June 2023

Grade 10

Alexandra High School

Information Technology
Exam Memorandum, Paper 2 (Theory)

Examiner: Mr D Choudhury Marks: 100

Moderator: Mr G Schrade Time: 2 hours

Section A: General

Question 1: Multiple Choice Questions, pick the option (A…D) that best answers the
question. [10]

1.1 What is SSL?

a. A security protocol used to establish encrypted connections between
web servers and web browsers.
b. A type of online communication that enables users to send and receive
messages in real-time using text messages.
c. A protocol used for accessing and remotely managing computers and network
devices.
d. A technology used to create static web pages.

1.2 What is the storage area in Windows that is reserved for files that have been deleted
called?
a. RAM
b. Buffer
c. Recycle Bin
d. Virtual memory

1.3 Is the use of open-source software always free?

 a. Yes
b. No

1.4 Which one of the following is NOT a component of the CPU?

a. Control Unit
b. Arithmetic Logic Unit
c. Registers
d. The control bus
1.5 What is a firewall?
a. A technology that enables users to make phone calls over the internet.
b. A security system that monitors and controls network traffic to protect
against unauthorized access and attacks.
c. A protocol used for transferring data between web servers and web browsers.
d. A collection of interconnected documents and other resources linked by
hyperlinks and URLs.

1.6 Component of the CPU responsible for storage.

a. Control Unit
b. Arithmetic Logic Unit
c. Cache memory
d. Registers

1.7 Which secondary storage device is used to store data and programs outside of the
computer system?
a. Hard disk drive
b. Scanner
c. External hard drive
d. Modem

1.8 What is a USB flash drive?

a. A type of solid-state storage device that is used to store data.
b. An output device that produces hard copies of data and information
c. An input device that is used to control the cursor and select objects on the
screen.
d. A type of secondary storage device that is used to store data.
 1.9 What is encryption?
a. The process of converting data into an unreadable format
b. The process of converting data into a readable format
c. The process of storing data in the CPU
d. The process of compressing data

1.10 What is Wi-Fi?

a. A type of network topology.
b. A type of wireless networking technology.
c. A type of cable used to connect devices on a network.
d. A type of device used to manage network traffic.

1.1 a

1.2 c

1.3 b

1.4 d

1.5 b

1.6 d

1.7 c

1.8 a

1.9 a

1.10 b
Question 2: Choose the correct term in Column B to match the description in Column A.
Write down only the question number and correct letter, e.g. 2.1 D. [10]

2.1. M

2.2. H

2.3. I

2.4. B

2.5. L

2.6. A

2.7. E

2.8. N

2.9. F

2.10. G

Question 3: True or False, provide an explanation for any false answers. [5]

State whether the following statements are TRUE or FALSE, if FALSE provide a reason.

3.1. True.
3.2. False. RAM stands for Random Access Memory, as stated in the section titled
"Random Access Memory".
3.3. True.
3.4. True.
Section B: System Technologies

Question 4: The school’s Media Centre needed a new computer, so the following All-in-One
PC has been purchased – such a computer combines the desktop towers hardware with a
monitor and other components. [15]

Technical Specifications
Name: Dell OptiPlex 3280
Display size: 21.5” Display resolution: 1920 * 1080
Panel Type: IPS
Processor: 10th Gen Intel Core i3 Processor frequency: 2.3 GHz
RAM: 8GB, DDR4-SDRAM SSD: 256GB
Graphics adapter: Intel UHD Graphics 630
OS: Windows 10 Pro

Devices/components:
Front: Full HD camera, IR emitters, Side: SD 3.0 card reader, 1 * USB 3.2 Gen
speakers, array microphones. 1 Type-C and Type-A port.
Ports and Slots: Back: DP++ 1.4 port, RJ- Interfaces: Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.
45 port 10/100/1000 Mbps, 2 * USB 2.0 and
2 * USB 3.2 Gen a Type-A ports, Line-out
audio port, power connector.

4.1. Given that this an All-in-One PC, give one advantage and disadvantage of this type of
computer compared to a standalone desktop PC? (2)
a. Advantage, it includes more hardware such as a camera, network
interfaces, etc. It is smaller.
b. The hardware is not as easily upgraded compare to a desktop.
4.2. When using this computer, will the user be using a command line interface or a
graphical user interface? Give a reason based on the information given above for your
answer. (2)
a. They will be using a graphics based interface, Windows OSs have been
graphics based and not text based since Windows 1 (1985), and this
computer comes with Windows 10 Pro.
4.3. State the type of secondary storage that this computer has and its capacity? (2)
a. It is an SSD (Solid State Drive) and the capacity is 256GB.
4.4. Explain the difference between a bit and a byte. (2)
 a. A bit is the smallest measurement of data, we represent it with a
lowercase b in abbreviations and a byte consists of 8 bits and is
represented by an uppercase B.
4.5. Explain the relationship of storage measurements and powers of 2 (21, 22, 23…). (1)
a. This is derived from a bit having one of two values, either 0 or 1.
4.6. Given the listed parts/features, will this computer be able to make video calls? List the
relevant parts. (2)
a. Yes, as the computer has network interfaces such as Wi-Fi to allow it to
connect to a router or network ports for a wired connection, a camera
and mics, making video calls would be possible.
4.7. This computer comes with Windows 10 Pro as its operating system.
a. What type of software is an operating system classified as? (1)
i. Systems Software
b. Name one possible open source operating system that could be installed on a
desktop computer. (1)
i. Linux
c. Name TWO possible disadvantages of using open source software. (2)
i. A lack of support.
ii. A higher level of skill required to make full use of the software.

Section D: Networks, E-Communication, and the Internet and WWW

Question 5: [15]

Define the following acronyms:

5.1. Virtual Private Network (1)

5.2. Domain Name System (1)

LANs make use of UTP cables.

5.3. Unshielded Twisted Pair (1)

5.4. Pairs of cable, twisted around each other (2)

UTP cables has several weaknesses. Explain what each of the following means and what
their implications are for the successful transfer of data.

5.5. Electromagnetic Interference – caused by electrical installations/heavy

machinery disrupts or corrupts data in the cable (2)
5.6. Weakening of the data signal over distance (2)
 5.7. A web cache is a system for storing frequently accessed web content in
order to improve performance and reduce bandwidth usage. It works by
storing copies of web pages and other content on a local server or device,
which can be accessed more quickly than retrieving the content from the
internet. (3)

5.8. List the 3 disadvantages of having a network (3)

1. It requires a higher level of expertise to manage, thus needing a network
administrator.
2. Security is of vital concern and access to folders and files needs to be
controlled in a strict manner.
3. Malware such as a virus could easily be spread on the network.
4. Problems with the network could result in users being unable to work.
5. A central fault in the network, such as a server crashing can cause a loss of
data.

Question 6: [12]

6.1. Provide three different examples of E-Communication, and briefly explain

them (6)
a. Email, any relevant, short explanation would be accepted.
b. Social Networking Sites, any relevant, short explanation would be
accepted.
c. Online Chat, any relevant, short explanation would be accepted.
d. Instant messaging, any relevant, short explanation would be accepted.
e. SMS or MMS, any relevant, short explanation would be accepted.
f. Video Conferencing, any relevant, short explanation would be accepted.
g. VoIP, any relevant, short explanation would be accepted.

6.2. Explain how E-Communication helped schools during the COVID-19

Pandemic? (2)
a. It allowed for online learning to occur thus circumventing the need to be
in a face-to-face scenario, which the pandemic prevented.
6.3. Advantages, any two (2)
a. E-mail messages can be delivered and replied to much faster (almost
immediately) than traditional mail.
 b. E-mail messages can be sent any time, from anywhere in the world as
long as you have an Internet connection.
c. It is inexpensive to send and receive e-mail messages. It is versatile, as
photos and other files can be attached to e-mail messages.
d. E-mail protects the environment as it cuts down on the use of paper

Disadvantages, any two: (2)

e. The recipient needs access to the Internet to receive e-mail.
f. Viruses are easily spread via e-mail attachments.
g. There is no guarantee the e-mail will be read until the user logs on and
checks and downloads their e-mail.
h. A user can receive large amounts of spam (electronic junk mail) once
his or her e-mail address has been obtained by an institution wanting to
advertise.

Question 7: [15]

7.1. Explain what the Internet and WWW are, and explain how they relate to each
other (4)
a. The Internet is a worldwide network of interconnected computers (a WAN)
and the World Wide Web is a collection of interconnected or standalone web
sites that exists on the Internet.
7.2. Give one example each of a wired and wireless Internet connection (2)
a. Wired: ADSL, Fibre
b. Wireless: 3/4/5G
7.3. Define: (4)
a. Voice over Internet protocol
b. Internet Protocol
c. File Transfer Protocol
d. Hypertext Transfer Protocol
7.4. List 5 different types of websites (5)
a. Portal
b. News
c. Informational
d. Business or marketing
e. Personal
 f. Weblog (aka blog)
g. Social Networking
h. Wiki
i. Educational
j. Entertainment
k. Advocacy
l. Web Application
m. Content Aggregator

Section E: Social & Ethical Issues

Question 8:

8.1. List three ways that using the Internet will improve the life of your family at home.
a. Internet banking
b. Research for homework
c. Online bookings etc…
8.2. Your sister reads her email and is overjoyed to find out that she has won the UK
lottery of one million pounds. Explain why this email is not true and why she was
sent it in the first place. (2)
a. This is a scam as it is an unsolicited prize.
8.3. Explain the difference between a pop up and a cookie.
a. Pop-up can be advertising or it can be an active part of a website
required for you to enter info – can be harmful.
b. Cookie is a small text file on your computer that stores certain browsing
info.
8.4. You are experiencing blurry eyes and back ache from using your computer. Give
three reasons why you could be experiencing such problems.
a. Bad posture
b. Poor screen quality
c. Too long without a rest and a stretch
d. Poor lighting in the room
8.5. Your mother has said that your room is untidy and wants to throw your old computer
in the dustbin, printer and all. Give her two reasons why this is not environmentally
friendly.
a. Plastics and other materials are not bio-degradable
b. Contains harmful substances that can poison the environment
8.6. Digital Divide
i. What is the digital divide?
1. Difference between those that have access to technology
and those who don't
ii. Give two ways in which the digital divide can be alleviated in South
Africa.
1. Put computers into community centres, continued
computer education programs for free in all areas (Any
other reasonable proposals)
iii. Would it be possible to use Social Networking as a means to educate
South Africans who do not have access to schools? Justify your
answer.
1. No, Not everybody has access to computers and the
Internet and thus the very people you want to educate will
not have access to social media (or a Yes argument that is
backed up – e.g. through the use of mobile phones etc)
[18]