Lesson 4.10.3.1

4.10.3.1 Database design and normalisation Quiz: AQA Computer Science, Unit 10

20 questions

Written by Revision Ninja · Last reviewed 11 October 2026

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Lesson 4.10.3.1, Database design and normalisation: 20 multiple choice questions for the AQA Computer Science (7517), Unit 10: Fundamentals of databases, written with Revision Ninja.

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The 20 questions

  1. What process eliminates duplicate data and data anomalies in a relational database?

    • Serialisation
    • Encryption
    • Indexing
    • Normalisation

  2. In relational databases, what property requires table fields to contain single, non-repeating values?

    • Atomic values
    • Derived attributes
    • Foreign keys
    • Composite keys

  3. Which type of dependency must be eliminated for a relation to reach third normal form?

    • Atomic dependency
    • Partial dependency
    • Transitive dependency
    • Repeating group

  4. What is a dependency between two non-key attributes called?

    • Partial dependency
    • Primary dependency
    • Functional dependency
    • Transitive dependency

  5. What dependency occurs when an attribute depends on part of a composite key?

    • Transitive dependency
    • Atomic dependency
    • Partial dependency
    • Full dependency

  6. What is the main purpose of database normalisation?

    • Speed up queries
    • Reduce data redundancy
    • Encrypt sensitive data
    • Increase data redundancy

  7. What type of anomaly occurs when deleting a record accidentally removes unrelated required data?

    • Update anomaly
    • Deletion anomaly
    • Insertion anomaly
    • Selection anomaly

  8. In Order(OrderID, CustomerID, CustomerName), CustomerName depends on CustomerID. Which dependency is present?

    • Partial dependency
    • Composite dependency
    • Transitive dependency
    • Atomic dependency

  9. A column containing multiple comma-separated values in a single cell violates which normal form?

    • First normal form
    • Fourth normal form
    • Third normal form
    • Second normal form

  10. CourseName depends on CourseID within a composite key of StudentID and CourseID. Which normal form is violated?

    • Boyce-Codd form
    • First normal form
    • Third normal form
    • Second normal form

  11. Which key type links an Order table back to a separate Customer table?

    • Foreign key
    • Primary key
    • Composite key
    • Candidate key

  12. To fix a 3NF violation in Staff(StaffID, DeptID, DeptName), where should DeptName be moved?

    • Primary key
    • Department table
    • Foreign key
    • Staff table

  13. Being unable to add a new student without enrolling them in a course is an example of what?

    • Transitive anomaly
    • Insertion anomaly
    • Update anomaly
    • Deletion anomaly

  14. What anomaly occurs when updating data in one place leaves conflicting values elsewhere?

    • Update anomaly
    • Deletion anomaly
    • Transitive anomaly
    • Insertion anomaly

  15. In 3NF, non-key attributes must depend on the key, the whole key, and what else?

    • Secondary key
    • Composite key
    • Foreign key
    • Nothing but key

  16. Which requirement is NOT necessary for a relation to achieve third normal form?

    • Atomic attributes
    • No transitive dependencies
    • Numeric data types
    • No partial dependencies

  17. What is a potential drawback of fully normalising a database?

    • Data inconsistency
    • Increased data redundancy
    • Slower query speed
    • Duplicate primary keys

  18. Which type of dependency exists when a non-key attribute depends on another non-key attribute?

    • Atomic dependency
    • Primary dependency
    • Transitive dependency
    • Partial dependency

  19. Which problem is directly caused by non-key attributes depending on other non-key attributes?

    • Deadlocks
    • Lost updates
    • Update anomalies
    • Syntax errors

  20. Removing transitive dependencies from a relation in 2NF converts it into which normal form?

    • First normal form
    • Fourth normal form
    • Third normal form
    • Second normal form

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