ITIGI DISTRICT COUNCIL
FORM ONE MIDTERM JOINT EXAMINATIONS
COMPUTER SCIENCE
TIME: 2:30 HOURS AUGUST 2026
INSTRUCTIONS
i) This paper consists of sections A, B and C with a total of twelve (12) questions.
ii) Answer ALL questions in sections A and B, and TWO (2) questions only from section C.
iii) Section A carries 20 marks, Section B carries 40 marks and Section C carries 40 marks, making a total of
100 marks.
iv) All writing should be in blue or black ink, except for diagrams which must be drawn in pencil.
SECTION A: (20 MARKS)
1. For each of the following items, choose the correct answer from the given alternatives and write its
letter in the box provided. (10 marks)
i) A computer is best defined as a/an:
A. Electronic device that only performs addition and subtraction
B. Electronic device that accepts data, processes it and produces information
C. Machine used only for playing games
D. D. Device used for storing books
ii) Which one of the following is a characteristic of a computer?
A. Gets tired after long use
B. High speed of processing
C. Makes decisions on its own without instructions
D. Cannot store data
iii) The generation of computers that used vacuum tubes is the:
A. First generation
B. Second generation
C. Third generation
D. Fourth generation
iv) Which of the following is an example of an input device?
A. Monitor
B. Printer
C. Keyboard
D. Speaker
v) The part of the computer that acts as the "brain" and controls all operations is the:
A. Monitor
B. Central Processing Unit (CPU)
C. Mouse
D. Hard disk
vi) Which of the following is an example of system software?
A. Microsoft Word
B. Operating System
C. Adobe Photoshop
D. Calculator App
vii) A device that produces a permanent (hard) copy of processed information is a:
A. Scanner
B. Printer
C. Mouse
D. Microphone
viii) Which of the following is NOT a function of an operating system?
A. Managing computer memory
B. Controlling input and output devices
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C. Designing computer hardware
D. Managing files and folders
ix) A computer that combines features of both analog and digital computers is called:
A. Digital computer
B. Analog computer
C. Hybrid computer
D. Mainframe computer
x) Which of the following is an example of an operating system?
A. Microsoft Excel
B. Windows
C. Google Chrome
D. WhatsApp
2. Match the items in Column A with the correct responses in Column B by writing the corresponding
letter beside its number. (10 marks)
COLUMN A COLUMN B
i) Keyboard A. Output device that displays soft copy of
information
ii) Printer B. Examples of operating systems
iii) Windows / Linux C. Used vacuum tubes
iv) CPU D. Application software
v) Monitor E. Pointing input device
vi) Mouse F. Permanent storage device
vii) Hard Disk G. Temporary (volatile) storage device
viii) Microsoft Word H. Alphanumeric input device
ix) First Generation Computers I. Produces hard copy output
x) RAM J. Known as the brain of the computer
SECTION B: (40 MARKS)
Answer ALL questions in this section.
3. Define the term "computer" and mention two (2) areas of daily life where computers are used. (6 Marks)
4. What is meant by the term "hardware"? Give three (3) examples of hardware devices found
in a computer laboratory. (6 Marks)
5. Distinguish between "system software" and "application software", giving one example of each. (6 Marks)
6. Name three (3) input devices and three (3) output devices used in a computer system. (6 Marks)
7. Briefly explain any three (3) functions performed by the Central Processing Unit (CPU) of a computer.
(6 Marks)
8. Define the term "operating system" and state two (2) functions of an operating system. (5 Marks)
9. Mention any two (2) generations of computers and state the type of technology used in each generation.
(5 Marks)
SECTION C: (40 MARKS)
Answer TWO (2) questions only from this section. Each question carries 20 marks.
10. Discuss five (5) characteristics of a computer, and for each characteristic explain how it makes a computer
more useful than a human being in performing tasks.
11 (a) Explain the meaning of a computer system.
(b) With the help of a well labelled diagram, describe the input-process-output-storage cycle of a computer.
12.(a) Define the term "operating system".
(b) Describe any three (3) types of operating systems, giving one example of a software product for each type.
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