IT Mock Exam

ANSWER ALL QUESTIONS (1) (a)

A computer user suspects that the laser printer toner cartridge is about to run out. Suggest ONE way in which the user can tell whether or not the toner is about to finish.

(b)

In handling diskettes, one precaution is “Keep diskettes away from liquids”. Give THREE further precautions to be taken in the handling of diskettes.

(c)

(1 mark)

(3 marks)

Tape storage involves “serial access”. Briefly explain the meaning of the term ‘serial access’, highlighting any disadvantage that this kind of access may have.

(2 marks)

(2) Complete the following paragraphs, using the terms supplied in the listing below. LIST OF TERMS (Some or all may be used):

arithmetic and logic unit, backing store,

control unit, cylinders, heads, internal memory, program, sectors, tracks. (a)

In order to execute a (A) ____________, which is stored on the computer, the computer must read the instructions from its (B) ___________ into its (C) ____________. The (D) ___________ then picks each instruction in turn, passing any mathematical or logic operations over to the (E) _____________ until the entire sequence is completed.

(b)

(5 marks)

The data stored on a high-density 3½-inch diskette is arranged in 80 circular (F) ___________forming rings on the surface of the disk.

Each ring is divided into 18 (G)

___________ having ½ K-byte each. A hard disk has multiple surfaces. The corresponding rings on those surfaces are directly above and below each other. On a hard disk, these rings, one above the other, are said to form (H) __________

(3 marks)

(a)

Convert the decimal number 55 to its binary equivalent.

(2 marks)

(b)

Convert binary number 1011010 to its decimal equivalent.

(2 marks)

(c)

Add the binary numbers 11010 and 10011.

(d)

State the one’s complement representation for the decimal number NEGATIVE 10

(3)

(2 marks) (2 marks)

(e)

State the two’s complement representation for the decimal number NEGATIVE 10 (2 marks)

(5) (a)

What is the purpose of Read Only Memory (ROM)?

(2 marks)

(b)

State the meaning of resolution of a visual display unit.

(2 marks)

(c)

What is the difference between a byte and a word?

(2 marks)

(d)

Give two advantages of a computer’s long term memory over its main memory.

(2 marks)

(6)

A computer has an operating system.

(a)

What is an operating system?

(2 marks)

(b)

Name an operating system for computers.

(1 mark)

(c)

List three functions of an operating system.

(3 marks)

(d)

What is the difference between a command line interface and a graphical user interface? (2 marks)

(7) State the proper technical term for EACH of the FOUR underlined, italicized phrases in the above passage, numbered from A to D. Each regional office of the Jamaica Food crop Marketing Agency uses a system of hardware, software and communication channels that connect hardware devices to provide its computing system

(A)

Information is collected at the regional offices and at the end of the day it is transferred to the mainframe computer at the Head office in Kingston. At nights, this mainframe at head office collates the information and transfers it to the regional offices. The communication is complex since each network at the offices uses different rules established to govern the way data is transmitted in the particular network.

(B)

Apart from providing up-to-date information to users through its regional offices, the system allows users access to the information at their homes. However, to utilize this facility users must subscribe to its special service that allows them to send and receive messages to/from other (C)

users.

The cost of this facility is affordable to the average home-user since the subscription fee is small and the only other capital cost is the price of a device which converts digital signals into analogue signals and vice versa.

(D)

(4 marks)