ICT 0417 P2 Practical Questions
Valid for the 2023-2025 syllabus
Questions:
1) Define the following file types:
.csv (Comma separated Values): comma separated value, takes data in the form of tables (that
could be used in spreadsheet or database) and saves it in text format, separating data items with
commas.
.txt (Text): not formatted text file that can be opened using any word application.
.gif (Graphics Interchange Format): Stores still and moving images in small file size and widely
used in webpages.
.jpg (joint photographic expert group): (sometimes it called jpeg), stores still images only not
moving images. Stores still images in small file size and widely used in webpages.
.pdf (Portable Document format): It is a document that has been converted into an image format,
allows document to be seen as images, which can be read in most computers. Its pages contain
clickable links and buttons, audio and video. It can be protected to prevent others from editing it.
.png (portable network graphic): It compresses images files without the loose of quality, it was
created to replace GIF format, widely used in internet.
MP4 (Moving pictures expert group 4): it’s not a single file format, it’s a multimedia container that
used for storing video files, still images, audio files with subtitles and so on. Used to transfer video
files over the internet.
MP3 (Moving pictures expert group 3): compressed file format used for storing audio files.
Relatively small size with almost cd quality.
.rtf (Rich Text File): This is a text file type that saves some of the formatting within the text.
.htm (Hypertext Markup Language): These files have a .htm (or sometimes a .html) file extension.
This is a text-based language used to create content that a web browser can display as a
webpage.
.rar (Roshal Archive): This is a container which can hold almost any file type in compressed
format. It is used to reduce the Number of bytes needed to save a file, either to save storage
space or to reduce to reduce transmission time.
.zip (Zip): This is a container which can hold almost any file type in compressed format. It is used
to reduce the Number of bytes needed to save a file, either to save storage space or to reduce to
reduce transmission time.
.css (Cascading Stylesheet): Cascading Stylesheet, attached to webpages to defines their font
style, color, sizes and so on.
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2) Explain why generic file formats are needed
Short answer: Generic file format allows you to save files so that they can be opened on any
platform. (Created in pc and opened in mac or vice versa).
OR
Generic file formats are files that do not belong to any software specifically, so generic file
formats are handy when it comes to transferring simple file from a software to another.
3) Give examples of generic file formats
.csv, .txt, .rtf
4) Give examples of generic image file format
.jpg, .gif, .pdf .png, .mp4
5) Give examples of generic audio file formats
.mp3
6) Give examples of generic file formats used in websites authoring
.css, .htm
7) Give examples of common generic compress file formats
.rar, .zip
8) Explain the need to reduce file sizes for storage or transmission
computers have limited storage capacity.
the file transmission speed (time) between computers depends on file size (note: not only
transmission of files on the internet, but also to printers and flashes or external devices).
9) Give an example of file compression application that you can use?
.rar and .zip
10) Explain why headers and footers are needed
Short answer: information on header and footer are used when you need some information to be
displayed in every page of the document. /
Headers and footers ensure each page has all the required information like the page numbers,
company logo and name etc. It makes the document more reliable, professional, and consistent,
as the information appears on every page. This saves time and reduces errors as they are only
typed once.
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11) What is a corporate house style?
Short answer: It refers to a specific style of fonts and formats used in the making of ICT solutions
by organisations.
OR
Basically, a house style is a set of rules which state how all documents and written communication
from a business should be formatted, to define the corporate identity and highlight it and
distinguish it from others with a unique format.
It will govern things such as:
a. – the colors to be used
b. – the font style and size
c. – where the logo should appear
d. – whether text should be right, center or fully justified
e. – how the address and contact details should be presented
12) Why are house styles needed?
To ensure consistency across all documents
- To support brand recognition (people know the documents belong to a particular organization)
-To reduce the amount of time staff spend setting up and formatting documents
- To reduce the risk of mistakes e.g. address being misspelt, logo being omitted.
OR
It’s used to make sure that all the documents and other materials produced from a certain
organization have consistency, it is also produced to support brand recognition.
13) Explain why the automated suggestions given by spell check software do
not always give the correct response
Some words, e.g. proper nouns are not found in the dictionary. This makes spell checkers less
efficient. Names and places are not identified by spell checkers.
14) Explain why it is necessary to use page, section, and column breaks, to adjust
pagination and to avoid widows and orphans
Page Breaks: Page Breaks help to separate content between pages. After a page break, the
following text will start at the beginning of the next page.
Section Breaks: Section Breaks split your document into sections, enabling you to have different
formatting for each section: for example - different page numbering, margins, header/footers, page
orientation and borders.
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Column Breaks: A Column break is used to force the text into the top of the next available column,
which may be on the same page or maybe on the next page. This is also useful for removing
widows and orphans.
OR
Short answer: Page breaks and column breaks help remove widows and orphans, by forcing text
onto the next page/column so it is all together. Does not disrupt reader by breaking the flow.
15) Why is a gutter used?
The gutter margin is a typographical term used to designate an additional margin added to a page
layout to compensate for the part of the paper made unusable by the binding process or might
three-hole punch your paper.
16) Define and understand the terms primary key and foreign key and their
role in a relational database?
Primary key: The key field of a table which is unique and identifies each record. A table can have
only one primary key.
Foreign key: The field linked to the primary field of the table linked to through a relationship.
17) What are Flat Database & Relational Database:
Flat File Database: A 'flat-file' database is one that only contains a single table of data
Relationship Database: A 'relational' database is one that contains two or more tables of data,
connected by key fields.
18) Advantages & Disadvantages of Flat File and Relational Database
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19) Characteristics of a good form:
Title stating what data will be entered
Instructions on how to fill in the form
Worded questions (Not just field names)
White Space between each data entry box
Navigation buttons are present
Option groups/radio buttons/list boxes/tick boxes should be used where possible
The form should be filled without large areas of white space
Each field has appropriate space for the data that will be added
Similar fields grouped but not crowded together/should not look overcrowded
20) Explain why validation checks must be appropriate to the data that is
being checked
An inappropriate check can lead to error messages and altered data, as it may accept or reject
wrong data.
21) Describe the importance of accuracy and the potential consequences of
data entry errors
Accurate data ensures the results obtained by the processing of data is relevant, which is
essential to the usability of the model
22) Define the term verification
A way of preventing errors when data is copied from one medium to another
23) Describe visual verification
Visual comparison of data entered with a data source. Checking for errors by comparing entered
data on the screen with the data in the original document (not the same as proof reading)
24) Describe double data entry
Entering data twice and comparing them either after data has been entered, or during the entry
process.
25) Explain the need for validation as well as verification:
Validation only ensures that data entered is in the accepted format. Verification is needed to
ensure that the data entered is correct. Data entered may be in the right format but of the wrong
value. Or it may be copied correctly but does not match the criteria.
