
B: ________________________________________ (1 mark)
ii. Write the file address for File 3.
_________________________________________ __(1 mark)
iii. How is A identified on the file address.
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
__________________________________________ (2 marks)

b. Why are the following considered as benefits of computer networks?

i. Resource Sharing
__________________________________________________
_________________________________________ (2 marks)
ii. Reliability
_________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________ (2 marks)
c. How have the following problems been addressed by computer
engineers in the present computing environment?
i. Roaming of officers
___________________________________________ (1 mark)
ii. Access to the network
_________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________ (1 mark)

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EXAMINATION NUMBER _____________________________________________________ FORM 4_____

3. a. Mention any one class of software according to end user license

________________________________________________ (1 mark)

b. Name the file type that is supported by the following file extension
i. .bat: _______________________________________ (1 mark)
ii. . exe: ______________________________________ (1 mark)
c. What is the meaning of the following desktop features?
i. Background
__________________________________________________
__________________________________________ (1 mark)
ii. System tray
________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________ (1 mark)

4. a. What precaution measure can be employed to reduce effects of

data loss due to natural disasters?
________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________(1 mark)
b. Describe the following sizes of data units
i. Nibble
___________________________________________ (1 mark)
ii. Word
________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________ (1 mark)

Page 4 of 12
EXAMINATION NUMBER _____________________________________________________ FORM 4_____

c. Mention the task performed by the following language processors

i. Assemblers
___________________________________________ (1 mark)
ii. Compilers
_______________________________________________________ (1 mark)

d. Explain one function of the following features a computer

i. Clipboard
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________ (1 mark)
ii. Recycle Bin
_________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________ (1 mark)

5. a. Mention the operations that are executed by pressing the following

keys on the keyboard:
i. Ctrl + F4
__________________________________________ (1 mark)
ii. Ctrl + F1
______________________________________________________ (1 mark)

Page 5 of 12
EXAMINATION NUMBER _____________________________________________________ FORM 4_____

b. Table 1.0 below is showing some of tab buttons. Use it to answer the
questions below.
Table 1.0
Identifier Button
A

D
.

i. Name the following tab buttons:

A: ________________________________________ (1 mark)
B: _________________________________________ (1 mark)
ii. Mention the purpose of the following tab buttons in a document
E: _______________________________________ (1 mark)
A: _______________________________________ (1 mark)
c. What is the difference between a slide pane and a notes pane?
________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________ _ (2 marks)

Page 6 of 12
EXAMINATION NUMBER _____________________________________________________ FORM 4_____

d. How are the following identified in a spreadsheet?

i. Arguments
___________________________________________________
__________________________________________ (1 mark)
ii. Functions
___________________________________________________
__________________________________________ (1 mark)
e. Describe the following cell references:
i. A$3
___________________________________________________
_________________________________________ (2 marks)
ii. $A3
___________________________________________________
__________________________________________ (2 marks)

6. a. i. Mention one advantage of print previewing a document.

___________________________________________________
___________________________________________ (1 mark)
ii. What is the meaning of the following terms in power point?
1. Progressive disclose
________________________________________________
_______________________________________ (1 mark)
2. Style
________________________________________________
________________________________________ (1 mark)

Page 7 of 12
EXAMINATION NUMBER _____________________________________________________ FORM 4_____

b. Why are the following considered as advantages of distributed

systems?
i. Reliability
___________________________________________________
__________________________________________ (1 mark)
ii. Incremental Growth
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________ (1 mark)
c. Describe the following logical functions of a spreadsheet
i. SUMIF()
__________________________________________________
__________________________________________ (1 mark)
ii. NOT()
___________________________________________________
__________________________________________ (1 mark)

d. i. Define the term Normalisation.

___________________________________________________
___________________________________________ (1 mark)
ii. Explain any one advantages of desktop publisher over word
processor.
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
_________________________________________ (2 marks)

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EXAMINATION NUMBER _____________________________________________________ FORM 4_____

iii. Mention any two examples of distributed applications

___________________________________________________
_________________________________________ (2 marks)

Section B (45 Marks): Answer all questions

7. a. Discuss why the following are considered as advantages of social

networking
i. Security
___________________________________________________
_________________________________________ (2 marks)
ii. Technology Use
___________________________________________________
__________________________________________ (2 marks)
b. Explain any two differences between classful and classless
addressing.
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________ ( 4 marks)
c. Mention any two tabs found in a power point ribbon
_________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________ (2 marks)

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EXAMINATION NUMBER _____________________________________________________ FORM 4_____

d. Describe the procedure for inserting a footnote in a document.

________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
______________________________________________ (3 marks)
e. Discuss the meaning of the following network terms;
i. Blog
__________________________________________________
_________________________________________ (1 mark)
ii. Web Server
__________________________________________________
_________________________________________ (1 mark)

8. a. i. What is the meaning of the term „hot swapping‟?

___________________________________________________
___________________________________________ (1 mark)
ii. Discuss the procedure that can help to resolve “hanging” in a
computer system.
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________(3 marks)

Page 10 of 12
EXAMINATION NUMBER _____________________________________________________ FORM 4_____

iii. Discuss the two types of bugs that are encountered when testing
a program.
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
_________________________________________ (6 marks)
b. i. Discuss the following concepts:
Attenuation
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
__________________________________________ (3 marks)
Band Width
__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
_________________________________________ (2 marks)
9. a. i. Define the term “Source Code”.
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________ (1 mark)
ii. Write a spreadsheet function that would return a “Pass” if the
score in cell A3 is equal or greater than 80%, otherwise it
should return “Fail”.
_________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________ (3 marks)

Page 11 of 12
EXAMINATION NUMBER _____________________________________________________ FORM 4_____

b. Describe the following data types:

i. Short text
__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
________________________________________ (3 marks)
ii. OLE Objects
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
__________________________________________ (2 marks)
c. Explain the difference between “bound control” and “unbound
control” in a database.
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________ (2 marks)
d. Describe any two characteristics of a good program.
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________ ( 4 marks)

END OF QUESTION PAPER

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