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Date	November 2017	Marks available	2	Reference code	17N.1.SL.TZ0.11
Level	SL	Paper	1	Time zone	no time zone
Command term	Describe	Question number	11	Adapted from	N/A

Question

An application package used in an office includes a word processor. A secretary uses the word processor to create a text file.

The text file is automatically saved at regular periods while being edited.

All files created in this office contain information important to the business.

The office manager decides to buy and install new software and hardware.

Describe how a spellchecker checks whether a word in a text file is correctly spelt or not.

[2]

State one advantage of this feature.

[1]

Identify two additional features of a word processing package that could be useful for this office.

[2]

Outline the purpose of one application software package other than a word processing package that could be used in this office.

[2]

Outline the security measures that should be taken to prevent data loss.

[2]

Outline one problem that may arise from the installation of new hardware and software in the office.

[2]

The changeover to the new system can be achieved by either direct changeover or phased conversion.

Compare direct changeover and phased conversion.

[4]

Markscheme

Each word in the text file is compared with words in a dictionary (held in memory/online);
If the word is found in the dictionary it is correctly spelt / if the word is not found in the dictionary, spellchecker will recognize that it is incorrectly spelt;

Award [1 max].
If power goes off, only the text typed after last (automatic) save is lost;

NOTE: accept responses that express evidence of just a partial loss of the file.

Award up to [2 max].
Apply styles, effects;
Insert (tables/pictures/graphs/formulas/...);
Mail merge;
Macros;
Print;
etc.

Award [1] for stating an application software package and [1] for stating its use in the office, up to [2 max].

Example answers
Spreadsheet;
For graphically presenting various data;

Database software;
For holding employees/customers data;

Web page creators/editors;
To create/manage the office’s web pages;
etc.

Award up to [2 max].
Off site data storage;
Make backups regularly/periodically/frequently;

Prevent physical damage to the computers / Keep equipment in safe and dust-free places / Protect equipment from static electricity that can erase data or damage components / Protection during lightning and electrical storms;

Note: Accept any reasonable examples, but there should be more than one. The focus of the question is on data loss, and not in relation to security/hacking.

Award [1] for stating a problem and [1] for an elaboration, up to [2 max].
Users/employees might be afraid of these changes (for various reasons);
And not willing to help in this change;

Data migration problems;
For example, different file formats so conversion must be performed;

Employee efficiency may drop;
As they learn to use the new system;

Issue of compatibility with legacy software/hardware;
So features of new software/hardware may not work correctly;

Award [1] for outlining what is meant by direct changeover, [1] for outlining what is meant by phased conversion, and then [1] for an advantage or disadvantage of each, up to [2].

Example answer:
Direct changeover, the old software and hardware is completely replaced, in one move, by the new software and hardware;
Phased conversion involves selecting one section in the office for the direct changeover and other sections will be switched when the first section selected is running satisfactorily. Eventually the whole office has been changed;
A phased conversion is less risky than a direct changeover as any problems that might arise will be isolated in only one section in the office;
Direct changeover means everyone in the organization has same software/hardware and so there are no compatibility issues;

Examiners report

[N/A]

Syllabus sections

Topic 2: Computer organization » 2.1 Computer organization

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17N.1.SL.TZ0.5:
Copy and complete the following truth table.
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17N.1.SL.TZ0.11b:
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18M.1.SL.TZ0.4:
Explain the importance of the memory management function of an operating system.
18M.1.SL.TZ0.5:
Construct a logic diagram for the following Boolean expression.

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21M.1.SL.TZ0.5:
Calculate the denary (base 10) equivalent of the hexadecimal number BF.
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18N.1.SL.TZ0.2a:
Outline what is meant by a database management system.
18N.1.SL.TZ0.8a.ii:
Outline the function of an operating system in managing primary memory.
18N.1.SL.TZ0.8c.ii:
State how many integers could be represented in this byte.
18N.1.SL.TZ0.8d:
Construct a truth table with two input variables. If the input variables are equal the value of the output variable should be True, otherwise it should be False.
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Identify two characteristics of RAM.
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Outline the function of the memory address register (MAR).
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Outline the purpose of the memory address register (MAR) in the central processing unit (CPU).
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Construct the truth table for the following logic circuit:
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Construct a logic diagram for the Boolean expression

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Define the term bit.
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State where the program is held.
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Construct a truth table for the following logical expression.

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Copy and complete the following truth table where:

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Topic 2: Computer organization

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