STAGE 1 INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

ASSESSMENT TYPE 1: FOLIO (TEST)

Topic 1: Computer Systems
Name: _________________________________
Objective
To demonstrate your ability to:

use appropriate communication methods and tools to explain information

technology concepts, including how data is represented and transferred in
computer-based systems
discuss and analyse the ethical use of current and potential computer-based
systems and their social impact on individuals and society.

Description of assessment
There are 5 questions and 12 pages in total.
Question 1: Relationship between the components of a computer.
Question 2: Relationship between the hardware, software and the transfer of data in
computer systems.
Question 3: How can data be represented, held in memory and transferred within a
computer?
Question 4: Fetch-Execute Cycle
Question 5: Responsibilities as a user of the schools computer labs or laptops and
impacts of internet banking on the society.
Assessment conditions
You have 100 minutes to complete the test.
In addition to the 100 minutes, you have 10 minutes reading time before the test.
You are permitted to bring in 1 A4 (double-sided?) page of handwritten notes.
Calculators are not permitted.
Weighting of Assessment 20%
Marks
Question

Marks Allocated

15

10

15

Total

55

Marks Scored

Learning Requirements

Assessment Design Criteria

Capabilities

1. Use appropriate
communication methods
and tools to explain
information technology
concepts, including how
data is represented and
transferred in computerbased systems
2. Apply skills and concepts
to manipulate and
process data to generate
an outcome
3. Apply information
technology knowledge,
skills, and recommended
practices and techniques
to new and existing
systems
4. Use the systems
development life cycle
and other problemsolving methods to
design, develop, and
validate user-friendly,
reliable, and accurate
systems
5. Discuss and analyse the
ethical use of current and
potential computer-based
systems and their social
impact on individuals and
society.

Knowledge and Understanding

Communication

The specific features are as follows:

KU1 Use of appropriate communication methods and
tools to explain concepts.
KU2 Explanation of the representation and transfer of
data in a computer-based system in a given
context.
KU3 Knowledge of ethical issues and social impacts
arising from current and new technologies and
systems.
KU4 Understanding of design principles, techniques
and tools.
KU5 Knowledge of recommended practices and
techniques.

Citizenship
Personal
Development
Work
Learning

Analysis and Evaluation

The specific features are as follows:
AE1 Analysis of a current and proposed system to
identify the appropriate data and processing
needed to produce information.
AE2 Evaluation of the effectiveness and efficiency of a
proposed or developed solution to a problem
arising in a system.
AE3 Discusssion of the responsibilities of a user or
developer in a given context.
AE4 Analysis and discussion of the impact of current
and potential computer-based systems and
technologies on individuals, organisations and
communities.
Development and Validation
The specific features are as follows:
DV1 Proposal of a design to address a problem arising
in a system.
DV2 Use of recommended practices and techniques,
knowledge and skills including the systems
development cycle, to achieve an outcome or
solve a problem.
DV3 Development of a user-friendly system or
outcome.
DV4 Development of a validation plan and evidence of
validation of the elements of a system.

Question 1 (Total: 15 marks)

(a) Complete the following block diagram that represents the components of a computer.

1.

2.

input
3.

outpu
t

4.

5.

/5 marks
(b) Describe the function of each of following components of a computer and give an
example.
(i)

Input
Function:___________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
Example:___________________________________________________________

(ii)

__________________________________________________________________
/2 marks
Output
Function:___________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
Example:___________________________________________________________

(iii)

__________________________________________________________________
/2 marks
Main Memory
Function:___________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
Example:___________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
3

(iv)

/2 marks
Secondary Storage
Function:___________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
Example:___________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
/2 marks

(c) State the difference between the random-access memory (RAM) and the read only
memory (ROM).
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
/2 marks

Question 2 (Total: 10 marks)

(a) State the relationship between hardware, software and the transfer of data in computer
systems.
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
/3 marks
(b) Describe how a computer system processes and stores data.
4

________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
/2 marks
(c) Describe how a computer system communicates with the user. Give two examples.
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
/3 marks
(d) Discuss two limitations of the computer system and network in software development.
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
/2 marks

Question 3 (Total: 15 marks)

(a) Describe the two states that a binary digit represents.
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
/2 mark
(b) Define a byte.

________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
/1 mark
(c) Using the Decimal Binary Octal Hex ASCII Conversion Chart below, convert the
following binary values into ASCII characters. State the word that the ASCII characters
form.

Binary Value
01110011

ASCII Character

01101101
01101001
01101100
01100101
Final Word
/6 marks
(d) Identify the nature as well as functions of permanent and temporary memory.
6

________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
/4 marks
(e) State how the speed of data transfer in a computer is related to its bus width and clock
speed.
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
/2 marks

Question 4 (Total: 9 marks)

A standard process describes the steps needed for processing to take place. It is called
the Fetch-Decode-Execute cycle or sometimes simply called the Fetch-Execute Cycle.
Now, assume that both the data and the program that acts upon the data are loaded into
main memory (RAM) by the operating system. The CPU is now ready to do some work.
(a) Describe what happens in the Fetch step of this cycle.
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
/3 marks
(b) Describe what happens in the Decode step of this cycle.
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
/3 marks
(c) Describe what happens in the Execute step of this cycle.
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
/3 marks

Question 5 (Total: 6 marks)

(a) State the responsibilities of a user of the schools computer labs or laptops in terms of the
following:
(i)

data files and systems

________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
/1 mark
(ii)

code of conduct

________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
/1 mark

(iii)

data and software

________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
/1 mark

(b) Online banking or internet banking is an electronic payment system that enables
customers of a financial institution to conduct financial transactions on a website operated
by the institution, such as retail bank, virtual bank, credit union or building society. It is a
banking system that is now commonly used by individuals, organisations (businesses) and
communities.
State three ways that online banking or internet banking impacts on the society.
(i)

___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
/1 mark

(ii)

___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
/1 mark

(iii)

___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
/1 mark

Performance Standards for Stage 1 Information Technology

Knowledge and
Understanding
Highly effective use of appropriate
communication methods and tools to
explain concepts.
Comprehensive explanation of the
representation and transfer of data in a
computer-based system in a given context.
Insightful knowledge of ethical issues and
social impacts arising from current and
new technologies and systems.
Comprehensive understanding of design
principles, techniques, and tools.
Comprehensive knowledge of
recommended practices and techniques.

Effective use of appropriate

communication methods and tools to
explain concepts.
Well-considered explanation of the
representation and transfer of data in a
computer-based system in a given context.
Well-considered knowledge of ethical
issues and social impacts arising from
current and new technologies and
systems.
Well-considered understanding of design
principles, techniques, and tools.
Well-considered knowledge of
recommended practices and techniques.

Competent use of appropriate

communication methods and tools to
explain concepts.
Considered explanation of the
representation and transfer of data in a
computer-based system in a given context.
Considered knowledge of ethical issues
and social impacts arising from current
and new technologies and systems.
Considered understanding of design
principles, techniques, and tools.
Considered knowledge of recommended
practices and techniques.

Basic use of communication methods and

tools to explain some concepts.
Superficial explanation of the
representation and transfer of data in a
computer-based system in a given context.
Recognition and some knowledge of
aspects of ethical issues and social
impacts arising from current and new
technologies and systems.
Attempted understanding of design
principles, techniques, and tools.

Analysis and Evaluation

Development and Validation

Comprehensive analysis of a current or

proposed system to identify appropriate
data and processing needed to produce
information.

Accurate proposal of an efficient and

effective design to address a problem
arising in a system.

Comprehensive evaluation of the

effectiveness and efficiency of a
proposed or developed solution to a
problem arising in a system.

Consistently logical use of recommended

practices and techniques, knowledge, and
skills, including the systems
development life cycle, to achieve a userfriendly outcome or solve a problem.

Constructive and sustained discussion

of the responsibilities of a user or
developer in a given context.

Highly skilled development of an

efficient and effective user-friendly
system or outcome.

Insightful and focused analysis and

discussion of the impact of current and
potential computer-based systems and
technologies on individuals,
organisations, and communities.

Highly skilled development of a wellconsidered validation plan and evidence

of accurate validation of the elements of
a system.

Thoughtful analysis of a current or

proposed system to identify appropriate
data and processing needed to produce
information.

Well-considered proposal of an efficient

and effective design to address a problem
arising in a system.

Convincing evaluation of the

effectiveness and efficiency of a
proposed or developed solution to a
problem arising in a system.

Mostly logical use of recommended

practices and techniques, knowledge, and
skills, including the systems
development life cycle, to achieve a userfriendly outcome or solve a problem.

Thoughtful discussion of the

responsibilities of a user or developer in
a given context.

Skilled development of an efficient and

effective user-friendly system or
outcome.

Focused analysis and discussion of the

impact of current and potential
computer-based systems and
technologies on individuals,
organisations, and communities.

Skilled development of a considered

validation plan and evidence of
validation of the elements of a system.

Competent analysis of a current or

proposed system to identify appropriate
data and processing needed to produce
information.

Considered proposal of a generally

efficient and effective design to address a
problem arising in a system.

Considered evaluation of the

effectiveness and efficiency of a
proposed or developed solution to a
problem arising in a system.
Informed discussion of the
responsibilities of a user or developer in
a given context.
Competent analysis and discussion of
the impact of current and potential
computer-based systems and
technologies on individuals,
organisations, and communities.
Partial analysis, tending towards
description, of a current or proposed
system to identify some appropriate
data and processing needed to produce
information.
Some consideration and description of
the effectiveness and/or efficiency of a
proposed or developed solution to a
problem arising in a system.
Superficial discussion of some of the
responsibilities of a user or developer in
a given context.

Considered use of recommended

practices and techniques, knowledge, and
skills, including the systems
development life cycle, to achieve an
outcome or solve a problem.
Competent development of an effective
and user-friendly system or outcome.
Competent development of a generally
accurate validation plan and evidence of
validation of the elements of the solution.

Partial proposal of a basic design to

address a problem arising in a system.
Attempted use of basic recommended
practices or techniques, knowledge, and
skills to achieve an outcome.
Partial development of a basic system or
outcome.
Partial development of a validation plan
and attempt to provide evidence of
validation.

10

Knowledge and
Understanding
Basic knowledge of some recommended
practices and techniques.

Limited use of communication methods or

tools to explain any concepts.
Limited recognition of the representation
and transfer of data in a computer-based
system in a given context.
Limited recognition and emerging
knowledge of aspects of ethical issues and
social impacts arising from current and
new technologies and systems.
Emerging understanding of aspects of
design principles, techniques, or tools.
Limited knowledge of recommended
practices and techniques.

Analysis and Evaluation

Development and Validation

Some basic discussion of the impact of

aspects of current and potential
computer-based systems and
technologies on individuals,
organisations, or communities.
Limited description of a current or
proposed system to identify some
appropriate data and processing needed
to produce information.
Attempted description of the
effectiveness or efficiency of a proposed
or developed solution to a problem
arising in a system.
Limited discussion of some of the
responsibilities of a user or developer in
a given context.

Limited proposal of a basic design that

may be related to a problem arising in a
system.
Attempted use of aspects of practices or
techniques, knowledge, and skills to
achieve an outcome.
Limited development of any elements of
a basic system or outcome.
Emerging awareness of the need to plan
to validate a system.

Emerging recognition of the impact of

aspects of current or potential computerbased systems or technologies, on
individuals, organisations, or
communities.

11