IGCSE ICT (0417)
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1 questions · about 0% of the marks we indexed · examined in 1 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.
Q1Headers and footers · Core · Paper 1 style · 4 marks- (a) Explain what is meant by a header and a footer in a document. [2]
- (b) Give two items commonly placed in a footer. [2]
Show answer
- (a) A header is an area in the top margin of each page; a footer is an area in the bottom margin; text or fields placed in them appear automatically on every page (of the section).
B1 header top margin / footer bottom margin. B1 repeated on every page.
- (b) Any two: page number; total number of pages; file name/path; date; author's name; copyright notice; company contact details.
1 mark each.
- (a) Explain why automated fields, rather than typed text, should be used for the page number and date in a header. [2]
Show answer
- (a) Automated fields update automatically – page numbers change when pages are added or removed and the date updates each time the document is opened/printed – so they are always correct without the user retyping them.
B1 updates automatically. B1 example: page numbering after edits / current date when printed.
A document's header has a centre tab and a right tab. The page is A4 portrait (21.0 cm wide). The margins are changed to 2.5 cm on the left and 2.5 cm on the right.
- (a) Calculate where, measured from the left margin, the right tab stop must be placed so that the right-aligned item lines up with the right margin. [1]
- (b) Calculate where the centre tab stop must be placed, measured from the left margin. [1]
Show answer
- (a) 16.0 cm
21.0 − 2.5 − 2.5 = 16.0 cm. B1
- (b) 8.0 cm
16.0 ÷ 2 = 8.0 cm. B1
The footer of a 23-page leaflet uses automated fields to show 'Page X of Y'.
- (a) State what the footer shows on the seventh page. [1]
- (b) Two extra pages are added in the middle of the leaflet. State what the footer now shows on the last page. [1]
Show answer
- (a) Page 7 of 23
B1
- (b) Page 25 of 25
B1
A spreadsheet records rainfall for ten cities in Pakistan. Before printing, you are told to place your name, centre number and candidate number in the header, and an automated file path in the footer.
- (a) Explain why the automated file path is useful on the printout. [1]
- (b) Give two other automated fields that can be inserted into a spreadsheet header or footer. [2]
Show answer
- (a) It shows exactly where the file is saved (drive, folders and file name), so it can be found again.
B1
- (b) Any two: page number; number of pages; date; time; file name; sheet (tab) name.
1 mark each.
- (a) State two reasons why an office might require the file name to appear in the footer of every printed document. [2]
Show answer
- (a) Any two: so the electronic copy can be found quickly; to identify which version of the document was printed; helps if pages from different documents get mixed up; consistency with house style.
1 mark each.
- (a) Explain the difference between a header and a heading. [2]
Show answer
- (a) A header is text placed in the top margin that repeats on every page; a heading is a title within the body text that introduces a section and appears only once where it is typed.
B1 header – top margin, every page. B1 heading – in the body, introduces a section, appears once.
- (a) Explain the difference between a footnote and a footer. [2]
Show answer
- (a) A footnote gives extra information or a reference linked to a numbered mark in the text and appears at the bottom of the page where the mark is; a footer holds the same items (e.g. page number) on every page.
B1 footnote linked to a reference mark/specific text. B1 footer repeated on every page.
A three-page letter from a law firm in Karachi must show the words 'Private and Confidential' at the top of every page.
- (a) State where the words 'Private and Confidential' should be placed so that they appear on every page. [1]
- (b) Explain why these words should be typed as ordinary text rather than inserted as an automated field. [1]
Show answer
- (a) In the header.
B1 header (not typed at the top of the body text).
- (b) The words never change, so they are fixed text; automated fields are only needed for information that changes, such as the date or page number.
B1 text is fixed/does not change; fields are for changing data (date, page number, file name).
After finishing a document, a student checks the header and footer before printing.
- (a) State three things the student should check. [3]
Show answer
- (a) Any three: all required items are present (e.g. name, date, page number); items are in the correct position/alignment and line up with the margins; fields are automated, not typed; spelling of typed text is correct; they appear on every page required (or not on the first page if set); no extra text has been added.
1 mark each.
You are working on a report for a solar-panel company in Lahore. The page is A4 portrait with 2 cm margins. The instructions say:• in the header: your name left aligned, and an automated date right aligned• in the footer: an automated file name centred, and an automated page number right aligned• no other text in the header or footer
- (a) Describe the steps to place the automated date at the right of the header. [2]
- (b) Explain why the right-aligned items must line up with the right margin of the page. [1]
- (c) State the type of field that should be used to show the file name in the footer. [1]
Show answer
- (a) Open/edit the header, move to the right-hand position (right tab stop at the right margin or right-align), then insert a date field set to update automatically.
B1 open header and right align / right tab at margin. B1 insert date field (update automatically).
- (b) The house style requires header/footer items to align with the margins of the body text; if the tab stop is beyond or short of the margin, it will not match the text and will look unprofessional/be marked wrong.
B1 consistent alignment with body margins.
- (c) An automated file name field (inserted from the field list, not typed).
B1
A school annual report has a cover page followed by 18 pages of content. The cover must not show a header, footer or page number.
- (a) Name the header and footer setting that removes them from the cover only. [1]
- (b) The first content page must show page number 1. Describe how this is achieved. [2]
Show answer
- (a) Different first page.
B1
- (b) Format the page numbers to start at 0 for the cover (so the next page is 1), or put a next-page section break after the cover and set page numbering in the new section to start at 1.
B1 page number format / start at. B1 correct start value (0 on cover, or 1 in new section after break).
A project file has 26 pages. Pages 1 and 2 are the title page and contents page and must not be numbered. Page numbering starts at 1 on page 3.
- (a) State the page number printed on the last page. [1]
- (b) The footer shows 'Page X of Y', where Y is the total number of numbered pages. Write the footer that appears on the 10th physical page. [2]
Show answer
- (a) 24
26 − 2 = 24. B1
- (b) Page 8 of 24
M1 10 − 2 = 8. A1 Page 8 of 24.
A presentation about water conservation for a Year 8 class has 15 slides. Slide numbers and the presenter's name must appear in the footer of every slide except the title slide.
- (a) Explain why the footer items should be set on the master slide. [2]
- (b) Name the setting that stops the footer showing on the title slide. [1]
Show answer
- (a) Items placed on the master slide appear on every slide automatically in the same position and style, so they are consistent and only need to be added once (and changed once).
B1 appears on all slides. B1 consistent / saves time / one change updates all.
- (b) Don't show on title slide.
B1
A clinic in Quetta wants a letter template. The clinic's name and logo must be at the top of every page, and the address, phone number and website at the bottom of every page.
- (a) Explain why the clinic should use a header and footer for these items rather than typing them at the top and bottom of the body text. [2]
- (b) Suggest one setting that keeps the contact details on the first page only, if the clinic decides later pages need only a page number. [1]
Show answer
- (a) Header/footer content repeats automatically on every page and stays in the same place even when the body text is edited or extends to more pages; text typed in the body would move with the text and only appear on the first page.
B1 repeats on every page. B1 does not move when body text changes.
- (b) Different first page (with the contact details in the first-page footer and a page number in the other pages' footer).
B1
A spreadsheet of monthly sales for a shoe shop in Sialkot must be printed showing the formulas, on a single landscape page, with your name in the header and the page number in the footer.
- (a) List three print/page settings that must be made, apart from the header and footer. [3]
- (b) Explain why the column widths should be checked before printing the formulas. [1]
Show answer
- (a) Any three: show formulas (formula view); landscape orientation; fit to one page wide/one page; show row and column headings; gridlines if required; columns widened so formulas are fully visible.
1 mark each.
- (b) Formulas are often longer than their values, so narrow columns would cut them off and they could not be read in full.
B1
Five students in a group each write a chapter of a project about Pakistan's renewable energy. The chapters will be combined into one file.
- (a) Explain two problems that could occur in the headers and footers when the chapters are combined, and how they can be avoided. [4]
Show answer
- (a) Any two: different fonts/sizes/alignment in each student's header – agree a template/house style for headers and footers; typed page numbers restart or are wrong – use automated page number fields after combining; different information in each header – decide content beforehand; section breaks carried in may stop headers continuing – check 'link to previous'.
For each: 1 mark problem, 1 mark solution.
- (a) Give two reasons why the text in headers and footers is usually smaller and less prominent than the body text. [2]
Show answer
- (a) Any two: it is supporting information, not the main content; so it does not distract the reader from the body text; it must fit in the margin area; consistent professional appearance / house style.
1 mark each.
- (a) A user types '1' at the bottom of page 1, '2' at the bottom of page 2 and so on in a 10-page document instead of using a page number field. Describe two problems this may cause. [2]
Show answer
- (a) Any two: if text is added or deleted, the numbers move to the wrong position on the page (into the middle of a page); numbers will be wrong if pages are added/removed and must be retyped; takes much longer; inconsistent position/format.
1 mark each.
A 40-page guide to the Karakoram Highway has five chapters. Each page header must show the name of the chapter it is in.
- (a) State the type of break that must be inserted at the start of each new chapter (chapters 2 to 5). [1]
- (b) Chapter 1 starts on page 1. State how many of these breaks are needed and how many sections the document then has. [1]
- (c) Describe what must be done in the header of chapters 2 to 5 before typing the new chapter name. [1]
Show answer
- (a) A section break (next page).
B1
- (b) 4 section breaks; 5 sections.
One break before each of chapters 2–5 = 4 breaks; sections = breaks + 1 = 5. B1 both.
- (c) Turn off 'link to previous' so the header is not the same as the previous section's.
B1
A report is changed to A4 landscape (29.7 cm wide) with a left margin of 2.0 cm and a right margin of 1.5 cm. The header's tab stops were set for portrait pages at 8.75 cm (centre) and 17.5 cm (right), which matched the portrait text width with the same margins.
- (a) Calculate the new positions, measured from the left margin, for the centre and right tab stops. [2]
- (b) Describe what will appear wrong in the header if the tab stops are not changed. [1]
Show answer
- (a) Centre 13.1 cm; right 26.2 cm.
M1 text width 29.7 − 2.0 − 1.5 = 26.2 cm. A1 centre 13.1 cm, right 26.2 cm.
- (b) The 'right-aligned' item would end at 17.5 cm, well short of the right margin, and the centred item would not be in the centre of the page.
B1
A novel by a writer in Karachi is printed double-sided as a book. The book title must appear at the top left of even-numbered (left-hand) pages, and the chapter title at the top right of odd-numbered (right-hand) pages. Page numbers appear on the outside edge of each page.
- (a) Name the header setting needed so that odd and even pages can have different headers. [1]
- (b) State where the page number should be aligned on odd pages and on even pages. [2]
- (c) Explain why each chapter must be in a separate section for the chapter title to change. [2]
Show answer
- (a) Different odd and even pages.
B1
- (b) Odd (right-hand) pages: right aligned. Even (left-hand) pages: left aligned.
B1 each.
- (c) Header content is the same throughout a section; a section break at each chapter allows a different header, once it is unlinked from the previous section ('link to previous' turned off).
B1 headers apply per section. B1 unlink from previous / new section per chapter.
A database report lists all students in a school sports club, grouped by house. You must add a report title, page numbers, the house name before each group, and a count of all students at the end of the report.
- (a) State the section of the report in which each item should be placed:(i) the report title shown once at the start(ii) the page numbers(iii) the total count shown once at the end [3]
- (b) Explain the difference between the report header and the page header. [1]
Show answer
- (a) (i) report header; (ii) page footer (or page header); (iii) report footer.
1 mark each.
- (b) The report header appears once at the start of the report (first page only); the page header appears at the top of every page.
B1
A letter has a top margin of 3.0 cm. The header starts 1.25 cm from the top edge of the page. The header contains a logo.
- (a) Calculate the greatest height the logo can have without pushing into the body text area. [1]
- (b) The original logo is 6.0 cm wide and 2.4 cm high. Calculate the largest width it can have, with its aspect ratio maintained, so that it fits this height. Give your answer correct to 2 decimal places. [2]
Show answer
- (a) 1.75 cm
3.0 − 1.25 = 1.75 cm. B1
- (b) 4.38 cm
M1 6.0 × 1.75 ÷ 2.4. A1 4.375 → 4.38 cm.
A legal contract was signed on 3 March. The contract document has a date field in the header that updates automatically. It is reprinted on 10 June.
- (a) State the date shown in the header of the reprinted copy and explain why this is a problem. [2]
- (b) Describe how the header should have been set up. [1]
Show answer
- (a) 10 June – the automatic field shows the current date, so the header no longer shows the date of signing and could cause confusion about when the contract was agreed.
B1 10 June. B1 problem explained.
- (b) Insert the date as fixed text / a date field set not to update automatically (or type the signing date).
B1
A university thesis has 6 introductory pages (title, declaration, acknowledgements, abstract, contents and list of tables) before Chapter 1. The introductory pages must be numbered i, ii, iii …, and Chapter 1 must start at page 1.
- (a) Describe how to set up the page numbering. [3]
- (b) State the page number printed on the abstract, which is the fourth introductory page. [1]
Show answer
- (a) Insert a next-page section break before Chapter 1; in the first section set the page number format to lower-case Roman numerals (i, ii, iii); in the second section unlink the footer from the previous section, choose Arabic numerals (1, 2, 3) and set numbering to start at 1.
B1 section break. B1 Roman numeral format in section 1. B1 Arabic format starting at 1 in section 2 (unlinked).
- (b) iv
B1
A portrait report contains one landscape page holding a wide table of exam statistics. After changing that page to landscape, the student notices that the right-aligned page number in the footer of the landscape page is now in the middle of the page.
- (a) Explain why this has happened. [2]
- (b) Describe how to correct it without affecting the portrait pages. [2]
Show answer
- (a) The footer's right tab stop is still at the position set for the narrower portrait page, so on the wider landscape page it is no longer at the right margin.
B1 tab/alignment set for portrait width. B1 landscape text width is greater.
- (b) In the landscape section, unlink the footer from the previous section and move the right tab stop to the new right margin (or use right alignment).
B1 unlink from previous section. B1 move tab to new right margin.
A database report lists 48 orders for a bakery in Hyderabad, sorted by delivery date, with a calculated Total column for each order. The report runs over 3 pages.
- (a) The manager wants the overall sum of all order totals shown once at the end. State where this calculation should be placed. [1]
- (b) Explain what would happen if the sum calculation were placed in the page footer instead. [2]
- (c) On average, how many orders appear on each page if the orders are split as evenly as possible? [1]
Show answer
- (a) In the report footer.
B1
- (b) It would be printed at the bottom of every page, and depending on the software it may show only that page's total or repeat the overall total, so the report would be confusing/incorrect.
B1 appears on every page. B1 gives page/partial totals or repeated values – not a single overall total.
- (c) 16
48 ÷ 3 = 16. B1
An examination board requires candidates to put their name, centre number and candidate number in the header of every printed page of practical work.
- (a) Explain why the details are required on every page rather than only on the first page. [2]
- (b) Explain why using the header is better than typing these details at the top of the body text on each page. [2]
Show answer
- (a) Pages can become separated or mixed with other candidates' work; having the details on each page means every page can be identified and returned to the right candidate.
B1 pages may be separated. B1 each page identifiable.
- (b) The header repeats automatically on every page and stays in place if the body text is edited; typing on each page is slow and the text would move as content changes.
B1 automatic repetition. B1 fixed position / saves time.
A workbook for a cricket academy in Rawalpindi has three sheets named Batting, Bowling and Fielding. Each sheet is printed on two pages. The footer must show the sheet name on the left and 'Page X of Y' on the right, where Y counts the pages of that sheet only.
- (a) Explain why the sheet name should be an automated field rather than typed text. [1]
- (b) State the footer text printed on the second page of the Bowling sheet. [1]
- (c) If all three sheets were instead printed as one job with continuous page numbering, state the footer on the second page of the Bowling sheet. [1]
Show answer
- (a) If a sheet is renamed, or the header/footer is copied to other sheets, the field shows the correct name automatically.
B1
- (b) Bowling (left) and Page 2 of 2 (right).
B1
- (c) Bowling (left) and Page 4 of 6 (right).
2 + 2 = 4; 3 × 2 = 6. B1
