Question 4, May 2019, Pearson Edexcel International GCSE (9-1) Information and Communication Technology, Paper-1

Ruwan searches online for local sporting events.

(a) Ruwan evaluates the fitness for purpose of the search results.

(i) Complete this table to show how each property can negatively affect the fitness for purpose of information. (3)

(ii) Which one of these is another property of information that affects fitness for purpose? (1)

A Cost

B Keyword

C Plagiarism

D Relevance

D Relevance

(iii) Which one of these would improve the ranking of a search result? (1)

A Acknowledged sources

B Alphabetical search terms

C Copyrighter material

D Sponsored adverts

D Sponsored adverts

(b) Explain why Ruwan must consider his use of keywords when using a search engine. (2)

Search engines compare the words entered by a user with words in a database of web pages. They then show the user the results that are the closest match to their original keywords. If specific keywords are entered into the search engine, more relevant results will be returned.

(c) Zara enters the same search term as Ruwan but receives different results.

Explain why Zara receives different results. (2)

Zara receives different results because she may use different search engine which keeps her data and then suggest results based on her search history.

(d) Which one of these us a protocol used to transfer data on the Internet? (1)

A ISP

B HTTPS

C HTML

D VPN

B HTTPS

(e) Describe how MAC addresses can be used to prevent access to networks. (3)

Every piece of hardware on a network has a unique MAC address that can be filtered by a firewall. MAC address filtering checks the MAC address of devices attempting to gain access to a network and only grants access to devices with specified MAC addresses.

(f) Analyse how the use of cloud-based services has impacted on the gap between the information rich and the information poor. (8)

The use of cloud-based services has had both positive and negative impacts on the gap between the information rich and the information poor.

On the positive side, cloud-based services have made information more accessible and affordable for people who may not have had access to it otherwise. Cloud-based services such as Google Drive, Dropbox, and Microsoft OneDrive provide users with free or low-cost storage and collaboration tools, allowing people to share and access information from anywhere with an internet connection. This has been particularly beneficial for people in developing countries, where access to traditional forms of information storage and communication may be limited.

Cloud-based services have also allowed small businesses and startups to access sophisticated technology without incurring the high costs associated with purchasing and maintaining on-premises hardware and software. This has given them the ability to compete with larger businesses and has helped to level the playing field for entrepreneurs and innovators.

However, the use of cloud-based services has also created new challenges for the information poor. One major concern is the potential for data privacy and security breaches. People who lack the technical knowledge to properly secure their data may be at risk of having their personal information stolen or misused. This can be particularly problematic for people in developing countries who may not have strong legal protections or resources to recover from such incidents.

Another challenge is the digital divide. While cloud-based services have made information more accessible for many people, they are still limited by internet connectivity and access. People who live in rural or remote areas may not have access to reliable internet connections, making it difficult for them to take advantage of cloud-based services. Additionally, people who cannot afford to pay for high-speed internet or data plans may be unable to fully utilize cloud-based services.

In conclusion, while the use of cloud-based services has had some positive impacts on the gap between the information rich and the information poor, it has also created new challenges that must be addressed. Efforts should be made to ensure that people have access to the necessary resources and education to properly secure their data and take advantage of cloud-based services, and to close the digital divide to ensure that everyone has equal access to the benefits of these technologies.

(Total for Question 4 = 21 marks)