™

Cambridge IGCSE

INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY 0417/12

*7585794312*

Paper 1 Theory February/March 2024

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. Any blank pages are indicated.

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1 Circle two items which are solid-state storage media.

Actuator Blu-ray disc Cloud DVD

Flash memory Hard disk Printer SD card

[2]

2 A computer system consists of both hardware and software.

(a) Explain what the following types of software provide in the computer system.

Software that the user requires. i.e spreadsheet, word processing

Applications ......................................................................................................................
Video editing softwares
...........................................................................................................................................

System ..............................................................................................................................
Software that the computer requires. I.e linker, operating system, anti-
...........................................................................................................................................
virus
[2]

(b) Give two examples of each type of software.

(i) Applications

1 .............................................................................................................................
above
2 .............................................................................................................................

[2]

(ii) System

1 .............................................................................................................................
Above
2 .............................................................................................................................

[2]

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3 There are two forms of data: analogue and digital.

Contrast analogue and digital data.

Analogue is a type of data that is found in nature. It does not have fixed values,
..................................................................................................................................................
And is continuous. Sound is a type of analogue data. A digital to analogue
..................................................................................................................................................
Converter could be used to transform signals when sending signals to an actuator
..................................................................................................................................................
Digital data consists of 1 and 0s. It only has 2 values and uses a base 2 number
..................................................................................................................................................
System. Analogue data is translated into digital data by the use of ADC as
..................................................................................................................................................
Computers can only understand binary data.
..................................................................................................................................................

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

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

4 Computers contain a Central Processing Unit (CPU).

Describe the role of the CPU in processing instructions to produce an output.

A CPU is an electronic circuit in a computer that processes instructions. Data
..................................................................................................................................................
Is input into the CPU so that the result can be output.
..................................................................................................................................................
A CPU uses an instruction set to decode instruction. Typically, a control unit
..................................................................................................................................................
Decodes them. The CPU consists of the control unit, arithmetic logic unit,
..................................................................................................................................................
Registers, and cache memory. The ALU performs basic arithmetic calculations
..................................................................................................................................................

And logical comparisons. The interim results of a calculations are stored in

..................................................................................................................................................
The accumulator. The data is written back to the RAM via the data bus.
..................................................................................................................................................

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

5 A doctor uses a gesture-based user interface.

State two other types of user interface.

Dialogue-based user interface
1 ................................................................................................................................................
Graphical user interface
2 ................................................................................................................................................

[2]

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6 Augmented Reality can be used with a Global Positioning System (GPS) device.

(a) State two other uses of Augmented Reality.

Aerospace training
1 ........................................................................................................................................
Simulating architectural buildings
2 ........................................................................................................................................

[2]

(b) Describe the differences between Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality.
Augmented reality mixes both the real and virtual world, but VR only make
...........................................................................................................................................
Use of a virtual world. Users can interact with the real world while using AR,
...........................................................................................................................................
But interaction with the real world is impossible with VR as it creates an
...........................................................................................................................................
Entirely new simulated virtual environment.
........................................................................................................................................... [2]

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7 An expert system is used to help to locate an underground water source.

(a) Describe the following components of an expert system.

(i) User interface

Allows the user to interact with YES/NO questions. Projects
................................................................................................................................
Questions for the user to respond.
................................................................................................................................

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

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

(ii) Knowledge base

Is a repository of facts. A database of knowledge. Links with the
................................................................................................................................
Rule base for the inference engine to draw a conclusion.
................................................................................................................................

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

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

(b) Explain how an expert system is used to discover locations to drill for water.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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8 A student has been the victim of a vishing scam.

(a) Explain what is meant by the term vishing.

Voice mail phishing. Vishing is carried out via a phone call or a voice mail
...........................................................................................................................................
It asks for personal information and tricks the victim into giving them out.
...........................................................................................................................................

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

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

(b) Describe two methods that help to prevent vishing.

Do not open SMS from unknown people
1.........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................
Do not give out personal information
2.........................................................................................................................................

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

[2]

9 Compare a test strategy with a test plan. Your answer should include similarities and differences.

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

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

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10 A form tutor at Tawara School is producing a database about the students in his class.

When the database is completed, it needs to be verified.

(a) Explain the importance of visual verification.

Data would not be accurate without visual verification. The wrong data
...........................................................................................................................................

Would be copied and this could lead to false data entires of students’
...........................................................................................................................................
Informations
...........................................................................................................................................

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

(b) An example of the date of birth stored on the database is: 15/05/2009

Describe three validation checks that could be carried out on the date of birth.

A range check is carried out on the dates to make sure that dates
...........................................................................................................................................

Dates are greater than 0 and less than 31 or 30. Months are input
...........................................................................................................................................
Between 0 to 12.
...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................
A format check is carried out to make sure that 2 digits, a slash, 2 digits,
...........................................................................................................................................
A slash, and 4 digits are inputted.
...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................
A presence check is carried out to make sure that DOB has been entered.
...........................................................................................................................................

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

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

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

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

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11 More people use desktop computers rather than tablet computers when working at home.

(a) Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of using desktop computers rather than
tablet computers for doing work at home.
Desktop computers have bigger screens so more data can be viewed
...........................................................................................................................................
Better. It is also attached to a physical keyboard so, lesser mistakes in
...........................................................................................................................................
Data entries. A desktop computer is typically more powerful than a table
...........................................................................................................................................
Computer so, it can perform tasks that require high performance.
...........................................................................................................................................
A tablet computer is more portable than a desktop computer so, it can be
...........................................................................................................................................
Used in more places than a desktop. It can also access the internet better”
...........................................................................................................................................
As it can be moved around where the connection is better. They’re not
...........................................................................................................................................
Affected by power outages as it runs on battery. No additional peripherals
Required, so it’s less expensive.
...........................................................................................................................................

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

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

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

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

(b) Desktop computers use input and output devices.

(i) State two input devices that can be used in a desktop computer for working at home.
Webcam
1 .............................................................................................................................
Keyboard
2 .............................................................................................................................

[2]

(ii) State two output devices that can be used in a desktop computer for working at home.
Speaker
1 .............................................................................................................................

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

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12 Describe how data is stored and managed when using cloud computing.
Data is stored in remote servers. Data is stored in more than one server
..................................................................................................................................................
In case of repair or break downs. This is known as data redundancy.
..................................................................................................................................................
An internet connection is required to access the data stored in cloud servers.
..................................................................................................................................................
The cloud servers are owned and maintained by a third party. Data is uploaded
..................................................................................................................................................

To the cloud servers via the internet, and is re-accessed the same way.
..................................................................................................................................................

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

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

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

13 Smart devices and microprocessors can monitor and control devices in the home.

Describe, giving examples, the negative effects of using these smart devices.
Because smart devices do all the work, users can lose their manual household
..................................................................................................................................................
Skills. It can also lead to laziness and health problems as users do not need to
..................................................................................................................................................
Do the work manually. Because they’re electronic devices, they’re prone to
..................................................................................................................................................
Cyberattacks and outsiders could gain access to these devices. These devices
..................................................................................................................................................
Make use of sensors, actuators, and other electrical components. If they
..................................................................................................................................................
Malfunction, they may not work as intended. Repairing these objects would
..................................................................................................................................................
Be also costly.
..................................................................................................................................................

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14 A stylesheet for a website can contain both styles and classes.

(a) Explain the differences between a style and a class.

Styles are rules that define the characteristics of a HTML element. It can
...........................................................................................................................................
Be applied directly to an element whether it is inline, internal, or external.
...........................................................................................................................................
Classes can group individual HTML elements. Then, style attributes can be
...........................................................................................................................................
Applied to the whole class group at the same time. This encourages
...........................................................................................................................................
Efficiency, saves time, and reduces errors. Classes can created with class=“”
...........................................................................................................................................
And recalled using the symbol .
........................................................................................................................................... [3]

(b) State the web development layer where the stylesheet is used.
Presentation layer
........................................................................................................................................... [1]

15 The audience needs to be considered when creating an ICT solution.

(a) Describe what factors need to be considered for the age of the audience.
The language used. The need for multimedia. The length of the presentation
...........................................................................................................................................
Audiences’ participation. Examples to illustrate ideas.
...........................................................................................................................................

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

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

(b) Describe what factors need to be considered for the interests of the audience.
The ratio of text to image. The use of whitespace and content.
...........................................................................................................................................
Interactive elements and technical language
...........................................................................................................................................

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

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

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16 (a) State four characteristics of spam emails.

Impersonal greetings and ask for personal details
1 ........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................
Has similar email addresses in the to box that is sent out in bulk
2 ........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................
Contains attachments
3 ........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................
Spelling and grammar mistakes
4 ........................................................................................................................................

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

[4]

(b) Give two ways of reducing spam emails.

Use spam filters
1 ........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................
Do not give out your email address
2 ........................................................................................................................................

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

[2]

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