Revision Questions

1. Sam bought a computer and needs help in understanding the type of software that is
installed.
a) Explain the difference between application software and system software.
b) Categorize the following software as system or application:
WORD
PROCESSING
MAC OS X
DATABASE
WINDOWS 10

c) State TWO examples of utility software and outline the purpose of EACH
Intel Atom Processor N270 (1.6 GHz/533Mhz FSB/512K cache)
Example 1
Example 2
1 GB DDR2 SDRAM
UtilityWidescreen
Software Display (1024 x 600)
10.1
Intel Graphics Media Accelerator (GMA) 950
160 GB, 2.5 inch, 5400 RPM SATA Hard Drive
3Purpose
USB Ports
Wireless 802.11g (1397) Mini Card
24 WHr Lithium-Ion Battery (3-cell)
Total 10 marks
2. Name the hardware component that performs EACH of the following
i.
Performs calculates and/or comparison
ii.
Holds the data and programs that are currently being used by the Central Processing Unit
(CPU).
iii.
Contains instructions that are used during the booting of the computer
b. Pam bought a notebook computer with the following specifications:

Using the computer specifications listed above; state the specifications for EACH of the
following components:
i.
ii.
iii.

Type, capacity and speed of the hard drive

Memory capacity
Resolution of the display

c. Indicate the type of method used to access data for the following:
i.
ii.

Hard Drive
Magnetic tape

Total 10 marks
3. Match EACH of the following applications with the most appropriate devices. In your
answer booklet write the application number with the device letter next to it to indicate
your choice.
Application
No.
1
2
3
4
5

Application
Cheque Processing
Point-of-sale
Security
Games
Architectural Design

Device
Letter
A
B
C
D
E

Device
Biometric systems
Joystick
Plotter
Magnetic ink character recognition
Barcode reader

b. Consider the following scenarios:

Scenario 1: Mike communicates with his computer by typing in specific commands using a
specific language to get tasks done.
Scenarios 2: Mary communicates with her computer by using the mouse and selecting pictures
representing tasks.
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.

Name the type of interface indicated in EACH scenario.

Which of the above interfaces is MORE user friendly for someone who is learning to use
a computer?
State the type of program that provides the user interface.
Name ONE type of interface other than those named in (b) (1) above.
Total 10 marks

4. An organization has bought a software package containing several applications to be used

in the various departments of the organization.
i.
State the name of this type of software package
ii.
Give ONE advantage and ONE disadvantage of using this of software package.
b. State the type of processing that is BEST suited for EACH of the following tasks:
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.

Processing of monthly electricity bills

Processing of airline reservations
A banks bankcard system
Printing a document

c.(i). What does the acronym BCD stand for?

ii. State how many bits are represented by one digit using BCD REPRESENTATION?
v.
vi.
vii.

Convert -856 to Binary Coded Decimal (BCD)

What is the hexadecimal equivalent for the decimal number 21?
The ASCII representation for the letter D is 1000100. What is the ASCII representation
for the letter G?
Total 10 marks

5. Name TWO types of user interface

i.
State an appropriate input device for EACH interface named above
ii.

Name the type of menu illustrated in Menu A and Menu B below.

Menu A

Menu B
b. Name ONE operating system
ii. Explain ONE function of an operating system
6. You wish to purchase one of these devices shown in Figure 1 to 4.

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Table 2 lists three requirements an organization may need. In your answer booklet, copy and
complete Table 2 to show which device would BEST meet EACH of the requirements in the
table.

TABLE 2
Organizational Requirements
Useful for multi-form sheets
Produces multiple copies rather quickly
Ideal for coloured flyers

Figure

b. Write the general name given to the devices in part (a)

Identify the following device Interfaces

i.

ii.

iii.

7. State TWO differences between RAM and ROM

i.

Give TWO reasons why it is necessary for computers to have secondary storage

ii.

Write the numbers (I) to (VI) to you answer booklet. Match EACH term in column X
with the letter (A) to (F) that corresponds to the MOST appropriate term in column Y.

EACH term in column Y must be used only once.

I
II
III
IV
V
VI

Column X
Used for data archival purposes but
must be accessed sequentially
A set of metal disks mounted on a
spindle
Has limited storage of 1.44 MB
Uses laser beam technology to read
or write data
Comes in various shapes and sizes
Used in digital cameras, photos
printers and cell phones

Column Y
Flash drive
Floppy disk
Magnetic tape
Memory cards
Hard disk
Digital Versatile Disk (DVD)