NAME ……………………………………..………………..

DATE …………………………………

INDEX NO. …………….……….……..…..… CANDIDATE’S SIGNATURE …………..…..………..

SCHOOL:…………………………………………….

451/1 451/1 Computer studies PP1

COMPUTER STUDIES
Tuesday 19th March, 2024
PAPER 1
(THEORY) Afternoon
TIME: 2 ½ hours
Time: 2.00-4.30pm
CRESCENDO ONE EXAMINATION
2024
Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (K.C.S.E)
451/1
COMPUTER STUDIES
PAPER 1
(THEORY)
MARCH 2024
TIME: 2 ½ hours

Instructions to Candidates
(a) Write your name and index number in the spaces provided above.
(b) This Paper consists of two sections A and B.
(c) Answer ALL the questions in section A.
(d) Answer question 16 (compulsory) and any other THREE questions from section B.
(e) All answers should be written in the spaces provided.
(f) This paper consists of 10 printed pages. Candidates should check to ensure that all pages are printed as
indicated and no questions are missing

FOR EXAMINER’S USE ONLY

Section Questions Candidate’s score
A 1- 15
16
17
18
B
19
20
TOTAL SCORE

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 SECTION A (40 MARKS)
Answer ALL questions in this section in the spaces provided
1. A student typed a letter in a word processor and the last line of the letter flowed to the second page. State
three ways in which the student could have adjusted the letter to fit on one page without changing the
paper size. (3marks)
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2. State one function of each of the following elements of a computer system: i)
Hardware (1mark)
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ii) Software (1mark)
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iii) Liveware (1mark)

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3. a) What is a bit? (1mark)
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b) Given the binary number 1010111011110112, determine the number of:
i)
Nibbles; (1mark)
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Bytes; (1mark)ii)

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4. State the following types of transcription errors.
a) 1245 instead of 124S (letters) (1mark)
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b) Borad instead of Board (1mark)

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5. a) What is meant by the term data integrity as used in computing? (1mark)
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b) State two ways of enhancing the integrity of data (2marks)

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6. Distinguish between count and count If as used in spreadsheets (2marks)
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7. Apart from the system unit, monitor, keyboard and mouse, state other four hardware requirements for
video conferencing. (2marks)
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8. Identify each of the following symbols as used in a system flowchart (2marks)

a)
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b) ............................................................................................................................

9. Differentiate between user documentation and Technical documentation (2marks)

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10. Suggest three reasons that would make workers in an organization unhappy with introduction of a
computerized system. (3marks)
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11. Explain the following internet related terms (4marks)

a) Sign in
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b) Search engine
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c) Surf
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d) Sign up
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12. a) State two functions of a compiler. (2marks)
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b) Other than flowcharts, state three tools that can be used to present an algorithm (2marks)
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13. State three factors that have led to slow growth of e-learning in Kenyan schools. (3marks)
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14. List four jobs associated with training in ICT. (2marks)
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15. a) What is meant by the term suite as used in application programs? (1mark)
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 b) List two programs under the ms office suite. (1mark)

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SECTION B (60 MARKS)

Answer question 16 (Compulsory) and any other three questions from this section
16. a) State the importance of the following in programming
(i) Assembler (1mark)
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(ii) Compiler (1mark)

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(b) A form four class sat for an exam in eight subjects. A student must get an average of 50% in all subjects
in order to pass. A report is required that will show the name, marks obtained by each
student per subject, the average mark and whether the student has passed or failed.
(i) Write a pseudo code used to solve this problem. (6 marks)

(ii) Draw a flow chart for this report. (7 marks)

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17. a) Use twos complement to perform the following arithmetic operations
i) 1510- 1210 (4marks)

ii) 101112-10112 (4marks)

b) 10112 is a ones complement binary representation of a number using four bits work out the
likely positive equivalent in base 10. (2marks)

c) Convert the decimal fraction 10.375910 to its binary equivalent. (4marks)

d) Assuming the existence of base six, list the numbers used in the number system.

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 ………………………………………………………………………. (1mark)

18. a) Distinguish between physical and logical topology, giving an example in each case.
(2marks)
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b) Nanyuki Boys wanted to network computers in their school’s computer laboratory so that they can share
resources. The computer laboratory has 48 computers. The schools’ network administrator wanted all
computers on the network to act as servers and clients at the same time.
i) Identify the type of local area network that was proposed by the network administrator. (2marks)
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ii) State the disadvantages associated with the proposed network type. (2marks)
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iii) Advice the school on the best type of LAN, Network Devices, Communication media and network
software that will be fast, efficient and economical for the school. (4marks)
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iv) Identify four resources that will be shared on the network. (2marks)
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c) List three disadvantages of fiber optic cable. (3marks)

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19. a) List six ways in which data integrity can be compromised. (6marks)

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b) Distinguish between spyware and antispyware. (2marks)

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c) Describe biometric security. (2marks)

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d) Give five general rules that must be observed to keep within the law when working with data and
information. (5marks)

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 20. a) A student at Njoro Boys has a document of 10GB in a hard disk. He wants to transfer that
document into a floppy disk of 1.44MB. Determine the number of floppy disks he requires.
(3marks)

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b) List two differences between buffers and registers (2marks)

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c) State any three disadvantages of a magnetic diskette. (3marks)

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d) Highlight four characteristics of a flash memory. (4marks)

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