MALAWI ASSEMBLIES OF GOD UNIVERSITY

END-OF-SEMESTER EXAMINATION

BASIC COMPUTER SKILLS

Date: Time allowed: 3 hours

General Instructions

1. There are 15 pages in this paper. Please check!

2. This paper has four sections, A, B, C and D. Please check!
3. Follow the instructions for each section.
4. Fill in your details on the answer book provided.
5. Write your name on the top of each page of the answer sheets provided.
6. Write on both sides of the answer sheets.
7. Do not tear any paper from the answer book or question paper.

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SECTION A: (30 MARKS) MULTIPLE CHOICE
SECTION INSTRUCTIONS
ALL QUESTIONS CARRY 0.5 MARK EACH
ANSWER ALL QUESTIONS IN THIS SECTION
ANSWER BY INDICATING YOUR CHOICE BY WRITING A, B, C OR D ON THE
ANSWER SHEET PROVIDED

1. The capability that allows more than one person to use a computer system at the same
time.
A. Time-sharing.
B. Multitasking.
C. User interface.
D. Hardware independence.

2. A ____________ guards against computer wizards who create viruses or try to get
restricted information from computer systems by acting like a gateway to a network to
prevent unauthorized access.
A. Hacker.
B. Firewall.
C. Worm.
D. Backup.

3. _____________ are programs that work to protect computers from viruses.

A. Trojan Horses.
B. Antivirus software.
C. Intrusion detection systems.
D. Application programming interfaces.

4. How does a user interact with the computer using command line interface?
A. Clicking an icon.
B. Typing lines of text.
C. Using text shortcuts.
D. Using a microphone.

5. Which is an example of a graphical user interface or GUI?

A. Keying in commands.
B. Clicking an icon.
C. Using shortcuts such as O for open or R for read.
D. Transferring files from one computer to another.

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6. Which is the layer of a computer system between the hardware and the user program?

A. System environment.
B. Operating system.
C. Application programming interface.
D. Operating environment.

7. Which of the following is not part of an operating system?

A. API.
B. Kernel.
C. Utility program.
D. User interface.

8. Which of the following backup procedures copies all changes made since the last full
backup?
A. Incremental backup.
B. Differential backup.
C. Archive backup.
D. Mirror backup.

9. In which type of the following operating systems, the response time is very crucial?
A. Real-time operating systems.
B. Single-user/Single-tasking Operating Systems.
C. Single-user/Multitasking Operating Systems.
D. Multi-user/Multitasking Operating Systems.

10. Which is the first program run on a computer when the computer boots up?
A. Kernel.
B. Backup utilities.
C. Operating system.
D. API.

11. A visual display unit is an example of ______________.

A. Output device.
B. Input or output devices.
C. Backup devices.
D. Mediums.

12. Producing useful information in form of reports is_____________.

A. Feedback.
B. Input.

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 C. Output.
D. Processing.

13. Where are data and programs stored when the processor uses them?
A. Main memory.
B. Secondary memory.
C. Disk memory.
D. Program memory.

14. Which of the following is not a secondary storage?

A. Random access memory.
B. Flash memory.
C. Magnetic disk.
D. A CD optical disk.

15. Which of the following is not a component of a CPU?

A. Control unit.
B. ALU.
C. Registers.
D. Primary storage.

16. Internet technology used to share information within one organization is known
as______________.
A. Network.
B. Telecommunication.
C. Intranet.
D. Database.

17. Which of the following is not an output device?

A. Monitor.
B. Touchscreen.
C. Printer.
D. Plotter.

18. Which of the following is not done in processing information?

A. Making calculations.
B. Making comparisons.
C. Taking alternatives actions.
D. Making business procurements.

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19. Computer programs that govern the operation of a computer system are called
____________.
A. Feedback.
B. Feedforward.
C. Software.
D. Transaction processing systems.

20. An information system that supports the planning and assessment needs of executive
management is ______________.
A. DSS.
B. TPS.
C. ERP.
D. MIS.

21. ____________ is a field in which the computer system takes on the characteristics of
human intelligence.
A. Artificial intelligence.
B. Enterprise Resource Planning.
C. Transaction Processing System.
D. System analysis.

22. Computer literacy, also known as digital literacy, involves having a current knowledge
and understanding of .
A. Computer programming.
B. Computers and their uses.
C. Computer repair.
D. Computer games.

23. is/are a collection of unprocessed items, which can include text, numbers,
images, audio, and video.
A. Data.
B. Instructions.
C. Programs.
D. Information.

24. Millions of people worldwide join online communities, each called , that
encourage members to share their interests, ideas, stories, photos, music, and videos with
other registered users.
A. A podcast.
B. Enterprise computing.
C. A social networking web site or online social network.
D. A blog.

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25. consists of the programs that control or maintain the operations of the
computer and its devices.
A. A graphical user interface (GUI).
B. A communications device.
C. System software.
D. Application software.

26. Two types of are desktop computers and notebook computers.

A. Servers.
B. Supercomputers.
C. Mainframe computers.
D. Personal computers.

27. Five popular types of are smart phones, PDAs, handheld computers,
portable media players, and digital cameras.
A. Mobile devices.
B. Notebook computers.
C. Desktop computers.
D. Tower computers.

28. A(n) message is a real-time Internet communication, where you exchange

messages with other connected users.
A. Text.
B. Instant.
C. Picture.
D. Video.

29. Many large companies use the word(s), , to refer to the huge network of
computers that meets their diverse computing needs.
A. Information technology.
B. Telecommuting.
C. Enterprise computing.
D. Multimedia.

30. Which of the following is not an example of an output device?

A. Scanner.
B. Display.
C. Printer.
D. Speaker.

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31. Anti-lock brakes in cars, navigation systems, smart home appliances, home security
systems, cell phones and smart phones are examples of .
A. Computer systems.
B. Control systems.
C. Embedded systems.
D. Dynamic systems.

32. Which of the following are elements of a computer-based information system?

A. Computers, keyboards, display monitors, hard disks, and printers.
B. People, procedures, data, programs, and computers.
C. Input, processing, storage, and output.
D. Planning, programming, organizing, and evaluating.

33. Devices that accept data from outside the computer and transfer into CPU are called
______________.
A. Input devices.
B. Digital devices.
C. Analogue devices.
D. Truth table peripherals.

34. Which of the following characteristics of a system reflects the fact that all systems are
comprised of subsystems?
A. Synergy.
B. Differentiation.
C. Regulation.
D. Hierarchy.

35. The process by which workers develop their own applications, with or without the help of
professional MIS staff, is called .
A. Decentralized computing.
B. Distributed computing.
C. End-user computing.
D. Client/server computing.

36. ______________ is the strategies, policies, methods and rules for using a Computer
Based Information.
A. Procedures.
B. Feedback.
C. Datastore.
D. Output.

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37. Information systems that monitor the elementary activities and transactions of the
organisations are .
A. Management-level system.
B. Operational-level system.
C. Knowledge-level system.
D. Strategic level system.

38. Projections and responses to queries are information output characteristics associated
with a .
A. DSS.
B. MIS.
C. ESS.
D. TPS.

39. technology include computers hardware, software, database management

systems and data communication system.
A. Information.
B. Computer.
C. Marketing.
D. Software engineering.

40. A DSS consists of four parts: user, system software, decision models, and
_______________.
A. Application system.
B. Data.
C. Operating system.
D. Spreadsheets.

41. When an online meeting takes place on the Web, it is called

A. A video messaging
B. A peer-to-peer network
C. A Web meeting
D. A Web conference

42. With _____, users can view message details such as the length of calls and, in some
cases, read message contents instead of listening to them.
A. Web services.
B. Internet telephony.
C. Video messaging.
D. Visual voice mail.

43. Which of the following is not a type of computer network?

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 A. Local Area Network (LAN).
B. Personal Area Network (PAN).
C. Remote Area Network (RAN).
D. Metropolitan Area Network (MAN).

44. Star topology is based on a central device that can be called _____________?
A. Hub.
B. Bridge.
C. Firewall.
D. Intrusion detection device.

45. Combination of two or more networks can be referred to as ______________.

A. Internetwork.
B. WAN.
C. MAN.
D. LAN.

46. A _____________ is a device that forwards packets between networks by processing the
routing information included in the packet.
A. Bridge.
B. Firewall.
C. Router.
D. Switch.

47. Combination of two or more networks are called

A. Internetwork.
B. WAN.
C. MAN.
D. LAN.

48. A communication path way that transfers data from one point to another is called
A. Link.
B. Node.
C. Medium.
D. Topology.

49. Communication channel is shared by all the machines on the network in

A. Broadcast network.
B. Unicast network.
C. Multicast network.
D. Simplex.

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50. Which of the following statements accurately describe an Information System?
A. An Information System is an arrangement of people, data processes, information
representation and information technology that interact to support day-to-day
operations in a business.
B. An Information System is a contemporary term that describes the combination of
computer technology with telecommunication technology.
C. An Information System is an arrangement of information representation and
information technology that interacts to support day-to-day operations in a business.
D. An Information System is an arrangement of data processes information
representation and information technology that interacts to support day-to-day
operations in a business.

51. Which of the following Information systems are aimed at improving the routine business
activities in an organization.
A. Management Information systems.
B. Decision support systems.
C. Transaction processing systems.
D. Management support systems.

52. The operating system is an example of a computer.

A. Object.
B. File system.
C. Program.
D. Desktop.

53. Most operating systems are comprised of three main components: the , the
file system, and the shell.
A. Desktop.
B. Kernel.
C. User interface.
D. Code.

54. Before the days of Windows, users interfaced with the operating system through a
interface.
A. Graphical.
B. Object oriented.
C. Command utility.
D. Command line.

55. The is the entire window that fills your computer screen and its contents.
A. System Tray.
B. Taskbar.
C. Desktop.

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 D. Quick Launch Toolbar

56. Many operating system directory structures are .

A. Discrete.
B. Disparate.
C. Virtual.
D. Hierarchical.

57. explorer is a Web browser that allows to more easily navigate the Internet.
A. Windows.
B. Netscape.
C. Internet.
D. Microsoft.

58. The speed at which the CPU processes data to convert is measured in ____________?
A. Kilobytes
B. Megahertz.
C. Nanoseconds.
D. Gigabytes.

59. Which of the following is a commercially claimed real time operating system?
A. Linux.
B. Windows CE.
C. Windows NT.
D. Vx works.

60. Multiprocessor system have advantage of

A. Increased throughput
B. Expensive hardware
C. Operating system
D. Multiprocessor

SECTION B: (10 MARKS) TRUE OR FALSE.

Instructions: all questions carry a half mark each
Indicate whether the statement in this section is true or false by indicating A for true and B for
false.

61. Software in computer information systems deals with predicting future events.

62. A Decision Support System can easily be implemented in Microsoft power point.

63. Marketing MIS is an information system that supports managerial activities in product
development, distribution, pricing decisions, and promotional effectiveness.

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64. The components of the system unit are usually part of or connected to a circuit board
called the server.

65. Millions of people worldwide join online communities called cloud computing, that
encourage members to share their interests, ideas, stories, photos, music, and videos with
other registered users.

66. A printer is most likely not a common shared resource in a computer network?

67. Main memory is where data and programs are stored when the processor uses them?

68. Modern computers are very reliable but they are not infallible.

69. A system program which performs one simple task can be classified as a compiling
program.

70. The purpose of backup is to restore a computer to an operational state following a

disaster.

71. Full backup technique is most space efficient.

72. A backup is as useful as its associated restore strategy.

73. Storing the backup copy near to its original site is best strategy.

74. Automated backup and scheduling is preferred over manual operations.

75. Computer wizards who create viruses or try to get restricted information from computer
systems are called hackers.
76. Most information systems meet expectations and come in within budget.
77. Bluetooth is an example of a personal area network.

78. A TPS serves two important functions. Processing transactions is one. The other is
making decisions.

79. A special kind of software called a compiler converts a third-generation programming

language into the machine instructions consisting of binary digits.

80. The form of memory in which instructions or data can be temporarily stored is known as
read only memory.

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SECTION C: SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS
Instruction: This section carries 20 marks, answer all questions in this section
81. In Information systems, how do you understand the following concepts?
a. Network topology. [2 Marks]
b. Communication device. [2 Marks]
c. Latency. [2 Marks]

82. Outline any four factors to consider when choosing a Network Internet Card (NIC)
[4 Marks]
83. Compare and contrast the difference between general-purpose software and specialized
software. [4 Marks]
84. Explain two reasons why an operating system is viewed as a resource allocator.
[4 marks]
85. Outline the difference between warm boot and cold boot [2 marks]

SECTION D: ESSAY QUESTIONS

Instruction: This section carries 40 marks, question 86 is compulsory and chose any other two
in this section

86. Discuss why selecting computer hardware and software for the organization is an
important management decision [20 marks]
87. Discus five disadvantages of using computers for information processing in
organizations. [20 marks]
88. Discuss the role that people play in an information system. [20 marks]
89. Discuss how information systems can be used to improve the lives of its users.
[20 marks

END OF QUESTION PAPER

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