2020/BA
COMPUTER APPLICATIONS I (THEORY)
July 2021
Time: 2 hours
THE KENYA NATIONAL EXAMINATIONS COUNCIL
DIPLOMA IN INFORMATION COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY
MODULE I
COMPUTER APPLICATIONS I (THEORY)
Paper 1
November 2020
INSTRUCTIONS TO CANDIDATES
This paper consists of EIGHT questions.
Answer any FOUR questions in the answer booklet provided.
Candidates should answer the questions in English.
This paper consists of 4 printed pages.
Candidates should check the question paper to ascertain that all the pages are printed as indicated and that no question is missing.
© 2020 The Kenya National Examinations Council
Question 1
Outline three types of user interfaces used in operating systems.
Within each of these examples, explain the following terms as used during software documentation:
(i) Embed
(ii) Attach
ANSWER:
The three types of user interfaces are:
- Graphical User Interface (GUI): A type of interface where users interact with electronic devices through graphical icons and visual indicators.
- Command Line Interface (CLI): A text-based interface where commands are typed.
- Natural Language Interface (NLI): A type of interface that allows users to communicate with the computer using natural language.
- Embed: Integrating or inserting one type of document or application within another.
- Attach: Adding an external file to a document without embedding it directly into the content.
Question 2
(a) Distinguish between the following terms as used in presentation programs:
(i) Slide master
(ii) Single user mode/multitasking
(b) Explain the term “network-enabled applications.”
(c) State two ways that a user can troubleshoot booting errors when working with operating systems.
ANSWER:
(a)
(i) Slide Master: A feature in presentation programs that controls the layout and design of multiple slides in a presentation.
(ii) Single User Mode/Multitasking: Single user mode refers to an operating state where only one user can operate the system at a time, while multitasking allows multiple tasks to be executed simultaneously.
(b) Network-Enabled Applications: These are software applications that depend on network connectivity to function, allowing for data sharing and communication between devices.
(c) Two ways to troubleshoot booting errors:
- Checking the system’s BIOS/UEFI settings.
- Rebooting the system in safe mode.
Question 3
Explain the functions of each of the following types of utility programs used in operating systems:
(i) Disk Defragmenter
(ii) Task Manager
(iii) Anti-virus software
(iv) Backup software
ANSWER:
(i) Disk Defragmenter: Organizes the scattered files on a disk, improving speed and performance by rearranging them in a continuous sequence.
(ii) Task Manager: A system monitor program that provides information about running processes and system performance, and allows for managing and closing applications.
(iii) Anti-virus Software: Detects, prevents, and removes malware and viruses from computers.
(iv) Backup Software: Creates copies of data to safeguard against loss or corruption.
Question 4
(a) Outline two differences between alignment and indentation as used in word processing.
(b) Explain the function of mail merge in word processing.
ANSWER:
(a)
- Alignment: Refers to the arrangement of text in relation to the page margins (e.g., left, right, center).
- Indentation: Refers to the distance between the start of a paragraph and the left margin.
(b) Mail Merge: A feature in word processing software that allows users to generate multiple documents by merging a single template document with a data source, commonly used for sending out personalized letters or emails.