Topic 5: Computer Hardware and Software

Question 1

Hardware is

Answer 1

the physical parts of the computer

Question 2

Software is

Answer 2

the programs which run on the computer

Question 3

Operating System is

Answer 3

software that communicates with hardware and allows other programs to run.

Question 4

Every desktop computer, tablet and smartphone needs a __________ to function

Answer 4

operating system

Question 5

A platform is

Answer 5

the type of operating system used

Question 6

Three examples of a platform are;

Answer 6

Windows, MacOS and Unix

Question 7

An input device is hardware that

Answer 7

allows data to be entered into a computer

Question 8

Four examples of input device are;

Answer 8

mouse, keyboard, scanner and digital camera

Question 9

An output device is hardware that

Answer 9

allows data to be output from the computer.

Question 10

Three examples of an output device are;

Answer 10

monitor, speakers and printer

Question 11

A processor is the part of the computer that

Answer 11

translates and executes program code

Question 12

There are three parts to the processor and they are;

Answer 12

ALU (Arithmetic Logic Unit), Control Unit and Registers

Question 13

The ALU does what

Answer 13

it controls all calculations and logical decisions

Question 14

The control unit does what

Answer 14

it controls fetching/execution of instructions

Question 15

The registers are the

Answer 15

temporary storage areas within the processor

Question 16

The clock speed measures how fast the

Answer 16

processor can translate and execute program instructions

Question 17

The clock speed is measured in

Answer 17

gigahertz

Question 18

The memory is where the computer stores

Answer 18

programs and/or data currently in use

Question 19

The hard disk is where the computer stores

Answer 19

programs and/or data not currently in use

Question 20

RAM stands for

Answer 20

Random Access Memory

Question 21

RAM is where the

Answer 21

operating system is stored when the computer is on.

Question 22

Programs and data currently in use are stored in

Answer 22

RAM

Question 23

RAM can or cannot be edited?

Answer 23

RAM can be edited

Question 24

When the computer is switched off, RAM’s contents is

Answer 24

lost

Question 25

ROM stands for

Answer 25

Read Only Memory

Question 26

Key OS programs are stored in

Answer 26

ROM

Question 27

ROM can or cannot be edited?

Answer 27

ROM cannot be edited

Question 28

When the computer is switched off, ROM’s content is

Answer 28

not lost.