™

Cambridge IGCSE

INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY 0417/12

*9403522689*

Paper 1 Theory May/June 2024

1 hour 30 minutes

You must answer on the question paper.

No additional materials are needed.

INSTRUCTIONS
• Answer all questions.
• Use a black or dark blue pen.
• Write your name, centre number and candidate number in the boxes at the top of the page.
• Write your answer to each question in the space provided.
• Do not use an erasable pen or correction fluid.
• Do not write on any bar codes.
• You may use an HB pencil for any diagrams, graphs or rough working.

INFORMATION
• The total mark for this paper is 80.
• The number of marks for each question or part question is shown in brackets [ ].
• No marks will be awarded for using brand names of software packages or hardware.

This document has 16 pages. Any blank pages are indicated.

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1 Circle two items of internal memory.

Actuator Cloud DVD Memory stick

Printer RAM ROM Sensor

[2]

2 Complete each of the following sentences which relate to health and safety issues when using ICT
equipment.

(a) Trailing leads in a computer room can cause

Injuries from trip hazard

...........................................................................................................................................

[1]

(b) Continual typing on a keyboard can cause

RSI/Repetitive Strain Injury
...........................................................................................................................................

[1]

(c) Staring at a computer screen for long periods of time can cause
Eye strain
...........................................................................................................................................
Headache
[1]

(d) Spilling water onto computer equipment can cause

Electrocution
...........................................................................................................................................

[1]

3 Remotely logging in to a college computer system requires two-factor authentication.

(a) Explain what is meant by two-factor authentication.

It is a security method
...........................................................................................................................................

Form of security to protect the resources/data that the user can

...........................................................................................................................................
access
...........................................................................................................................................
Adds another layer of security
...........................................................................................................................................

[2]

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(b) State two examples of methods that could be used as part of two-factor authentication.
Security token
Example 1 .........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................
Biometrics
Example 2 .........................................................................................................................
GPS signal
...........................................................................................................................................
Username and Password
[2]
Credit card number
Phone number/email address
4 Vehicles can contain microprocessor controlled devices to improve transport safety. For example
when a vehicle approaches a road speed sign the microprocessor sends an alert to the driver.

Discuss the positive and negative effects of using microprocessor controlled devices in transport
safety.
Max five from:
..................................................................................................................................................
Positive
..................................................................................................................................................
Travel becomes safer
..................................................................................................................................................
Allows the driver to concentrate more on the driving
Helps to prevent human error
..................................................................................................................................................
Keeps pedestrians and other people safe
..................................................................................................................................................
Can avoid accidents
..................................................................................................................................................
Max five from:
..................................................................................................................................................
Negative
..................................................................................................................................................
Become very reliant on the technology
..................................................................................................................................................
Very costly to repair/maintain
Makes the vehicle more expensive
..................................................................................................................................................
The device/microprocessor could stop working/misread causing injuries
Error messages/alerts could distract the driver
..................................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................................

[6]

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5 One difference between a command line interface (CLI) and a graphical user interface (GUI) is that
a GUI takes up more memory.

(a) State two

GUIother differences between a CLI and a GUI.
Is a WIMP system
1 ........................................................................................................................................
More user friendly
Has limited options
...........................................................................................................................................

2 ........................................................................................................................................

CLI
...........................................................................................................................................
The user has to type in commands
The user needs a good knowledge of commands/system [2]
Users need to remember/learn the commands

(b) State two other types of user interface.

Dialogue based
1 ........................................................................................................................................
Gesture based
2 ........................................................................................................................................

[2]

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6 (a) Explain what is meant by electronic conferencing.

This is a communication system
...........................................................................................................................................
A structured discussion between two or more people
...........................................................................................................................................
This is carried out virtually/online/over the internet
Involves video, web and audio
...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

[2]

(b) State, giving a reason for your choice, the hardware required to set up an electronic conference.

Max three marks for any devices in the answer

...........................................................................................................................................
Max two marks for linked reasons:
...........................................................................................................................................
Computer/smartphone …
...........................................................................................................................................
…to connect the peripherals used in the conference
...........................................................................................................................................
Camera/webcam…
...........................................................................................................................................
…to capture moving images of the conference/participants
...........................................................................................................................................
Monitors…
…to view the participants/contents/web page of the conference
...........................................................................................................................................

Microphone…
...........................................................................................................................................
…to capture the audio of the conference/participants
[4]

Speaker/headphones…
…so participants can listen to others in the conference

Router…
…to connect to the internet

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7 A college principal has decided that students can use mobile devices to take notes in lessons.
Some students use laptop computers whilst others use smartphones.

(a) Describe the benefits and drawbacks of using laptop computers rather than smartphones for
this purpose.
Max three from:
Benefits of using laptop computers
...........................................................................................................................................
It has a large screen making it easier to read back the notes
The software used is more compatible with other devices
...........................................................................................................................................
More ports on a laptop therefore easy to transfer data
...........................................................................................................................................
Has a large/separate keyboard therefore less errors on data entry//Has a
large/separate keyboard therefore making it easier to type in the data
...........................................................................................................................................

Max three from:

...........................................................................................................................................
Drawbacks of laptop computers
Laptops are less portable
...........................................................................................................................................
More difficult to take pictures using a laptop
...........................................................................................................................................
Laptops need a flat surface to work on
Large footprint
...........................................................................................................................................
Smartphones can use 4G/5G/mobile data
[4]

(b) There are safety issues related to bringing laptop computers into the college. The Network
Manager has decided to produce a paper-based certificate for students to prove that their
laptop computer is safe to use.

Describe the main features that should be considered for the design of this certificate.

Four from:
...........................................................................................................................................
Text size should be easy/large enough to read
...........................................................................................................................................
Font style should be easy to read
Make good use of white space so data fills the certificate
...........................................................................................................................................
Enough space in which to enter the answers in the text boxes
Make good use of colours to make it easy to read
...........................................................................................................................................
Use an organised layout to make it easy to read
...........................................................................................................................................
All information needs to be clearly visible
Use of tick boxes to make data entry quicker/easier
...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

[4]

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8 (a) Explain the differences between virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR).
Two from:
Virtual Reality is completely computer generated world
...........................................................................................................................................
Virtual Reality may require a headset/goggles
...........................................................................................................................................
Virtual Reality only enhances a fictional reality
...........................................................................................................................................
Augmented Reality can be accessed with a smartphone
...........................................................................................................................................
Augmented Reality combines both the virtual and real world
Augmented Reality creates a new layer on top of existing reality [2]

(b) Discuss the impact of augmented reality (AR) on everyday life.

Six from:
...........................................................................................................................................

It...........................................................................................................................................
can help people connect with others to improve communication skills
...........................................................................................................................................
The user can try on clothing electronically so you can see what the clothes
look like (on you) before buying
...........................................................................................................................................

Used in walk through systems to give a greater experience for users

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................
Using it in (interactive) gaming could allow people to have a better experience
of the game
...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................
Could damage social relationships/skills as it removes face to face interaction
...........................................................................................................................................
On screen information could be distracting
...........................................................................................................................................
Allows us to interact with various characters/situations in real-time but not
...........................................................................................................................................
necessarily the real life
...........................................................................................................................................

[6]

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9 Explain the following components of an expert system.

(a) User interface

Three from:
...........................................................................................................................................
The user interface is the screen into which the user types the answer
...........................................................................................................................................
Outputs questions for the user to answer
...........................................................................................................................................

Outputs the results to the user

...........................................................................................................................................
Interacts/communicates with the user
...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

[3]

(b) Knowledge base

The knowledge base is a database of information

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................
Collection of facts/information/rules
...........................................................................................................................................
Populated by experts
...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

[3]

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10 Cars can have sensors at the front and rear of the vehicle to detect obstacles.

Describe how the sensor detects an obstacle and sends the data to the microprocessor when
parking the car.

..................................................................................................................................................
Data are sent back to the sensor
..................................................................................................................................................
The sensors scan continually
..................................................................................................................................................

The sensor captures the reflected data

..................................................................................................................................................

The sensor captures analogue data

..................................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................................

[4]

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11 A company with many branches is implementing a new system. The manager is planning to
implement the new system either by pilot changeover or parallel running.

(a) Contrast pilot changeover and parallel running.

Five from:
...........................................................................................................................................
Parallel running
Both systems operate together until the old one is removed
...........................................................................................................................................
Staff can be trained on the whole system gradually
...........................................................................................................................................
More time consuming to enter data into two systems
If the new system fails then the old system is there for a while to be used
...........................................................................................................................................
It is more expensive as two sets of staff are needed
It is more expensive as two systems are needed
...........................................................................................................................................
Pilot Changeover
...........................................................................................................................................

Each branch is implemented separately

...........................................................................................................................................
Each branch changing over only uses the new system
...........................................................................................................................................
Costs are reduced as only one branch is affected at a time
If there is an error in the new system only one branch is affected
...........................................................................................................................................
Staff can be trained in the branch being implemented
The changeover is easier to manage
...........................................................................................................................................

[5]

(b) When the system is implemented, technical documentation is produced.

State three components that would be included in the technical documentation.

1 ........................................................................................................................................

2 ........................................................................................................................................

3 ........................................................................................................................................

[3]

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12 One of the risks when entering a password into a system is shoulder surfing.

(a) Explain what is meant by shoulder surfing.

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

[2]

(b) Give two security improvements that could be made to reduce shoulder surfing.

1 ........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

2 ........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

[2]

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13 When a person changes their password they are asked to verify that it has been entered correctly
by re-entering the password.

(a) State what this type of verification is called.

...........................................................................................................................................

[1]

(b) The keyboard used to enter the password is an input device.

Explain the differences between input and output devices.

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

[4]

(c) State the direct data entry device that is used to read the following types of data.

(i)

................................................................................................................................

[1]

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(ii)

................................................................................................................................

[1]

(iii)

................................................................................................................................

[1]

(iv)

................................................................................................................................

[1]

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14 State three advantages of using solid state storage devices rather than magnetic storage devices.

1 ...............................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................................

2 ...............................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................................

3 ...............................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................................

[3]

15 Explain why data protection legislation is required.

..................................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................................

[4]

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