Paper 1

Computer Studies Form 3 End of Term Assessment

Term 2, Year 2025
DATE:_______________
100 Marks
2 hours 30 minutes

Name: _________________________________________________________

Total Score: _____/100 __ = _____ %

Stream #: __________________ House: _________________________

Directions:
1. Read all questions carefully.
2. Attempt to answer all questions in section A.
3. Attempt the first question in section B and any other three.
4. Show your work clearly for full credit.
5. Review your answers before turning in your exam.

Mark Tally: Teacher’s use only COVER PAGE KCSE FORMAT

1 2a 2b 2c 2d 3 4a 4b 5 6 7 8 9

10a 10b 11a 11b 12a 12b 12c 12d 12e 13a 13b 13c 14a

14b 14c 14d 14e 15a 15b 15c 15d 16a 16b 16c 16d

Section A (40 mks)

Answer all questions in this section.
1. Classify computers according to their functionality. (3 marks)
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2. Differentiate between safety precautions and safety practices as used in a computer lab (2 marks)
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3. State three hardware consideration that need to be made before installing an operating system.(3
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4. Differentiate between disk formatting and disk partitioning (2 marks)
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5. The following table was inserted in Ms.Word. Write the expression that would be applied to
find;

Student Name Math English Total

Mark 89 45

Joan 67 89

Average

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 a. Total marks for each student(2 marks)
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b. Average marks per subject(2 marks)
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6. Using an illustration, differentiate between stroke and fill as used in desktop publishing (2marks)
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7. State two examples of desktop publishing programs. (2 marks)
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8. Explain three circumstances where one may be required to restart a computer(3 marks)
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9. Explain the term troubleshooting (1 mark)

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10. Differentiate between auto-complete and auto-correct as used in word processing (2 marks)
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11. List four features of a database (4 marks)
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12. A formula “=B2+$C5” was placed in cell F4, how would the formula be if copied to cell H6 (2
marks)
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13. Explain the following terms as used in spreadsheet program (2 marks)
a. Range
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b. Legend
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14. (a) Define the term internet. (1 mark)

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(b) Explain the following internet related terms

i. Sign in (1 mark)

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ii. Search engine (1 mark)

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iii. Surf (1 mark)

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15. Describe four ways through which an organization can minimize threats to its data integrity.
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SECTION B (60 Marks)
Answer question 16 and any other three questions
16. (a) Define the following terms as used in programming. (4 marks)

i. Algorithm

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ii. Pseudocode

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iii. Interpreter

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iv. Compiler

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(a) Draw four common symbols used in a flow chart and state their purpose. (4 marks)

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(c) Write a pseudocode for a program that would prompt the user to enter the length and width of
a rectangle. The program then calculates and displays the area and perimeter. (4 marks)

(b) Give three disadvantages of low-level programming languages. (3 marks)

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17. Before the end of every month, an electricity service provider sends out field officers to take
consumer meter readings, the data collected by the officer is then keyed into the computer, the
system then generates utility bills which are printed and sent to consumers.
(a) (i) Identify this type of data processing mode. (1 mark)
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 (ii) Give three other data processing modes used during data processing. (3 marks)
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(b) Explain each of the following types of errors. (3 marks)
i. Transcription errors
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ii. Truncation errors
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iii. Rounding errors
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(c) Distinguish between the following terms as used in data processing.

i. Random and indexed sequential (2marks)

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ii. Logical file and physical file (2marks)
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(d) Using an illustration, describe four data processing stages. (4 marks)
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18. Using 8-bits two’s complement subtract 7310 from 11510 leaving your answer in denary
notation. (6 marks)
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b) Explain the following basic operations of the machine cycle in the control unit.(3 marks)

a. Fetching

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b. Decoding

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c. Execution

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c) i) Name the two files commonly used in mail merge. (2marks)

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d) Interfaces enable computer users to interact with the operating system. State four advantages for using
a graphical user interface in loading programs and files. (4 marks)
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19. (a) Mr. Zuma, the Principal of a school wishes his school to have an internet connection in a bid to
improve its service delivery. Mention four internet connectivity requirements that must be present to
enable the connection. (4 marks)
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(b) List two components of a CPU (2 marks)
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(c) .(i) Define the term ergonomic. (2 marks)
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(ii) Explain the importance of good ergonomics in a computer lab. (2 marks)
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(d) State four factors one should consider when acquiring computer Software. (4 marks)
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(e) State one benefit of cloud storage in computing. (1 mark)
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20. (a). Convert the decimal number 15.37310 to its binary number system equivalent (2 marks)

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b.State a circumstance which may force an individual to acquire an impact printer instead of non-
impact printer. (1 mark)

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c. Sam prepared a five-page brochure of Nova Pioneer School using Ms-publisher. He wanted to
insert a school logo on each page of the publication. State two methods he needs to apply to
execute this task. (2 marks)

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d. State the difference between one’s complement and two’s complement.

(2 marks)

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d. Study the following three sections of code and name accordingly. (3 marks)

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e. Five students Jane, Beryl, Baroness, Linda, and Jael scored the following marks in mathematics:
45, 76, 34, 65 and 45. The marks were recorded in cell C3 to C7. Write down the most
appropriate function that can be used to give them positions so that they can be awarded in
descending order. (3 marks)

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f. Using an example, explain two main parts of an URL.

(2marks)

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