Introduction to Computer Systems

Exam-style Questions
Name

Date

1. Name three things which are contained on the motherboard of

a computer. (3 marks)

2. Explain what the four main sections of a computer are, and

what they do. (8 marks)

3. Explain the following terms and provide an example of each

type:
a) Batch processing (2 marks)
b) Real time processing (2 marks)
c) Transaction processing (2 marks)
d) Interactive processing (2 marks)

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Introduction to Computer Systems

4. Name the following components in a computer system.
a) A circuit board which connects most of the other devices on
a computer. (1 mark)
b) It takes digital data from the computer system and turns it
into visible images. (1 mark)
c) It turns digital computer data into analogue audio signals.
(1 mark)
5. Match the following devices with the word that best describes
their function e.g. keyboard equals input. You can use words
more than once.
a) Hard disk (1 mark)
b) Mouse (1 mark)
c) Mobile telephone (1 mark)
d) Printer (1 mark)
e) Modem (1 mark)
Input
Output

Storage
Communications

Processing
Graphics

6. Outline one advantage and one disadvantage of each of the

following types of input devices:
a) Manual (2 marks)
b) Automatic (2 marks)
c) Wireless (2 marks)

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Introduction to Computer Systems

7. Match each of the following input devices with two of the
statements shown in the table below.
a) OCR (2 marks)
b) OMR (2 marks)
c) MICR (2 marks)
1. It requires clear text
and errors are common.

3. It can read numbers

quickly with few errors.

5. It can complete the fast

processing of multiple choice
answers.

2. It converts scanned text to a

word processed file.

4. It recognises the
position of marks on
paper.

6. It recognizes characters that

are written in magnetic ink.

8. Match each of the following memory types with one of the

statements shown below.
a) ROM (1 mark)
b) RAM (1 mark)
c) Cache (1 mark)
Temporary storage used by a
computer for fast retrieval of data

Volatile memory

Non-volatile memory

9. Match each of the following software types with one of the

statements shown below.
a)
b)
c)
d)

Operating system (1 mark)

Application software (1 mark)
Utilities software (1 mark)
Programming software (1 mark)
1. Software which provides the
computer with a set of instructions it
can understand.
2. A program that controls hardware
and software.

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3. Software which allows end users to

perform and fulfil their tasks.
4. Software which manages system
resources.

Introduction to Computer Systems

10.

Describe the main characteristics of the following

types of software licence:
a) Site licences (2 marks)

b) Software lease (3 marks)

11. Describe one benefit of each the following types of software:

a) Hosted software (1 mark)

b) Locally installed software (1 mark)

12. Provide a definition of application software, and provide

three examples of this type of software. (4 marks)

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