January 2008

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Paper 01 Technical Proficiency
THEORY

SUGGESTED SOLUTIONS
SECTION I
HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE 30 marks
1. The central Processing Unit (CPU) has two major sub-units.
a)

Name the two sub-units of the CPU.

(2 marks)

ANS: (i) Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU) and (ii) Control Unit (CU)
b)

Give the function of EACH sub-unit.

(2 marks)

ANS: (i) The functions of the Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU) are:
To perform mathematical operations on data
To perform comparison operations on data
and (ii) Control Unit (CU)
To direct the operations of the internal processing component (CPU)
To control the flow of data in and out of Random Access Memory
(RAM)
To control the flow of data to and from Output and Input Devices
To control the execution of the Machine Cycle operations
c)

What type of memory is MOST closely connected to the CPU?

(1 mark)

ANS: Random Access Memory

d)

What is the name of the chip that holds the CPU?

(1 mark)

ANS: Microprocessor
Total 6 marks
2. You have won a computer which is equipped with 512 megabytes of RAM, a 80-gigabyte
hard disk drive, a CD-DVD burner, a floppy disk drive, two ports for flash disks (small
storage devices), a laser printer, a finger print reader (for security), and a wireless mouse.
a)

Identify a primary and a secondary storage device in this system.

(2 marks)

ANS: (i) Primary Storage Device - RAM and

(ii) Secondary Storage Device CD-DVD Burner, Hard Disk Drive, Floppy
Disk Drive, Flash Disk
b)

Name TWO peripheral devices found in this system.

(2 marks)

ANS: (i) Flash Disks and (ii) Laser Printer, finger print reader, Wireless Mouse

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c)

Each of your courses needs 15.5 kilobytes of space on your system. How many
complete courses can fit into a 5- megabyte file?
(2 marks)

ANS:
15.5 KB = 15, 872 bytes
5 MB = 5, 242, 880 bytes
Therefore: the number of courses work that can fit in 5 MB file is
5 MB = 5, 242, 880 bytes
15.5 KB = 15, 872 bytes
= 330.9 (331) course work (files)
Total 6 marks
3. State the MOST appropriate data capture method for EACH of the following situations:
a)

Marking multiple-choice examination answer papers.

(1 mark)

ANS: Optical Mark Reader

b)

Transferring a whole page of a document into your word processing package

without the need to type it in.
(1 mark)

ANS: Optical Character Recognition (Scanning)

c)

Reading of data on bank cheques

(1 mark)

ANS: Magnetic Ink Character Recognition

d)

Accepting voice instructions

(1 mark)

ANS: Voice Recognition

Total 4 marks
4. Figure 1 shows a file access interface from and MSDOS system. Figure 2 shows a file access
interface from a Windows system.

C:\ExamFile>
Figure 1
Figure 2

a)

Name the types of files access interfaces, shown in Figure 1 and Figure 2,
respectively.
(2 marks)

ANS: FIGURE 1: Command Interface

FIGURE 2: Graphical User Interface
b)

Indicate which of the two interfaces would be more appropriate for someone who
is not vary comfortable with a computer. Give reason for your answer.(2 marks)

ANS: Graphical User Interface

Reasons: (i) pictures are used to represent programs or tasks in a software
(i)
pictures used sometimes suggest the tasks to be done. E.g. Scissors Icon in
MS Office Suggest cutting texting.
(ii)
upon pointing on an Icon (GUI), the name of the function is deisplayed hence
no need to memorize what each icon is used to represent

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c)
ANS:

What is the name given to the CATEGORY of system software mentioned in the
question (MSDOS and Windows)?
(1 mark)
Operating System

d)

Name another example of system software of the type mentioned in part (c) above.
(1 mark)
ANS:
Program Translators (Assemblers, Compilers, Interpreters)
Utility Programs (Anti Virus, Disk Scanning, File finder, etc.)
Total 6 marks
5. Calculate and show the following:
a)

The binary equivalent of 9410

2
2
2
2
2
2

94
47
23
11
5
2
1

(1 mark)

0
1
1
1
1
0

ANS : 10111102
b)

The decimal equivalent of 101010112

(1 mark)

128

64

32

16

101010112

= 128 + 0 + 32 + 0 + 8 + 0 + 2 + 1 = 17110
ANS: 17110
c)

The eight-bit signed and magnitude representation of -20

(2 marks)

ANS: ??????
d)

The Binary Coded Decimal representation of -456

10112

01002

01012

01102

(2 marks)

ANS: 1011010101010110BCD
e)

The eight-bit twos complement representation of 13

2
2
2

13
6
3
1

(2 marks)

1
0
1

= 11012
= 8 bit = 000011012
1s complement = 111111012
2s complement = 111111012 + 12 = 111111102
Total 8 marks

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SECTION II
APPLICATIONS AND IMPLICATIONS 30 marks
Answer ALL questions.
6. a) Describe an Information Technology application that would be BEST suited for the
following:
(i)

Make payments without carrying cash

(1 mark)

ANS: Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT)

(ii)

Pay bills 24 hours a day without queuing at the counters

(1 mark)

ANS. Telephone Banking, Internet Banking, Automated Teller Machine

Banking
b) Describe an IT application that would be useful in EACH of the following areas:
(i)

Doing homework

(1 mark)

ANS:
to use Microsoft Word to type SBA Projects, Stories, Assignments
to use Spreadsheet to prepare Accounts documents, to calculate, to create
graphs;
use Encyclopedia (Encarta) to carry out research and obtain information;
to use the Internet to research for data, and collect information including
pictures
(ii)

Entertainment

(1 mark)

ANS: to download games from the internet and use this in playing;
to use Internet Relay Chat (IRC) and talk to friends online and share
files, play games;
to use computer games to pass time; Downloading of music from the
internet and sharing this with friends or listening to them;
to play hand held games using Game Boys;
to listen to music downloaded onto an I-Pod.
(iii)

Communicating with friends or students

(1 mark)

ANS:
to send electronic messages using email
to send text messages to mobile phones (SMS) and picture (multimedia)
message (MMS)
to use Infrared to share files likewise use of Bluetooth technology
to talk on messenger boards using Internet Relay Chat (IRC)
Total 5 marks
7. The Minister of Education is quoted as saying:
Now that Blackville High School has secured its intranet and has made connection to the
internet available, we can look forward to using and web-browsers to access our current
home-built web-sites and web-pages. In the near future this school will be able to embark on
the road to e-learning and even e-commerce.

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a)

State the difference between the Intranet and the Internet.

(2 marks)

ANS:
The Internet is a worldwide, publicly accessible series of interconnected
computer networks that transmit data; It is a "network of networks" that consists of
millions of smaller domestic, academic, business, and government networks, which
together carry various information and services, such as electronic mail, online chat, file
transfer, and the interlinked web pages and other resources of the World Wide Web
(WWW). The An intranet is a private computer network that uses Internet protocols
and network connectivity to securely share part of an organization's information or
operations with its employees.
b) How do the terms web-browser, web-sites and web-pages differ?

(3 marks)

ANS. Web Browser is a program used to view web sites and web pages such as
Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Netscape Navigator. The Web site is made up of
inter connected web pages while a web page is simply a document found on a web
site (a single page)
c) What does the term e-commerce mean?

(1 mark)

ANS: E-Commerce is the ability to use the internet and telecommunications

channels to buy and sell merchandise or services.
Electronic commerce or ecommerce is a term for any type of business, or
commercial transactions that involves the transfer of information across the
Internet. It covers a range of different types of businesses, from consumer based
retail sites, through auction or music sites, to business exchanges trading goods and
services between corporations. It is currently one of the most important aspects of
the Internet to emerge.
Ecommerce allows consumers to electronically exchange goods and services with no
barriers of time or distance. Electronic commerce has expanded rapidly over the
past five years and is predicted to continue at this rate, or even accelerate. In the
near future the boundaries between "conventional" and "electronic" commerce will
become increasingly blurred as more and more businesses move sections of their
operations onto the Internet.
Total 6 marks
8. Two agencies use teleconferencing and videoconferencing tools to collaborate.
a)

State the meaning of EACH of the tools the agencies use to collaborate.(2 marks)

ANS: Teleconferencing is the use of telephone and telecommunications medias to

hold meetings while Video Conferencing is the use of Microphone, and Cameras to
set up meetings over the internet.
Teleconferencing:

At its simplest, a teleconference can be an audio conference with one or both

ends of the conference sharing a speaker phone
is any form of communication, comprising at least an audio stream, between
spatially distant participants in a meeting.

Videoconferencing:

Communication across long distances with video and audio contact that may
also include graphics and data exchange. ..
Two-way audio and/or video; interactive videoconferencing. Classes are shared
by local sites connecting to remote sites. Depending on how the course is set up,
students at both sites can see, hear, and interact with each another.

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b) Give ONE example of the equipment that is essential for EACH tool to operate
effectively.
(2 marks)
Equipment for
Teleconferencing:
Telephone
Telephone Line
Speakers

Equipment for Videoconferencing:

Cameras
Speakers
Microphone
Internet Communication
Telephone Communication

c) State ONE advantage and ONE disadvantage of the use of the tools.
Videoconferencing

Teleconferencing

Advantage
Ability to see participants while you
communicate (especially over long
distances)

Cheaper than Videoconferencing and

allow several persons to share in a
conversation easily to discuss a
matter

(2 marks)

Disadvantage
Loss or poor communication
transmission can severe
communication; low
bandwidth affects the speed
at which video and voice will
transfer and download
High cost to communicate
and have meetings by
telephone; poor reception
during call being made
makes conversation
inaudible; inability to see the
person (s) you speak with
during communication
Total 6 marks

9. As the safety expert at your company you encounter a young woman who claims to be a
temporary receptionist sent by an employment agency and needs to gain access to the
network your company uses. She is not familiar to you.
a) Indicate TWO steps you would take to verify that this individual is indeed on
official business.
(2 marks)
ANS:
(i) Telephone the office of the individual by collecting their ID or make note of the
company sign on the vehicle is visible or using the name of company of their shirt (if
being worn)
(ii) To ask for their work order sheet to see that the worker was instructed to visit my
premises to carry out the repairs
b) For EACH step indicated, give a reason for your action.

(2 marks)

ANS: (i) to ensure that the company knows the worker and that the worker is in fact
employed to the company.
(ii) The order sheet will state the instructions that were given to advise me of the
purpose of the receptionist visit.
c) What is meant by the term computer fraud?

(1 mark)

ANS: The term computer fraud speaks to the use of the computer to carry out illegal
actions that can be used to bring personal gain to an individual, at the expense of
others, sometimes carried out without the victims knowledge.

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d) Give TWO examples of ways the young woman could be harmful to your
institution.
(2 marks)
ANS:
(i) Such a person could introduce a virus to the computer system network which can
cause malfunctioning of the network facilities
(ii) Such a person could copy data from the network and introduce electronic
monitoring software and hardware acting to electronically monitor (electronic
surveillance) of the companys network operations and send email of operations to
external interests.
(iii) the person could sabotage the networks functionality by introducing virus, delete
files, tamper with hardware, software
Total 7 marks
10. A scanner and a barcode reader are computer-related hardware used in industry to make the
work of the employee easier and more efficient.
a)

State the function of a scanner and a barcode reader

(2 marks)

ANS: The Scanner is used to copy documents, pictures into a computer for
processing or storage, instead if typing a printed document, it could be scanned and
pictures/diagrams can be quickly inserted in a word processing document while the
Bar Code Reader is used to collect or recognize information stated on Bar Codes
found on products and their labels. In a supermarket, the cashier could scan the
bar code found on products with the Bar Code Reader in order to get price and
name of items from a database onto a receipt.
b)

For EACH piece of hard ware in (a), state the type of industry in which it would
MOST likely be used.
(2 marks)

ANS: Scanner picture or graphic editing industry

Bar Code Reader used in supermarkets, pharmacies, etc.
c) For ONE of the pieces of hardware, state the job title of the individual who is MOST
likely to use this piece of equipment and clearly indicate how it makes their job more
efficient.
(2 marks)
ANS: BAR CODE READER used by cashiers in stores, supermarkets. Rather
than typing in the code from the Bar Code which is at times long, the Cashier can
simply scan the barcode.
Scanner use by artist and designers to input diagrams or sketches. Instead of
trying to manipulate a light pen on a pads and tablet (Digitizer Tablet), the user
could quickly draw such design or sketch with pencil on a sheet of paper and easily
get this into the computer by scanning.
Total 6 marks

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TECHNICAL PROFICIENCY
SECTION III 30 marks
PROGRAMMING
ANSWER ALL QUESTIONS.
11. The three diagrams below represent three different generations of programming languages.
LOAD
ADD
STORE
LOAD
MULT
STORE

X
Y
Z
W
Z
X

Diagram 1

00000000 01101101
10010010 00011000
10001000 01010101
00001110 01110111
11000110 00111100
Diagram 2

# include stdio.h
main()
{ int myage; myDOB, myID
Printf(Type you age, your Date of Birth and your ID number);
Scanf(myage);
Scanf(myDOB);
Scanf(myID);
Printf(\n We are twins. I was born on the same day and have the same age)
Printf(\n We just need to have the same mothers)
}

Diagram 3

a) Identify EACH generation.

(3 marks)

ANS: Diagram 1: 2nd Generation / Machine Language,

Diagram 2: First Generation / Assembly Language,
Diagram 3: Third Generation/ High Level Language

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b) State ONE advantage and ONE disadvantage of EACH generation.

ANS.
Generation
First Generation

Advantage
Easy to execute these
instructions
Makes effective use of
memory resources

Second Generation

Easy to write programs

compared to use of 1st
Generation;

Third Generation

Programs take a shorter

time to write
Programs are easier to
read and understand
likewise to correct
errors.

(6 marks)

Disadvantage
Tedious to write
programs in this
language;
Hard to detect and
correct errors; Programs
take a long time to
develop
Programmers have to
know the specific details
and make up of the
computer before they can
program instructions for
that computer.
Programs written in 2nd
Generation languages
has to be converted to 1st
Generation form before
execution of instructions
can take place which
takes time.
Programmers have to
know the specific details
and make up of the
computer before they can
program instructions for
that computer.
Programs written in 2nd
Generation languages
have to be converted to
1st Generation form
before execution of
instructions can take
place which takes time.
Total 9 marks

12. Write the result of the following segment of code given num = 10:
a) num = 10
If (num>20)
then write CXC
else write XCX

(1 mark)

ANS: XCX
b)

num = 10
count = 0
While (num<13) do
Write num
num = num +1
count = count +1
Write count

ANS: NUM
10
11
12

(6 marks)

Calculation for NUM

Calculation for count

Count

10 + 1 = 11
11 + 1 = 12

0+1=1
1+1=2

1
2

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c)

num = 10
For count = 1 to 2 do
Write num

(2 marks)

ANS: 10
* Question cannot be worked further as the value of Count in the program code was
never caused to be increased by the use of an Incrementing Statement
Total 9 marks
13. a) This question refers to Table 1 below.
Column 1 (Actions), explain several actions. Each action is labeled S1 to S4 as shown in
Column 2 (Label).
TABLE 1
Actions
You want to find the average of your two tests with marks of 78% and 69%.
Using your calculator, you enter 78-69, then /2.
You have written the following code:
INPUT A,B
C = A*B
OUTPU C
The results of the following algorithm:
A =3
B =3
Answer = (A+B)/(A-B)
Print Answer
Using Example 1, you use the calculator to re-enter 78+69, then /2.

Label
S1
S2

S3
S4

The following statements tagged ER1 to ER4 summarize the actions described in Table 1
above.
ER1
ER2
ER3
ER4

Finding an error in the code and correcting it

Division by zero
Misspelling a key word
Mistake during data entry

Write each of the labels S1, S2, S3 and S4, on a new line in your answer booklet. For
EACH tagged statement, match the one that BEST summarizes the action described in
Table 1 above. Beside each label (S1, S2, S3, S4) written in your answer booklet, write
the tag name (ER1 to ER4) associated with the statement that you have matched to the
action in Table 1 above.
(4 marks)
ANS:
Label
S1
S2
S3
S4

ER4
ER3
ER2
ER1

b) The terms below labeled C1 to C5 represent characteristics of the summarized actions

described in part (a).
C1
C2
C3
C4
C5

Syntax error
Run-time error
Logic error
Debugging
This is not an error

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Copy Table 2 below in your answer booklet and complete it by writing the appropriate
label for the characteristic (C1,C2,C3,C4 or C5) next to each tag name (ER1 to ER4).
TABLE 2
Label Characteristic of Action
ER1
ER2
ER3
ER4
(4 marks)
ANS:
Label Characteristic of Action
ER1
C3
ER2
C1
ER3
C2
ER4
C4
Total 8 marks
14. What is meant by EACH of the following terms when associated with running a program?
a) Object code

(1 mark)

ANS: Object code is any program written in the machine language form.
b) Compiling

(1 mark)

ANS: Compiling is the process of converting a program written into a high level
language into its machine language version in order for execution to take place. The
entire program code is converted all at once.
c) Executing

(1 mark)

ANS: The act of carry out an instruction (program instructions).

d) Interpreting

(1 mark)

ANS: The act of executing program instructions line by line during execution.
Total 4 marks

GENERAL PROFICIENCY
THIS SECTION IS FOT GENERAL PROFICIENCY STUDENTS ONLY
SECTION IV 30 marks
PRODUCTIVITY TOOLS
ANSWER ALL QUESTIONS.
15. The following questions relates to Word-Processing;
a) The first line of your document contains the word John. List TWO ways to replace the
word John with the word Mary.
(1 mark)
ANS:
Position the cursor at the start of the document
Click on Edit from the menu bar and select Replace
Type in John as the word to be found and Mary as the word to be replaced with
OR
Hold down CTRL + F

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Type in John as the word to be found and Mary as the word to be replaced with

b) You have a document with 10 paragraphs. How would you interchange the third and
seventh paragraphs?
(2 marks)
ANS:
Select the third paragraph
Click on Cut Icon from the Tool Bar (CTRL + X)
And click above the 7th paragraph and select the Paste Icon from the menu
bar or (CTRL + V) frm the keyboard
Repeat by selecting the original 7th paragraph, CUT, then click below the 2nd
paragraph and paste.
c) What is the difference between centered text and fully justified text?

(1 mark)

ANS.
Centered text will appear between the left and right margin while Justified
text will appear lined up evenly on the left and right of the paragraph.
-------------------------------------------------------Center Justified Text

------------------------------------------------------------------Justified Text

d) You have a document with 10 paragraphs on one page. What is the most efficient way to
make paragraphs 6 10 as page two of your document?

(1 mark)

ANS:

Place the cursor at the start of paragraph 6

Hold down CTRL + Enter to get a page break OR
click on Insert and select break, chose page break.

e) For the submission of your document, you are required to use 1.5 as the left margin and
0.5 as the right margin. How would you set the margins as required?

(1 mark)

ANS: Click on file, Select Page Set up, in margins, adjust the margin for Let and Right
Margin by using the arrow to increase and decrease respectively until the desired number
is achieved.

f)

The heading of your document is

(i)

THE DIGITAL DIVIDE

How would you remove the underline?

(1 mark)

ANS: Select the text and then click on the underline icon or hold down CTRL + U
(ii)

List TWO formatting features used besides underlining and bolding.

(1 mark)

ANS: Italics and Font Style, as well as Font Size were formatting features used.

g) In you document, you want the page number to be inserted automatically at the top right
of EACH page of the document. How would you do this?

(1 mark)

ANS:
Click on Insert from the Menu Bar
select page numbers

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select the position required as being Top of Page (Header)

then from the placement on the page to be right.
Click on OK.

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h)

How would you print the content of a page across the length of the paper?

(1 mark)
Total 10 marks

ANS: Set the page layout orientation to landscape

16. The following questions relate to Spreadsheet:
The number of students attending the local University for the past 5 years is given in the
following spreadsheet:
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
a)

A
Programs
Masters
Degree
Diploma
Certificate
Professional
Total

B
2001
20
300
700
130
#######

C
2002
18
350
680
211
311

D
2003
12
400
600
345
234

E
2004
10
387
500
678
367

F
2005
13
213
450
212
412

G
Total

In cell B6, you entered a number and ####### appears in the cell. Why did this
occur and how would you make the actual number you entered appear in the cell?
(2 marks)

ANS: The user had formatted the cell or entered a number in the cell.
To correct this, the user should widen the column
b)

State the range that contains the name of the various programs offered by the
University.
(1 mark)
ANS. A2 : A6
c)

The number of students who pursued Diploma program in 2002 is 608 and not
680. How would you change the data?
(1 mark)

ANS: Place the cursor in the cell C4 and then type in the corrected value 608
d)

You want to compute the total number of students who pursued Masters program
for the period: 2001 2005. State the formula you would use.
(1 mark)

ANS: =sum (B2:E2)

e)

The formula =B3/$B$10 was inserted in a cell. What is the purpose of the
$B$10 in the formula?
(1 mark)

ANS: Making the cell referenced cell B10 unchangeable when the formula is copied.
f)

For good presentation, you are required to right-align the data in the range, B1:G1.
How would you do this?
(1 mark)

ANS: Select the range of cells C1:G1 and click on the icon named Align Right
g)

The formula =SUM(B2:B6) was entered in cell B7. The value in B4 was
changed and it was observed that the value in B7 changed. Why did this occur?
(1 mark)
ANS: Automatic Recalculation took place, as the computer calculated a new answer
based on the changed value.

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h)

The formula in cell B7 was copied to the range C7:F7. The values in the range
C7:F7 were checked and found to be correct. Why did this occur?
(1 mark)

ANS: The cell references changed as the formula was copied one column to the
right and as such the computer software will adjust the formula 1 column letter to
the right, enforcing the principle of Mixed Cell Referencing.
i)

Explain how you would format all numeric values in the range, B7:F7 so that all
thousand are separated by commas.
(1 mark)

ANS: Select the values in the range B7:F7 and click on the comma format icon and
then decrease decimal places by using the decrease decimal place icon to no decimal
places.
Total 10 marks
17. The following questions relate to Database Management:
The traffic Department is concerned about reckless driving by drivers of public
transportation vehicles using a particular route. On a daily basis, the traffic department
would like to store information on the Registration Number of the Vehicle, the type of
Vehicle (Bus, Mini-Bus and Hired Car), the driver of the vehicle and the number of ticket
issued to the driver. You have been asked to create a database table named TICKET to
store the information.
a)

Create the structure of the table TICKET. Your structure should indicate the
name, data type and size for each field in your table.
(3 marks)

ANS: Suggested structure of Ticket Database Table

Field Name
Registration Number
Vehicle Type
Driver
Number of Tickets Issued
b)

Data Type
Text
Text
Text
Number

Field Size
8
20
40

State ONE reason for using a form to input data into your table.

(1 mark)

ANS: Forms allow for quicker input of data on screen, rather than using the table
where the user has to move across the screen line by line (row by row) to input data.
c)

Give ONE example of a record in the TICKET table.

(1 mark)

ANS: Example of table record:

JD123
d)

Bus

Mr. John Brown

12

Suppose you now need to store the sex of the driver, what would you do to
accomplish this task, assuming that your table has 10 records already? (2 marks)

ANS: Go into the design view, click below the last field name, enter the field name
Sex and then state the type of data to be text and change field size to one character
to store M for males and F for females.
e)

Write a query to show ALL female drivers of Hired Cars

(1 mark)

ANS: (the s on Hard Cars can be omitted based on how data is stored making
criteria Hard Car.
Field
Name
Criteria

Registration Vehicle Type

Number

Driver

Number of
Tickets
Issued

Sex

Hard Cars

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f)

How would you print the data in a table for the date, 24/12/06?

(2 marks)

ANS: ?????
Total 10 marks

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