Information Technology
in a Global Society
Higher Level /
Standard Level
Paper 1 Questions
Business and Employment
November 2008
Area of impact: Business and employment – Higher Level
Bank customers can access their bank accounts through an Automatic Teller Machine (ATM) or by using online banking services. However, both methods of access have the risk that criminals could gain unauthorized access to their bank account details.
A Citibank customer received the following e-mail. This is an example of phishing, the practice of trying to find out customers’ bank account information through fraudulent e-mails.
(a) Identify two ways that this e-mail could trick Citibank customers into providing sensitive information. [2 marks]
(b) Describe the steps used by the bank’s IT system to authorize a customer’s access to their bank account when using a card at an ATM. [4 marks]
(c) Explain two actions that could be taken by the bank to assist customers in identifying fraudulent e-mails. [4 marks]
(d) To what extent have ATMs and online banking changed the way that people manage their finances? [10 marks]
November 2008
Area of impact: Business and employment –Standard Level
Bank customers can access their bank accounts through an Automatic Teller Machine (ATM) or by using online banking services. However, both methods of access have the risk that criminals could gain unauthorized access to their bank account details.
A Citibank customer received the following e-mail. This is an example of phishing, the practice of trying to find out customers’ bank account information through fraudulent e-mails.
(a) Identify two ways that this e-mail could trick Citibank customers into providing sensitive information. [2 marks]
(b) Describe the steps used by the bank’s IT system to authorize a customer’s access to their bank account when using a card at an ATM. [4 marks]
(c) Explain two actions that could be taken by the bank to assist customers in identifying fraudulent e-mails. [4 marks]
(d) To what extent have ATMs and online banking changed the way that people manage their finances? [10 marks]
November 2007
Area of impact: Business and employment – Higher Level
A food store uses a relational database to manage the sale of its food products. This database contains a table named PRODUCT, which contains information about each product in the store.
Each food item in the store carries a label on which is printed a bar code. When an item is sold, the bar code of the item is scanned and the cost of the item is added to the customer’s bill.
Customers can receive a loyalty card by providing their name, address and email address to the store.
They receive points whenever they make a purchase. These points can be used to obtain discounts on future purchases.
(a) Identify two fields that would be required in the PRODUCT table. [2 marks]
(b) Describe how the cost of each item is obtained after the bar code of each item is scanned. [4 marks]
(c) Explain how errors could occur on the customer’s bill. [4 marks]
(d) Discuss reasons why customers may be uncomfortable with the use of loyalty cards.
[10 marks]
November 2006
Area of impact: Business and employment / Science and environment – Higher Level
In today’s society, the use of Information Technology (IT) to monitor people’s activity is becoming commonplace in a wide range of situations. For example, some insurance companies use a device to record information about the way people drive.
The device is placed in the car and can sense and record if the driver makes sudden changes in driving behavior (e.g. sudden braking, sudden turns or fast driving). The device is then connected to a computer so that the driver may view the information that has been collected.
Drivers can then decide if they want to send this information to the insurance company so that they can get extra discounts on their car insurance payments.
(a) Describe two sensors that could be used to collect the data needed by the system in the car. [4 marks]
(b) Explain two different situations, in which people’s actions may be monitored using IT. In your explanation, clearly identify the situation, how IT is used in the situation and the reason for the monitoring. [6 marks]
(c) A Government has decided to make the installation of vehicle monitoring systems compulsory. Discuss the extent to which this impacts on individual freedom. Evaluate your answers. [10 marks]
November 2006
Area of impact: Business and employment – Standard Level
Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs), mobile phones (cell phones) and digital cameras are often connected to computer systems in order to transfer data.
(a) Identify two ways in which PDAs can communicate with computer systems. [2 marks]
(b) The term “convergence” is used to describe instances where different mobile digital devices are combined to produce one new product. Describe two new products where the features from different mobile digital devices are combined. [4 marks]
(c) Some people think that PDAs will eliminate the need for people to use laptop computers. Examine this argument. [4 marks]
(d) Discuss the advantages of multi function PDA equipment to businesses and their
employees. Evaluate these advantages. [10 marks]
November 2005
Area of Impact: Business and Employment - Standard Level
British Telecom (BT), the United Kingdom’s (UK) largest telecommunications company uses call centres to answer customer queries about account details, call charges and general business practices. In 2003, BT decided to use businesses in India, instead of in the UK, to handle their services. The call centres in India recruit local staff.
a) Identify two developments in recent years that make India, and other developing countries, suitable locations for BT call centres. [2 marks]
b) Describe two technical issues that need to be addressed to allow the call centres in India to access the necessary BT files. [2 marks]
c) Describe two benefits to developing countries of establishing these overseas call centres. [4 marks]
d) Discuss two possible concerns that residents of the UK may have about the trend of establishing overseas call centres. Evaluate your arguments. [10 marks]
May 2005
Area of Impact: Business and Employment – Standard Level
The Royal Bank of Canada provides both traditional banking and online banking services. It has many branches in Canada and has customers all over the world.
(a) Identify two online banking services, which the bank can provide for its customers.
[2 marks]
(b) Outline two advantages for the customer of an online bank over a traditional bank.
[2 marks]
(c) Banks store customers’ personal data. The bank must have a policy covering the storage and use of this data. Describe two rules that must be included in this policy.
[4 marks]
(d) Discuss three social and/or ethical concerns that customers should have about storage of their personal data. Evaluate your arguments. [12 marks]
November 2004
Area of Impact: Business and Employment - Standard Level
The use of the Internet by office workers for non-work related activities during business hours is of great concern to employers.
(a) Identify two non-work-related activities office workers could perform using the Internet during business hours. [2 marks]
(b) Describe two types of communication access a business could use to
connect its local area network (LAN) to the Internet. [4 marks]
(c) Describe two information technologies employers could use to monitor office workers. non-work-related Internet use. [4 marks]
(d) Discuss three social and/or ethical issues resulting from non-work-related Internet use by office workers. Evaluate your arguments. [10 marks]
May 2004
Area of Impact: Business and Employment – Standard Level
Software is often installed on networked computers in business offices to monitor the actions of office workers.
(a) Identify four actions of office workers that can be monitored using software. [4 marks]
(b) Explain three reasons used by employers to justify why employees should be monitored. [6 marks]
(c) Discuss three ethical and/or social considerations associated with office worker monitoring. Evaluate your arguments. [10 marks]