THE PRIME MINISTER’S OFFICE REGIONAL ADMINISTRATION AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT

FORM THREE ANNUAL JOINT EXAMINATION

036: INFORMATION COMPUTER SCIENCE

Instructions

1. This paper consists of sections A, B and C with a total of eleven (11) questions.
2. Answer all questions in section A and B, and two (2) questions from section C.
3. Section A carries sixteen (16) marks, section B fifty four (54) marks and section C carries thirty (30) marks.
4. Cellular phones and any unauthorized materials are not allowed in the examination room.

SECTION A (16 Marks)

Answer all questions in this section

1. For each of the items (i)–(x), choose the correct answer from among the given alternatives and write its letter beside the item number in the answer sheets provided.

i. Which of the following is an example of an input device?

1. Monitor
2. Keyboard
3. Printer
4. Speaker

ii. Which one of the following represents system software?

1. Microsoft Word
2. Google Chrome
3. Windows 10
4. Excel

iii. In computer storage hierarchy, which one is the fastest?

1. Hard disk
2. Cache memory
3. RAM
4. CD-ROM

iv. Which of the following is a correct binary representation of the decimal number 5?

1. 100
2. 101
3. 110
4. 111

v. The main purpose of an operating system is to:

1. Connect computers in a network
2. Control computer hardware
3. Perform arithmetic operations
4. Store data permanently

vi. Which of the following represents a spreadsheet formula?

1. =A1+B1
2. A1+B1
3. SUM A1+B1
4. ADD(A1,B1)

vii. Which one of the following is an example of application software?

1. Linux
2. MS Word
3. BIOS
4. Windows 11

viii. Which type of computer memory is volatile?

1. ROM
2. Flash Disk
3. RAM
4. Hard Disk

ix. Which of the following symbols is used to indicate a formula in Excel?

1. @
2. $
3. =
4. #

x. Which of the following is an example of a network device?

1. Router
2. Scanner
3. Printer
4. Projector

2. Match the following items in List A with the correct description in List B. Write the letter of the correct answer.

SECTION B (54 Marks)

Answer all questions from this section

3.  
   1. Define the term ‘Computer’.
   2. Explain four characteristics of a computer.
   3. Mention and describe four components of a computer system.
4.  
   1. Define the term ‘Operating System’.
   2. Explain five functions of an operating system.
   3. Give three examples of operating systems.
5.  
   1. Explain the difference between hardware and software.
   2. With examples, describe four types of computer hardware.
6.  
   1. Define a spreadsheet.
   2. Mention five features of Microsoft Excel.
   3. Explain how you can use a spreadsheet to prepare a school budget.
7.  
   1. Explain three advantages of computer networks.
   2. Describe three types of computer networks based on their geographical coverage.
8.  
   1. Define the term ‘Database Management System’ (DBMS).
   2. Explain four advantages of using DBMS in organizations.
   3. Describe three examples of database application areas.

SECTION C (30 Marks)

Answer two (2) questions from this section.

9.  
   1. Define the term computer network. (1 mark)
   2. Differentiate between Local Area Network (LAN) and Wide Area Network (WAN). (2 marks)
   3. A Secondary school wishes to connect its administration office, staff room, and computer laboratory so that files and printers can be shared.
      1. Suggest a suitable type of network and justify your answer. (2 marks)
      2. State four advantages of using such a network in the school. (4 marks)
      3. Describe three common network topologies and give one advantage of each. (6 marks)
10. ESC Ltd is a company which uses the face to face way of selling its devices. The company marketing officer decided to adapt the electronic commerce to widen their business. However, he/she had limited knowledge of this approach. Explain to him/her three benefits and three limitations that the company will face by adapting the new system. (15 marks)
11. The director of the Computer Supplier Company Ltd conducted the press conference to inform the customers about proper ways of handling electronic devices. After the conference, most of the customers complained that the communication done was not effective. Analyze four factors that attributed to the reported problem. (15 marks)

THE UNITED REPUBLIC OF TANZANIA PRIME MINISTER'S OFFICE REGIONAL ADMINISTRATION AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT 

  FORM THREE TERMINAL EXAMINATION – MAY 2026

  INFORMATION AND COMPUTER STUDIES  

TIME: 3:00 Hours May 2026

INSTRUCTIONS

1. This paper consists of section A, B and C with a total of eleven (11) questions.
2. Answer all questions in section A and B, and two (2) questions from section C.
3. Section A carries sixteen (16) marks, section B carries fifty-four (54) marks and section C carries thirty (30) marks.
4. Cellular phones and any unauthorized materials are not allowed in the examination room

SECTION A: (16 marks)

Answer all questions from this section

1. Choose the correct answer for each of the following questions and write it's letter beside roman number.

(i) What is the meaning of an Icon in computer studies?

1. A file, option or help menu
2. An image representing a program or some other object
3. Instruction contained on notepad
4. A component on a computer that interpret the instruction.

(ii) How do you open a program such as a Microsoft Word when there are no icons on the desktop?

1. Click the start button and select program from the menu
2. Click the start button and select restart option
3. Click the start button and select the hibernate option
4. Right click the start button and select the program from the properties option.

(iii)If a file is added to be sent in an e- mail we refer to it as: -

1. hyperlink 
2. A downloaded file 
3. A linked file
4. An attachment

(iv) The <ul>……</ul>tag in html which is used to specify …...

1. Underline 
2. Unordered list 
3. Underline remover
4. Horizontal line.

(v) Ctrl, Shift and Alt are called……. keys.

1. Function 
2. Alphanumeric 
3. Modifier  
4. Adjustment

 (vi) The following are physical network topologies except

1. Ring topology 
2. Ethernet topology 
3. Bus topology.
4. Star topology.

(vii) Which technology was used in the fifth computer generations? 

1. Large Scale Integrated 
2. Vacuum tubes. 
3. Transistors.  
4. Artificial intelligence.

 (viii) Suppose you want to find and download computer studies books from the internet, which program would you use?

1. Google search engine 
2. Mozilla Firefox 
3. Web browser
4. Google chrome

(ix) Why do microcomputers need application software?

1. Executes a variety of fundamental operations
2. Executes routine service such as file handling
3. Executes specific task demanded by the user
4. Executes a variety of real time operations

 (x) The following spreadsheet was prepared to show the results of the students who did three different tasks. In cell E5 an error occurred. What might be the reason?

1. The column is not wide enough to accommodate the value.
2. The formula references an invalid intersection of cells.  
3. The formula uses incorrect argument or operator.  
4. The reference to a value is not available to a formula.

2. Match the function of different types of operating systems in List A with their corresponding types of operating systems in List B by writing the letter of the most correct answer.

 SECTION B (54 MARKS)

Answer all questions from this section

3. Study the passage below

1. Outline four formatting styles that have been applied to the passage.
2. Give the shortcut control of those formatting style you mention in (a) above
3. In the paragraph a line space of 1.5 is used, List any other five line spacing specifications available in Microsoft Word
4. Proofreading helps to identify and correct spelling, grammar, punctuation and typographical error. Name three proofreading tools used in word processing

4. (a) Explain four importance of information in our daily life, with examples

(b) Explain two ways of disseminating information with examples

5. (a) You are helping a neighbor to set up their new cable of AZAM dish. They are ensure about which type of cable to use. To give them information about coaxial cable is good compared to twisted cable and you come up with it as the figure shown below.  

(i) State the function of each part labelled A-D

(ii) What are the two advantages do coaxial cable offer compared to twisted pair cabling for their AZAM dish installation?

(b) You are tasked with designing a network for a small office with 10 computers. Each computer needs to access shared resources like printer and files.

(i) By drawing sketch up diagram show which type of network topology would you suggest for this setup?

(ii) Why would it be the most suitable choice (provide two reasons)

6. “Use of telecommunication technology has meant that many workers can work from home rather than having travel to the office, this is the one of the positive impacts of ICT on employment”, due to this statement.

a) Briefly describe three effects of ICT on employment

b) State three advantages and three disadvantages on each part of working from home, from the point of view of:

(i) The worker

(ii) The company/ institution/ organization

7. Snap shoot below shows the result of form three students at Mtandao Secondary School. Study it carefully and answer the questions that follows:

Hints: (The grade is “A” if the average is >=75, “B” if the average is >=65, “C” if the average is >=45, “D” if the average is >=30 Otherwise “F”)

1. Name the program used to create the snapshot above.
2. Which cell reference is the active cell?
3. Identify the size and font type used to create the snapshot above.
4. Show the function used to calculate the average marks of Monika. 
5. Write the function used to assign grade and position of ALI

SECTION C (30 Mark)

Answer only two (2) Questions in this section

9. As a form three student taking ICS, you have visited the academic office and after observing the way they are preparing students’ academic reports, office letters by using manual typewriters, write your proposal to convince the school administration to use electronic word processor over manual typewriter.

10. Suppose you are given an opportunity to speak to your fellow students on the motion which states that “Internet causes more harm to students than benefits.” Explain six (6) points that you would use to oppose this motion.

11. The impact of Computers on modern society is to transform various sectors such as Education, Healthcare, Business and Communication. How does this statement become true?