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S1 ICT: Computer System Components, Hardware and Software (Paper 4: mistake clinic)
S1 ICT: Computer System Components, Hardware and Software (Paper 4: mistake clinic)
This last paper revisits the high frequency errors from the earlier three: the 1 024 factor, hardware and software classification, RAM against disk, and input against output. Check those four points after every question.
Direct answers If one cause appears twice, write it on the first page of your notes and read only that page before the exam.
01 Paper details (check answers afterwards)
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Questions | 10 |
| Suggested time | 20 |
| Difficulty mix | Foundation 3 · Intermediate 3 · Challenge 3 · Error redo 1 |
| Chapter | Chapter: S1 ICT: Computer System Components, Hardware and Software |
| Level | S1 ICT |
02 Questions (10 items)
- FoundationWhat is the simplest definition of hardware?
- FoundationHow many KB are there in 1 MB?
- FoundationAre a scanner and a projector input or output?
- IntermediateWhat does more RAM help with, and is it permanent storage?
- IntermediateGive two examples of system software and one of application software.
- IntermediateA 4 GB flash drive holds files of 8 MB each; how many files fit?
- ChallengeBesides the CPU, what else belongs to the processing part?
- ChallengeWhat are the three main differences between an SSD and a hard disk?
- ChallengeA 2 hour video uses 12 MB per minute; what is the total in GB to three decimal places?
- Error redoA student says data on a hard disk disappears after shutdown. What is wrong?
03 Answers and one-line notes
| # | Answer | One-line note |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | The physical parts of a computer system that can be touched. | The case, motherboard, keyboard and monitor are all hardware, and anything untouchable is software. |
| 2 | 1 024 KB. | Each step between KB, MB and GB is 1 024, so multiply when moving down. |
| 3 | The scanner is input and the projector is output. | There is one test only: does the data enter the computer or leave it. |
| 4 | It lets more programs run at once without slowing down, but it is not permanent storage. | RAM is cleared on shutdown or power loss, so work must be saved first. |
| 5 | System software: Windows and Android. Application software: Word. | System software manages hardware and provides a platform, and application software works on top of it. |
| 6 | 512 files. | 4 times 1 024 divided by 8 equals 512, converting first and dividing afterwards. |
| 7 | The GPU on the graphics card. | A GPU handles images and heavy parallel work, which shows most in games and video editing. |
| 8 | It has no moving parts, it reads and writes faster, and it survives shocks better, though it costs more per GB. | An SSD uses flash chips, so start-up, program loading and copying are all clearly faster. |
| 9 | 1.406 GB. | 120 times 12 gives 1 440 MB, and dividing by 1 024 gives 1.406 GB. |
| 10 | It mistakes a hard disk for RAM. | Disks and SSDs keep their data without power; what is lost is RAM and cache. |
04 What to do after marking
- After marking, redo only the wrong items and write down which step went wrong (formula, unit, or misread number).
- Repeat the same item two days later; move to the next paper only when both attempts are correct.
- Parents only need the answer and note columns; there is no need to explain every item.
Use three columns in the error log: question, cause, corrected working. The three commonest causes are treating 1 KB as 1 000 bytes, confusing a hard disk with RAM, and treating 1 GB as 1 000 MB. Recheck every answer against 1 024.Tutor Registration →
Questions and answers are written originally by the TutorZone team and are not taken from any school, publisher or examination authority paper. Every value is checked by computer.