GCSE Information Technology
Paper 2
June 2009
Foundation Tier - Grades G to C

[1] Place a tick in the correct column to show whether each device is used for Input or Output.  
 
DEVICE INPUT OUTPUT

MOUSE		    

MONITOR		    

PRINTER		    

SCANNER		    

PLOTTER		    

JOYSTICK		    
 
   
 
[2] The main memory of a computer is made up of RAM and ROM.  
(a)(i) What do the letters RAM stand for? [2]
   
(ii) What do the letters ROM stand for?  
   
(b) Place a tick in the correct column to show whether each of the following statements about RAM and ROM are True or False. [4]
 
Statement TRUE FALSE
RAM is used to store programs and data temporarily.    
ROM retains its memory when the power is switched off.    
A computer's performance is improved if it has more ROM than RAM    
ROM is volatile    
 
   
(c) Circle which of the following is the smallest amount of memory.

Gigabyte          Kilobyte

 [1]
   
(d) Name two different types of storage device used by computers. [2]
   
 
[3] Complete the following sentences using the list below.

OMR          OCR          Barcodes

 [3]
(i) Libraries make great use of .........................................  
   
(ii) One use of ............................ is to read post codes on letters.  
   
(iii) The National Lottery uses ................................ to capture data.  
   
 
[4] The Data Protection Act (DPA) has eight basic principles.  
(a) List three of these principles. [3]
   
(b) Give two rights individuals have regarding data held about them on computer. [2]
   
(c) Name one organisation that is exempt from the DPA. [1]
   
 
[5] LAN and WAN are two different types of computer networks.  
(a)(i) Write down what LAN stands for. [2]
   
(ii) Write down what WAN stands for.  
   
(b) Give two advantages of a network over standalone computers. [2]
   
(c) Give one way of preventing unauthorised access to a network. [1]
   
 
[6](a) Tick the correct column to show whether each of the following statements about an operating system are True or False. [5]
 
STATEMENT TRUE FALSE
An operating system is an example of software.    
A computer will still work without an operating system.    
Microsoft Windows is an operating system.    
An operating system maximises the use of RAM.    
An operating system handles interrupts.    
 
   
(b) Complete the table by inserting the most suitable type of operating system for each example. Use each term only once.

REAL TIME (process control)     REAL TIME (transaction processing)

BATCH PROCESSING

 [3]
 
EXAMPLE OPERATING SYSTEM
Libraries  
Payroll  
Control of robots  
 
   
(c) Icons are one feature of a graphical user interface (GUI).  
(i) What is an icon? [1]
   
(ii) Write down three other features of a GUI. [3]
   
 
[7] Data used in weather forecasting is collected using a range of methods.  
(a) Weather ships are one method of collecting this data.
Name two other methods of collecting weather data.		 [2]
   
(b) Name two sensors used to collect weather data. [2]
   
(c) Large, powerful computers are used to analyse the data.
Circle which of the following types of computer is suitable for this purpose.

palmtop          mainframe          laptop

 [1]
   
 
[8] A membership card for an on-line library is shown below.  
 
Borrowers ID 4379
Name John Jones
Gender M
Date of Birth
1 2 0 4 9 3
Password ********
 
(a) State two fields most suitable for verification. [2]
   
(b) When data is input to a computer system it is checked to see if it is reasonable.
This process is called validation.
Name the data validation checks that could be used on the following data.		 [2]
 
DATA VALIDATION CHECK
4379  
M  
 
   
(c) When people apply for a library card, their date of birth is recorded as in the grid shown below.  
 
D D M M Y Y
 
  Place a tick in the correct box against the date that would be accepted and give a reason, in each case, why the other three would be rejected. [4]
 
DATE TICK IF
ACCEPTED		 REASON REJECTED
12APR93    
120493    
12041993    
124093    
 
   
 
[9] Computer control is widely used in manufacturing.  
(a) Give two advantages of using computer control. [2]
   
(b) Give two disadvantages of using computer control. [2]
   
(c) Circle which two of the following are examples of the use of process control.

Controlling nuclear power stations

Hairdressing

Spray painting cars in the factory

Preparing a meal

 [2]