IGCSE Information and Communication Technology (9–1) 0983 · Topic 4

Networks and the effects of using them: past paper questions

22 real questionsasked in 8 of the last 10 exam series2020–2025usually: Explain, Describe, Evaluate, State, Identify

Real questions on networks and the effects of using them

The newest 20 of 22 written questions. Open one to see it on the real paper.

0983/11 · October/November 2025 · Q8a[3]
Explain what is meant by the term cloud.
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0983/12 · May/June 2025 · Q9a[3]
Explain the purpose of a network switch.
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0983/12 · May/June 2025 · Q9b[4]
A smart TV can connect to a network using wi-fi. Describe how the smart TV can be connected to the wi-fi.
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0983/12 · May/June 2025 · Q9c[1]
State the type of network that the smart TV would connect to.
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0983/12 · May/June 2025 · Q11b[3]
Describe how the student could use the cloud to transfer the project.
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0983/11 · October/November 2024 · Q3c[6]
The student is considering using cloud storage. Evaluate this type of storage.
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0983/11 · October/November 2024 · Q7a[2]
Identify two other functions of a router.
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0983/11 · October/November 2024 · Q7b[4]
Explain how a router routes data packets to a destination.
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0983/11 · October/November 2024 · Q10b[4]
The Head of the ICT department uploads the report onto the cloud. Describe the steps that members of the department must take to share and manage their work on the report.
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0983/12 · May/June 2024 · Q6a[2]
Explain what is meant by electronic conferencing.
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0983/11 · October/November 2023 · Q5a[2]
Explain the differences between a bridge and a router.
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0983/11 · October/November 2023 · Q5c[2]
Explain the purpose of a routing table.
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0983/12 · May/June 2023 · Q4b[2]
Describe the differences between the internet and an extranet.
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0983/12 · May/June 2023 · Q8b[6]
Evaluate the use of web-conferencing in this scenario.
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0983/12 · May/June 2022 · Q3a[1]
The network device that is used to transmit the data along an analogue telephone line is a
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0983/12 · May/June 2022 · Q3b[1]
The network device that connects a LAN to a WAN is a
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0983/12 · May/June 2022 · Q3c[1]
The network device that allows data to be directed to a specific computer on a LAN is a
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0983/12 · May/June 2022 · Q3d[1]
The internal network device that allows a computer to connect to a LAN is a
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0983/12 · May/June 2022 · Q8d[1]
Explain what is meant by https.
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0983/11 · October/November 2020 · Q3a[4]
Complete the following sentences using the most appropriate network device from the list. Your answers must be different in each case. an access point a bridge a hub a modem a network interface card a switch A device used to connect a Local Area Network (LAN) to another LAN that uses the same protocol is called . A dev...
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What examiners said

Many candidates gained at least a mark in the question. Some candidates understood that a switch helped form a network and that data from the switch could be sent to a specific device. Some candidates that understood the concept wrote that the switch helped form a network rather than a LAN; network on its own was in the question. Some candidates thought that the network switch turned the network o...
— Examiner report, May/June 2025, 0983/12 Q9(a) (Cambridge)

Many candidates answered the question from their own experience which gave general answers rather than technical ones. It is important that in questions of this type that candidates read the question thoroughly before answering it.
— Examiner report, May/June 2025, 0983/12 Q9(b) (Cambridge)

being answered better. This question was well answered by many of the candidates who correctly gave either LAN or WLAN.
— Examiner report, May/June 2025, 0983/12 Q9(c) (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.

Download 0983 papers

In the syllabus

1 0417.4.1.01 — The operation and purpose of a router including: • connecting networks and devices to the internet • storing computer addresses in a router

The operation and purpose of a router including: • connecting networks and devices to the internet • storing computer addresses in a router • routing data packets
Including: network interface cards (NIC), hubs, bridges, switches
The uses of wi-fi and Bluetooth Connecting a device to a network using: • wi-fi • Bluetooth
Similarities and differences between Bluetooth and wi-fi
The characteristics, uses and issues relating to cloud computing How data is stored, managed and shared using cloud computing
Advantages and disadvantages of using cloud storage compared to other methods
Characteristics, uses and purpose of an extranet, intranet and the internet The differences and similarities between an extranet, intranet and the internet
Local Area Network (LAN), Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN), Wide Area Network (WAN) and the differences between these networks

2 0417.4.1.02 — Including: network interface cards (NIC), hubs, bridges, switches

Including: network interface cards (NIC), hubs, bridges, switches

3 0417.4.1.03 — The uses of wi-fi and Bluetooth Connecting a device to a network using: • wi-fi • Bluetooth

The uses of wi-fi and Bluetooth Connecting a device to a network using: • wi-fi • Bluetooth

4 0417.4.1.04 — Similarities and differences between Bluetooth and wi-fi

Similarities and differences between Bluetooth and wi-fi

5 0417.4.1.05 — The characteristics, uses and issues relating to cloud computing How data is stored, managed and shared using cloud computing

The characteristics, uses and issues relating to cloud computing How data is stored, managed and shared using cloud computing

6 0417.4.1.06 — Advantages and disadvantages of using cloud storage compared to other methods

Advantages and disadvantages of using cloud storage compared to other methods

7 0417.4.1.07 — Characteristics, uses and purpose of an extranet, intranet and the internet The differences and similarities between an extranet, intranet a

Characteristics, uses and purpose of an extranet, intranet and the internet The differences and similarities between an extranet, intranet and the internet

8 0417.4.1.08 — Local Area Network (LAN), Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN), Wide Area Network (WAN) and the differences between these networks

Local Area Network (LAN), Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN), Wide Area Network (WAN) and the differences between these networks

9 0417.4.2.01 — Privacy and confidentiality of data transfer

Privacy and confidentiality of data transfer
Avoiding password interception by using up to date anti-spyware and regularly changing passwords The differences between strong and weak passwords
Including: zero login, biometric methods, magnetic stripes, smart cards, physical tokens, electronic tokens
Including the use of anti-malware and anti-virus software The operation of removing/quarantining viruses using up to date software Scanning the storage media used to transfer data Scanning the data/software when downloading
Characteristics, uses, advantages and disadvantages of video-conferencing, audio‑conferencing, web-conferencing The hardware, software and network connection required to set up each type of electronic conference

10 0417.4.2.02 — Avoiding password interception by using up to date anti-spyware and regularly changing passwords The differences between strong and weak pas

Avoiding password interception by using up to date anti-spyware and regularly changing passwords The differences between strong and weak passwords

11 0417.4.2.03 — Including: zero login, biometric methods, magnetic stripes, smart cards, physical tokens, electronic tokens

Including: zero login, biometric methods, magnetic stripes, smart cards, physical tokens, electronic tokens

12 0417.4.2.04 — Including the use of anti-malware and anti-virus software The operation of removing/quarantining viruses using up to date software Scanning

Including the use of anti-malware and anti-virus software The operation of removing/quarantining viruses using up to date software Scanning the storage media used to transfer data Scanning the data/software when downloading

13 0417.4.2.05 — Characteristics, uses, advantages and disadvantages of video-conferencing, audio‑conferencing, web-conferencing The hardware, software and n

Characteristics, uses, advantages and disadvantages of video-conferencing, audio‑conferencing, web-conferencing The hardware, software and network connection required to set up each type of electronic conference

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