Table, Field, Record & Uses of Databases

CAPE IT · UNIT 2 · MODULE 1 · OBJ. 1 & 5
Step 1 of 4
EXPLORE IN 3D

Table, field and record in 3D

Highlight each part of a database table.

REVISION · PAST-PAPER PRACTICE

Test yourself

Multiple-choice items in Paper 1 style and structured questions in Paper 2 style, adapted from CAPE Information Technology Unit 2 past papers. Your score and answers are saved on this device. When you have finished, submit them to your teacher at the end of this section.

MCQ best –Structured –

Paper 1 practice · 8 multiple-choice items

Choose one answer for each item, then check. Aim for 80% or better.

Adapted from CAPE U2 P1 2019 Item 2
1. Data mining is the process of
Answer: B. Data mining searches a database or data warehouse for trends and relationships that are not obvious from single records.
EduTech practice item · Module 1 Obj. 5 (topic of CAPE U2 P2 2021 Q1(b))
2. A supermarket finds that customers who buy tin mackerel usually also buy flour. This discovery is MOST likely the result of
Answer: C. Finding a hidden buying pattern across thousands of receipts is a classic data-mining (market-basket) result.
Adapted from CAPE U2 P2 2021 Q1(c)
3. Which of the following BEST describes a data warehouse?
Answer: D. Warehousing moves data from many operational systems into one store structured for analysis, not for day-to-day entry.
EduTech practice item · Module 1 Obj. 5
4. A data mart differs from a data warehouse because a data mart
Answer: A. A data mart is the access layer of the warehouse: a subset for one team, e.g. the marketing department.
EduTech practice item · Module 1 Obj. 5
5. A customer’s address is stored in the Sales, Delivery and Billing files. The address is updated in Sales only. The MOST likely problem is
Answer: B. This is the danger of data redundancy: duplicated data gets out of step, so different files disagree.
EduTech practice item · Module 1 Obj. 5
6. Which of the following is NOT one of the five uses of files and databases?
Answer: C. The five uses are to store, organise, search, present and ELIMINATE redundancy — not increase it.
Adapted from CAPE U2 P1 2022 Item 3
7. Which of the following is an advantage of using a database approach?
I. Security can be increased
II. Data is integrated and easily accessed
III. Data is dependent on the programs that use it
Answer: A. A DBMS centralises security and integrates data. Program–data DEPENDENCE is a weakness of traditional file processing.
Based on CAPE U2 P2 2021 Q1(b)
8. A school wants to use five years of attendance and grade data to predict which students are at risk of failing. Which combination is MOST appropriate?
Answer: D. Years of combined data belong in a warehouse; data mining finds the patterns that predict risk.

Paper 2 practice · structured questions (17 marks)

Write a full answer to each part, then show the mark scheme and tick every point you earned. Marks for a part are capped at its maximum. Mark schemes are EduTech’s own; CXC does not publish them.

Based on CAPE U2 P2 May/June 2021, Question 1(b)–(c)

Question 1 [10 marks]

Bayside Secondary has kept student records (attendance, grades, clubs and fees) in a database for ten years.

(a) Explain TWO ways in which data mining could help Bayside Secondary benefit from its student database. [4]

MARK SCHEME (a) · max 4

(b) Outline TWO ways in which data warehouses are used in organisations. [4]

MARK SCHEME (b) · max 4

(c) Distinguish between a data warehouse and a data mart. [2]

MARK SCHEME (c) · max 2
Based on CAPE U2 P2 May/June 2022, Question 1(a)

Question 2 [7 marks]

IslandThreads sells clothing in outlets across several Caribbean islands. All sales and stock data are held in a central database.

(a) Suggest how senior management could use the database when making decisions about EACH of the following: (i) where products are located; (ii) access to products; (iii) querying for trends. [3]

MARK SCHEME (a) · max 3

(b) Explain what is meant by data redundancy and give TWO problems it causes. [4]

MARK SCHEME (b) · max 4

Submit to your teacher

Send your multiple-choice choices and written answers to your teacher for marking. Your teacher will also see whether you opened the mark scheme or checked your answers before submitting. You can submit again if you improve your answers.

Items are adapted from CAPE® Information Technology Unit 2 Papers 01 and 02 (2019–2026) for practice. © Caribbean Examinations Council for the original papers.