Database Systems - Questions and Mark Schemes
Database Systems - Questions and Mark Schemes
Database Systems - Questions and Mark Schemes
A2 WJEC ICT
marks]
a time.
Part of one table in the DVD Rental Company database could be:
BORROWER [BorrowerID, FirstName, Surname, Borrower Type,
Address1, ........] with BorrowerID being the primary key.
Give two other suitable tables you could expect to see in this database,
identifying any primary and foreign keys. [7]
17. Relational databases are normalised to work effectively. Explain what is
meant by the term data normalisation. [2]
18. Some companies now use distributed databases. Explain what is meant by
the term distributed databases and explain their advantages and
Answer
disadvantages. [6]
Question 15
Suitable definition of a relational database, such as:
A (large) collection of data items and links/relationships between them (1)
structured in such a way that it allows it to be accessed by a number of different
applications programs (1)
OR
A group of tables linked together (1) by primary and foreign keys (1).
Question 16
DVD [DVDID, Title, Genre, Classification, ..]
LOAN [LoanID, DVDID*, BorrowerID*, DateOut, ReturnDate]
Where underscore = primary key and *=foreign key
1 mark per table name = 2
1 mark per primary key = 2
1 mark for two foreign keys = 1 (If key duplicated - no mark)
1 mark per table for 2 extra fields = 2
Question 17
Suitable definition of data normalisation, such as:
A staged (mathematical) process (1) which removes repeated groups of data and
inconsistencies. (1)
Or
Simplifying data structures (1) so that attributes in each table only relate to the
entity. (1)
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Disadvantages
Software more complex than a centralised database system
If data is transferred it presents more of a security risk from hackers
As all the data is not stored in one location if a local site does not have
adequate backup then this data might be lost to others
If data is stored and updated in more than one place there is an increased
chance of data inconsistency
Heavy reliance on networks and communications which may not always be
reliable
Security issues particularly if sensitive personal data is being transferred
If one of the links to a server failed then the data could not be obtained
from that server
Increased costs owing to the use of expensive communication lines. NOT
Details
Question
just costs.
January 12 Question Paper, Questions 17 - 21
Many companies would now struggle to operate effectively without database
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technology.
marks]
Answer
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Details
Question
[18
marks]
Relational databases hold the data in a number of tables. In this library system
there is a table for Borrower, which is partially shown below:
BORROWER [BorrowerID, Surname, Firstname, ....] where BorrowerID is the primary
key.
17. Explain what is meant by a primary key and a foreign key. [2]
18. Give two other suitable tables, you would expect to see in this library loan
system, identifying any primary or foreign keys. [7]
19. Give three reasons why relational databases are more secure than the flat
file approach. [3]
The Councils library service uses a data warehouse to hold details about all library
loans throughout its area. Holding this large central store of data allows the library
staff to use data mining.
20. Describe what is meant by a data warehouse and explain the advantages it
might give the library service. [3]
21. Explain what is meant by data mining and give an example of how the
Answer
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Details
Question
members (1)
use this to plan future acquisitions of books or videos (1)
use this to change opening hours, etc (1)
Look at book lending habits of particular branches (1)
to determine future purchases (1)
January 11 Question Paper, Questions 19-25
Relational databases are becoming increasingly important to all organisations that
[20
handle data.
marks]
Answer
Details
Question
[17
marks]
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disadvantages. [7]
Section A
1. Suitable definition of data normalisation, such as:
A staged (mathematical) process (1) which removes repeated groups of
data and inconsistencies. (1) Or Simplifying data structures (1) so that
attributes in each table only relate to the entity. (1)
2. WARD( Ward no, NumberOfBeds, StaffId)
PATIENT ( Patient no, Name, illness, admission date, consultant, address,
contact, Ward no)
Marking award one mark for each table name, one mark for each primary
key field, one mark for both foreign keys and one mark for two other
relevant fields.
3. Explanation involving any two relevant reasons:
Hierarchy of passwords
Storage of data separate to programs
Access rights to parts of the program
Section B
2 marks for definition and 5 for advantages / disadvantages
(Must to have at least two of each)
A distributed database is a single database that is under the control of a DBMS
where the storage devices are not all attached to a common processor. Instead the
data is stored in storage devices attached to multiple computers usually located
across a network.
Or
A distributed database has data stored on a number of computers at different
locations but appears as one logical database.
Advantages:
Disadvantages:
Heavy reliance on networks and communications which may not always be
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Details
Question
[17
details of orders.
marks]
Answer
consistency. [6]
Section A
Suitable definition of a relational database, such as:
A large collection of data items and links between them (1) structured in
such a way that it allows it to be accessed by a number of different
applications programs (1)
a group of tables linked together by primary and foreign keys (1).
Section B
Award one mark for each table name,
One mark for each primary key field,
One mark for two sensible foreign keys.
Example of one possible full mark answer:
CUSTOMER (CustomerID, Name, contact no, address1, address2, etc.)
ORDERS (OrderID, Date, StockID, CustomerID)
Section C
Data Warehousing (any two points)
The mail order company generates huge quantities of data stored in a
consistent order to make interrogation more productive.
Data is non-volatile and time invariant (archive data).
Used to support organisational decision making.
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Section D
[2] marks for each description
One mark for definition and second mark for expansion or example x 3
Data redundancy
It refers to the unnecessary duplication of data.
In a flat-file database details about such information as customer details will
be duplicated. In a well designed relational database there should be no
repeating attributes', no piece of data should be unnecessarily repeated.
Data integrity
The integrity of data is the correctness, i.e. the extent to which it truthfully
represents the original information.
One of the problems of maintaining integrity arises when updating occurs,
and every record has to be changed in a flat-file database, if one record was
left unchanged the data would no longer be wholly correct. In a relational
database you only have to change data in one table and all other references
in any other table will automatically be changed.
Data consistency
When data is held in more than one file it should be stored in a consistent
way.
A date field could be stored in file as a text field but in another field as a
date/time field and the data would be incompatible. In a relational database
because the attributes of any one entity are contained within one file, there
is no risk of the same attribute being stored in a different format in a
Details
Question
[20
A school uses a relational database management system for storing pupil subject
marks]
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primary key.
Give two other suitable tables you could expect to see in this database,
identifying
(iii)
Explain why relational databases are more secure than a flat file
approach for storing subject choices. [2]
Section B
(i)
(ii)
Answer
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Details
Question
[18
marks]
(ii)
identifying
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(ii)
Answer
Section A
A relational database is a large collection of data items and links between them (1
mark), structured in such a way that allows it to be accessed by a number of
different application programs. (2nd mark) or use of primary and foreign keys.
Section B
Accept underline or asterisk as indication of key field & over line as a foreign key.
PATIENT (Patient Code, Name, Address, DOB, Gender)
1 for suitable table name
1 for suitable primary key field
APPOINTMENT(Appointment Code, Patient Code, Doctor Code, Time, Date, Room)
1 for suitable table name
1 for suitable primary key field
1 for Patient Code as foreign field
1 for Doctor Code as foreign field
Section C
(i) Distributed databases are different databases stored at different locations but
linked together so they appear to be one large database.
1 mark per point (max 6) (at least 1 of each to get 6)
Advantages
Data used locally can be stored locally and network traffic kept to a
minimum
If data lost on central site it could be reduplicated from local site
Allows sharing of the data and the results of processing the data
New locations can be added to the database without the need for rewriting
the entire database
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[4 marks]
(a) Explain, using a suitable example, what is meant by a distributed database. [2]
(b) Describe how distributed databases can be beneficial to an organisation. [2]
Answer
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[2 marks]
forms to pay bills and transfer money between their accounts using the Internet.
Verification or validation procedures are used to reduce data entry errors.
(a) Explain, giving a different example in each case, how both the bank and the
customer can minimise data entry errors when filling in the online forms. [2]
Answer
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Input masks
Summer 07 Question Paper, Question 5
A college keeps details of students, staff and courses in a file. Part of this file is
[6 marks]
(a) Using data from the above file to illustrate your answer, describe two different
problems associated with data not being normalised. 2 [2]
(b) The above data can be re-organised into a normalised relational database with
tables linked using primary and foreign keys.
Re-organise this data into a normalised relational database using two tables. You
should clearly indicate the table names and any primary or foreign keys that you
Answer
use. [5]
Section A
1 mark for disadvantage and 1 mark for example x 2 [4 Marks]
Disadvanta
ge
Example
Disadvanta
ge
Example
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Section B
1 mark for table x 2
1 mark for primary key x 2
1 mark for foreign key in other table
Primary and foreign keys must be clearly identified
Examples could be;
Student [Student No, Student Name, Date of birth, Gender, Course No#]
Details
Question
[14
marks]
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
Explain why relational databases are more secure than a flat file
approach for storing patient records. [2]
(b) Hospitals use distributed medical databases. Describe the problems that could
arise when using such distributed medical databases. [4]
Answer
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