CAT 1 2025

451/1 - COMPUTER STUDIES - Paper 1

(THEORY) 2 hours
Wednesday, 19th February 2025

Name ……………………………………………… Index Number ………………………………………………

Candidate’s Signature ………………………….... Date …………………………………………………………

Instructions to candidates

(a) Write your name and index number in the spaces provided above.
(b) Sign and write the date of examination in the spaces provided above.
(c) This paper consists of two sections: A and B.
(d) Answer all the questions in Section A.
(e) Answer question 16 and any other three questions from section B.
(f) All answers should be written in the spaces provided on the question paper.
(g) This paper consists of 9 printed pages.
(h) Do not remove any pages.
(i) Candidates should check the question paper to ascertain that all the pages are printed as indicated and
that no questions are missing.
(j) Candidates should answer the questions in English.

For Examiner’s Use Only

Section Question Maximum Candidate’s

Score Score

A 1 - 15 40

16 15

15
B

15

15

Total Score

Page 1 of 9
 SECTION A (40 marks)

Answer all the questions in this section in the spaces provided.

1. Give two applications of special purpose computers. (2 marks)

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2. Explain three qualities of standard furniture to be used in a computer room. (3 marks)
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3. State three limitations of using a mouse for input. (3 marks)
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4. Name the system software that a computer uses during POST. (1 mark)
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5. Differentiate between inkjet printer and laser printer as used in computer output. (2 marks)
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6. Explain three reasons why KNEC prefer to use flash disks in management of the practical exams and in
the projects. (3 marks)
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7. State three functions of networking software in a computer. (3 marks)
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8. State three advantages of using portable software. (3 marks)
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9. State three functions of the taskbar of an operating system. (3 marks)
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10. Give three advantages of using menu driven interface operating system. (3 marks)
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11. State three advantages of defragmenting your hard disk. (3 marks)
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12. State three functions of columns in word-processing. (3 marks)
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13. KNEC are currently carrying out a dry run for implementation of e-assessment in KCSE for 451/1 & 451/2
papers this year. State three advantages of e-assessment. (3 marks)
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14. State three advantages of using hyperlinks when browsing. (3 marks)
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15. Write the following acronyms in full as used in the internet. (2 marks)
a. DNS; _________________________________________________________________________________
b. SMTP. _________________________________________________________________________________

SECTION B (60 marks)

Answer question 16 and any other three questions in this section
16. (a) State three causes of syntax errors; (3 marks)
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(b) Explain two classifications of computer programming languages; (2 marks)
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(c) Write a pseudocode to determine the sum and the average of 100 numbers using WHILE loop;
(5 marks)

(d) Draw a flowchart for the pseudocode in Q. 16 c) above. (5 marks)

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17. (a) Perform the operation 648 – 258 using twos complement in 8 bits notation; (6 marks)

(b) Give three ways that can be used to prevent phishing; (3 marks)
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(c) Give two advantages of using named cell referencing in spreadsheets; (2 marks)
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(d) Explain the function of four types of action queries. (4 marks)
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18. (a) State four advantages of conducting feasibility studies during system development; (4 marks)
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 (b) Describe four types of wrap text options in publisher; (4 marks)
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(c) State four advantages of using EPOS in business; (4 marks)
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(d) State three advantages of using a switch in networking. (3 marks)
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19. (a) i. Explain time sharing processing with an aid of a diagram; (4 marks)
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 ii. State three benefits of using time sharing processing; (3 marks)
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(b) Convert 40.12510 to its binary equivalent; (3 marks)

(c) Give three ways that can be used to filter data and information in using a firewall; (3 marks)
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(d) State two advantages of cell merging in spreadsheets. (2 marks)
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20. (a) State three roles of a database administrator; (3 marks)
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(b) State three limitation of using star topology in networking; (3 marks)
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(c) State three causes of system review in system development; (3 marks)
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(d) State three advantages of distributed processing; (3 marks)
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(e) State three disadvantages of using robots in work environment. (3 marks)
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This is the last printed page!

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