AS & A Level Information Technology 9626 · Topic 19

Graphics creation: past paper questions

54 real questionsasked in 8 of the last 10 exam series2019–2025usually: Describe, Explain, Analyse, Discuss, Evaluate

Real questions on graphics creation

The newest 20 of 54 written questions. Open one to see it on the real paper.

9626/32 · May/June 2025 · Q4[6]
The colour select tool in image-editing software is a selection tool that can be used to select, remove or hide parts of a bitmap image. Analyse the use of three other selection tools that are provided by bitmap image-editing software.
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9626/33 · May/June 2025 · Q7[8]
Compression is applied to digital images for many reasons. Evaluate the use of compression on digital images.
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9626/32 · February/March 2025 · Q11[6]
All the images on a college website are vector graphics. Analyse the use of vector graphics on a website.
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9626/32 · October/November 2024 · Q2a[3]
removing the reflection from eyes in a digital image taken by flash photography
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9626/32 · October/November 2024 · Q2b[3]
making the edges of objects in a digital photograph clearer
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9626/33 · October/November 2024 · Q3a[1]
brightness
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9626/33 · October/November 2024 · Q3b[1]
contrast
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9626/33 · October/November 2024 · Q3c[2]
colour balance
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9626/33 · October/November 2024 · Q3d[2]
highlights
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9626/33 · October/November 2024 · Q4[6]
Colour management systems (CMS) are used in computer graphics. Explain why a CMS is needed.
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9626/32 · May/June 2024 · Q2[6]
Web pages can be made more attractive and easier to read by using colours. All major web browsers support the use of HSL to specify the colours used in web pages. Explain how HSL is used to specify colours.
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9626/32 · February/March 2024 · Q4[6]
Justify the use of lossy compression when storing and using bitmap images.
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9626/32 · February/March 2024 · Q5b[3]
Transparency
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9626/31 · October/November 2023 · Q3[6]
Vector images consist of shapes which can be edited into different shapes to change the appearance of the image. Describe the techniques that can be applied to the shapes in a vector image to change its appearance.
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9626/32 · October/November 2023 · Q3[6]
Bitmap images can be compressed when stored and used on computer systems. Analyse the effects of the two main methods of image compression on a bitmap image.
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9626/32 · February/March 2023 · Q10a[2]
Describe how a bitmap image is converted into editable vector shapes.
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9626/32 · February/March 2023 · Q10b[6]
Vector images can be used on web pages. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of using a vector image with editable shapes instead of a bitmap image.
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9626/32 · October/November 2022 · Q10a[3]
layer tool
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9626/32 · October/November 2022 · Q10b[2]
flatten tool
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9626/31 · May/June 2022 · Q3a[4]
Explain why the designer uses the svg file format for storing the vector graphics.
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What examiners said

The command word ‘analyse’ means to ‘examine in detail to show meaning, identify elements and the relationship between them. Learners are expected to be able to use their knowledge and understanding of, in this case, vector graphics and examine the use of these on a website. A small number of learners confused vector with bitmap graphics and gave very poor answers. Descriptions of vector images we...
— Examiner report, February/March 2025, 9626/32 Q11 (Cambridge)

Candidates were expected to know and identify the two main types of compression used when storing bitmap images in computer files. Generic answers about compression did not gain credit. Also, the question asked for effects upon the images so references to a reduction in file size without an accompanying consequence on the image itself did not answer the question. Candidates were required to analys...
— Examiner report, October/November 2023, 9626/32 Q3 (Cambridge)

This question asked candidates to describe the technical details of how bitmap images are converted into editable vector shapes. weaker answers describing exporting the images as a vector graphic. While this is valid as a way for a user to do the conversion so was given credit, it does not describe the process of conversion. Good answers should have referred to the creation of nodes (control point...
— Examiner report, February/March 2023, 9626/32 Q10(a) (Cambridge)

Practise this topic

Answer these questions online and get each one marked against the official mark scheme, with what you missed and how to fix it.

Practise graphics creation

In the syllabus

19.1 Common graphics skills

Using software tools for the creation and editing of digital graphics, including: – graphics tools, including: ○ add layers ○ remove layers ○ select active layer ○ order ○ toggle visibility ○ lock/unlock layers ○ change opacity/transparency ○ blend/flatten/merge layers – transform tools, including: ○ resize ○ skew ○ reflect ○ rotate ○ move ○ scale ○ shear ○ apply envelope and perspective – grouping or merging tools, including: ○ group ○ ungroup ○ combine/join ○ add/subtract ○ intersect – alignment and distribution tools, including: ○ left ○ right ○ top ○ bottom ○ centre alignment ○ vertical and horizontal distribution ○ order ○ raise ○ lower ○ bring to front ○ send to back

19.2 Vector graphics

Using software tools for the creation and editing of vector graphics, including: – creating a vector graphic that meets the requirements of its intended application and audience – vector drawing tools: ○ freehand drawing ○ Bezier curves ○ straight lines ○ shape tools – creation of rectangles, ellipses, circles, arcs, stars, polygons and spirals ○ application of envelopes and perspectives – selection tools to select and manipulate parts of a vector graphic, including: ○ convert to curves ○ replication ○ transformation tools – fill tools to colour elements, including: ○ solid ○ gradient – node and path editing, including: ○ adding, moving and deleting nodes to simplify paths ○ using Bezier handles ○ working with symmetrical, asymmetrical, cusp, and smooth nodes ○ align and distribute nodes
Converting bitmap images into editable vector shapes, including trace bitmaps
Advantages and disadvantages of converting a bitmap image into an editable vector shape

19.3 Bitmap images

Using software tools for the creation and editing of bitmap graphics, including: – creating and editing bitmap images that meet the requirements of their intended application and audience – selection tools to select, remove or hide parts of a bitmap image, including: ○ lasso ○ magic wand ○ colour select ○ cut-out ○ crop ○ masking tools – working with colour, including: ○ solid and gradient fills ○ convert to black and white, greyscale ○ adjust brightness, contrast, colour balance, shadows and highlights – brush, pencil and pen tools, including: ○ pre-set and customised options – tools/filters to alter parts of an image, including: ○ distort ○ clone ○ erase ○ blur ○ smudge ○ sharpen ○ red eye removal – resizing the image/canvas, including the use of: ○ changing colour depth ○ changing resolution

19.4 Compression

What compression is
Methods of compression – lossless compression – lossy compression
Effects of different methods of compression on images

19.5 Text

Selecting font style, including: – font face – size – kerning – letter spacing – line spacing
Fitting text to path or shape – aligning text along a line or around a shape
Setting text in a shape
Converting text to curves – converting fonts into editable vector shapes
Use of text and its manipulation within graphics software

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