MDU NEP — Computer Basics

Most Expected Solved Paper

24CSCX02MD01 | Units 1-4 | Simple Answers + How-To Steps

Unit Topics Covered Questions

Unit 1 Computer Basics, I/O Devices, Memory, Software, OS, Windows

Q1 Short + Q2, Q3

Unit 2 MS Word — Formatting, Tables, Mail Merge Q4, Q5

Unit 3 MS Excel — Functions, Charts, Filters Q6, Q7

Unit 4 MS PowerPoint — Slides, Animation, Themes Q8, Q9

EXAM PATTERN: 9 Questions | Attempt 5 | Q1 Compulsory | 7 Marks Each

Q1. Answer ALL parts (7 x 1 = 7 Marks) [COMPULSORY]

TIP: These 1-mark answers repeat every year. Learn them by heart!

(i) What is a computer?

A computer is an electronic device that accepts data (input), processes it, and gives
results (output). It works on the IPO cycle: Input -> Process -> Output.

(ii) What is RAM?

RAM = Random Access Memory. It is temporary/volatile memory. Data is lost when power
is off. It stores currently running programs. More RAM = faster computer.

(iii) What is an Operating System?

An OS is system software that manages hardware and software resources of a computer.
Examples: Windows, Linux, Mac OS. It acts as a bridge between user and hardware.

(iv) What is the difference between Hardware and Software?

Hardware = Physical parts you can touch (keyboard, mouse, CPU, monitor). Software =
Programs/instructions you cannot touch (MS Word, Windows, games).

(v) What is Mail Merge in MS Word?

Mail Merge is a feature to send the same letter/email to many people with different names
and addresses automatically. Example: Sending exam result letters to 500 students at
once.

(vi) Name any 3 functions used in MS Excel.

1. SUM(A1:A10) -- Adds all values 2. AVERAGE(A1:A10) -- Finds average 3. MAX(A1:A10) --
Finds highest value (Also: MIN, COUNT, IF)

(vii) What is a Slide Transition in PowerPoint?

A slide transition is an animation effect that appears when you move from one slide to the
next during a slideshow. Example: Fade, Wipe, Push, Fly In.
UNIT 1 -- Computer Basics, Devices, Memory, OS, Windows

Q2. (a) Explain the historical evolution of computers with generations. (4

marks) (b) Draw and explain the block diagram of a computer. (3 marks)

TIP: Generation table + block diagram = most repeated Q1 question in MDU!

Part (a): Generations of Computers

Generation Period Technology Used Example

1st 1940-1956 Vacuum Tubes ENIAC, UNIVAC

2nd 1956-1963 Transistors IBM 7094

3rd 1964-1971 Integrated Circuits (IC) IBM 360

4th 1971-Present Microprocessors (VLSI) Intel PCs, Laptops

5th Present-Future Artificial Intelligence, Quantum

AI computers, Robots

Part (b): Block Diagram of a Computer

A computer has 5 main units that work together:

Unit Full Name Function

Input Unit -- Accepts data from user (keyboard, mouse)

CPU Central Processing Unit The brain -- processes all data

ALU Arithmetic Logic Unit Does maths (+,-,*,/) and comparisons

CU Control Unit Controls all other units, manages flow

Memory Unit RAM + ROM Stores data and instructions temporarily

Output Unit -- Shows results to user (monitor, printer)

Block Diagram Flow: [INPUT] --> [MEMORY] --> [CPU: ALU + CU] --> [MEMORY] -->
[OUTPUT] All units communicate through BUSES (data highways)

Characteristics, Benefits & Limitations

Characteristics Benefits Limitations

Speed (GHz) Processes millions of tasks per second

Cannot think or decide on its own

Accuracy (no errors) Available 24/7 without rest Needs electricity to work

Storage (GB/TB) Can store huge amounts of data Expensive to buy and maintain

Versatility Automates repetitive tasks Virus/hacking threats

Diligence Works same speed throughout Creates unemployment

Q3. (a) Explain Input/Output devices with examples. (4 marks) (b)

Explain RAM, ROM, and secondary storage devices. (3 marks)
TIP: I/O devices + Memory types = appears every year in MDU!

Part (a): Input Devices

Device What It Does Example Use

Keyboard Types letters, numbers, symbols Writing documents

Mouse Moves cursor, clicks, selects items Opening files, drawing

Scanner Converts paper documents to digitalScanning photos/bills

Microphone Converts voice to digital audio Voice recording, calls

Webcam Captures video/images Video calls, online meetings

Joystick Controls movement in games Playing video games

Output Devices
Device Type What It Does

Monitor/Screen Soft copy output Displays text, images, video

Printer -- Impact Hard copy (e.g. Dot Matrix)

Prints by striking ribbon on paper. Loud. Cheap.

Printer -- Non-ImpactHard copy (e.g. Laser, Inkjet)

Prints without striking. Quiet. Better quality.

Plotter Hard copy for large drawings

Prints engineering/architectural drawings

Speakers Audio output Plays sound, music, video audio

Projector Large display output Shows screen on big wall for presentations

Part (b): Memory Types

Memory Full Name Type Key Points

RAM Random Access Memory

Primary/Volatile Temporary. Lost when PC off. Faster. 4-32 GB typical.

ROM Read Only Memory Primary/Non-Volatile

Permanent. Cannot be changed by user. Stores BIOS.

Hard Disk (HDD)

Hard Disk Drive Secondary Permanent storage. 500GB-4TB. Magnetic disks inside.

SSD Solid State Drive Secondary Faster than HDD. No moving parts. More expensive.

Pen Drive USB Flash Drive Secondary Portable. Plug into USB port. 4GB-256GB.

CD/DVD Optical Disc Secondary Read by laser. CD=700MB, DVD=4.7GB.

Memory Hierarchy: Register > Cache > RAM > Hard Disk > CD/DVD Speed
decreases and Capacity increases as you go down

Software & Operating System

Type of Software Examples Purpose

System Software Windows, Linux, Mac OS Controls hardware, runs computer

Application Software MS Word, Excel, Chrome, VLCHelps user do specific tasks

Type of Software Examples Purpose

Utility Software Antivirus, Disk Cleanup, WinZip

Maintains and protects the system

Functions of an Operating System

* Process Management -- Runs multiple programs, decides which gets CPU time
* Memory Management -- Allocates RAM to programs, frees memory when done
* File Management -- Creates, deletes, organizes files and folders
* Device Management -- Controls printers, keyboard, mouse through drivers
* Security Management -- User login, passwords, virus protection
* User Interface -- Gives GUI (Windows) or CLI (Command Prompt) to interact

Processing Types
Type Simple Meaning Example

Batch Processing Collect many jobs, run all at once without

Printing
user 500 payslips at month end

Time-Sharing Many users share CPU time in turns (milliseconds

University computer
each) lab with 30 students

Multitasking One user runs multiple programs simultaneously

Playing music + browsing + typing in Word

Windows OS -- File Management HOW-TO

How to use Windows Explorer: 1. Press Windows key + E (opens File Explorer) 2.
Left panel = folders/drives. Right panel = contents 3. Click a folder to open
it. Double-click a file to open it 4. Right-click = options (copy, paste,
delete, rename, properties)
How to Create a Folder: Right-click on Desktop or inside any folder --> New -->
Folder --> Type name --> Press Enter
Clipboard Operations (Copy/Cut/Paste): Select file/text --> Ctrl+C (Copy) or
Ctrl+X (Cut) Go to destination --> Ctrl+V (Paste) Ctrl+Z = Undo last action
How to use MS Paint: Start --> Search 'Paint' --> Open Tools: Pencil (draw),
Brush (paint), Eraser, Fill (color), Text (add words) File --> Save As -->
choose PNG or JPEG format
UNIT 2 -- MS Word (Word Processing)

Q4. (a) Explain text formatting features in MS Word. (4 marks) (b)

Explain how to insert and format a table in MS Word. (3 marks)

TIP: Formatting + Tables are asked in almost every MDU Word question!

Part (a): MS Word -- Basics & Formatting

Feature How To Do It Shortcut

Open Document File --> Open --> Browse --> Select file Ctrl + O

Save Document File --> Save / Save As --> Choose location Ctrl + S

Close Document File --> Close OR click X Ctrl + W

New Document File --> New --> Blank Document Ctrl + N

Bold Text Select text --> Click B in toolbar Ctrl + B

Italic Text Select text --> Click I in toolbar Ctrl + I

Underline Select text --> Click U in toolbar Ctrl + U

Font Change Select text --> Home --> Font dropdown --> Choose
-- font

Font Size Select text --> Home --> Size box --> Type size --

Text Alignment Select text --> Home --> Paragraph group Ctrl+L/R/E/J

Line Spacing Select text --> Home --> Line Spacing dropdown --

Change Case Select text --> Home --> Aa button --> Choose case
Shift+F3

Undo Reverses last action Ctrl + Z

Redo Repeats last undone action Ctrl + Y

Find & Replace Home --> Find --> Replace tab Ctrl + H

Spelling Check Review --> Spelling & Grammar F7

Print File --> Print --> Choose printer --> Print Ctrl + P

Font Styles and Paragraph Settings

Option Where to Find What It Does

Font Style Home --> Font group Change look: Arial, Times New Roman, Calibri

Font Color Home --> Font Color (A with color)

Change text color

Highlight Home --> Text Highlight Color Yellow/colored background on text

Paragraph Dialog Home --> Paragraph --> small arrow

Line icon
spacing, indent, spacing before/after

Superscript Select text --> X2 button Makes small text above: H2O, E=mc2

Subscript Select text --> X2 button Makes small text below: H2O
Part (b): Tables in MS Word
How to Insert a Table: 1. Click where you want the table 2. Insert tab --> Table
--> Move mouse to select rows x columns --> Click OR: Insert --> Table -->
Insert Table --> type rows & columns --> OK
How to Format a Table: 1. Click inside table --> Table Design tab appears 2.
Change border style, color, shading from Table Design tab 3. Right-click inside
table --> Table Properties --> set width, alignment
How to Merge Cells: 1. Select the cells you want to merge (click and drag) 2.
Right-click --> Merge Cells OR: Layout tab --> Merge Cells
How to Split Cells: 1. Click inside the cell to split 2. Right-click --> Split
Cells 3. Type number of rows and columns --> OK
How to Add/Delete Rows or Columns: Right-click on row/column --> Insert -->
Insert Above/Below/Left/Right To Delete: Right-click --> Delete --> Delete Rows
or Delete Columns

Q5. Explain Mail Merge in MS Word with step-by-step process. [7 Marks]

TIP: Mail Merge full steps = guaranteed 7-mark question in MDU!

What is Mail Merge?

Mail Merge is a feature that allows you to create multiple personalized letters, envelopes or
labels by combining a template document with a list of names/addresses. Example:
Sending exam letters to 100 students -- each letter has different name but same content.

Step-by-Step Mail Merge Process

Step 1: Create the Main Document
Open MS Word --> Write your letter leaving blanks for name, address etc.
Example: Dear <>, Your result for roll no <> is...

Step 2: Select Mail Merge

Click Mailings tab --> Start Mail Merge --> Letters

Step 3: Select Recipients

Mailings --> Select Recipients --> Option A: 'Use Existing List' (if you have
Excel file with names) Option B: 'Type New List' (to create new list now)

Step 4: Insert Merge Fields

Click where name should go --> Mailings --> Insert Merge Field --> Name Do same
for Address, City etc. You will see <>, <> placeholders in the letter

Step 5: Preview Results

Mailings --> Preview Results --> Use arrows to see each person's letter

Step 6: Finish & Print/Send

Mailings --> Finish & Merge --> 'Print Documents' to print all letters, OR 'Edit
Individual Documents' to see all letters in one file

Also -- Clip Art & Spelling Check

Insert Clip Art / Image: Insert tab --> Pictures (for your own image) OR Online
Pictures (internet) Click image --> resize using corner handles Right-click
image --> Wrap Text --> Square (so text flows around image)
Spelling & Grammar Check: Review tab --> Spelling & Grammar (F7) Red underline =
spelling mistake --> Right-click --> choose correct word Green/Blue underline =
grammar issue --> Right-click --> accept suggestion
UNIT 3 -- MS Excel (Spreadsheets)

Q6. (a) Explain rows, columns, cells and basic Excel operations. (3
marks) (b) Explain SUM, AVERAGE, MAX, MIN functions with examples.
(4 marks)

TIP: Excel functions + cell references = most asked MDU Excel question!

Part (a): Excel Basics

Term Meaning Example

Row Horizontal line of cells Row 1, Row 2... (numbered)

Column Vertical line of cells Column A, B, C... (lettered)

Cell Intersection of row and column

A1, B3, C10 (column+row)

Cell Reference Address of a cell =A1+B1 uses values in cells A1 and B1

Worksheet One sheet/tab in Excel Sheet1, Sheet2

Workbook The whole Excel file (.xlsx) [Link] contains 3 worksheets

Active Cell Currently selected cell Highlighted with green border

Range Group of cells A1:A10 means cells A1 to A10

Basic Excel Operations: Create new file: File --> New --> Blank Workbook
(Ctrl+N) Save: File --> Save As --> choose location (.xlsx format) (Ctrl+S)
Open: File --> Open (Ctrl+O) Print: File --> Print --> choose printer (Ctrl+P)
Select whole column: click the column letter (A, B, C...) Select whole row:
click the row number (1, 2, 3...) Select whole sheet: click top-left corner
(between A and 1)

Part (b): Excel Functions

A formula in Excel always starts with = (equals sign).

Function Syntax What It Does Example

SUM =SUM(A1:A10) Adds all values in range =SUM(A1:A5) adds A1+A2+A3+A4+

AVERAGE =AVERAGE(A1:A10) Finds the mean (average) =AVERAGE(B1:B5) gives mean of 5

MAX =MAX(A1:A10) Finds highest/largest value=MAX(C1:C10) finds biggest numbe

MIN =MIN(A1:A10) Finds lowest/smallest value=MIN(C1:C10) finds smallest numbe

COUNT =COUNT(A1:A10) Counts how many numbers=COUNT(D1:D20)

exist counts filled cells

IF =IF(A1>50,'Pass','Fail') Tests a condition, gives 2 results

If marks>50 print Pass else Fail

COUNTA =COUNTA(A1:A10) Counts all non-empty cells Counts even text cells

How to Enter a Formula: 1. Click the cell where you want the result (e.g. B11)
2. Type = (equals sign) 3. Type the function: SUM(B1:B10) 4. Press Enter 5.
Result appears in cell B11
 Linking Between Worksheets: To use Sheet2 data in Sheet1: In Sheet1 type:
=Sheet2!A1 (Sheet name + ! + cell address) Example: =Sheet2!B5 + Sheet3!C3

Q7. (a) Explain Sorting and Filtering in MS Excel. (4 marks) (b) Explain
Charts in Excel -- types and how to create them. (3 marks)

TIP: Sort, Filter, Charts -- all three come every year in MDU Excel questions!

Part (a): Sorting Data

Sorting arranges data in ascending (A to Z, 1 to 100) or descending (Z to A, 100 to 1) order.
How to Sort: 1. Click any cell inside the data 2. Data tab --> Sort 3. Choose
column to sort by (e.g. 'Name' or 'Marks') 4. Choose Order: A to Z (ascending)
or Z to A (descending) 5. Click OK Quick method: select column --> Data tab -->
A-Z button or Z-A button

Filtering Data
Filter shows only the rows that match a condition, hiding the rest.
How to Apply Filter: 1. Click any cell in the header row 2. Data tab --> Filter
(small funnel icon appears on each column header) 3. Click the dropdown arrow on
column you want to filter 4. Uncheck 'Select All', then check the values you
want to see 5. Click OK -- only matching rows show To remove filter: Data tab
--> Filter again (toggle off)

Sub-Totals
How to Add Subtotals: 1. Sort data by the column you want subtotals for (MUST
sort first!) 2. Data tab --> Subtotal 3. At each change in: choose column (e.g.
Department) 4. Use function: SUM / AVERAGE / COUNT 5. Add subtotal to: choose
column with numbers 6. Click OK -- subtotal rows appear automatically

Part (b): Charts in MS Excel

Chart Type Best Used For Example

Bar/Column Chart Comparing values across categories

Sales of 5 products

Line Chart Showing trends over time Monthly temperature for 1 year

Pie Chart Showing parts of a whole (percentages)

Market share of companies

Area Chart Trends + volume over time Website visitors over 12 months

Scatter Chart Relationship between two variables

Height vs Weight data

How to Create a Chart: 1. Select data including headers (e.g. A1:B6) 2. Insert
tab --> Charts group --> choose chart type (Column, Pie, Line) 3. Chart appears
on sheet -- click and drag to move it 4. Click chart --> Chart Design tab -->
Add Chart Title 5. To change chart type: right-click chart --> Change Chart Type
UNIT 4 -- MS PowerPoint (Presentations)

Q8. (a) How to create a presentation and add/format text in PowerPoint?

(4 marks) (b) Explain Themes, Backgrounds, and Layouts in PowerPoint.
(3 marks)

TIP: Creating presentation + themes + animation = MDU most asked PowerPoint combo!

Part (a): Creating a Presentation

How to Create a New Presentation: 1. Open PowerPoint 2. File --> New --> Blank
Presentation 3. A slide appears with 'Click to add title' placeholder 4. Click
and type your title 5. Click below to add subtitle/content
How to Add a New Slide: Home tab --> New Slide (dropdown arrow) Choose layout:
Title Slide, Title + Content, Blank, Two Content etc. OR: Right-click in slide
panel (left) --> New Slide
How to Format Text in PowerPoint: 1. Click on text box --> select text 2. Home
tab --> Font group - Change font name, size, bold (B), italic (I), underline (U)
- Font Color (A button), Text Shadow (S button) 3. Paragraph group: Align
Left/Center/Right, Bullet points, Line spacing
How to Insert Images and Shapes: Images: Insert tab --> Pictures --> choose from
computer OR: Insert --> Online Pictures (search internet) Shapes: Insert tab
--> Shapes --> click a shape --> draw on slide Format shape: right-click -->
Format Shape --> fill color, outline, effects

Part (b): Themes, Backgrounds, and Layouts

Feature Where to Find What It Does

Themes Design tab --> Themes section Applies complete design: colors, fonts, effects to all slide

Background Design tab --> Customize --> Format

Change
Background
background color, gradient, image, texture

Slide Layout Home tab --> Layout dropdown Changes arrangement of title, content, images on slide
OR right-click slide --> Layout

Slide Size Design tab --> Slide Size Standard (4:3) or Widescreen (16:9) format

Variants Design tab --> Variants (right side)

Color variations of current theme

How to Apply a Theme: 1. Design tab --> hover over themes to preview 2. Click to
apply to ALL slides 3. To apply to only one slide: right-click theme --> Apply
to Selected Slides
How to Change Background: 1. Design tab --> Format Background (bottom right) 2.
Solid Fill: choose one color 3. Gradient Fill: smooth transition between 2
colors 4. Picture/Texture Fill: use an image as background 5. 'Apply to All' to
set for all slides, or close to apply to current slide only

Q9. Explain Animation and Slide Transitions in PowerPoint with steps. [7

Marks]
TIP: Animation + Transitions + Slideshow setup = always in MDU exam!

Slide Transitions
A slide transition is the visual effect seen when moving from one slide to the next during a
slideshow.
How to Add Slide Transitions: 1. Click on the slide you want the transition on
2. Transitions tab --> Transition to This Slide section 3. Click an effect
(Fade, Push, Wipe, Reveal, Zoom, etc.) 4. Effect Options: customize direction
(from left, right, top, bottom) 5. Duration: set how long the transition takes
(in seconds) 6. Sound: add a sound effect to the transition (optional) 7. 'Apply
to All' button: adds same transition to ALL slides Advance Slide options: - On
Mouse Click (manual) OR - After: X seconds (automatic)

Animations
Animation adds movement effects to objects (text, images, shapes) on a slide. Each object
can enter, exit, or move with different effects.

Animation Type Color in Panel Example Effects

Entrance Green Appear, Fade, Fly In, Bounce, Zoom

Emphasis Yellow Spin, Pulse, Grow/Shrink, Teeter

Exit Red Disappear, Fade Out, Fly Out

Motion Path Grey/Blue Object moves along a drawn path

How to Add Animation: 1. Click on the object (text box, image, shape) to animate
2. Animations tab --> Animation group --> choose an effect 3. Effect Options:
change direction, sequence 4. Timing group: set Start (On Click / With Previous
/ After Previous) 5. Duration: how long animation takes 6. Delay: pause before
animation starts 7. Animation Pane: Animations tab --> Animation Pane Shows
list of all animations -- drag to reorder them

Setting Up a Slideshow
How to Run a Slideshow: F5 = Start slideshow from beginning Shift+F5 = Start
from current slide Click mouse or press spacebar/right arrow = go to next slide
Backspace or left arrow = go back Esc = End slideshow
Slideshow Setup options: Slideshow tab --> Set Up Slide Show Options: -
Presented by speaker (full screen, manual) - Browsed by individual (window,
manual) - Loop continuously until Esc pressed - Show without animation (for
slow computers) Slide tab --> Rehearse Timings: record how long to spend on each
slide

QUICK REFERENCE -- Most Important Shortcuts & Facts

Topic Key Fact / Shortcut

Word -- Bold/Italic/Underline Ctrl+B / Ctrl+I / Ctrl+U

Word -- Save / Save As Ctrl+S / F12

Topic Key Fact / Shortcut

Word -- Find & Replace Ctrl+H

Word -- Spelling Check F7

Word -- Mail Merge start Mailings tab --> Start Mail Merge

Word -- Merge cells in table Select cells --> right-click --> Merge Cells

Excel -- Start formula Always begin with = sign

Excel -- SUM function =SUM(A1:A10)

Excel -- Average =AVERAGE(A1:A10)

Excel -- Sort data Data tab --> Sort --> choose column --> OK

Excel -- Filter Data tab --> Filter --> dropdown arrow on column

Excel -- Create chart Select data --> Insert tab --> Charts

Excel -- Link worksheets =Sheet2!A1 (use sheet name + ! + cell)

PowerPoint -- New slide Home tab --> New Slide

PowerPoint -- Apply theme Design tab --> choose from Themes

PowerPoint -- Add animation Select object --> Animations tab

PowerPoint -- Add transition Select slide --> Transitions tab

PowerPoint -- Run slideshow Press F5

RAM vs ROM RAM=temporary/fast | ROM=permanent/read-only

Impact printer Strikes paper (Dot Matrix) -- noisy, cheap

Non-impact printer No striking (Laser/Inkjet) -- quiet, better quality

Batch Processing Jobs collected and run together without user interaction

Multitasking Running multiple programs at same time

EXAM TIP: Q1 is compulsory -- answer all 7 parts. For long questions, use bullet points and small
tables. Always mention examples. Even partial answers get marks -- never leave any question
blank!