#18 Jun 2024 Q3(b) 6 marks 1.5.2 utility software (6-gap cloze)

Question

Lead-in: A computer has an operating system and utility software.

(b) Complete the description of utility system software using the words provided in the box. Not all words are used.

access amount apart compression consecutive defragmentation deleted encryption key lock quantity separate speed understood

1  software changes data using a 2 . If the changed data is intercepted, it cannot be 3 . This software does not stop the data from being intercepted.

4  software analyses the data on a disk to find files that have been split and stored in separate locations. The split files are moved to be 5  in storage and the free space is moved together. This does not provide more storage space on the disk, instead it makes the 6  of the data faster because the read head does not have to move as far to access the next part of the file.

[6]

Why this question is tricky

Candidates often identified defragmentation accurately but the remaining spaces were more often inaccurate with access or separate often given in the next space.— J277_01_ER_Jun2024.txt lines 235-236

MS complexity 8/10: Strict given-word matching across 6 gaps. Distractors hand-picked to trap candidates (lock vs key; separate vs consecutive; speed vs access).

Full-marks model answer

Encryption software changes data using a key. If the changed data is intercepted, it cannot be understood. This software does not stop the data from being intercepted.

Defragmentation software analyses the data on a disk to find files that have been split and stored in separate locations. The split files are moved to be consecutive in storage and the free space is moved together. This does not provide more storage space on the disk, instead it makes the access of the data faster because the read head does not have to move as far to access the next part of the file.

Mark allocation (6 marks — 1 per gap)
  • Gap 1: Encryption.
  • Gap 2: keynot "lock".
  • Gap 3: understood.
  • Gap 4: Defragmentation.
  • Gap 5: consecutivenot "separate" or "apart".
  • Gap 6: accessnot "speed".

Watch out for...

Encryption uses a key, not a lock. The split files are moved to be consecutive (next to each other) — not "separate". And gap 6 is access (of the data) — "speed" sounds plausible but does not fit the grammar of "makes the [...] of the data faster".