August 2025 ICT CPA CS Past Paper answers

Description

QUESTION ONE
(a) Explain the term “virtual memory” in relation to operating systems. (2 marks)

(b) Identify SIX components of an e-mail header. (6 marks)
(c) Using suitable examples, explain SIX roles of information communication technology (ICT) in shaping the modern business environment. (12 marks)
(Total: 20 marks)

QUESTION TWO
(a) With regard to tablet computers, state FOUR disadvantages of entering data using touch sensitive screens.
(4 marks)

(b) Summarise FOUR circumstances that may lead to the use of cropping tool in a word processing document.
(4 marks)
(c) Cloud computing is typically categorised into three main service models namely; Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS) and Software as a Service (SaaS).

Required:
(i) Describe and distinguish each of the above service model. (6 marks)
(ii) State TWO features of each of the above model. (6 marks)
(Total: 20 marks)

QUESTION THREE
(a) Identify FOUR mechanical devices that were used for counting before the emergence of electronic computers.
(4 marks)

(b) Explain FOUR functions of programming language translators. (4 marks)

(c) With reference to the use of algorithms by search engines:
(i) Distinguish between “crawling” and “indexing”. (4 marks)

(ii) Analyse FOUR factors considered by search engines when ranking web pages. (8 marks)
(Total: 20 marks)
QUESTION FOUR
(a) With respect to graphics, distinguish between “block-based images” and “pixel based images”. (4 marks)

(b) Highlight SIX factors to be taken into consideration when selecting a printer for purchase. (6 marks)

(c) Explain the following terms in the context of data security:
(i) Malware. (2 marks)

(ii) Social engineering. (2 marks)

(d) Discuss THREE data processing modes. (6 marks)
(Total: 20 marks)
QUESTION FIVE
(a) Using a suitable example in each of the cases below, explain the purpose of:

(i) Data backup. (3 marks)
(ii) Data archiving. (3 marks)

(b) (i) Explain the term “information centre”. (2 marks)

(ii) Summarise FOUR services offered by an information centre. (4 marks)
(c) Discuss FOUR ways in which network topologies influence communication efficiency. (8 marks)
(Total: 20 marks)

QUESTION SIX
(a) Using a suitable example in each case, differentiate between “native apps” and “web apps” in the context of mobile applications. (6 marks)
(b) Outline FOUR measures one could take to reduce wrist strain when using a computer. (4 marks)

(c) With reference to spreadsheet program features, explain the following:
(i) Automation and macros. (2 marks)

(ii) Data validation. (2 marks)

(iii) Data organisation. (2 marks)
(iv) Formulas and functions. (2 marks)

(v) Data visualisation. (2 marks)
(Total: 20 Marks)

QUESTION SEVEN
(a) Distinguish between “portability” and “compatibility” as used in computer hardware. (4 marks)

(b) Highlight FIVE advantages of using a prototype during system development. (5 marks)
(c) Outline SIX ways in which an operating system secures a computer system. (6 marks)

(d) Describe FIVE events that might spark an iterative process in software development. (5 marks)
(Total: 20 marks)

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