Cambridge IGCSE™

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INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY 0417/01

Paper 1 Theory For examination from 2023

SPECIMEN PAPER 1 hour 30 minutes

You must answer on the question paper.

No additional materials are needed.

INSTRUCTIONS
● Answer all questions.
● Use a black or dark blue pen.
● Write your name, centre number and candidate number in the boxes at the top of the page.
● Write your answer to each question in the space provided.
● Do not use an erasable pen or correction fluid.
● Do not write on any bar codes.
● You may use an HB pencil for any diagrams, graphs or rough working.

INFORMATION
● The total mark for this paper is 80.
● The number of marks for each question or part question is shown in brackets [ ].
● No marks will be awarded for using brand names of software packages or hardware.

This document has 12 pages.

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1 Circle two items which are internal hardware components.

Actuator Keyboard Linker Monitor

Mouse Printer Processor Sound card

[2]

2 One component of the internal memory of a computer is Random Access Memory (RAM).

State two characteristics of RAM.

data is temporarily stored
1 ........................................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................................

2 ........................................................................................................................................................
it is volatile

...........................................................................................................................................................
[2]

3 Tick () which device produces solid objects.

A Inkjet printer

B Dot matrix printer

C Laser printer

D 3D printer

[1]

4 For each of the following uses of data capture, name one appropriate direct data entry device. The
devices must be different in each case.

(a) Contactless credit cards

magnetic stripe readers RFID reader
............................................................................................................................................... [1]

(b) Multiple choice answers in an examination paper

............................................................................................................................................... [1]
omr

(c) To scan items at a computerised till

...............................................................................................................................................
barcode readers [1]

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5 A glasshouse is used to grow plants and is computer controlled.

(a) Name three sensors which could be used in this glasshouse.

1 .................................................................................................................................................
tempreture sensor
light sensor
2 .................................................................................................................................................
humidity sensor
3 .................................................................................................................................................
[3]

(b) Give two reasons why data from the sensors need to be converted for use by a computer.
easier for the human to monitor/read
1 .................................................................................................................................................

....................................................................................................................................................
the input to the computer is digital

2 .................................................................................................................................................

....................................................................................................................................................
 [2]

6 A smartphone has many uses, for example making and receiving telephone calls.

Give four other uses of a smartphone.

finding out what time it is emails
1 ........................................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................................
recording your fitness progress
2 ........................................................................................................................................................
socail networking

...........................................................................................................................................................

3 ........................................................................................................................................................
communitcating to your friends online

...........................................................................................................................................................
to use the alarm gaming
4 ........................................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................................
[4]

1/4

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7 A developer is writing a program to record the results of examinations taken by students in a

school.

(a) The program will be tested to make sure that it works.

There are three types of test data that can be used to test a system: normal, abnormal and
extreme.

Explain what is meant by normal, abnormal and extreme test data.

data is in range of acceptbility
Normal .......................................................................................................................................

....................................................................................................................................................

Abnormal ...................................................................................................................................
data that is of an incorrect type

....................................................................................................................................................
data that is on the limit of acceptability
Extreme .....................................................................................................................................

....................................................................................................................................................
 [3]

(b) The program collects a large amount of data and this could be stored using either a fixed
solid-state drive (SSD) or cloud storage.

The developer is planning to use cloud storage.

(i) Describe four advantages to the school of using cloud storage rather than using the
SSD.
files can be accessed and downloaded any time
1 .........................................................................................................................................

............................................................................................................................................
cloud system offers unlimited storage capacity
2 .........................................................................................................................................
many people can share the data
............................................................................................................................................
there is no need for a customer to carry external storage
3 .........................................................................................................................................

............................................................................................................................................
the cloud provides the user with remote back up of data w
4 .........................................................................................................................................

............................................................................................................................................
[4]
3/4

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(ii) Describe three disadvantages to the school of using cloud storage rather than using the
SSD.

1 .........................................................................................................................................
slow connection will make it harder to download or accessing files

............................................................................................................................................

costs can be high if large storage capacity is required

2 .........................................................................................................................................

............................................................................................................................................

3 .........................................................................................................................................
cloud storage has potential of failing meaning all backed up storage will
be lost
............................................................................................................................................
[3]

(c) The developer spends a great deal of time using a computer.

For each of the statements given, identify a health problem and describe a possible solution.

Your answers must be different in each case.

Health problem Possible solution

Using a mouse for a long
become clogged up with dirt
period of time clean it before use
strain injury use a wrist rest

Sitting for too long in one

position back problems get a lean down chair

adjustabe chair

[4]
2/4

8 A company has an extranet.

Explain what is meant by an extranet.

netwrok controlled by a company
...........................................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................................
privaet network

...........................................................................................................................................................
allows access to authorised customer

...........................................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................... [3]

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9 A taxi company tracks the routes their cars have travelled and the current location of each one
using a Global Positioning System (GPS).

A map showing the route taken and current location of each car is displayed on the office monitor.

Describe in detail how this system could work.

...........................................................................................................................................................
data is stored and saved in the computer

data is transmitted every feew seconeds v

...........................................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................................
the map is updated every few seconds

...........................................................................................................................................................
algorithm calcultes speed/location of the car

...........................................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................... [4]

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10 A headteacher is planning to hold a video-conference with headteachers from other schools.

The headteachers already have basic internet connected desktop computer systems including a
monitor, keyboard and mouse.

(a) Identify three pieces of additional hardware they need in order to participate in a video-
conference.

1 .................................................................................................................................................
speaker

2 .................................................................................................................................................
video camera

3 .................................................................................................................................................
microphone
 [3]

(b) A technician is setting up the hardware for the video-conference.

State three tasks the technician would need to do to set up the hardware for the video-
conference.

You can assume that the hardware required has already been purchased.
plug the microphone in
1 .................................................................................................................................................
check volume levels
....................................................................................................................................................
speakers should be plugged in
2 .................................................................................................................................................
check interent connecivity
....................................................................................................................................................
video camera should be
3 .................................................................................................................................................
plugged and turned on
ensure they are connects
....................................................................................................................................................
[3]
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11 Microprocessor-controlled devices in the home have had positive effects on people’s lifestyles.
One of the positive effects of using these devices is that we can now set a cooker to switch on
whilst we are out so that we arrive home to a cooked meal.

Describe the positive effects of using other microprocessor-controlled devices in the home.

...........................................................................................................................................................
microprocessors mad human life easier by doing day to day chores which frees up more time which can be
used to do hobbies etc. everything is done for them
...........................................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................................
'increases sense of security
...........................................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................................
microporocessor devices can be used for physical fitness

...........................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................... [4]
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12 Tawara Retail is an online store. This online store does not have physical shops. Customers buy
products from this store using internet shopping.

Describe the advantages to Tawara Retail of offering internet shopping.

it can reach more future customers
...........................................................................................................................................................

easier to access
...........................................................................................................................................................
dont have to waste money on transportation
...........................................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................................
profits increase
...........................................................................................................................................................
can target prices products, services and specifi age groups
...........................................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................................
cheaper to advertise/publisize then mail shots
...................................................................................................................................................... [4]

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13 A media student is creating a movie, in school, for a project. He needs to take the movie home to
edit it.

The student intends to use a CFast solid-state memory card to transport the movie files.

The student is unable to save the work on the memory card.

Give two error messages that may appear when attempting to save the work.
this file cant be saved
1 ........................................................................................................................................................
corrupt card
...........................................................................................................................................................

2 ........................................................................................................................................................
this file is too big
card errorr
...........................................................................................................................................................
[2]

14 Compare the similarities and differences between Bluetooth and wi-fi.

they both offer wireless communication
...........................................................................................................................................................
both use radio frequency
...........................................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................................
wifi is more secure
a wifi enabled device can access up to 100m away while bluetooth is
...........................................................................................................................................................
less then 30

...........................................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................... [4]

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15 Discuss the advantages and disadvantages to customers of using internet banking rather than
visiting a bank.
it is faster to deposit cash/withdraw
...........................................................................................................................................................
no physical robberies
...........................................................................................................................................................
24/7 banking
...........................................................................................................................................................
user needs a reliable internet connection
...........................................................................................................................................................

physical money cannot be withdrawn or deposited

...........................................................................................................................................................
device needs 2 factor authenticatiob
...........................................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................... [6]

16 Some confidential personal data can be classed as sensitive data.

Name three items of personal data that could also be sensitive data.

1 ........................................................................................................................................................
age/ birth
sexual orientation
2 ........................................................................................................................................................
ip address beliefs
3 ........................................................................................................................................................
[3]

2/3

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17 A student uses social media to keep in contact with other people.

Describe four strategies that the student could use to stay safe when using social media to
communicate with others.

1 ........................................................................................................................................................
dont click sketchy links

...........................................................................................................................................................
dont share innapropriate imagesdownload anti virus system
2 ........................................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................................
dont share sensitive information
3 ........................................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................................
never arrange to meet someone that you know online
4 ........................................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................................
[4]

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18 A manager in a hospital has decided to ask a software company to develop a computer system.
The system should allow patients to book all their medical appointments online.

(a) Discuss the advantages and disadvantages to both the patients and the medical staff of this
type of system.

....................................................................................................................................................
easy to book appointements
could be too much appointments
....................................................................................................................................................
24/7 booking

bookings can be made lasr

....................................................................................................................................................
not enough staff is available to care for all the patients that booked
minute
administration may lose their jobs
....................................................................................................................................................
computer skills required
....................................................................................................................................................
medical emergencyies maybe overlooked
....................................................................................................................................................

....................................................................................................................................................

....................................................................................................................................................

....................................................................................................................................................

....................................................................................................................................................

....................................................................................................................................................

............................................................................................................................................... [6]

(b) The manager of the hospital has purchased an expert system to help diagnose their patients’
illnesses.

Name three components of an expert system.

1 .................................................................................................................................................
rules base

2 .................................................................................................................................................
knowledge base
explanatiion system
3 .................................................................................................................................................
[3]

37marks

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reasonable effort has been made by the publisher (UCLES) to trace copyright holders, but if any items requiring clearance have unwittingly been included, the
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Cambridge Assessment International Education is part of the Cambridge Assessment Group. Cambridge Assessment is the brand name of the University of
Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate (UCLES), which itself is a department of the University of Cambridge.

© UCLES 2020 0417/01/SP/23