Name___________________________

Year 11 - Software Design & Development

Topic Test 1
Part I: Terminology
Define the following terms:

1. Ethical (2)

Dealing with morals or the principles of morality. The rules or standards for
appropriate conduct or practice.

1 mark – a response recognising the link with morality.

2 marks – as above; plus an example or reference to appropriate conduct in the

workplace or an organisation.

2. Ergonomics (2)

The study of the relationship between humans and their working environment.

3. RSI (1)

Repetitive Strain Injury (can include an explanation that RSI is usually caused
by small repetitive movement causing strain. There are various types of RSI
including eye strain and Carpal Tunnel Syndrome).

4. User Interface (2)

The screen designs and connections between screens that allow the user to
communicate with software.

5. User friendly (2)

Software that meets the needs of the user. User-friendly software is intuitive,
consistent and easy to learn.

1 mark – basic definition.

2 marks – as above; plus features that are user friendly.

6. Intellectual Property (2)

Property resulting from the fruits of mental labour (ie: software, a song etc…)

7. Web browser (2)

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 Software for locating, accessing and displaying web pages. Web browsers are
able to display graphics, text and other multimedia items.

8. Inclusive (2)

Containing, embracing or comprising everything concerned.

Comprehensively includes and takes into account of stated concerns.
Inclusive software is designed to appeal to a broad target audience by
considering individual needs and values.

Part II: Short response

9. What is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and what steps might a computer user take
to avoid it: (4)

• CTP is a form of RSI

• CTP is the result of pressure on the median nerve from restrictions in the
carpal tunnel caused by repetitive movements.

It results in numbness and pain.

• Steps to avoid it:

• Exercises

• Breaks

• Various activities

• Ergonomic set up of keyboard and mouse.

10. Provide two symptoms indicating eye-strain: (2)

• Sensitivity to light

• Tired eye muscles

• Blurred / double-vision

• Headaches

11. Provide three practices management can use to minimise stress and injury in
the workplace (3) – see page 7

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 • Variety of activities

• Involvement in decisions

• Accomplishment (the opportunity to complete jobs)

• Social contact

• Achievement / a sense of value (ie: that work is valued)

• Training

• Balance of quantity

12. Describe an ergonomic chair (3)

• An ergonomic chair should have 5 legs to ensure stability.

• The height of the chair should be adjustable to suit individual

needs.

• The back rest should be adjustable to ensure it provides support

suited to individual needs.

13. What is appropriate use of colour for the user? (3)

• Colour should be used sparingly

• There should be sufficient contrast between the foreground colour

(ie: text) and background colour.

• Colour should be consistent

• Colour schemes should not override user choices.

• There should be 50% white space.

14. Identify the following symbols and explain when they should be used in
messages (6)

Warning – this indicates that there is a problem.

Critical error – indicates possible damage or loss of data.

Information – for example, “Printing Complete”

i
15. How many copies of commercial software can be made by the user? (2)

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 Usually 1 for backup purposes although some companies are even more
restrictive and don’t allow for any copies.

16. List three types of free software (3)

Freeware, Shareware & Public Domain

17. Which kind of software is not covered by copyright? (1)

Public Domain

18. Is all software under this category until specifically registered according to
copyright laws? Explain your answer (2)

No. Software is automatically covered by copyright law from its creation.

Public Domain software has to be explicitly declared Public Domain; the
creator must deliberately relinquish copyright.

19. When was the copyright act passed?(1) 1968

20. Which type of software is free for an initial trial period and can be distributed
by the user? (1)

Shareware

21. Why can the software referred to in the previous question be distributed by the
user? (2)

It’s a form of cheap advertising / marketing. The company want the product to
be spread to as many potential customers as possible.

22. What kind of software is free to use and can be modified but is still covered by
copyright? (1)

Freeware

23. What restrictions does this software have? (2)

Although Freeware can be modified, any products resulting from it must be

Freeware too. It cannot be sold for profit.

24. What was the first spreadsheet program? (1)

Visicalc

25. Why are software licence agreements important? (2)

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 Software licences protect the rights of developers and maintain the industry.
This maintains earnings and liability. Without licences, software creation
wouldn’t be sufficiently lucrative to maintain the industry and software
companies couldn’t be held responsible for faulty products.

Licence agreements are particularly important for software because it’s so easy
to copy.

26. Give three examples of how a software developer can be aware of social &
cultural differences when designing software(3)

The developer can research potential audiences to make sure they are aware of
social and cultural differences:

• They can be careful to avoid potentially inappropriate images

• Currency should be clearly labelled (ie: distinguishing between

$US and $AU)

• Times and dates should be clearly identified (Note: US dates are

MM/DD/YY whereas Aus dates are usually DD/MM/YY)

27. What are the risks associated with one company gaining a monopoly over the
market? (2)

Monopolies risk high prices because competition isn’t available to keep prices
competitive / lower.

The quality may be lower because the consumer doesn’t have a choice so the
company doesn’t have to maintain high quality to sell their product.

28. Provide two examples of how software can be designed to be inclusive of

people with visual disabilities?(2)

• Large text

• Support / provide sound

• Don’t use graphics as the sole means of information (label

graphics)

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 • Don’t use colour coding as the sole means of information (colour
blind people see colours as different to other people; eg: they might
see pink as yellow.)

29. Provide two examples of how software might be designed to assist users with
physical disabilities? (2)

• Short cut keys

• Voice recognition / input

• Allow key combinations to be pressed one at a time

30. List four skills required by members of a software development team: (2)

• Logic / problem solving

• Effective communication

• Creativity

• Design skills

• Teamwork

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Part III: Data & Algorithms

31. List 4 data types: (4)

Integer, String, Boolean, Double (or Floating point / real)

What type of data would you use to store the result of the following
calculation (ie: what type of variable would x be?): (1)
x=y/3
Double / Real / Floating point

32. What type of data would you use to store a user’s username? (2)

String

33. What type of data would you use to store the user’s age?(1)

Integer

34. What type of data stores only the values TRUE or FALSE?(1)

Boolean
35. Draw the symbols used in a flowchart for each of the following: (4)
(i) Terminal

(ii) Process

(iii) Input / Output

(iv) Decision

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36. Draw a simple algorithm to test whether the user’s response to a question is
correct. The algorithm needs to display the question, accept the user’s
response and test its accuracy. A correct response should lead to praise; an
incorrect response should lead to the words “Bad luck!” (7)

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