IGCSE ICT (0417)
Document production Rare
2 questions · about 1% of the marks we indexed · examined in 2 of 9 sessions.
Practice questions
Original questions written by HomiLabs in the style of the exam, with answers and mark schemes. They are not
Cambridge past paper questions and have not been reviewed by Cambridge. Try each one before opening the answer.
Q1Page and text formatting · Core · Paper 1 style · 3 marksA student is preparing a leaflet about a tree-planting drive in Islamabad. The heading is in a serif font and the body text is in a sans-serif font.
- (a) Describe the difference between a serif font and a sans-serif font. [2]
- (b) Give one reason why a sans-serif font is often chosen for text read on a screen or from a distance. [1]
Show answer
- (a) A serif font has small extra strokes (tails/feet) at the ends of the letter strokes; a sans-serif font has no such strokes, so the letter ends are plain.
B1 serif has small lines/strokes/tails at the ends of characters. B1 sans-serif has none (plain ends). Do not credit naming fonts only.
- (b) Its plain letter shapes are clearer/easier to read on a screen or at a distance (e.g. on a poster).
B1 clearer / more legible on screen or from far away. Not just 'looks better'.
A house style for a company newsletter says:• page size A4, orientation portrait• all margins 2 cm• body text: sans-serif font, 11 point, fully justified• line spacing: single, with 6 points of space after each paragraph
- (a) Name the setting you would change so that the text lines up with both the left and the right margins. [1]
- (b) Explain the difference between line spacing and paragraph spacing. [2]
- (c) State the setting that controls whether the long edge of the page is horizontal or vertical, and the value needed here. [1]
Show answer
- (a) Alignment set to fully justified (justify).
B1 justify / fully justified alignment.
- (b) Line spacing is the vertical gap between the lines of text inside a paragraph; paragraph spacing is extra space added before or after a whole paragraph (between one paragraph and the next).
B1 line spacing = distance between lines within a paragraph. B1 paragraph spacing = space before/after a paragraph.
- (c) Page orientation, set to portrait.
B1 orientation – portrait (long edge vertical).
After editing a 6-page document, a student is asked to check that there are no widows or orphans.
- (a) Explain what is meant by a widow and an orphan in a word-processed document. [2]
- (b) State one way of removing a widow without changing the words of the document. [1]
Show answer
- (a) A widow is the last line of a paragraph left on its own at the top of a new page (or column); an orphan is the first line of a paragraph left on its own at the bottom of a page (or column).
B1 widow: last line of paragraph alone at top of page/column. B1 orphan: first line alone at bottom of page/column. (Accept descriptions that also include a heading separated from its text at the bottom of a page for orphan-like errors only if clearly explained.)
- (b) Turn on widow/orphan control (or insert a page break before the paragraph / keep lines together).
B1 any one: widow and orphan control; keep lines together; insert page/column break before the paragraph; adjust spacing slightly.
A school in Multan produces a prize-giving programme. Four items appear on the first page:1 the main title2 the body paragraphs3 the date and venue in the top-right area4 a list of prices in a table column
- (a) For each item, state the most suitable text alignment. [4]
Show answer
- (a) 1 centre; 2 fully justified (or left); 3 right aligned; 4 right aligned (or decimal-aligned) so that the digits line up.
B1 each: title – centred; body – justified/left; date/venue – right; prices – right/decimal tab.
A recipe card for making chicken karahi lists the ingredients and then the steps of the method.
- (a) State whether a bulleted list or a numbered list is more suitable for the ingredients. Give a reason. [2]
- (b) State whether a bulleted list or a numbered list is more suitable for the method. Give a reason. [2]
Show answer
- (a) Bulleted list, because the order of the ingredients does not matter.
B1 bulleted. B1 order not important / items are equal.
- (b) Numbered list, because the steps must be followed in a set order and can be referred to by number.
B1 numbered. B1 sequence matters / easy to refer to step number.
- (a) A sports club is printing a table with 14 columns of match results. State the page orientation that should be used and give a reason. [2]
- (b) State one type of document for which portrait orientation is normally used. [1]
Show answer
- (a) Landscape, because the page is wider so all 14 columns fit across without being too narrow or splitting the table.
B1 landscape. B1 wider page / more columns fit.
- (b) A letter (or report, essay, CV).
B1 any suitable: letter, report, CV, essay, memo.
A chemistry worksheet must show the formula of carbon dioxide as CO₂ and the expression 10³.
- (a) State the text formatting needed for the 2 in CO₂. [1]
- (b) State the text formatting needed for the 3 in 10³. [1]
Show answer
- (a) Subscript.
B1 subscript.
- (b) Superscript.
B1 superscript.
- (a) State the difference between a page break and a column break. [2]
Show answer
- (a) A page break forces the text after it to start on the next page; a column break forces the text after it to start at the top of the next column (on the same page if there is one).
B1 page break → next page. B1 column break → next column.
A task says: enter the title Clean Water For Thar exactly as shown, in a 24 point bold font, centre aligned.
- (a) Identify three different formatting settings named in the task. [3]
- (b) Explain why the title must be typed exactly as shown. [1]
Show answer
- (a) Font size 24 point; bold (font style); centre alignment.
1 mark each: 24 pt size; bold; centred.
- (b) The capital letters, spelling and spaces must match the original so the text is accurate (any error means the text is wrong).
B1 accuracy – capitals/spaces/spelling must match.
- (a) Give two ways of enhancing text in a heading, other than changing the font size. [2]
Show answer
- (a) Any two: bold; italic; underline; change font colour; change font face; highlight/shading; all capitals.
1 mark each.
A report is set up on A4 paper (21.0 cm wide, 29.7 cm high) in portrait orientation. The left margin is 2.5 cm and the right margin is 2.0 cm. The body is to be set in two columns with 1.0 cm of spacing between the columns.
- (a) Calculate the width of the text area between the margins. [1]
- (b) Calculate the width of each column if both columns are equal. [2]
Show answer
- (a) 16.5 cm
21.0 − 2.5 − 2.0 = 16.5 cm. B1
- (b) 7.75 cm
M1 (16.5 − 1.0) ÷ 2. A1 7.75 cm.
An image of the Faisal Mosque is 12.0 cm wide and 8.0 cm high. It must be resized to 9.0 cm wide with its aspect ratio maintained, then placed to the right of a paragraph with the text wrapping around it.
- (a) Calculate the new height of the image. [2]
- (b) Explain what is meant by maintaining the aspect ratio. [1]
- (c) Name a text-wrapping setting that lets the paragraph flow around the image. [1]
Show answer
- (a) 6.0 cm
M1 8.0 × 9.0 ÷ 12.0. A1 6.0 cm.
- (b) The width and height are changed in the same proportion so the image is not stretched or squashed.
B1 width and height kept in same ratio / not distorted.
- (c) Square (or tight) wrapping.
B1 square / tight / through. Not 'in line with text'.
A café in Gilgit is typing a price list in a word processor. Each line has the item name at the left margin and the price, such as 85.50 or 1250.00, further along the line.
- (a) Name the type of tab stop that should be used for the prices so that the decimal points line up. [1]
- (b) Name two other types of tab stop and describe how text lines up at each. [4]
Show answer
- (a) Decimal tab.
B1 decimal tab.
- (b) Left tab – text starts at the tab position and runs to the right; right tab – text ends at the tab position (runs to the left); centre tab – text is centred on the tab position.
Any two: B1 name + B1 correct description for each (left, right, centre).
A bank with branches across Pakistan insists that all its letters and leaflets follow a corporate house style.
- (a) Explain three reasons why the bank uses a corporate house style. [3]
Show answer
- (a) Any three: gives a consistent look across all documents/branches; makes the bank's documents instantly recognisable (brand image); looks professional; staff do not have to make layout decisions so saves time; reduces errors because settings are defined; new staff know exactly how documents must look.
1 mark each for any three expanded points: consistency; brand recognition/identity; professional image; saves time / templates; fewer formatting mistakes; easier training.
A bibliography in a history project on the Mughal Empire uses a hanging indent, while the body paragraphs use a first-line indent of 1 cm.
- (a) Describe a first-line indent. [1]
- (b) Describe a hanging indent. [1]
- (c) Suggest why a hanging indent suits a bibliography. [1]
Show answer
- (a) Only the first line of the paragraph starts further in from the left margin than the other lines.
B1
- (b) The first line starts at the left margin and all the following lines of the paragraph are indented further in.
B1
- (c) The author's name at the start of each entry stands out, so entries are easy to scan alphabetically.
B1 start of each entry stands out / easy to find each item.
A student's poster about dengue prevention uses seven different fonts, many colours, and underlines nearly every sentence.
- (a) Explain two problems with this formatting. [2]
- (b) Describe two ways the student could make the key message stand out while keeping the poster easy to read. [2]
Show answer
- (a) Any two: too many fonts look unprofessional/inconsistent; the reader cannot tell which text is important because everything is emphasised; too many colours or underlining make text harder to read; distracts from the message.
1 mark each for any two explained points.
- (b) Any two: use one or two fonts only; make the key message larger and/or bold; use one contrasting colour for it; place it centrally with white space around it; use a heading style.
1 mark each.
Before printing a 12-page charity report, a student is told to check the layout of the whole document.
- (a) List four layout problems the student should look for and correct. [4]
Show answer
- (a) Any four: widows or orphans; blank pages; a table split across two pages; a heading at the bottom of a page separated from its text; inconsistent spacing between paragraphs; images overlapping text or margins; text running beyond the margins; inconsistent fonts/styles.
1 mark each for any four.
A school timetable is laid out in a table with days in the first column and periods 1 to 7 across the top. On Friday, periods 6 and 7 are combined for Jumu'ah prayers and a sports session.
- (a) Describe how to make one cell span periods 6 and 7 for Friday. [2]
- (b) Explain why the table gridlines should be shown (borders applied) when this timetable is printed. [1]
Show answer
- (a) Select the two Friday cells for periods 6 and 7, then use 'merge cells' so they become one cell.
B1 select both cells. B1 merge.
- (b) So that the rows and columns are clearly separated on paper (gridlines that are not borders do not print).
B1 easier to read / gridlines alone may not print.
A teacher asks students to hand in draft essays with double line spacing and wide margins.
- (a) Explain why double line spacing and wide margins are useful on a draft. [2]
Show answer
- (a) They leave space between lines and at the edges for the teacher to write corrections and comments; the text is also easier to read and edit.
B1 space for annotations/corrections. B1 easier to read/proofread.
A house style states: heading – 16 pt with 12 pt space before and 6 pt space after; body text – 11 pt with 0 pt before and 6 pt after.
- (a) A heading is followed directly by a body paragraph. State the space, in points, between the bottom of the heading and the top of the body text, assuming the larger of the two settings applies. [1]
- (b) A body paragraph is followed by a heading. Calculate the total space between them if both settings are added together. [1]
Show answer
- (a) 6 pt (heading space after is 6 pt, body space before is 0 pt).
B1 6 pt.
- (b) 18 pt
6 + 12 = 18 pt. B1
A school magazine page must show the title across the full width of the page in one column, and then the articles underneath in three columns. Later in the same document, one page holding a wide table must be landscape while the other pages stay portrait.
- (a) Explain why a section break (continuous) is needed after the title rather than a page break. [2]
- (b) Describe how the single landscape page can be created. [2]
Show answer
- (a) A continuous section break starts a new section on the same page, so the column setting can change from one to three columns below the title; a page break would push the articles onto a new page and cannot change the number of columns.
B1 section break allows different layout (number of columns) in each section. B1 continuous keeps the text on the same page / page break moves text to new page.
- (b) Insert a (next page) section break before and after the table page, then set the orientation of that section only to landscape.
B1 section breaks before and after the page. B1 change orientation for that section only (apply to this section).
A travel brochure was written about Murree. The same text is to be reused for a brochure about Nathia Gali, so every occurrence of the word Murree must be replaced. The text also contains the word Murree's.
- (a) Describe how to make the change using find and replace. [2]
- (b) Explain why the options 'match case' and 'find whole words only' can be useful when replacing words in a document. [2]
Show answer
- (a) Open find and replace, enter Murree in the 'find' box and Nathia Gali in the 'replace with' box, then select 'replace all' (checking the result).
B1 enter search text Murree and replacement Nathia Gali. B1 use replace all / replace each in turn.
- (b) Match case only finds text with exactly the same capital letters, so words with different capitalisation are not changed by mistake; whole words only stops the search text being replaced when it is part of a longer word (e.g. replacing 'rain' would otherwise also change 'train' or 'drain').
B1 match case – exact capitalisation only. B1 whole words – avoids changing the text inside longer words (example helps).
A newsletter page is A4 landscape (29.7 cm wide). The left and right margins are each 1.8 cm. The text is set in three equal columns with 0.9 cm spacing between adjacent columns.
- (a) Calculate the width of each column. Give your answer in cm correct to 2 decimal places. [3]
Show answer
- (a) 8.10 cm
M1 text width 29.7 − 2 × 1.8 = 26.1. M1 subtract two gaps: 26.1 − 2 × 0.9 = 24.3. A1 24.3 ÷ 3 = 8.10 cm.
A college in Peshawar prints its 40-page prospectus double-sided and binds it along the left edge of odd pages and the right edge of even pages.
- (a) Explain what a gutter margin is and why one is needed here. [2]
- (b) State the page setting that makes the inside and outside margins swap on facing pages. [1]
- (c) The page is 21.0 cm wide, the inside margin is 2.0 cm, the outside margin is 1.5 cm and the gutter is 1.0 cm. Calculate the width available for text. [1]
Show answer
- (a) A gutter margin is extra margin space added on the binding edge; it stops text being hidden or hard to read where the pages are bound.
B1 extra space on binding side. B1 text not lost in binding.
- (b) Mirror margins (book fold / facing pages).
B1 mirror margins.
- (c) 16.5 cm
21.0 − 2.0 − 1.5 − 1.0 = 16.5 cm. B1
A table in a document lists eight cricket grounds in Pakistan with three columns: Ground, City, Capacity. The first row holds the column headings.
- (a) Describe how to make the heading row stand out and repeat at the top of each page if the table splits. [2]
- (b) State the alignment that should be used for the Capacity column and give a reason. [2]
- (c) A new ground must be added between rows 4 and 5. State how this is done. [1]
Show answer
- (a) Format the first row (e.g. bold and shaded/coloured background), and set it as a header row that repeats on each page.
B1 format heading row – bold/shading/centre. B1 'repeat as header row' setting.
- (b) Right aligned, so that units, tens and thousands line up and numbers are easy to compare.
B1 right (accept decimal). B1 digits line up.
- (c) Place the cursor in row 4 and insert a row below (or in row 5 and insert a row above).
B1
One point (pt) is 1/72 of an inch, and one inch is 2.54 cm.
- (a) Calculate the height in millimetres represented by a 36 pt heading. Give your answer correct to 1 decimal place. [2]
- (b) A sign must be readable from a distance and the letters need to be at least 2.5 cm high. Calculate the smallest whole number of points that gives at least 2.5 cm. [2]
Show answer
- (a) 12.7 mm
M1 36 ÷ 72 = 0.5 inch. A1 0.5 × 25.4 = 12.7 mm.
- (b) 71 pt
M1 2.5 ÷ 2.54 × 72 = 70.87. A1 rounds up to 71 pt.
In a long science report, a subheading 'Results of the pH tests' appears as the last line of page 5, and the table that belongs to it starts on page 6.
- (a) Explain why this is a layout error. [1]
- (b) Describe two different ways of correcting it. [2]
Show answer
- (a) The subheading is separated from the content it introduces, so the reader sees a heading with nothing under it.
B1
- (b) Apply 'keep with next' to the subheading so it always stays on the same page as the following paragraph/table; or insert a page break before the subheading so it moves to page 6.
1 mark each: keep with next; page break before heading; (accept adjusting spacing only if it moves the heading to page 6).
In a fully justified paragraph, the measurement '25 kg' is split so that '25' ends one line and 'kg' starts the next.
- (a) Describe how to stop the number and its unit being split across lines. [1]
- (b) Explain why fully justified text sometimes shows large gaps between words, and state one way to reduce them. [2]
Show answer
- (a) Replace the ordinary space with a non-breaking space between 25 and kg.
B1 non-breaking space.
- (b) Extra space is added between words so each line reaches both margins; with long words or narrow columns the gaps become large. Reduce by using automatic hyphenation (or left alignment / a wider column).
B1 explanation of spacing to fill line. B1 hyphenation / left align / wider column.
A poster designed on A4 paper (21.0 cm × 29.7 cm) is to be printed on A3 paper (29.7 cm × 42.0 cm) without changing its layout.
- (a) Calculate the scale factor applied to each side, correct to 3 significant figures. [2]
- (b) A heading was 40 pt on the A4 version. Calculate its new size, to the nearest whole point. [1]
Show answer
- (a) 1.41
M1 29.7 ÷ 21.0 (or 42.0 ÷ 29.7). A1 1.41.
- (b) 57 pt
40 × 1.414 = 56.6 → 57 pt. B1
A small business in Sialkot that exports sports goods types every invoice and letter from a blank page, changing the margins, fonts and alignment each time.
- (a) Evaluate the use of a document template with preset page and text formatting for this business. [6]
Show answer
- (a) Benefits: consistent appearance on every document; saves time because margins, fonts, logo, alignment are already set; fewer formatting errors; staff need less training; professional image with overseas customers. Drawbacks: time and skill needed to design the template at first; may not suit every document type so several templates may be needed; staff may forget to use it or use an old version; changes to house style mean templates must be updated. Conclusion: benefits usually outweigh costs for a business producing many similar documents.
Up to 4 marks for benefits, up to 4 for drawbacks, max 5 if no reasoned conclusion. 1 mark per valid expanded point, total 6.
