WAEC SSCE - Data Processing - 2020 (Essay and Test of Practical Work)

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This question tests keyboard shortcuts, search-engine syntax, and the difference between LAN and WAN.

(a) Keyboard shortcuts.

• (i) Rotate an object in CorelDraw: click the object twice to get the rotation handles (Alt + F8 opens the Transformation/Rotate docker where the rotation angle is entered).
• (ii) Position an object in CorelDraw: Alt + F7 opens the Position (Transformation) docker used to move the object to an exact position.
• (iii) Navigate to cell A1 in an Excel worksheet: press Ctrl + Home.

(b) The plus sign (+) in search text. Placing a plus sign before a word tells the search engine that the word must be included in every result, narrowing the search to pages that contain that exact term.

(c) LAN versus WAN (with diagrams).

Simple sketches you should draw: a LAN as a few computers linked to one central switch/hub in a single room; a WAN as two or more such LANs in different towns joined by routers and a long-distance link (for example over the Internet).

Examination reminder: the single most important difference is geographical coverage - LAN is confined to one site, WAN spans large distances. The exam expects a labelled sketch, so always draw and label the nodes and the connecting link.

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This question tests understanding of functions and cell referencing in Microsoft Excel.

(a) A function in MS Excel. A function is a built-in, predefined formula that performs a specific calculation on given values (called arguments) and returns a result, for example \( =SUM(A1:A10) \) adds the values in the range.

(b) Two categories of functions. Examples include mathematical/arithmetic functions (such as SUM, PRODUCT) and statistical functions (such as AVERAGE, MAX, MIN, COUNT). Other acceptable categories are logical (IF, AND), date and time, and text functions.

(c) Cell referencing. Cell referencing is the way of identifying and using a cell (or range of cells) in a formula by its address, that is its column letter and row number, such as B4 or A1:A10, so that the formula uses the value stored there.

(d)(i) and (ii) Two types of cell referencing, with an example of each.

• Relative referencing: the reference changes automatically when the formula is copied to another cell. Example: \( =A1+B1 \).
• Absolute referencing: the reference is fixed with dollar signs and does not change when copied. Example: \( =\$A\$1+B1 \).

(A third type, mixed referencing, fixes only the row or only the column, e.g. \( =A\$1 \) or \( =\$A1 \).)

Examination reminder: the dollar sign is what makes a reference absolute; without it a reference is relative and will shift when the formula is filled or copied.

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This scenario tests knowledge of the services, devices and software of a computer business centre and of protecting a computer from infected removable media.

(a) Three computer services in the business centre.

• Typesetting/word processing and printing of documents.
• Internet browsing and email services.
• Photocopying, scanning and lamination (also computer training).

(b) Three devices required. A computer (PC), a printer, and a scanner (a photocopier, UPS or modem/router are also acceptable).

(c) Two application software needed. A word processor (for example Microsoft Word) and a web browser (for example Google Chrome); a spreadsheet or graphics package is also acceptable.

(d) Two precautions when accepting documents on movable devices.

• Install and keep an up-to-date antivirus program, and scan every flash drive or memory card for viruses before opening its files.
• Disable autorun/autoplay for removable media (and enable a firewall), so that malware cannot launch automatically when a device is plugged in.

Examination reminder: the danger from customers' movable devices is malware; the correct precautions are antivirus scanning and disabling autorun, not physical handling.

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This scenario tests the merits and demerits of distributed databases and the reasons for laboratory air-conditioning and a UPS.

(a)(i) Three importances of a distributed database.

• Data can be stored close to where it is used, giving faster local access at each campus.
• It is more reliable: if one site fails, the other site can still operate, so there is no single point of total failure.
• It allows data sharing between the campuses while still permitting local control, and it grows easily as more sites are added.

(a)(ii) Three disadvantages of using computer processing of information.

• High cost of buying, maintaining and securing the equipment and software.
• Risk of data loss or breach through system failure, hacking or viruses.
• It can lead to job losses/over-dependence, and needs trained staff and constant power.

(b)(i) Two reasons for installing air conditioners. To keep the equipment cool and prevent overheating that damages components, and to control humidity and dust, providing a comfortable environment for users and stable operation.

(b)(ii) Two reasons for installing a UPS (uninterruptible power supply). To provide backup power so the computers keep running during a power cut, and to protect equipment and unsaved data from sudden power failure and voltage fluctuations by allowing a safe, orderly shutdown.

Examination reminder: tie each reason to a consequence - air conditioning prevents overheating; a UPS prevents data loss and damage from power cuts. State the benefit, not just the device.

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(a) Create a four-slide presentation

1. Open Microsoft PowerPoint; the first (Title) slide appears automatically.
2. Press Ctrl + M (or click New Slide on the Home tab) three times to add three more slides, giving four slides in all.

(b) Show today's date, slide number and your surname on the footer of every slide except the title slide

1. Click the Insert tab, then click Header & Footer.
2. On the Slide tab, tick Date and time and choose Update automatically so today's date shows.
3. Tick the Slide number box.
4. Tick the Footer box and type your surname in the footer text box.
5. Tick Don't show on title slide.
6. Click Apply to All.

(c) Insert a picture from the Pictures folder on the second slide

1. Click the second slide.
2. Click the Insert tab, then click Pictures.
3. Open the Pictures folder, select the picture and click Insert (or double-click the picture).

(d) Type your name as the main title and your personal profile as the subtitle

1. Click the title (first) slide.
2. Click the title text box and type your name as the main title.
3. Click the subtitle text box and type your personal profile as the subtitle.

(e) Make each slide run for five seconds continuously until the Esc key is pressed

1. Click the Transitions tab.
2. In the Timing group, untick On Mouse Click, tick After and set the time to 00:05.00 (five seconds).
3. Click Apply to All.
4. Click the Slide Show tab, then Set Up Slide Show.
5. Tick Loop continuously until 'Esc', choose All slides, then click OK and start the slide show.

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(a) Display the number of words, lines of text, pages and paragraphs in the corrected document

1. Open the corrected version of the document.
2. Click the Review tab on the menu bar.
3. Click Word Count in the Proofing group (or click the word-count area on the status bar at the bottom of the screen).
4. The Word Count dialog box appears, showing the number of pages, words, characters, paragraphs and lines. Read the values, then click Close.

(b) Display the original and the corrected versions on screen at the same time for comparison

1. Open both documents, the original and the corrected copy.
2. Click the View tab on the menu bar.
3. In the Window group, click View Side by Side.
4. Word places the two documents next to each other on the screen; turn on Synchronous Scrolling so both scroll together for easy comparison. Click Close Side by Side when finished.

(c) Three steps to secure the document with a password

1. Click the File tab, choose Info, click Protect Document and select Encrypt with Password.
2. Type the password and click OK, then re-enter the same password to confirm and click OK.
3. Save the document with the filename "initial".