NATIONAL

SENIOR CERTIFICATE

GRADE 12

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY P2

NOVEMBER 2012

MARKS: 180

TIME: 3 hours

This question paper consists of 21 pages.

Copyright reserved Please turn over

Information Technology/P2 2 DBE/November 2012
NSC

INSTRUCTIONS AND INFORMATION

1. This question paper consists of FIVE sections which are subdivided as

follows:

SECTION A: Multiple-choice questions (10)

SECTION B: Hardware and software (50)
SECTION C: Applications and implications (25)
SECTION D: Programming and software development (48)
SECTION E: Integrated scenario (47)

2. Answer ALL the questions.

3. Read ALL the questions carefully.

4. The mark allocation generally gives an indication of the number of

facts/reasons required.

5. Number the answers correctly according to the numbering system used in

this question paper.

6. Write neatly and legibly.

Copyright reserved Please turn over

Information Technology/P2 3 DBE/November 2012
NSC

SECTION A: MULTIPLE-CHOICE QUESTIONS

QUESTION 1

Various options are given as possible answers to the following questions. Choose the
answer and write only the letter (A–D) next to the question number (1.1–1.10) in the
ANSWER BOOK.

1.1 A software program that records what you type on the keyboard or the mouse
clicks you make is called a …

A worm.
B honeypot.
C keylogger.
D cookie. (1)

1.2 A … is a shared library of instructions that can be used by different

applications.

A GUI
B DLL
C RSS
D ADSL (1)

1.3 The process of data mining can be described as the …

A deletion of large amounts of data from backup folders.

B analysis of large collections of data.
C formatting of old data files to take up less space.
D recovering of lost data on a disc. (1)

1.4 The switching technique where the best possible route is chosen to transfer
data in a WAN is called … switching.

A line
B packet
C circuit
D control (1)

1.5 … is considered to be a low-level programming language.

A Java
B SQL
C An assembly language
D Delphi (1)

1.6 … is non-volatile memory that can be used as secondary storage.

A SRAM
B DRAM
C Flash memory
D Cache memory (1)
Copyright reserved Please turn over
Information Technology/P2 4 DBE/November 2012
NSC

1.7 Which operating system has been designed specifically to work on a

cellphone?

A Android
B Solaris
C Windows Vista
D Linux (1)

1.8 Software that translates each line of source code into machine code and
executes it before moving to the next line of code is known as a/an…

A assembler.
B translator.
C compiler.
D interpreter. (1)

1.9 The values below are saved into an array.

a e i o u

The index value of the element 'a' in the array is 0. The index value of the
element 'u' in the array will be …

A 0.
B 4.
C 5.
D 6. (1)

1.10 The … is a special register in the ALU that temporarily keeps the result of any
calculation.

A memory-data register
B CMOS
C program counter
D accumulator (1)

TOTAL SECTION A: 10

Copyright reserved Please turn over

Information Technology/P2 5 DBE/November 2012
NSC

SCENARIO

The Red Feather Nature Park consists of various smaller parks, including a reptile park,
an aquarium, a zoo and a botanical garden as indicated in the diagram below.

Each smaller park has its own administration offices with computers that are linked to a
server at the head office. The head office is situated near the main entrance to the Park.
Most of the administrative work is done here.

In a new project to serve the community, learners from various schools volunteer to work
at the Red Feather Nature Park during their holidays. Some of the learners will work with
the animals, feeding them, cleaning the cages, et cetera. Some of the learners will receive
a short training course as guides. Your expertise as an IT learner is needed in a group
that is assigned to Mr Eagle, the Park's administration manager. Your group will help
solve hardware-, software- and network-related problems.

Your group will also assist with new technology that will be implemented where
cellphones can be used during guided tours. The official website of the Park
(www.redpark.co.za) also needs some attention.

Copyright reserved Please turn over

Information Technology/P2 6 DBE/November 2012
NSC

SECTION B: HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE

QUESTION 2

2.1 One of the computers in the reptile park's offices needs to be upgraded. This
computer among other things is used to upload photographs of animals at the
Red Feather Nature Park to the website.

2.1.1 Currently a 17" CRT screen is in use with a refresh rate of 70 Hz.

(a) Define the term refresh rate. (2)

(b) Give THREE reasons why it is recommended that the CRT

screen should be replaced with an LCD screen. (3)

2.1.2 The hard disk contains mostly old photographs and is almost full.

(a) All of the photographs, except those taken by the lead

photographer at the Park, must be deleted. Fortunately
metadata was set up.

(i) What is metadata? (2)

(ii) Give ONE example of metadata that is applicable to this

situation. (1)

(b) The new trend in hard drive storage devices is to increase the
amount of data that can be stored in the same amount of
space. Name ONE way in which this can be achieved. (1)

2.1.3 Mr Eagle has been advised to replace the RAM of the computer in
order to enhance its performance.

(a) How will you ensure that the new RAM is compatible with the
current motherboard? (1)

(b) Some of the learners in the group are of the opinion that, if
there was enough virtual memory, there is no need to upgrade
the RAM.

(i) Explain what virtual memory is. (2)

(ii) Explain why virtual memory will not be the solution to

better performance. (1)

(c) The statement "Upgrading RAM means more cache memory is

available" was made. Give THREE reasons why this statement
is NOT true. (3)

Copyright reserved Please turn over

Information Technology/P2 7 DBE/November 2012
NSC

2.1.4 Most of the peripheral devices required will be connected to the

computer using USB ports. Standard drivers will be used.

(a) Write down the full term for the acronym USB. (1)

(b) Name ONE port other than the USB port that can be used to
connect a digital video camera to a computer. (1)

(c) Define a driver in the context of computing. (2)

(d) What is meant by the term standard driver? (1)

(e) Name ONE device that makes use of a standard driver. (1)

2.2 Mr Eagle is experiencing problems when trying to open photographs saved on

the hard drive. He noticed that the icons of these files have been replaced.
This suggests that the hard disk might have been infected by a virus.

Previous icons:

Current icons:

2.2.1 What is a computer virus? (2)

2.2.2 State TWO ways of preventing a virus from being launched on a

computer system. (2)

2.2.3 The virus could not be removed by any of the latest antivirus
programs. Therefore the hard drive needs to be formatted.

Write down the TWO missing words to correctly complete the

following statement. Write only the answer next to the question
number (2.2.3(a–b)).

During the process of physical formatting (a) … and (b) … are

created on the disk. (2)

Copyright reserved Please turn over

Information Technology/P2 8 DBE/November 2012
NSC

2.2.4 Currently all the photographs, letters and other documents, such as
financial reports and order forms, are saved in the root folder on
the hard drive.

Draw a simple diagram of a folder structure to illustrate an

improved structure for organising the files on a hard drive. Make
provision for at least TWO levels of subfolders. (2)

2.3 The Red Feather Nature Park has created new feeding stations in the lion
cage. Staff members need to monitor whether the lions are visiting both the
old and the new feeding stations using RFID tags.

2.3.1 Write down the full term for the acronym RFID. (1)

2.3.2 Describe how RFID tags could be used to facilitate the monitoring
of the lions. (2)

2.4 The server at the main office has to be replaced.

Give TWO reasons why a server is better suited to ensure high performance
rather than a regular PC. (2)

2.5 The chipset is an integral part of the design of a computer.

2.5.1 Briefly describe the primary function of the chipset. (1)

2.5.2 The following devices must be connected to the chipset. For each
device indicate whether it will be connected to either the north
bridge or south bridge.

(a) USB (1)

(b) PCI Express (1)

(c) Network card (1)

2.6 The performance of the CPU should be optimised to ensure a high-

performance computer system.

2.6.1 One of the techniques used to improve the performance of a CPU

is pipelining. Define pipelining. (2)

2.6.2 Explain the role cache memory plays in the performance of a CPU. (2)

2.6.3 CPUs are often over-clocked to increase performance.

Overheating is the major problem that arises because of this
practice.

(a) What is meant by over-clocking a CPU? (1)

(b) Name TWO ways in which overheating can be prevented. (2)

Copyright reserved Please turn over

Information Technology/P2 9 DBE/November 2012
NSC

2.7 Mr Eagle found the following information on GPS tours on the Internet.

A GPS tour (using the Global Positioning System) is an audio tour or a

multimedia tour that provides pre-recorded spoken commentary, normally
through a mobile device.

GPS tours can be created by using a combination of software and hardware

and can be downloaded from the Internet for cellphones.

2.7.1 What type of communication connection is used in GPS

technology? (1)

2.7.2 Give TWO practical examples of how GPS technology can be used
at the park other than conducting GPS tours. (2)

2.7.3 Name a possible file format for an audio file that can be
downloaded from the Internet onto any type of cellphone. (1)

TOTAL SECTION B: 50

Copyright reserved Please turn over

Information Technology/P2 10 DBE/November 2012
NSC

SECTION C: APPLICATIONS AND IMPLICATIONS

QUESTION 3: e-COMMUNICATION

Mr Eagle made the following statement: 'The Internet is an incredible communication

tool, allowing new technology such as e-communication, e-banking and e-shopping.'

3.1 Many visitors requested that e-communication be in place as a standard

facility at the park so that they can at least access their e-mails.

3.1.1 State TWO advantages of e-communication from the Park's point

of view. (2)

3.1.2 State ONE disadvantage of having e-communication facilities at

the Park from the visitors' point of view. (1)

3.2 The administration office requested that SSL should be implemented as an

encryption protocol.

3.2.1 How will the Park's full website address (http://www.redpark.co.za)

change once SSL is implemented? (1)

3.2.2 Briefly explain what encryption is. (2)

3.2.3 What is required to be able to decrypt an SSL-encrypted e-mail? (2)

3.2.4 Which ONE of the following activities will NOT need to make use of
SSL encryption? Write only the answer (A–C) next to the question
number (3.2.4).

A The online information centre of the zoo responding to a visitor

requesting the toll-free telephone number of the centre

B A reply to the head of security indicating their new updated

patrol routes

C A person replying to a request for donations with personal

details regarding his donation (1)

3.3 Give TWO practical and interesting examples of how podcasting can be used
at the park. (2)

3.4 A new screensaver was downloaded from the Internet. Mr Eagle is concerned
about the possible threat of a trojan.

Explain what a trojan is. (2)

[13]

Copyright reserved Please turn over

Information Technology/P2 11 DBE/November 2012
NSC

QUESTION 4: SOCIAL AND ETHICAL ISSUES

The Red Feather Nature Park has a code of ethics which enforces ethical behaviour
within the organisation.

4.1 In terms of IT systems at the Park, describe TWO ways in which the electricity
consumption could be reduced. (2)

4.2 The Park has a policy of replacing computers every five years.

4.2.1 State TWO responsible ways how the Park can dispose of their old
computers. (2)

4.2.2 Do you think replacing computers every five years is a good

policy? Give a reason for your answer. (2)

4.3 The administrator is concerned about sensitive financial data that has been
saved on the hard disks of the computers they want to replace.

State TWO measures that can be put in place to ensure that this data does
not fall into the wrong hands. (2)

4.4 The human resources department is considering requesting access to the

Facebook profiles of new employees in order to find out more about them.

Do you think this is ethical? Justify your answer. (2)

4.5 The management at the Red Feather Nature Park is aware of the possibility
of computer crime taking place in an e-communication environment.

Explain the term computer crime. (2)

[12]

TOTAL SECTION C: 25

Copyright reserved Please turn over

Information Technology/P2 12 DBE/November 2012
NSC

SECTION D: PROGRAMMING AND SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT

QUESTION 5: ALGORITHMS AND PLANNING

The development of the custom software required by the Park has been outsourced.
As a member of the IT committee you are requested to assist the outsourced company
with the planning and design of the required software.

5.1 A member of the panel has compiled a database called PlantsDB containing
data of plants the Park needs to buy and nurseries supplying these plants.
Various types of plants are required, such as trees, shrubs and creepers, et
cetera. One of the tables in the database is the tblNursery table with the
following layout:

tblNursery
Key Field Name Data Type Description
CatalogueNumber Text Unique number
BotanicalName Text Botanical name of the plant
GeneralName Text Name of the plant
PoisonousToAnimals Number Is the plant poisonous to animals?
FertiliserType Text Type of fertiliser suitable for the
plant
FertiliserCost Text Cost of the fertiliser
Nursery Text Name of the nursery supplying the
plant
NurseryPhoneNumber Number Contact number of the nursery
supplying the plant
NurseryContactPerson Text Name of the contact person at the
nursery supplying the plant

5.1.1 Not much effort has been put into selecting suitable data types for
the fields in the table. Suggest a more suitable data type for each
of the following fields:

(a) FertiliserCost (1)

(b) NurseryPhoneNumber (1)

5.1.2 The preferred data type for the field PoisonousToAnimals is

Boolean. Explain why the data type Number can be used as a
suitable alternative. (1)

5.1.3 Only the letters K, M or U are allowed to be entered in the

FertiliserType field. The entered data into this field needs to be
validated.

(a) Write down the condition that must be used to apply validation
to this field. (3)

(b) Give a suitable error message that should be displayed when

invalid data is entered. (1)
Copyright reserved Please turn over
Information Technology/P2 13 DBE/November 2012
NSC

5.2 Another table tblTreeOrders is used to store data on the orders placed for
trees. The table has not been normalised.

tblTreeOrders
Key Field Name Data Type Description
OrderNo Text Number of the order
OrderDate Date/Time Date the order was placed
Tree1 Text Name of the tree
Description1 Text Description of the tree
Quantity1 Number Quantity of the trees that were ordered
CostPrice1 Currency Cost price of the tree
Tree2 Text Name of the tree
Description2 Text Description of the tree
Quantity2 Number Quantity of the trees that were ordered
CostPrice2 Currency Cost price of the tree
TotalAmount Currency Total monetary value of this order

5.2.1 Insert anomalies is one of the problems that can occur when the
table has not been normalised.

The following orders are placed separately but on the same day. In
each case, give a reason why the insert anomaly will occur when
the data has to be captured in the tblTreeOrders table.

(a) In the morning the manager orders three different kinds of

trees using order number AB230. (2)

(b) In the afternoon another two trees need to be ordered using

order number AB245. (2)

5.2.2 The following is a possible solution for normalising the

tblTreeOrders table into 1NF. The tblOrders table makes use of a
combined primary key to refer to records in the table.

tblTrees tblOrders
Key FieldName Key FieldName
TreeID 1 OrderNo
Description ∞ TreeID
CostPrice OrderDate
Quantity
TotalAmount

(a) What is a combined primary key? (2)

Copyright reserved Please turn over

Information Technology/P2 14 DBE/November 2012
NSC

(b) Give TWO reasons why the use of a combined primary key is
required in this table. (2)

(c) One of the aims of second normal form is to prevent partial

dependencies. Define the term partial dependency. (1)

5.2.3 The following is an attempt to normalise the given tblTreeOrders

table into 2NF.

tblOrders
tblTrees
tblOrderTree Key FieldName
Key FieldName
Key FieldName OrderNo
TreeID
OrderNo OrderDate
Description
TreeID
CostPrice
Quantity

(a) Identify the type of relationship between the tblOrders table

and the tblOrderTree table in the diagram. (1)

(b) Give ONE example of a field that can act as the foreign key in
the tblOrderTree table. (1)

(c) The TotalAmount field does not appear in any of the 2NF
tables. Will the user still be able to determine the total price of
an order? Give a brief explanation to substantiate your
answer. (2)

5.3 The cleaning staff gets paid per week at a rate of R100,00 per enclosure they
clean. The software developer has compiled the following algorithm to
calculate and display the payment of each cleaner. A program has been
developed based on this algorithm.

Line
1 Name  input the name of the cleaner
2 Pay  0
3 Loop for each of the seven days
4 Total  0
5 Number  Input the number of enclosures cleaned
6 Total  Total + Number
7 Pay  Number * 100
8 End loop
9 Display the name, number of enclosures cleaned and
the payment the cleaner receives

5.3.1 Define an algorithm. (2)

Copyright reserved Please turn over

Information Technology/P2 15 DBE/November 2012
NSC

5.3.2 In line 5 the user is required to enter a number which is saved into
the integer variable Number.

(a) The user enters the number -3 (negative three) when

prompted to enter the number of enclosures cleaned.

(i) What will the impact of this input be on the execution of

the program based on this algorithm? (1)

(ii) Give a brief explanation to substantiate your answer to

QUESTION 5.3.2(a) (i). (1)

(b) The user types in the phrase 'FIVE ENCLOSURES' when

prompted to enter the number of enclosures cleaned. What
type of error (Syntax/Runtime) will occur? (1)

5.3.3 When the program is executed and the user enters a valid number
when prompted to enter the number of enclosures cleaned, the
payments are calculated and displayed incorrectly. This is the
result of TWO logical errors in the given algorithm.

(a) Explain, in general, what a logical error is. (2)

(b) Explain how to correct EACH of the TWO logical errors in the
given algorithm. In your answer make use of the line numbers
to refer to the statements in the algorithm. (2 x 2) (4)

5.4 A text file called Clinic.txt is used to keep track of the animals admitted to the
clinic and their caretakers. Below is an example of data in the text file. The
number of lines the file contains is unknown.

NAME,TYPE,DATE_ADMITTED,CARETAKER
Rose,Impala,2012/04/23,John
Shambo,Lioness,2012/05/01,Koos
Joe,Kudu,2012/05/06,John
Nugget,Impala,2012/05/15,John
Shambo,Lioness,2012/05/27,Thabo
Peach,Impala,2012/06/20,Mary
Suzi,Kudu,2012/06/22,John

Copyright reserved Please turn over

Information Technology/P2 16 DBE/November 2012
NSC

The following incomplete algorithm was developed as part of the

administration system:

Line
1 Read the first line of text from the file.
2 Initialise a WHILE-loop to read data from the text
file.
3 Read one line of text from the text file.
4 Extract the name of the animal, animal type, date
of admission and name of the caretaker from the
line read from the file.
5 IF …
6 Display the name of the animal.
7 End loop

5.4.1 Give ONE reason why a WHILE loop is a more suitable control
structure than a FOR loop in the given algorithm. (1)

5.4.2 Line 5 of the given algorithm may be completed in a number of

different ways.

Analyse the aims and IF statements below and write down ONLY
the correct missing logical operator (NOT/AND/OR) to complete
each of the IF statements in order to accomplish the set aim in
each case.

(a) Aim: List the dates when Shambo, the lioness, was
admitted to the clinic.

IF (animal name is Shambo) … (animal type is a lioness) (1)

(b) Aim: List the dates when all the impala and kudu were
admitted to the clinic.

IF (animal type is impala) … (animal type is kudu) (1)

5.4.3 Write down the name(s) of the animal(s) that will be displayed
when line 5 of the given algorithm is replaced with the following
IF statement:

IF NOT (admitted during the month of May) OR (animal type is

impala) AND (John is the caretaker) … (3)

5.5 The software developer who created the administration system for the
veterinary clinic made use of object-orientated programming (OOP) principles.

The following class diagram (on the next page) is to be used to store
information on a sick animal. Study the class diagram and answer the
questions that follow.

Copyright reserved Please turn over

Information Technology/P2 17 DBE/November 2012
NSC

ANIMAL
− ID

attributes
− Name

Private
− Diagnosis
− Medication
− Hospitalised
+ Constructor()

Public methods
+ Constructor(ID)
+ getAnimalID():string
+ getAnimalName():string
+ setDiagnose(Diagnosis)
+ setMedicationUsed(Medicine)
+ toString():string

5.5.1 Two constructor methods are listed in the class diagram above.

(a) What is the purpose of a constructor in object-orientated

programming? (1)

(b) How will the program know which constructor to run because
both constructors have the same name? (1)

(c) What is the term used for having more than one method
called by the same name? (1)

5.5.2 The software developer needs a method that returns whether the
animal is hospitalised or not.

(a) Classify this method as either a set (mutator) or a get

(accessor) method. (1)

(b) Write a statement to be added to the given class diagram that

will refer to this method. Use a suitable name for the method in
your answer. (2)

5.5.3 Two new classes to describe specific types of animals housed at

the clinic were created, such as the following:

• CagedAnimal class: animals requiring a closed cage, for

example birds and reptiles
• OpenAirAnimal class: animals that can be housed in an
enclosure in the open air, for example lions and impala

Copyright reserved Please turn over

Information Technology/P2 18 DBE/November 2012
NSC

Study the two class diagrams below and answer the questions that
follow.

OpenAirAnimal CagedAnimal

− Name − Name
− Tag − CageType
− Weight
+ needTrees(Qty) − NeedsUVLight
+ orderFood(FoodType)
+ toString():string + toString():string
+ eatsMeat():boolean

The following algorithm was designed as part of the clinic's

administration system:

Line
1 Define object OpenAir as OpenAirAnimal class type
2 Define object Caged as CagedAnimal class type

3 IF (OpenAirAnimal.Name) = (CagedAnimal.Name)
4 Display message: 'Animals have the same name'
5 IF OpenAir.NeedTrees(toString)
6 Display message: 'Animal needs trees in cage'

(a) What is the purpose of the toString() method? (1)

(b) Explain why the IF statement in line 3 is an invalid statement. (2)

(c) Explain why the IF statement in line 5 is an invalid statement. (2)

TOTAL SECTION D: 48

Copyright reserved Please turn over

Information Technology/P2 19 DBE/November 2012
NSC

SECTION E: INTEGRATED SCENARIO

QUESTION 6

The Red Feather Nature Park makes use of ICTs for marketing purposes.

6.1 The Park recently launched its website and still has a lot to learn regarding
the design and maintenance of websites.

6.1.1 Why is it important for the Park to have a website? (2)

6.1.2 Describe THREE requirements of a well-designed website. (3)

6.1.3 The administration manager has heard that hackers could gain
access and interfere with the Park's website.

(a) Give ONE possible indication/reason that may make one

conclude that a website has been hacked. (1)

(b) State TWO ways of preventing the hacking of a website. (2)

(c) Give TWO reasons why hackers usually try to gain access to
websites. (2)

6.1.4 A website is search-engine friendly when it is displayed high up in

search results for relevant keywords.

(a) Why is it important for the Park to have a search-engine-

friendly website? (1)

(b) Google makes use of spider programs in this regard. What is a

spider program? (2)

6.1.5 Navigation is an important part of a website's functionality.

Name TWO aspects regarding a website's design that will promote

good website navigation. (2)

6.1.6 The webmaster uses FTP to update the Park's website.

(a) Define the concept FTP. (2)

(b) Explain the difference between HTTP and FTP. (2)

(c) State another way in which the webmaster could update the
website. (1)

Copyright reserved Please turn over

Information Technology/P2 20 DBE/November 2012
NSC

6.1.7 A server is used to host the park's website. The server makes use
of RAID technology to protect the website’s data.

(a) RAID Level 0 will not protect the website's data. Explain why
this is the case. (2)

(b) Motivate why RAID Level 1 will protect the website's data by
briefly explaining how RAID Level 1 works. (3)

(c) Name TWO operating systems that could be used on the

server. (2)

(d) Explain how web caching improves the speed of accessing a

website. (2)

6.2 All the buildings in the Park are connected via an Ethernet network making
use of the TCP/IP protocol.

6.2.1 Define the term communication protocol. (2)

6.2.2 Define the term network topology. (1)

6.2.3 Name the topology that is used in an Ethernet network. (1)

6.2.4 The Park is more than five kilometres wide.

Give TWO reasons why UTP cables are NOT the preferred choice
for cabling the network. (2)

6.2.5 The botanical garden and the maintenance offices are outer
buildings which make use of a VPN to connect to the
administration office.

(a) Briefly explain what a VPN is. (2)

(b) State ONE disadvantage of using a VPN. (1)

6.3 The administration manager has been informed that RSS feeds are a good
way to distribute the latest news about the park.

6.3.1 Many people prefer RSS feeds instead of visiting a website for
news. Give TWO possible reasons why. (2)

6.3.2 Name TWO other ways in which newsworthy events at the Park
could be distributed online. (2)

Copyright reserved Please turn over

Information Technology/P2 21 DBE/November 2012
NSC

6.4 The Park sends out a monthly e-mail newsletter to all its subscribers.

6.4.1 Describe TWO ways in which the author of the e-mail could
prevent the e-mail being flagged as spam by the recipients' e-mail
software. (2)

6.4.2 An unsubscribe option is included at the bottom of every

newsletter. Why is it important that this option is included? (1)

6.4.3 The e-mail newsletter has over 5 000 subscribers. A newspaper

article has been scanned to be attached and sent out with the
e-mail newsletter. The scanner gives the option to create the
document in a PDF or TIFF file format.

(a) Which file format (PDF or TIFF) would you recommend? (1)

(b) Give ONE reason for your answer. (1)

TOTAL SECTION E: 47
GRAND TOTAL: 180

Copyright reserved Please turn over