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Women's University in Africa: Computer Applications Exam

The document outlines the curriculum and examination structure for various diploma programs at the Women's University in Africa, focusing on computer applications and management sciences. It includes instructions for candidates, a series of questions related to computer literacy, and sections on network topologies, malware, and software functionalities. Additionally, it emphasizes the importance of addressing gender disparity in university education.
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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
30 views9 pages

Women's University in Africa: Computer Applications Exam

The document outlines the curriculum and examination structure for various diploma programs at the Women's University in Africa, focusing on computer applications and management sciences. It includes instructions for candidates, a series of questions related to computer literacy, and sections on network topologies, malware, and software functionalities. Additionally, it emphasizes the importance of addressing gender disparity in university education.
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

WOMEN’S UNIVERSITY IN AFRICA

Addressing gender disparity and fostering equity in University Education

FACULTY OF MANAGEMENT AND ENTREPRENEURIAL SCIENCES


FACULTY OF SOCIAL SCIENCES AND GENDER TRANSFORMATIVE
SCIENCES
FACULTY OF AGRICULTURAL, ENVIRONMENTAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES

DIPLOMA IN BUSINESS MANAGEMENT


DIPLOMA IN ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
DIPLOMA IN SOCIAL WORK

KBCL111: INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER APPLICATIONS


BCL111: BASIC COMPUTER LITERACY
KIIT111: INTRODUCTION TO INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
KPSM114: INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND COMPUTER APPLICATIONS

DATE: TIME: 2 HOURS

INSTRUCTIONS TO CANDIDATES
Answer all questions from Section A and any two questions from Section B.

1
SECTION A

1. Which of the following is an odd one out?


A. Firewall
B. Antivirus software
C. Malware
D. Backup system

2. The CPU is primarily responsible for:


A. Storing data permanently
B. Executing instructions
C. Displaying output
D. Managing network connections

3. Which one of the following is not a type of software?


A. Operating System
B. Application Software
C. Network Hardware
D. Utility Software

4. A feature of modern operating systems that allows multiple programs to run


simultaneously is known as:
A. Multitasking
B. Batch processing
C. Time-sharing
D. Virtual memory

5. The main advantage of a mesh network topology is:


A. It is inexpensive to set up
B. It is easy to install
C. It provides high reliability
D. It requires less cabling

6. The primary function of RAM in a computer is:


A. To store data permanently
B. To execute software applications
C. To provide temporary storage for active processes
D. To act as a backup system

7. A tablet computer is an example of:


A. A supercomputer
B. A personal computer
C. An embedded system
D. A mobile device

2
8. The following symptoms may indicate a computer virus, except for:
A. Slow performance
B. Unexpected pop-ups
C. Increased battery life
D. Frequent crashes

9. Which group would you use to adjust the margins of a document?


A. Page Layout
B. Format
C. Review
D. Home

10. The term megabyte refers to:


A. 1024 bytes
B. 1024 kilobytes
C. 1024 gigabytes
D. 1024 terabytes

11. Which of the following characteristics makes SSDs superior to HDDs?


A. Larger storage capacity
B. Faster data access speeds
C. Lower cost
D. More fragile

12. The process of converting data into a secret code to prevent unauthorized access is called:
A. Encryption
B. Decryption
C. Compression
D. Authentication

13. The term "Web Browser" refers to:


A. A software for creating web pages
B. A software for accessing the internet
C. A hardware device for connecting to the internet
D. A type of network

14. A character that is smaller and below the baseline is known as:
A. Superscript
B. Subscript
C. Bold
D. Italic

15. How will MS Word indicate a potential grammatical error?


A. A blue wavy line

3
B. A green wavy line
C. A red wavy line
D. No indication

16. If a cell in Excel contains a formula error, it will display:


A. #####
B. #VALUE!
C. #DIV/0!
D. #REF!

17. To begin an Excel formula, you must use:


A. $
B. @
C. +
D. =

18. The term "Cloud Computing" refers to:


A. Storing data on local servers
B. Accessing services over the internet
C. Using physical storage devices
D. None of the above

19. How can you open a new document in Word?


A. Ctrl + O
B. Ctrl + N
C. Ctrl + S
D. Ctrl + P

20. On an Excel sheet, the active cell is indicated by:


A. A dark border
B. A dotted border
C. A blinking cursor
D. None of the above

21. When you enter text in a cell in Excel, it also appears in the:
A. Status bar
B. Formula bar
C. Row heading
D. Name box

22. Which of the following is considered an advantage of using cloud storage?


A. Limited access
B. High security risks
C. Accessibility from any device

4
D. Expensive setup costs

23. A type of printer that produces images by spraying ink onto paper is known as:
A. Dot matrix printer
B. Impact printer
C. Inkjet printer
D. Thermal printer

24. To create a chart in Excel, you would use the:


A. Insert tab
B. Home tab
C. View tab
D. Data tab

25. The keyboard shortcut for saving a document is:


A. Ctrl + S
B. Ctrl + C
C. Ctrl + V
D. Ctrl + X

Section B

Question 1
a) The history of computer development is often referred to in reference to the different
generations of computing devices. Each of the five generations of computers is
characterized by a major technological development that fundamentally changed the way
computers operate resulting in increasingly smaller, cheap, more powerful, more efficient
and reliable computing devices.
Required:
Identify the major technological development that changed the way computers operate in
each generation. [12
marks]
b) Given the below usage cases, give a recommendation with a justification of which printer
technology would be most suitable:
i. High Resolution Photographs;
ii. High Volume Multipurpose printing;
iii. Light home usage. [6 marks]
c) Explain the following giving an example of each
i. Secondary storage [2 marks]

5
ii. Bespoke software [3 marks]
iii. Utility software [2 marks]

Question 2
a) Modern networks are usually based around a reference architecture or topology.
Explain one advantage and one disadvantage of each of the following network topologies
(illustrating with a typical schematic for each):
i. Ring;
ii. Bus;
iii. Mesh; [9 marks]
b) Malware (Malicious Software) comes in many different forms including:
i. Virus
ii. Worm
iii. Trojan Horse
iv. Spyware.
Explain and distinguish between the four different types of malwares, describing their key
characteristics and providing an example of each. [8 marks]

b) What trends in malware and computer security are likely to be the most concerning and
have the greatest impact on businesses in terms of:

i. damage to operational ability


ii. loss of revenue
iii. reputation. [6 marks]
c) Describe the following computer security terms:
i. Access Control List; [2 marks]

Question 3
Technology continually evolves from traditional to modern computing systems.
a) Compare and contrast the functionalities of a desktop computer and a laptop computer.
[5 marks]
b) Discuss why a financial institution may opt for high-performance computing systems.
[5 marks]
c) Justify the need for supercomputers in scientific research and data analysis. [5 marks]

6
d) Define an embedded computer and provide examples of its applications in daily life.
[5 marks]

e) Copy and complete the paragraphs choosing the correct five terms from the list. Each
term can only be used once
Ethics
Freeware
Free Software
Hacking
Malware
Plagiarism
Shareware
Virus

Taking another person’s work from the internet and claiming it as your own is called
……………………….. . It is possible to protect your work online with copyright.
One product that people may want to protect is software. ………………….. does allow a
person to share, copy and change software freely, but …………………………. does not
allow a person to do this legally. Software that has a licence allowing free use for a trial
period is called ………… . The name given toi this area of Computer Science is
…………….. .

Question 4
a) In Microsoft Word, describe how you can perform the following tasks:
i. Change the font style of a paragraph [2 marks]
ii. Insert a page break [2 marks]
iii. Create a bulleted list [2 marks]
iv. Add a header to your document [3 marks]
v. Insert a hyperlink [3 marks]
vi. Adjust paragraph spacing [3 marks]
vii. Convert text to bullet points [2 marks]
viii. Change text alignment to center [2 marks]
b) Outline the steps to create a table in Microsoft Word and format it to your specifications.
[6 marks]

7
Question 5
Use the following table to answer this question:
A B C D E F
1 Coursework marks for KBCL111
2 Name Presentation Practical Practical Total Average Coursework
1 2
3 Robison abd
4 Rumbidzai xxxx
5 Trust
6 Jeremiah ##### xxx
7 Maximum
Expenses
8 Minimum xxx
expenses

a) Explain the formatting in A1:E1 [2 marks]


b) Write down the function that would give the average for Rumbidzai. [3 marks]
c) After computing the total for Jeremiah, the cell E6 appeared as shown in the table.
Explain the cause of this and how it can be rectified. [3 marks]
d) In cell F6 you computed the average and got the result inform of date format. Explain
how you would modify this to get the correct average for Jeremiah [2 marks]
e) Given that Coursework 30% of Average mark, write an Excel formula to calculate
Coursework represented by abd. [2 marks]
f) State the steps to follow when one wants to create a bar chart for KBCL111 using the
Names and Coursework marks columns. [3 marks]
g) Explain the main provisions of the Data Privacy Act in Zimbabwe and how they relate
to the protection of personal information in the digital environment. [5 marks]
h) Outline the keyboard combination that could be used to achieve each of the following
in MS word:
i. Start a new document
ii. Save the current document
iii. Save a copy of the current document
iv. Copy a paragraph of the current document
v. Cut a paragraph of the current document [5 marks]

8
END

Common questions

Powered by AI

Ring topology offers equal access to the network for all devices but a break in any node disrupts the whole network. Bus topology is simple and economical but suffers from maintenance issues and limited nodes. Mesh topology provides high reliability with multiple connections but is expensive and complex to install .

Viruses attach themselves to legitimate programs and replicate when the infected program runs, potentially causing harm to files and systems. Worms spread through networks and can propagate without user activity, disrupting network operations by using bandwidth. Trojan horses disguise as legitimate software, tricking users into installing them, creating unauthorized access to user data. Spyware secretly monitors user activities and collects personal information without their consent, causing privacy issues and potentially identity theft .

The first generation was characterized by vacuum tubes, which were used for circuitry and magnetic drums for memory, making computers bulky and generating a lot of heat. The second generation saw the advent of transistors, which replaced vacuum tubes, making computers smaller, more reliable, and energy-efficient. The third generation was defined by integrated circuits, which further reduced size and cost and increased speed and efficiency. The fourth generation introduced microprocessors, which allowed computers to become even smaller and more powerful. The fifth generation focuses on artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies, leveraging parallel and superconducting technologies to offer significant advances in processing power .

Financial institutions favor high-performance computing systems for their ability to quickly process large amounts of data, important for tasks like high-frequency trading and risk management. These systems allow for real-time data analysis, which is crucial for making timely investment decisions and maintaining a competitive edge .

The Data Privacy Act in Zimbabwe establishes guidelines for handling personal data, mandating organizations to implement protective measures, obtain consent before collecting data, and ensure information is used for specified purposes, enhancing data security and consumer trust .

Secondary storage provides permanent data retention that primary storage like RAM cannot, accommodating large volumes of data that need to be preserved long-term or accessed infrequently. This is critical for data recovery, archival, and functioning of the system when powered down .

Malware trends, like ransomware, threaten operational ability by encrypting crucial data until a ransom is paid, disrupting business operations. They increase the risk of sensitive data breaches, leading to loss of revenue and legal liabilities. Such incidents also damage company reputation, affecting customer trust and market position .

Desktop computers typically offer superior performance, greater storage, and easier hardware upgrades, making them suitable for resource-intensive tasks. Laptops are portable and space-efficient, advantageous for on-the-go computing and flexible work environments .

Access Control Lists (ACLs) enhance security by specifying which users or system processes can access resources, such as files or directories, and what operations they are permitted. They are crucial in safeguarding sensitive data from unauthorized access or alterations, ensuring organizational data integrity and confidentiality .

Cloud computing improves accessibility by allowing data and applications to be accessed from any device with an internet connection, facilitating remote work and collaboration. It offers efficiency through scalable resources and reduced necessity for local infrastructure, contrasting with traditional storage's higher maintenance and scalability challenge .

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