UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE INTERNATIONAL EXAMINATIONS

International General Certificate of Secondary Education

INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY

ICT Applications: Test 60 minutes

Candidates answer on the Question Paper.

No Additional Materials are required.

READ THESE INSTRUCTIONS FIRST

Write your name on all the work you hand in. Write in dark blue or black pen.

No marks will be awarded for using brand names of software packages or hardware.

Answer all questions.

At the end of the examination, fasten all your work securely together.
The number of marks is given in brackets [ ] at the end of each question or part question.

For Examiner's Use

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1 The managers of a nuclear power plant need to check the radioactivity levels in a chimney stack
which needs to be demolished. They intend to use a robot. This device has sensors to read the
radioactivity levels.

Explain why the data from the sensors cannot be read directly by the microprocessor and
name the device needed to change the data into a form that the microprocessor can understand.

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(b) Describe five advantages of using sensors and microprocessors to monitor the radioactive

levels.

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2 A robot is used as a computerised postal delivery system. It drives around the corridors of a set
of offices picking up and delivering post. If the robot is close to a worker it stops and waits until
the worker moves away.

Robots are being used more and more in offices to carry out menial tasks, like delivering
post.

Describe the advantages and disadvantages of using robots in this way.

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3 A company used to have video-conferences with its suppliers, but due to technical problems they
are considering running an audio-conference.

Describe the advantages of using audio-conferencing rather than video-conferencing.

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4 The number of people who now shop online has increased over the past few years.

Discuss the advantages and disadvantages to a customer of shopping online rather than travelling
to a mall to shop.

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5 Automatic car parking systems built into cars are becoming more common. They allow the car to
park safely in a parking bay unaided. The car uses proximity sensors fitted to the front and rear of
the car to help it park. There are many advantages to using these sensors.

(a) State three disadvantages of using proximity sensors in this way.

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(b) Modern-day drivers rely less on paper maps and more on satellite navigation systems (satnav).

Describe the inputs, outputs and processing of a satnav when used by a driver to reach a
destination.

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6 A fish farm has a computer system that constantly monitors the quality of the water in its fish ponds.
The system uses sensors to carry out the monitoring.

(a) Name two sensors that could be used to monitor the quality of the water in the fish ponds.

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(b) Describe the role of the computer in monitoring the quality of the water in the fish ponds.

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7 Drones are unmanned flying vehicles that are used for commercial and leisure activities. Drones
are fitted with cameras to monitor situations.

A river has burst its banks following prolonged heavy rainfall. Explain why drones are used to help
monitor the situation.

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8 Recently mobile phones have been used to pay for goods in stores and supermarkets. One method
of payment involves holding the phone close to a reader in the store.

Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of this method of payment compared with other methods
of credit/debit card transactions.

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9 The banking industry has rapidly changed over the last few years as modern technology has
developed.

Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of using online banking rather than other banking
methods to the customer.

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