IGCSE ICT: Applications — Modelling to Satellite Systems — Practice Questions

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: ICT Applications (6.2–6.11) revision notes · study guide

These questions cover subtopics 6.2–6.11 of Cambridge IGCSE ICT 0417. For 6.1 Communication, use the Communication practice questions.

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Section A

1. Name two applications of computer modelling listed in the syllabus. [2]

2. State three functions of an ATM other than withdrawing cash. [3]

3. Name the component of an expert system that stores the IF … THEN rules. [1]

4. State two body features used in biometric recognition. [2]

5. State what the letters GPS stand for. [1]

Section B

6. A city council uses a computer model to plan flood defences along a river. (a) Give two advantages of using a computer model rather than testing real flood barriers. [2] (b) Give one disadvantage of relying on the model. [1]

7. A car factory replaces workers on its paint line with robots. Explain two advantages and one disadvantage of this for the factory. [6]

8. A school replaces paper registers with RFID cards that learners tap on arrival. Explain two benefits of this system for the school. [4]

9. A family books concert tickets online. (a) Describe how the booking system makes sure the same seat is not sold to two people. [2] (b) Give two disadvantages of booking online rather than at the box office. [2]

10. A hospital uses 3D printers. State three medical uses of 3D printing listed in the syllabus. [3]

Section C

11. A garage uses an expert system to diagnose car engine faults. Describe how the expert system is used to produce a possible diagnosis, referring to its components. [6]

12. A supermarket uses POS and EFTPOS terminals. (a) Explain how the POS system keeps the stock file up to date and reorders goods. [4] (b) Describe the steps an EFTPOS terminal takes when a customer pays with a contactless card. [4]

13. A toll road uses automated number plate recognition (ANPR). (a) Name the recognition technology ANPR is based on. [1] (b) Give one advantage and one disadvantage of ANPR for the toll road company. [2]

14. A delivery driver uses satellite navigation. Evaluate the use of satellite navigation for the driver. [4]

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Answers

1. Any two: personal finance; bridge and building design; flood water management; traffic management; weather forecasting [1 each].

2. Any three: deposit cash or cheques; check account balance; print a mini statement; pay bills; transfer money [1 each].

3. The rules base [1].

4. Any two: face, iris, retina, finger, thumb, hand, voice [1 each].

5. Global Positioning System [1].

6. (a) Any two: much cheaper than building real barriers [1]; safe — floods can be simulated without risk to people [1]; many “what if?” scenarios (different rainfall levels) can be tried quickly [1]. (b) The model is only as accurate as its data and formulas, so real floods may behave differently from the prediction [1].

7. Advantages (two, each 2 marks — point + expansion): robots work continuously without breaks, so output increases [2]; paint is applied with consistent quality, so fewer cars need repainting [2]; workers are no longer exposed to harmful paint fumes [2]. Disadvantage (2 marks): high initial cost of buying and programming the robots, which takes time to recover [2]; or robots cannot cope with an unexpected problem and need technicians to maintain them [2].

8. Any two, each with expansion [2 each]: records are accurate and instant, so staff do not have to take a manual register; absence patterns can be spotted quickly and parents contacted; in an emergency the school knows who is on site; learners cannot easily sign in for a friend if combined with checks.

9. (a) When a seat is selected or booked, the system updates the database immediately [1], so the seat shows as unavailable to every other user and cannot be booked again [1]. (b) Any two: needs an internet connection and a device [1]; risk of fraud or hacking of payment details [1]; booking fees may be charged [1]; less personal help if something goes wrong [1].

10. Any three: prosthetics [1]; tissue engineering [1]; artificial blood vessels [1]; customised medicines [1].

11. Up to 6 marks from:

• The mechanic enters answers to questions through the user interface [1], often yes/no about the symptoms [1].
• The inference engine [1] searches the knowledge base of facts about engine faults [1] using the rules base of IF … THEN rules [1].
• The system suggests possible faults, often with a probability [1].
• The explanation system shows the reasoning used to reach the diagnosis [1].

12. (a) Each item’s barcode is read [1] and the item is looked up in the stock file [1]; the stock level is reduced by the number sold [1]; when it falls to the reorder level, an order is sent to the supplier automatically [1]. (b) The card’s validity is checked (e.g. not expired or stolen) [1]; the customer taps the card on the reader [1]; the supermarket’s computer contacts the bank’s computer to check sufficient funds [1]; the payment is authorised and the money is transferred [1].

13. (a) Optical character recognition (OCR) [1]. (b) Advantage: vehicles do not need to stop, so traffic flows and staff costs fall [1]. Disadvantage: dirty, damaged or obscured plates may be read incorrectly, or the equipment is expensive [1].

14. Up to 4 marks for a balanced evaluation:

• For: gives turn-by-turn directions to unfamiliar addresses [1]; can choose the fastest route, saving time and fuel [1]; works almost anywhere [1].
• Against: signal can be lost in tunnels or among tall buildings [1]; maps may be out of date, sending the driver the wrong way [1]; over-reliance means the driver may not notice errors [1].
• A conclusion that weighs the two sides is required for full marks.

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Where marks are usually lost

• Answering “it is faster” with no link to the scenario.
• Naming expert system components without describing how they work together.
• Confusing POS (stock) with EFTPOS (payment).
• Writing OMR for number plates; ANPR uses OCR.
• An “evaluate” answer with only advantages and no conclusion.

Frequently asked questions

Which IGCSE ICT subtopics do these application questions cover? These questions cover subtopics 6.2 to 6.11 of Cambridge IGCSE ICT (0417): modelling, computer control, school management, online booking, banking, medicine, expert systems, retail, recognition systems and satellite systems. Section 6.1, Communication, has its own practice set.

How do you avoid vague answers on ICT applications? Link each point to the scenario, giving the feature and its effect, rather than writing “it is faster” with no explanation of what is faster and why. Generic answers are one of the most common ways to lose marks.

What does an evaluate question on an ICT application need? It needs points for and against linked to the user in the scenario and a conclusion that weighs the two sides. An answer with only advantages and no conclusion cannot gain full marks.

What are common mistakes on ICT applications questions? Common slips include naming expert system components without describing how they work together, confusing POS systems, which handle stock, with EFTPOS, which handles payment, and naming the wrong recognition technology for a use.