FORM 1 COMPUTER STUDIES MARKING SCHEME

1. The following terms are used to refer to different concepts during which a computer is
booting. What do they stand for in full? (2mks)
i) POST- Power On Self Test
ii) BIOS- Basic Input Output System
2. State under which category of keyboard the following keys would fall. (2mks)
i) H- Alphanumeric keys`
ii) F1- Functional keys
3. List four techniques of using a mouse (2mks)
i) Clicking
ii) Double clicking
iii) Right clicking
iv) Drag and drop
4. Stable power is a key factor to consider when setting a computer laboratory. This may
be achieved by the use of UPS. Explain any two functions of the UPS.
i) It has a power backup that provides alternative sources of power in case of a
blackout.
ii) Enables the user to save the work and shut down the computer properly.
iii) It helps to eliminate power surge and brown out.
5. Indicate whether the following devices are used for input or output (4mks)
i) Plotters- output
ii) Light pen- input
iii) Joystick- input
Visual Display Unit- output
6. Identify three components of a computer system. (3mks)
i) Hardware
ii) Software
iii) Liveware
7. Explain the use of the following: (3mks)
i) Data bus- it is where the actual data transfer takes place.
ii) Control bus- it’s a pathway for all timing and controlling functions sent by the
control unit to other parts of the system.
iii) Address bus- a pathway used to locate the storage position in memory where
the next instruction data to be processed is held.
8. i) Scanning devices are used to capture data directly into a computer. State two
technologies used to achieve this. (2mks)
Optical

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 Magnetic
ii)computer technology is now in advanced stages and people with impared hands can
comfortably use computers. Name a device that can be used by such people to key in
data in a computer. (1mk)
Microphone
9. Differentiate between Cache and Buffer memories (2mks)
Buffer memory is a temporary storage area for data waiting to be processed found in
both input and output devices while cache memory is a fast memory from which high
speed retrieval of data and instructions is possible.
10. Describe the following output devices terms: (2mks)
i) Soft copy output devices- it refers to devices used to produce output that can be
seen or heard.
ii) Hard copy output devices- it refers to devices used to produce output that can be
felt/tangible.
11. Outline four advantages of using computers in an office setup. (4mks)
i) Process work accurately when the correct data is fed to it.
ii) Performs tasks faster and more efficient than human beings.
iii) Performs variety of tasks thus helps the users to solve different problems at the
same time.
iv) They reduce cost by performing several tasks that can be assigned to several
Officers
v) They offer convenient and paperless storage within them
12. Highlight the process of shutting down a computer (4mks)
i) Ensure that all the work has been properly stored.
ii) Close all programs that may be currently running.
iii) Click the start button.
iv) On the start menu click turn off computer.
v) On the message box that appears, click turn off/ shut down.
vi) The computer will undergo the shutdown process.
13. Give a reason why powder extinguishers are not allowed in computer rooms (1mk)
The powder particles may increase the friction and wear of movable parts. The powder
particles may also cause the disk to crash.
14. i) Define booting (1mk)
It is the process of making a computer ready for use.

ii) Explain the two methods of booting (4mks)

Cold booting- starting a computer which was initially off.

Warm booting- starting a computer which was initially on.

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 15. i) List down four groups of keys on a standard computer keyboard. (4mks)

Alphanumeric keys.

Functional keys.

Cursor movement and editing keys.

Special purpose keys

Numeric keypad

ii)Differentiate between delete key and backspace key

Delete key erases characters to the right while backspace erases to the left.

16. State four factors to consider when choosing an input devices (4mks)
i) Cost of purchase
ii) Appropriateness
iii) Volume of data
iv) Compatibility of your computer
v) Type of data to be entered into a computer
vi) Speed of input
vii) Availability in the market
17. State three differences between CRT and flat panel displays (3mks)

CRT FLAT PANEL DISPLAY

Has low resolution Has high resolution
Consumes more power Consumes less power
Not easily portable Portable
High heat dissipation No or low heat dissipation
Are curved Are flat
Cheap Expensive

18. State two types of registers. (2mks)

i) Instruction register
ii) Storage register
iii) Accumulator registers
iv) Program counter
v)
19. State four factors to consider when purchasing a printer. (4mks)
i) Print quality
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 ii) Initial cost
iii) Running cost
iv) Printing speed
v) Colour printing
20. Outline four characteristics of Read Only Memory (ROM) (4mks)
i) One can only read from it.
ii) It is non- volatile
iii) Not user defined
iv) Stores permanent or semi-permanent instructions
21. Explain two areas where computers are used. (4mks)
i) Supermarket
ii) Offices
iii) Banks
iv) Transport industry
v) Hospitals
vi) Communication sector
vii) Education
viii)Law enforcement
ix) Domestic and entertainment
x) Airport
22. i) State four devices covered by the case of system unit. (2mks)

Central Processing Unit

Motherboard

Hard disk

CMOS battery

Video cards

Power Supply Unit

Main memory

ii)Name the two types of system units (1mk)

Desktop

Tower

23. Everyone who is using the computer lab should be careful, highlight four measures
that are meant to protect the user. (4mks)

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 i) All cables should be insulated
ii) Cables should be laid away from the users paths
iii) Providing standard furniture
iv) Providing antiglare screen and adjustable screens
v) Room should be well ventilated
vi) Rooms should not be painted with over bright colours
vii) Overcrowding should be avoided
viii)Users should not carry food or drinks to the lab
24. Give three characteristics of first generation computers (3mks)
i) They used vacuum tubes
ii) Used magnetic D-rum memory
iii) Were very large in size
iv) Expensive to operate
v) Generate a lot of heat
vi) Relied on machine language
vii) Output was displayed on print outs
viii)Input was based on punch cards
ix) Processing speed was low
25. List three uses of a computer in the entertainment industries (3mks)
i) Listening to music
ii) Writing and composing music
iii) Editing and watching movies
iv) Playing computer games
v) Generate and edit computer games in movies and games
26. Explain two reasons which make microcomputers suitable for personal computing
work (2mks)
i) It is cheaper than the rest
ii) Have high processing speed for personal use
iii) Are small in size hence occupy less space
iv) More energy efficient
v) Can be used for many different tasks
27. Briefly explain categories of computer classified according to physical size (6mks)
i) Super market
ii) Main frame computers
iii) Mini computer
iv) Micro computer
28. List down four qualities of a good computer lab (4mks)
i) It should have a stable and reliable power supply

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 ii) Should be properly ventilated
iii) Ensure the room is well lit
iv) Install the room with standard furniture
v) There should be security of hardware and software
29. State three features of a computer. (3mks)
i) diligence
ii) speed and accuracy
iii) versatile
iv) automation
v) large storage
vi) reliability
30. Kamau a student in MOAS in form four had the following problems:
Eyestrain, headache and backache
Give the likely cause of the above problems and give the likely solution for each
problem
(6mks)

PROBLEM LIKELY CAUSE POSSIBLE REMEDY

Eye strain Glare from the screen Use antiglare screens.
Flickering monitor Avoid flickering monitors.
Bright reflection Adjust brightness of the
monitor.
Headache Using computer for a long Always take frequent
time without taking a break breaks.
backache Poor sitting posture or use Sitting in a proper posture.
of sub-standard furniture Adjust the furniture to your
comfort.

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