Information and Communication Technology (9-1) 0983 | Paper 1 Mock 21 | Theory
Question 1 Report
Drones are increasingly being used for both commercial and recreational purposes.
(a) Describe two commercial uses of drones. [2]
(b) State two legal or ethical concerns about drone use. [2]
(c) Describe two advantages of using drones for delivering parcels. [2]
(d) State two technical challenges that drone delivery services face. [2]
(a) Two commercial uses of drones:
- Aerial photography and videography for real estate, events, filmmaking and marketing. [1]
- Surveying and mapping large areas of land quickly and cost-effectively, for example in agriculture or construction. [1]
(b) Two legal or ethical concerns about drone use:
- Invasion of privacy: drones equipped with cameras could be used to spy on people or photograph them without their consent. [1]
- Safety risk near airports: drones flying in restricted airspace pose a risk of collision with manned aircraft. [1]
(c) Two advantages of using drones for delivering parcels:
- Drones can avoid road traffic congestion, potentially delivering packages faster than traditional delivery vans. [1]
- Drones can deliver to remote or hard-to-reach locations such as rural areas, islands or disaster zones where road access is limited. [1]
(d) Two technical challenges for drone delivery services:
- Limited battery life restricts both the range a drone can fly and the weight of parcel it can carry. [1]
- Drones are difficult to operate safely in bad weather conditions such as strong wind and heavy rain, which can affect stability and navigation. [1]
Answer Details
(a) Two commercial uses of drones:
- Aerial photography and videography for real estate, events, filmmaking and marketing. [1]
- Surveying and mapping large areas of land quickly and cost-effectively, for example in agriculture or construction. [1]
(b) Two legal or ethical concerns about drone use:
- Invasion of privacy: drones equipped with cameras could be used to spy on people or photograph them without their consent. [1]
- Safety risk near airports: drones flying in restricted airspace pose a risk of collision with manned aircraft. [1]
(c) Two advantages of using drones for delivering parcels:
- Drones can avoid road traffic congestion, potentially delivering packages faster than traditional delivery vans. [1]
- Drones can deliver to remote or hard-to-reach locations such as rural areas, islands or disaster zones where road access is limited. [1]
(d) Two technical challenges for drone delivery services:
- Limited battery life restricts both the range a drone can fly and the weight of parcel it can carry. [1]
- Drones are difficult to operate safely in bad weather conditions such as strong wind and heavy rain, which can affect stability and navigation. [1]
Question 2 Report
(a) Describe what is meant by a phishing attack. [2]
(b) Explain two ways a user can identify that an email may be a phishing attempt. [2]
(c) State two actions a user should take if they receive a suspected phishing email. [2]
(a) A phishing attack is when a fraudulent email or message is sent that appears to come from a legitimate organisation, such as a bank or online retailer. [1] The aim is to trick the user into revealing personal or financial information such as passwords, bank account details or credit card numbers by directing them to a fake website or prompting them to reply. [1]
(b) Two ways a user can identify that an email may be a phishing attempt:
- The email address of the sender may be slightly different from the genuine organisation's address. For example, it might use a misspelled domain name or extra characters, which a real company would not use. [1]
- The email may contain spelling or grammar errors that a genuine organisation would not make, since legitimate companies typically proofread their official communications carefully. [1]
(c) Two actions a user should take if they receive a suspected phishing email:
- Do not click on any links or open any attachments in the email, as these may lead to a fake website designed to steal information or may install malware. [1]
- Report the email to the IT department or the organisation being impersonated, so that they can investigate and warn other users. [1]
Answer Details
(a) A phishing attack is when a fraudulent email or message is sent that appears to come from a legitimate organisation, such as a bank or online retailer. [1] The aim is to trick the user into revealing personal or financial information such as passwords, bank account details or credit card numbers by directing them to a fake website or prompting them to reply. [1]
(b) Two ways a user can identify that an email may be a phishing attempt:
- The email address of the sender may be slightly different from the genuine organisation's address. For example, it might use a misspelled domain name or extra characters, which a real company would not use. [1]
- The email may contain spelling or grammar errors that a genuine organisation would not make, since legitimate companies typically proofread their official communications carefully. [1]
(c) Two actions a user should take if they receive a suspected phishing email:
- Do not click on any links or open any attachments in the email, as these may lead to a fake website designed to steal information or may install malware. [1]
- Report the email to the IT department or the organisation being impersonated, so that they can investigate and warn other users. [1]
Question 3 Report
(a) Describe two electrical safety hazards that can occur in a room with many computers. [2]
(b) State three precautions that should be taken to reduce electrical safety risks. [3]
(c) Give one reason why trailing cables are a physical hazard. [1]
(a) Two electrical safety hazards in a room with many computers:
- Overloading power sockets by plugging too many devices into a single outlet can cause overheating and potentially start a fire. [1]
- Damaged or frayed power cables with exposed wiring can cause electric shocks if touched, or can create a short circuit leading to fire. [1]
(b) Three precautions to reduce electrical safety risks:
- Use surge-protected power strips to prevent damage from power surges and to avoid overloading individual sockets. [1]
- Regularly inspect all cables and power leads for signs of damage and replace any that are worn or frayed before they become dangerous. [1]
- Ensure all electrical equipment is tested and certified by a qualified electrician at regular intervals (known as PAT testing). [1]
(c) Why trailing cables are a physical hazard:
Trailing cables across the floor create a trip hazard that could cause someone to fall and injure themselves, and could also pull equipment off the desk if snagged by a passing person. [1]
Answer Details
(a) Two electrical safety hazards in a room with many computers:
- Overloading power sockets by plugging too many devices into a single outlet can cause overheating and potentially start a fire. [1]
- Damaged or frayed power cables with exposed wiring can cause electric shocks if touched, or can create a short circuit leading to fire. [1]
(b) Three precautions to reduce electrical safety risks:
- Use surge-protected power strips to prevent damage from power surges and to avoid overloading individual sockets. [1]
- Regularly inspect all cables and power leads for signs of damage and replace any that are worn or frayed before they become dangerous. [1]
- Ensure all electrical equipment is tested and certified by a qualified electrician at regular intervals (known as PAT testing). [1]
(c) Why trailing cables are a physical hazard:
Trailing cables across the floor create a trip hazard that could cause someone to fall and injure themselves, and could also pull equipment off the desk if snagged by a passing person. [1]
Question 4 Report
A school asks students to design a newsletter for parents.
(a) Describe two accessibility features that should be considered when designing the newsletter. [2]
(b) State two reasons why using too many different fonts in a document is bad design practice. [2]
(c) State two benefits of using white space in a document design. [2]
(a) Two accessibility features to consider when designing the newsletter:
- Use a clear, legible font (such as a sans-serif typeface) at a sufficient size so that parents with reduced vision can read the text comfortably. [1]
- Ensure there is good colour contrast between the text and the background so the content is readable for people with colour vision deficiencies. [1]
(b) Two reasons why using too many different fonts is bad design practice:
- It makes the document look unprofessional and cluttered, giving an inconsistent and disorganised impression. [1]
- It reduces readability because the reader constantly has to adjust to different typeface styles, sizes and weights, which slows down comprehension. [1]
(c) Two benefits of using white space in a document design:
- White space makes the document look cleaner and less cluttered, preventing the reader from feeling overwhelmed by dense blocks of content. [1]
- It helps guide the reader's eye to the most important content by creating visual separation between sections. [1]
Answer Details
(a) Two accessibility features to consider when designing the newsletter:
- Use a clear, legible font (such as a sans-serif typeface) at a sufficient size so that parents with reduced vision can read the text comfortably. [1]
- Ensure there is good colour contrast between the text and the background so the content is readable for people with colour vision deficiencies. [1]
(b) Two reasons why using too many different fonts is bad design practice:
- It makes the document look unprofessional and cluttered, giving an inconsistent and disorganised impression. [1]
- It reduces readability because the reader constantly has to adjust to different typeface styles, sizes and weights, which slows down comprehension. [1]
(c) Two benefits of using white space in a document design:
- White space makes the document look cleaner and less cluttered, preventing the reader from feeling overwhelmed by dense blocks of content. [1]
- It helps guide the reader's eye to the most important content by creating visual separation between sections. [1]
Question 5 Report
A small business is choosing between buying a desktop computer and a laptop.
(a) Complete the table comparing desktop computers and laptops.
| Desktop | Laptop | |
|---|---|---|
| Advantage 1 | ||
| Advantage 2 |
[4]
(b) State one component that both computers must have to connect to the internet. [1]
(a)
| Desktop | Laptop | |
|---|---|---|
| Advantage 1 | Easier and cheaper to upgrade components such as RAM, graphics cards and storage drives, extending the computer's useful life. [1] | Portable and can be used in different locations, such as at home, in meetings or while travelling. [1] |
| Advantage 2 | Typically offers better performance for the same price, with more powerful processors and superior cooling systems that prevent thermal throttling. [1] | Has a built-in battery, so it can continue to be used during a power cut or in locations without mains power. [1] |
(b) Both computers need a network interface card (NIC) or wireless network adapter to connect to the internet. [1] This component allows the computer to communicate over a wired (Ethernet) or wireless (Wi-Fi) network.
Answer Details
(a)
| Desktop | Laptop | |
|---|---|---|
| Advantage 1 | Easier and cheaper to upgrade components such as RAM, graphics cards and storage drives, extending the computer's useful life. [1] | Portable and can be used in different locations, such as at home, in meetings or while travelling. [1] |
| Advantage 2 | Typically offers better performance for the same price, with more powerful processors and superior cooling systems that prevent thermal throttling. [1] | Has a built-in battery, so it can continue to be used during a power cut or in locations without mains power. [1] |
(b) Both computers need a network interface card (NIC) or wireless network adapter to connect to the internet. [1] This component allows the computer to communicate over a wired (Ethernet) or wireless (Wi-Fi) network.
Question 6 Report
The following table describes different computing needs. Identify the most suitable type of computer for each need.
| Computing need | Most suitable type of computer |
|---|---|
| A student writing essays and browsing the internet at home | |
| A scientist simulating nuclear fusion reactions | |
| Controlling the temperature in a domestic oven | |
| A bank processing millions of transactions from ATMs across the country | |
| A sales representative demonstrating products to customers at different locations |
[5]
| Computing need | Most suitable type of computer |
|---|---|
| A student writing essays and browsing the internet at home | Desktop computer or laptop. [1] These provide a comfortable screen size, keyboard and sufficient performance for word processing and web browsing. |
| A scientist simulating nuclear fusion reactions | Supercomputer. [1] Nuclear fusion simulations require enormous processing power to model complex physics at the atomic scale. |
| Controlling the temperature in a domestic oven | Embedded system (microcontroller). [1] A small, dedicated processor built into the oven that runs a fixed control program to regulate temperature. |
| A bank processing millions of transactions from ATMs across the country | Mainframe. [1] Mainframes are designed for high-volume transaction processing with thousands of simultaneous connections and extreme reliability. |
| A sales representative demonstrating products to customers at different locations | Laptop or tablet. [1] Portability is essential, and these devices can run presentation software and carry product catalogues. |
Answer Details
| Computing need | Most suitable type of computer |
|---|---|
| A student writing essays and browsing the internet at home | Desktop computer or laptop. [1] These provide a comfortable screen size, keyboard and sufficient performance for word processing and web browsing. |
| A scientist simulating nuclear fusion reactions | Supercomputer. [1] Nuclear fusion simulations require enormous processing power to model complex physics at the atomic scale. |
| Controlling the temperature in a domestic oven | Embedded system (microcontroller). [1] A small, dedicated processor built into the oven that runs a fixed control program to regulate temperature. |
| A bank processing millions of transactions from ATMs across the country | Mainframe. [1] Mainframes are designed for high-volume transaction processing with thousands of simultaneous connections and extreme reliability. |
| A sales representative demonstrating products to customers at different locations | Laptop or tablet. [1] Portability is essential, and these devices can run presentation software and carry product catalogues. |
Question 7 Report
A hospital is considering introducing a computer-based patient monitoring system.
| Feature | Computer monitoring | Manual monitoring by nurse |
|---|---|---|
| Frequency of readings | Continuous (every second) | Periodic (every 30-60 minutes) |
| Alerting | Automatic alarm when readings exceed limits | Nurse notices at next check |
| Record keeping | Automatic digital log | Written on paper charts |
(a) Explain two advantages of computer monitoring over manual monitoring, using the table to support your answer. [4]
(b) Explain two reasons why nurses are still needed even when computer monitoring is in place. [2]
(a) Two advantages of computer monitoring over manual monitoring:
- Computer monitoring takes readings every second (as the table shows), so a sudden dangerous change in a patient's condition is detected immediately. A nurse checking every 30 to 60 minutes could miss a critical change between visits, potentially delaying life-saving intervention. [2]
- Automatic digital logging creates a complete and accurate record of all readings over time. This is easier to analyse, search and share with other medical staff than handwritten paper charts, which are more prone to errors and harder to read. [2]
(b) Two reasons why nurses are still needed with computer monitoring:
- Nurses can assess aspects of a patient's condition that sensors cannot measure, such as the patient's level of pain, emotional state, skin colour or ability to communicate. [1]
- Nurses can respond immediately to an alarm by providing physical care such as administering medication, repositioning the patient or calling a doctor, which the monitoring system itself cannot do. [1]
Answer Details
(a) Two advantages of computer monitoring over manual monitoring:
- Computer monitoring takes readings every second (as the table shows), so a sudden dangerous change in a patient's condition is detected immediately. A nurse checking every 30 to 60 minutes could miss a critical change between visits, potentially delaying life-saving intervention. [2]
- Automatic digital logging creates a complete and accurate record of all readings over time. This is easier to analyse, search and share with other medical staff than handwritten paper charts, which are more prone to errors and harder to read. [2]
(b) Two reasons why nurses are still needed with computer monitoring:
- Nurses can assess aspects of a patient's condition that sensors cannot measure, such as the patient's level of pain, emotional state, skin colour or ability to communicate. [1]
- Nurses can respond immediately to an alarm by providing physical care such as administering medication, repositioning the patient or calling a doctor, which the monitoring system itself cannot do. [1]
Question 8 Report
There are many different types of computer, each suited to different tasks.
(a) Complete the table by matching each computer type to a suitable use.
| Computer type | Suitable use |
|---|---|
| Mainframe | |
| Desktop | |
| Laptop | |
| Tablet |
[4]
(b) Give two differences between a mainframe computer and a desktop computer. [2]
(a)
| Computer type | Suitable use |
|---|---|
| Mainframe | Processing millions of banking transactions per day for a large bank, where thousands of users need simultaneous access to the same system. [1] |
| Desktop | Running office applications such as word processors and spreadsheets, and managing files in a standard office environment. [1] |
| Laptop | Working on documents and presentations while travelling between client meetings, where portability is essential. [1] |
| Tablet | Casual use such as browsing the internet, reading e-books and watching videos in a relaxed setting. [1] |
(b) Two differences between a mainframe and a desktop:
- A mainframe can support hundreds or thousands of simultaneous users (such as bank tellers and ATMs), whereas a desktop typically serves a single user at a time. [1]
- A mainframe is far more powerful and expensive, designed for large-scale data processing and high availability, whereas a desktop is an affordable personal computer designed for individual use. [1]
Answer Details
(a)
| Computer type | Suitable use |
|---|---|
| Mainframe | Processing millions of banking transactions per day for a large bank, where thousands of users need simultaneous access to the same system. [1] |
| Desktop | Running office applications such as word processors and spreadsheets, and managing files in a standard office environment. [1] |
| Laptop | Working on documents and presentations while travelling between client meetings, where portability is essential. [1] |
| Tablet | Casual use such as browsing the internet, reading e-books and watching videos in a relaxed setting. [1] |
(b) Two differences between a mainframe and a desktop:
- A mainframe can support hundreds or thousands of simultaneous users (such as bank tellers and ATMs), whereas a desktop typically serves a single user at a time. [1]
- A mainframe is far more powerful and expensive, designed for large-scale data processing and high availability, whereas a desktop is an affordable personal computer designed for individual use. [1]
Question 9 Report
A school has recently introduced an online learning platform that students can access from home.
(a) Explain what is meant by an ISP (Internet Service Provider). [2]
(b) Describe two services an ISP typically provides. [2]
(c) The school uses HTTPS for its learning platform. Explain why HTTPS is used instead of HTTP. [3]
(a) An ISP (Internet Service Provider) is a company that provides users with access to the internet. [1] It does this by connecting users to the internet backbone through various connection technologies such as broadband, fibre optic, or mobile data. [1]
(b) Two services an ISP typically provides:
- Hosting web pages and providing email services for customers, allowing them to have their own websites and email accounts. [1]
- Providing technical support to help users diagnose and resolve connectivity issues or configuration problems. [1]
(c) HTTPS is used instead of HTTP because it incorporates SSL/TLS encryption to secure all data transmitted between the user's browser and the school's server. [1] This protects sensitive information such as student login credentials and personal data from being intercepted during transmission. [1] HTTPS also verifies the identity of the website through digital certificates, giving users assurance they are connecting to the genuine school platform and not a fraudulent copy. [1]
Answer Details
(a) An ISP (Internet Service Provider) is a company that provides users with access to the internet. [1] It does this by connecting users to the internet backbone through various connection technologies such as broadband, fibre optic, or mobile data. [1]
(b) Two services an ISP typically provides:
- Hosting web pages and providing email services for customers, allowing them to have their own websites and email accounts. [1]
- Providing technical support to help users diagnose and resolve connectivity issues or configuration problems. [1]
(c) HTTPS is used instead of HTTP because it incorporates SSL/TLS encryption to secure all data transmitted between the user's browser and the school's server. [1] This protects sensitive information such as student login credentials and personal data from being intercepted during transmission. [1] HTTPS also verifies the identity of the website through digital certificates, giving users assurance they are connecting to the genuine school platform and not a fraudulent copy. [1]
Question 10 Report
A school uses a relational database to manage student enrolment. The entity-relationship diagram below shows part of the database structure.
(a) State the type of relationship between STUDENT and ENROLMENT. [1]
(b) State the type of relationship between ENROLMENT and COURSE. [1]
(c) Identify which table acts as the link/junction table. [1]
(d) State two fields, other than key fields, that would be suitable for the STUDENT table. [2]
(e) Explain why the ENROLMENT table is needed rather than directly linking STUDENT and COURSE. [2]
(a) The relationship between STUDENT and ENROLMENT is one-to-many. [1] One student can have many enrolments (i.e. be enrolled on multiple courses).
(b) The relationship between ENROLMENT and COURSE is many-to-one. [1] Many enrolment records can refer to the same course.
(c) The table that acts as the link/junction table is ENROLMENT. [1] It sits between STUDENT and COURSE and resolves what would otherwise be a many-to-many relationship.
(d) Two fields (other than key fields) suitable for the STUDENT table:
- StudentName - stores the full name of the student. [1]
- DateOfBirth - stores the student's date of birth. [1]
Other acceptable fields include Address, Email or TelephoneNumber.
(e) The ENROLMENT table is needed because a direct link between STUDENT and COURSE would create a many-to-many relationship (one student can take many courses, and one course can have many students). [1] A many-to-many relationship cannot be directly implemented in a relational database, so ENROLMENT acts as a link/junction table that resolves it into two one-to-many relationships: STUDENT to ENROLMENT (1:M) and COURSE to ENROLMENT (1:M). [1]
Answer Details
(a) The relationship between STUDENT and ENROLMENT is one-to-many. [1] One student can have many enrolments (i.e. be enrolled on multiple courses).
(b) The relationship between ENROLMENT and COURSE is many-to-one. [1] Many enrolment records can refer to the same course.
(c) The table that acts as the link/junction table is ENROLMENT. [1] It sits between STUDENT and COURSE and resolves what would otherwise be a many-to-many relationship.
(d) Two fields (other than key fields) suitable for the STUDENT table:
- StudentName - stores the full name of the student. [1]
- DateOfBirth - stores the student's date of birth. [1]
Other acceptable fields include Address, Email or TelephoneNumber.
(e) The ENROLMENT table is needed because a direct link between STUDENT and COURSE would create a many-to-many relationship (one student can take many courses, and one course can have many students). [1] A many-to-many relationship cannot be directly implemented in a relational database, so ENROLMENT acts as a link/junction table that resolves it into two one-to-many relationships: STUDENT to ENROLMENT (1:M) and COURSE to ENROLMENT (1:M). [1]
Question 11 Report
(a) State the purpose of a firewall. [2]
(b) Describe the difference between a hardware firewall and a software firewall. [2]
(c) Explain why a business might choose to use both types of firewall. [2]
(a) The purpose of a firewall:
- A firewall monitors all incoming and outgoing network traffic. [1]
- It blocks or allows data packets based on a set of predefined security rules, preventing unauthorised access to or from the network. [1]
(b) The difference between a hardware firewall and a software firewall:
- A hardware firewall is a physical device positioned between the network and the internet connection. It filters traffic for the entire network before it reaches any individual computer. [1]
- A software firewall is a program installed on an individual computer that monitors traffic to and from that specific device. It provides protection at the level of a single machine. [1]
(c) Why a business might choose to use both types:
- A hardware firewall protects the entire network from external threats at the point of entry, filtering out attacks before they reach any internal device. [1]
- A software firewall provides additional protection for individual computers against threats that may have bypassed the hardware firewall, or threats that originate from within the network (for example, malware introduced via a USB drive). [1]
Answer Details
(a) The purpose of a firewall:
- A firewall monitors all incoming and outgoing network traffic. [1]
- It blocks or allows data packets based on a set of predefined security rules, preventing unauthorised access to or from the network. [1]
(b) The difference between a hardware firewall and a software firewall:
- A hardware firewall is a physical device positioned between the network and the internet connection. It filters traffic for the entire network before it reaches any individual computer. [1]
- A software firewall is a program installed on an individual computer that monitors traffic to and from that specific device. It provides protection at the level of a single machine. [1]
(c) Why a business might choose to use both types:
- A hardware firewall protects the entire network from external threats at the point of entry, filtering out attacks before they reach any internal device. [1]
- A software firewall provides additional protection for individual computers against threats that may have bypassed the hardware firewall, or threats that originate from within the network (for example, malware introduced via a USB drive). [1]
Question 12 Report
(a) Describe three features of an email system that make it useful for business communication. [3]
(b) State three advantages of using email compared to sending a letter by post. [3]
(a) Three features of an email system useful for business communication:
- File attachments allow users to send documents, images, spreadsheets and other files along with the email message, making it easy to share work. [1]
- A contacts list or address book stores email addresses, making it quick to select recipients without typing addresses manually each time. [1]
- Folders and labels allow users to organise received emails into categories (such as by project or client) for easy retrieval and management. [1]
(b) Three advantages of email compared to sending a letter by post:
- Email is delivered almost instantly to the recipient's inbox, whereas a letter can take days to arrive by post. [1]
- The same email can be sent to multiple recipients simultaneously using CC or BCC, saving time compared to writing and posting individual letters. [1]
- Email is free to send regardless of the recipient's location, whereas postal letters have a cost per item and international postage is more expensive. [1]
Answer Details
(a) Three features of an email system useful for business communication:
- File attachments allow users to send documents, images, spreadsheets and other files along with the email message, making it easy to share work. [1]
- A contacts list or address book stores email addresses, making it quick to select recipients without typing addresses manually each time. [1]
- Folders and labels allow users to organise received emails into categories (such as by project or client) for easy retrieval and management. [1]
(b) Three advantages of email compared to sending a letter by post:
- Email is delivered almost instantly to the recipient's inbox, whereas a letter can take days to arrive by post. [1]
- The same email can be sent to multiple recipients simultaneously using CC or BCC, saving time compared to writing and posting individual letters. [1]
- Email is free to send regardless of the recipient's location, whereas postal letters have a cost per item and international postage is more expensive. [1]
