Databases

08 September 2022

Marking Scheme

This marking scheme has been prepared as a guide only to markers. This is not a set of
model answers, or the exclusive answers to the questions, and there will frequently be
alternative responses which will provide a valid answer. Markers are advised that, unless a
question specifies that an answer be provided in a particular form, then an answer that is
correct (factually or in practical terms) must be given the available marks.

If there is doubt as to the correctness of an answer, the relevant NCC Education materials
should be the first authority.

Throughout the marking, please credit any valid alternative point.

Where markers award half marks in any part of a question, they should ensure
that the total mark recorded for the question is rounded up to a whole mark.
 Answer ALL questions
Marks

Question 1

a) Explain the difference between data and information. You may use examples to 4
help you explain your answer.

Mark Scheme

Data are raw facts (1) unprocessed (1) whilst information is data that has
been processed (1) and has given meaning (1)
1 mark each point or example, valid alternatives accepted with 1 mark for
explanation example max 4

b) Identify FOUR (4) types of records/entities about which a florist might store data. 4

Mark Scheme

Flowers (1)/ Staff (1) / Customers (1) / Orders (1) Sales (1)
Any suitable alternative / Fields alone do not count / maximum 4 marks

c) Explain what a many-to-many relationship is and describe what could be done 2

to resolve it.

Mark Scheme

Multiple records in a table are associated with multiple records in another

table (1) break the many-to-many relationship into two one-to-many
relationships (1) create a third (join) table that has the primary keys of
each of the new tables (1) Max 2 marks

Total 10 Marks

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 Marks
Question 2

a) The following table is from an Estate Agent’s database which is in Third Normal 8
Form (3NF). Suggest appropriate data types, field length (if applicable) and keys
(if applicable) for the attributes listed.

Attribute Name Data Type Key

PropertyID Number (Auto increment) Primary Key
Address1
Address2
Town
Postcode
MarketValue
MarketDate
•
OwnerID

Mark Scheme

Attribute Name Data Type Key

PropetyID Number (Auto Primary Key
increment)
Address1 VarChar (30)
Address2 VarChar (30)
Town VarChar(20)
Postcode VarChar(10)
MarketValue Float/Decimal
MarketDate Date
OwnerID Integer Foreign Key

1 mark for each correct / appropriate data type used (character length
should be quoted – where applicable and must be reasonable). OwnerID
should be identified as a foreign key and NOT be identified as an
autonumber (1 mark) .5 marks for appropriate data type but missing (or
inappropriate length) Correct alternatives are to be marked, to a maximum
of 8 marks.

b) What constraint could be added to the MarketValue field so that negative figures 2
or figures above £500,000 can’t be added.

Mark Scheme

>=0 (1 mark)
=< £500,000 (1 mark)

Total 10 Marks

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 Marks
Question 3

Consider the following scenario shown below:

An airline has a fleet of aircraft (planes). Each aircraft is allocated a unique flight
schedule and involves travelling to and from an airport. Bookings are made by
customers for each flight.

a) Draw an Entity-Relationship (ER) diagram to represent the above scenario. 9

Ensure the cardinality is shown for each side of the relationships.

Mark Scheme
0..N 1

Plane Flight Airport

1 (schedule) 0..N

1
0..N
1 0..N

Passenger Booking
(Customer)

• 1 mark for each correct entity, to a maximum of 5 marks.

• 1 mark for each correct relationship, to a maximum of 4 marks (0.5
for each correct notation).

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 Marks
b) Identify all of the primary and foreign keys for the ER model in question 3(a) 9
ensure you clearly identify which entity they belong to.

Mark Scheme

Aircraft
AircraftID (PK) – or any appropriate field name

Schedule:
ScheduleID (PK)
AircraftID (FK)
AirportID(FK) (NB although strictly speaking there should be a departure
AND arrival Airport I don’t expect students to consider this)

Airport:
AirportID (PK)

Booking:
BookingID (PK)
CustomerID (FK)
ScheduleID (FK)

Customer:
CustomerID (PK)

• Award 1 mark for each (PK)

• Award 1 mark for each (FK)
• Alternative naming allowed / accept composite keys

Maximum total for all PK/FK is 9

c) Explain the term metadata. You should make TWO (2) points to gain full marks. 2

Mark Scheme

Metadata is data about data (1) it holds information about the structure of
the database (1) it shows a database to be self-describing (1) Any other
valid point(s) up to max of 2

Total 20 Marks

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 Marks
Question 4

a) Consider the ER diagram shown below for a hotel in which a customer can book 6
rooms.
0..N 1

Room Booking Customer

1 0..N

Create a CRUD matrix to show the following transactions:

Transaction 1 – Delete an existing booking

Transaction 2 – A new customer wants to make a new booking
Transaction 3 – update an existing booking
Transaction 4 – change the date of a booking
Transaction 5 – produce a list of empty rooms for a specific date
Transaction 6 – add a new room

Mark Scheme

Transaction Room Booking Customer

T1 R D R
T2 R C C
T3 R U R
T4 R U R
T5 R R
T6 C

1 mark for each correct row in a table, similar to the one shown above.
Maximum 6 marks (award part marks for part correct solutions, round up
final mark for question).

b) Explain the term referential integrity and give an appropriate example to show 4
referential integrity in practice.

Mark Scheme

Referential integrity refers to the accuracy (1) and consistency (1) of data
within a relationship. In relationships, data is linked between two or more
tables (1). ... Referential integrity requires that, whenever a foreign key
value (1) is used it must reference a valid, existing primary key in the parent
table. (1)
Alternative - 1 mark for each suitable point, to a maximum of 4

Total 10 Marks

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 Marks
Question 5

Consider the following tables:

tblCar
CarReg Make Model Type
XC615TT Avadi Q1 Small
ZQ629AC Waxcadez Nuro Family
VR632AA GMC Y8 MPV
SQ627GH Saux Allan Small
QH121HG Hugo Max Family

tblCustomer
CustomerID FName SName DriverNo
1 Cyril Le Pierre CLP718721L
2 Nula Prince NUP012219K
3 Gareth Jones GAJ410921Z
4 Ranjit Patel RAP671822G

tblHire
HireID CustomerID CarReg DateRequired NoOfDays
11 1 ZQ629AC 18/08/2022 3
12 2 QH121HG 22/08/2022 5
13 1 ZQ629AC 27/08/2022 3
14 3 XC615TT 24/08/2022 5
15 1 ZQ629AC 04/09/2022 3
16 4 QH121HG 01/09/2022 6

a) Write an SQL statement that will change the car required by Gareth Jones to the 3
Hugo Max

Mark Scheme

UPDATE tblHIRE (1 mark)

SET CarReg = ‘QH121HG’ (1 mark)
WHERE CustomerID = 3 (1 mark)
(Alternatives allowed such as WHERE HireID = 14 or if a table join is used –
max 1 mark)

b) Write an SQL statement that will add the following information to the car table 3

PA329RE Noovo City Small

Mark Scheme

INSERT INTO tblCar (1 mark)

(CarReg, Make, Model, Type) (1 mark)
Values ‘PA329RE’, ‘Noovo’, ‘City’, ‘Small’) (1 mark)

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 Marks
c) Write the SQL that produces a list with full details of the hire(s) of the Waxcadez 3
Nuro car, ensure you show the customer details and list in earliest date order

Mark Scheme

Select * From tblHire, tblCustomer (1 mark)

WHERE CarReg = ‘ZQ629AC’ (1 mark)
ORDERBY DateRequired (ASC); (1 mark)

Accept correct alternatives to maximum of 3 marks)

d) Write an SQL statement that will add a new field to the car table called DailyCost 3
which will hold the daily cost to hire a vehicle.

Mark Scheme

ALTER TABLE tblCar (1 mark)

ADD (1 mark) DailyCost Decimal (1 mark)

e) Write the SQL that will create the following table and add the data below to the 8
newly created table.

tblStaff
StaffID FirstName LastName DateOfBirth JobTitle
1 Mandrid Lewis 12/09/1997 Manager
2 Alicia Lock 30/11/2003 Supervisor

Mark Scheme

CREATE TABLE tblStaff (1 mark)

StaffID int NOT NULL AUTO_INCREMEMENT, (1 mark)
FirstName Varchar (25),
LastName Varchar (30),
DateOfBirth Date,
JobTitle Varchar (25) (2 marks max for correct fields / data types)

INSERT INTO (1 Mark)

tblStaff (FirstName, LastName, DateOfBirth, JobTitle) (1 mark for correct
fields)
VALUES
(‘Mandrid’,’Lewis’”,” 12/09/1997,’Manager’)
(‘Alicia’,’Lock’,30/11/2003,’Supervisor’)
(1 mark for each correct data row – ensure consistency between fields
created and data formay / types eg if auto_increment is used then values
should not contain ID number)

Total 20 Marks

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 Marks
Question 6

a) The following table has been normalised to second normal form (2NF). You 7
should now carry out normalisation to third normal form (3NF). You should
carefully explain what steps you took to make the table into 3NF. Show your
newly revised table(s).

TblService
ServiceNo
ServiceDate
CarReg
MechanicNo
MechanicName
PartsRequired?

Mark Scheme

TblService
ServiceNo
ServiceDate
CarReg
MechanicNo
PartsRequired?

tblMechanic
MechanicNo
MechanicFirstName
MechanicLastName

Guidance for markers:

Would expect to see 2 tables Service and Mechanic (1 mark)
MechanicNo should stay in service table (1 mark)
MechanicNo should appear in new table (1 mark)
Mechanic name should appear in new table (1 mark – note it doesn’t have
to be separated into first/last name to be awarded the mark)
Mechanic name should not appear in service table (1 mark)

Maximum 5 marks

Explanation: max 2 marks

Would expect to have discussion about data redundancy / data duplication
about mechanic details (1 mark)
Details of removing mechanic details into new table with appropriate fields
(1 mark)

Maximum 7 marks in total

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 Marks
b) If a table is said to be in First Normal Form (1NF) what rules will have been 3
followed? State THREE (3) rules for 1NF

Mark Scheme

Only single(atomic) valued attributes/columns exist (1)

Values stored in a column/table/entity should be of the same domain(1)
All of the columns in a table should have unique names(1)
Each table should have it’s own primary (or composite) key (1)
Links between tables state corresponding primary and foreign keys (1)
Any 3 – 1 mark per point maximum 3 marks

Total 10 Marks

Question 7

a) Describe what is meant by ‘CASE Tools’ and give FOUR (4) types of activities 6
for which CASE tools provide support.

Mark Scheme

CASE tools are a set of software application programs (1) which are used
to automate SDLC activities (1)

Examples:

Diagram tools; documentation tools; process modelling tools; analysis

and design tools; system software tools; project management tools;
design tools; prototyping tools; programming tools 1 mark for each
example to maximum of 4.

b) Explain TWO (2) benefits of carrying out normalisation. 4

Mark Scheme

Reduces redundant data; Provides data consistency; more flexible

database design; better database security; better and quicker execution;
greater overall database organisation (1 mark for each valid point and 1
mark for explaining it - to a max of 4 – alternatives accepted)

Total 10 Marks

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 Marks
Question 8

a) Explain the term relational database. 2

Mark Scheme

Data held in a series of tables/entities; organised collection of data;

connected tables through a number of linked relationships; any other
suitable alternative to maximum of 2

b) Nature’s Growth is a small garden centre that sells a range of plants and 8
accessories. The owners are considering moving to a database system from its
current manual paper-based record keeping, ordering and sales system. It
employs 12 staff, including 3 administration staff who deal with the invoices and
ordering. They expect the business to grow in the next two years are are likely
to employ more staff. Management would like to have a more efficient oversight
of how the business is performing on a daily, weekly and monthly basis.

Explain TWO (2) advantages and TWO (2) disadvantages unique of Nature’s
Growth moving to a database system. Consider the advantages and
disadvantages unique to the company.

Mark Scheme

Advantages may include (not exhaustive)

Sharing of information; more secure; less duplication; information is
backed-up; management reports; consistency of information; automated
calculations

Disadvantages may include (not exhaustive)

Cost of implementation; training requirements; higher impact of failure;
may appear complex

1 mark for stating the adv/dis adv (max 4) and 1 mark for explaining each
valid adv/dis adv (max 4) – total 8 marks

Total 10 marks

END OF PAPER

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Learning Outcomes matrix

Question Learning Outcomes Marker can

assessed differentiate between
varying levels of
achievement
1 1,3 Yes
2 3,4 Yes
3 2,3 Yes
4 4,3 Yes
5 3,5 Yes
6 2,3 Yes
7 4,2 Yes
8 1 Yes

Learning Fail Referral Pass Merit Distinction

Outcome
Understand Has little to no Has vague Has Has very good Has an excellent
the concepts awareness of awareness of satisfactory awareness of awareness of
associated principles and principles and awareness of principles and principles and
with concepts concepts principles and concepts concepts
database underlying underlying concepts underlying underlying
systems theoretical theoretical underlying theoretical theoretical
frameworks frameworks theoretical frameworks frameworks and
and and frameworks and approaches and
approaches approaches and approaches is
and is unable and is only approaches and is able in comprehensively
to identify superficially and detail to able to identify
associated able to identify demonstrates identify associated
strengths or associated sufficient ability associated strengths and
weaknesses. strengths or to identify strengths and weaknesses.
weaknesses. associated weaknesses.
strengths and
weaknesses.
Understand Has little to no Has vague Has Has very good Has an excellent
the concepts awareness of awareness of satisfactory awareness of awareness of
associated principles and principles and awareness of principles and principles and
with the concepts concepts principles and concepts concepts
relational underlying underlying concepts underlying underlying
model theoretical theoretical underlying theoretical theoretical
frameworks frameworks theoretical frameworks frameworks and
and and frameworks and approaches and
approaches approaches and approaches is
and is unable and is only approaches and is able in comprehensively
to identify superficially and detail to able to identify
associated able to identify demonstrates identify associated
strengths or associated sufficient ability associated strengths and
weaknesses. strengths or to identify strengths and weaknesses.
weaknesses. associated weaknesses.

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 strengths and
weaknesses.

Understand Demonstrates Demonstrates Demonstrates Demonstrates Demonstrates an

how to little to no an extremely a satisfactory a very good excellent ability to
design and ability to limited ability ability to use ability to use use design
develop a adequately to adequately design design principles to
database use design use design principles to principles to effectively
system principles to principles to effectively effectively develop an
effectively effectively develop an develop an artefact to solve
develop an develop an artefact to artefact to an identified
artefact to artefact to solve an solve an issue.
solve an solve an identified identified
identified identified issue. issue.
issue. issue.
Be able to Demonstrates Demonstrates Demonstrates Demonstrates Demonstrates an
develop a little to no an extremely a satisfactory a very good excellent ability to
logical ability to limited ability ability to use ability to use use design
database adequately to adequately design design principles to
design use design use design principles to principles to effectively
principles to principles to effectively effectively develop an
effectively effectively develop an develop an artefact to solve
develop an develop an artefact to artefact to an identified
artefact to artefact to solve an solve an issue.
solve an solve an identified identified
identified identified issue. issue.
issue. issue.
Be able to Demonstrates Demonstrates Demonstrates Demonstrates Demonstrates an
develop a little to no an extremely a satisfactory a very good excellent ability to
database ability to limited ability ability to ability to develop an
system using adequately to adequately develop an develop an artefact to solve
SQL develop an develop an artefact to artefact to an identified
artefact to artefact to solve an solve an issue.
solve an solve an identified identified
identified identified issue. issue.
issue. issue.

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