IGCSE ICT: Layout — Practice Questions

These questions cover Cambridge IGCSE ICT 0417 Topic 13: creating or editing a document (13.1), tables (13.2) and headers and footers (13.3). Layout is a practical skill used in Papers 2 and 3, so the page combines short theory questions with practical-style tasks and examiner-style checklists.

These are original questions written for Marlbridge, for revision and practice on this content. They are not reproduced past-paper questions, and they do not replicate the exam’s exact structure, question count or mark tariffs — Cambridge International holds copyright in its own papers. Use these alongside the official past papers available through your school or Cambridge directly.

Related: Layout revision notes · Layout study guide

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Section A: short answers

1. State the purpose of a footer in a document. [1]

2. Name two automated objects that can be inserted into a header. [2]

3. State the difference between the square and tight text-wrapping options. [2]

4. Give the three vertical alignment options for a table cell. [3]

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Section B: structured questions

5. A student is writing a report in a word processor.

(a) Describe how she would move a paragraph from page 1 to page 3 using cut and paste. [2] (b) Explain one advantage of drag and drop over cut and paste for moving a short phrase. [1] (c) She inserts an extract from a spreadsheet and a chart. Give two other types of object that can be placed in a document. [2]

6. A table of exam results has 5 columns and 12 rows.

(a) Describe how to add a title across the full width of the table. [2] (b) Some subject names are too long for the first column. Describe two ways of making sure they are fully visible. [2] (c) Explain why the marks in the table should be right-aligned. [1]

7. A 30-page manual needs the text “Page 7 of 30” at the bottom of each page.

(a) Describe how this should be created. [2] (b) Explain why the numbers should not be typed by hand. [2]

8. A newsletter has a chart placed in the middle of a page of text. The editor wants no text beside the chart.

(a) Name the text-wrapping option that should be used. [1] (b) A table of prices also needs an extra column for “Discount” and the empty last row removed. Describe how to make these changes. [2] (c) Explain why a designer might hide the gridlines of a table used to lay out a form. [1]

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Section C: practical-style tasks

Use a word processor. Take screenshots as evidence.

9. Create a new document. Insert a table with 3 columns and 5 rows. Enter a heading row: Item, Quantity, Price. Shade the heading row. Centre the heading text horizontally and vertically. Hide the gridlines for the rest of the table. [5]

10. Insert an image into a paragraph of text. Set the wrapping so the text flows closely around the image’s outline. [1]

11. Add a header with your name at the left margin and the date at the right margin. Add a footer with the file name and path centred. [4]

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Worked answers

1. To show the same information (such as page numbers, file name or date) at the bottom of every page. [1]

2. Any two of: file information (file name/path), page number, total number of pages, date, time. [2]

3. Square wraps text around the rectangular boundary of the object (1); tight wraps text around the outline/shape of the object itself, closer to it (1). [2]

4. Top (1), middle (1), bottom (1). [3]

5. (a) Highlight (select) the paragraph and choose cut, which removes it to the clipboard (1); place the cursor at the correct position on page 3 and choose paste (1). [2] (b) It is quicker for short distances, because the text is moved in one action without using the clipboard (1). [1] (c) Any two of: text, image, screenshot, shapes, table, database extract. [2]

6. (a) Insert a new row at the top of the table (1) and merge all the cells in that row, then type the title (1). [2] (b) Increase the column width (1); set wrap text in the cell so the name continues on a new line (1). [2] (c) Numbers line up by their units, so they are easier to read and compare. [1]

7. (a) Insert a footer and add the automated page number field (1) and the automated total number of pages field, with the text “Page” and “of” between them (1). [2] (b) Automated fields update automatically if pages are added or removed (1); typing by hand would take a long time and the numbers would become wrong after editing (1). [2]

8. (a) Above and below (top and bottom). [1] (b) Select a column and insert a column to the right or left, then type the heading “Discount” (1); select the empty last row and delete the row (1). [2] (c) The table is used only to line items up neatly, so without visible lines the form looks cleaner and less cluttered to the reader (1). [1]

9. 1 mark each:

• Table has exactly 3 columns and 5 rows.
• Headings Item, Quantity, Price entered with 100% accuracy.
• Heading row shaded.
• Heading text centred horizontally and vertically.
• Gridlines hidden on the other rows. [5]

10. Tight wrapping applied (text follows the image’s outline). [1]

11. 1 mark each:

• Name in the header at the left margin.
• Date (preferably an automated field) at the right margin of the header.
• Automated file name and path in the footer.
• Footer item centred. [4]

Frequently asked questions

How strict is “total accuracy” in data entry? Very. In the practical papers text and numbers must match the source exactly, including spelling, capitals and spacing.

Should the date in a header be typed or automated? If the task asks for an automated date, insert the date field; otherwise follow the instruction exactly as written.

Official syllabus

Cambridge International, Cambridge IGCSE Information and Communication Technology (0417) syllabus for 2026, 2027 and 2028, Version 3, Topic 13 “Layout” (13.1 Create or edit a document, 13.2 Tables, 13.3 Headers and footers).