ZERAKI ACHIEVERS EXAMINATION 13.

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Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education
FORM ONE EXAMINATION -2024
CODE: 451/1 SUBJECT: COMPUTER STUDIES
JULY – TIME 2-Hours

MARKING SCHEME

1.
(i) Briefly describe why RAM is referred to as
(a) Working Memory
 Because it is used to hold instructions and data needed by the processes being executed by the
C.P.U
(b) Random Access Memory
 Its content can be read directly regardless of the sequence in which it was from input.
Award 2 marks each max 4

(ii) State four differences between primary and secondary

 Primary storage content can be accessed directly by the processor while secondary storage
content are accessed indirectly by the processor.
 Primary storage content is volatile while secondary storage content is non-volatile
 Primary storage has limited storage while secondary storage has a mass storage
 Primary memory is faster than Secondary memory
 Primary memory is more expensive than secondary memory
Award 1 mark each max 4
2. Describe three ways of acquiring software in an organization
 In-house developed software – developed by programmers to serve a particular process.
 Standard software – programs developed by software manufacturers and distributed for sale
 Freeware –Software given to end user for free or downloaded freely from the internet
Award 1 mark each max 3
3.
(i) Describe three special purpose memories
 Cache memory- improves the speed of the processor by holding data and instructions that are
frequently required by the processor.
 Buffer- temporarily holds data or Instructions between communicating elements.
 Register- found within the CPU and holds one piece of data at a time
Award 1 mark each max 3

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(ii) Describe three electronic pathways used by computer components like ALU, Control unit and
maim memory to communicate
 Data bus- This is a pathway where actual data transfer takes place
 Control bus- Where all timings and controlling signal sent by the control unit to other parts
of the system follow
 Address bus – This is the pathway used to locate the storage location in memory where the
next instruction or data to be processed is held
Award 1 mark each max 3

4. State four advantages of Inkjet printers

 Relatively cheaper than the laser printers
 Quieter than dot matrix printer
 Reasonably faster than dot matrix printer
 Better quality print out
Award 1 mark each max 4
5.
(i) What is solid state storage device
 Non-volatile storage that uses integrated circuit to read and record data
Award 2 mark max 2
(ii) State five advantages of solid state storage devices
 High mechanical reliability
 Immune to magnetism
 Mass storage
 Fast data access
 Conveniently portable
 Have the ability to withstand shock, vibration and extreme temperature
Award 1 mark each max 5
(iii) Give three possible reasons for extinction of Floppy disks in the market today
 Limited storage capacity
 Low access speed
 Most modern computer do not have a provision for floppy drives
Award 1 mark each max 3
6. State four factors to consider when choosing a monitor
 Cost
 Display size
 Screen Resolution
 Screen type with respect technology
 Color depth
Award 1 mark each max 4
7. Mention three hardware technology difference between first generation and fourth generation
computers
 First generation computers used punch cards for inputs while fourth generation computers
used keyboard
 First generation computer used print outs for output while fourth generations used monitors
 First generation computers used vacuum tubes while fourth generation computer used large
scale integrated circuits
Award 1 mark each max 3

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8. It was noted that after every lesson in the computer lab students complain of itchy eyes, mild
headache and backache. State four causes of the outlined problems
 Flickering screens - Itchy eyes and mild headache
 Painting inner walls with very bright colors – Itchy eyes and mild headache
 Poor furniture – Backache
 Computer Monitor placed facing a window- itchy eyes and mild headache
Award 1 mark each max 4
9. Describe how computers are classified based on functionality
 Digital computer – Process digital data
 Analog computer – Process analog data
 Hybrid computer –Process digital and analog data
Award 1 mark each max 3
10. ICT play an integral part in managing modern businesses. State five uses of computer in
Businesses
 Smart displays are used in large business enterprises to carry out advertisement
 CCTV camera are installed at strategic position in the business buildings for supervision and
Monitoring
 Electronic payment platforms are used to settle bills
 Inventory control system are used to keep track of stock
 Communication between buyers and sellers through email, whattapps and twitter
 Online advertisement through websites
Award 1 mark each max 5
11. Explain why the following precautions must be observed in the computer lab
(i) Cable insulation
 To avoid danger of electric shock to users/ To avoid short circuiting.
(ii) Provision of standard furniture
 To avoid poor posture that may cause backache
(iii)Monitors facing away from the windows
 To avoid glare caused by bright background
Award 2marks each max 6
12.
(i) Name four examples of optical storage disks
 Ls 120 super disk
 DVD
 Compact Disk
 Blue ray disk
Award 1 mark each max 4
(ii) State four features of Dot Matrix printer
 Have the ability to print multiple copies
 Print by striking
 Print speed is low
 Print quality is low
Award 1 mark each max 4
13.
(i) Name three interfacing cables used to connect a projector to a computer
 HDMI
 VGA cable
 USB cable
Award 1 mark each max 3
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(ii) Outline three characteristics of Small computer interface system cable
 Transmit data in parallel
 Provide faster data transfer rate
 Support connection of multiple devices
Award 1 mark each max 3
(iii)State the difference between COM and LTP
 COM support serial data transfer while LPT support parallel data transfer
Award 2marks max 2
14.
(i) What is a toggle key
 A key used to switch between two input modes
Award 2marks max 2

(ii) State two functions of return key

 Used to move the cursor to the beginning of the next line/ To create a new line.
 Used to instruct the computer to perform a particular task
 Used to execute a particular task.
Award 1 mark each max 2

15. Kiman wa Matatek bought a flash of 2GB , he used half of the flash storage space to keep personal
documents, a quarter for video and quarter of the remainder for music files
(i) Calculate the remaining space in Megabytes
𝟏 𝟏 𝟏
= 𝑷𝒆𝒓𝒔𝒐𝒏𝒂𝒍 𝒇𝒊𝒍𝒆𝒔 = 𝑽𝒊𝒅𝒆𝒐 Music 1mark
𝟐 𝟒 𝟏𝟔
𝟏𝟑 𝟑
Used space = Remaining space x2048 = 384MB Remaining space 1
𝟏𝟔 𝟏𝟔
Answer 1 mark
(ii) Workout the total number of bytes saved in the flash disk
𝟏𝟑
Used space =𝟏𝟔 𝒙 𝟐𝟎𝟒𝟖 = 𝟏𝟔𝟔𝟒𝑴𝑩 1 mark
1MB = 1024x1024 bytes 1mark
1664x1024x1024
= 1744830464bytes Answer 1 mark

16. Mention four advantages of using computers in Banks

 Computers handles transactions very fast
 Carryout transactions accurately
 Create flexibility in bank transactions since they be carry anywhere provided there is
computer network
 Long hours of customer service
 Enhance security in financial transactions
Award 1 mark each max 4
17. Use the line of text below to answer the questions that follow
Maranda High School is a national school in Bondo sub-county Siaya County.
(i) How many characters are represented in the line of text above
Total number of Characters = 74
Award 2 marks max 2
(ii) Workout the number of bits
1 byte = 8bits
74 = 74x8 = 592 bits
Award 2 marks max 2
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18. Mention five hardware or software components that a computer must have to support multimedia
operations
 Multimedia software
 DVD drive
 Camera/Webcam
 Soundcard
 Speaker
 Microphone
Award 1 mark each max 5
19. State four functions of a computer
 .Process data
 Accept input
 Generate output
 Store data
Award 1 mark each max 4
20. Mention four input devices found at an Electronic Point of Sale Terminal in supermarket

 Keyboard
 Mouse
 Card reader
 QR code scanner
 Finger print scanner
 Touchscreen
Award 1 mark eaxh max 4