ICT-100 TUTORIAL PRACTICE QUESTIONS
NOTE:
• This is to guide you about the exam structure
• This is not an exam
1. Which ONE of the following best describes a computer?
(a) A device used only for storing information
(b) An electronic device that accepts data, processes it, stores it, and produces
information
(c) A machine designed only for performing calculations
(d) A device used mainly for accessing the internet
(e) A hardware component used for communication
2. What term is given to raw facts and figures entered into a computer?
(a) Information
(b) Output
(c) Data
(d) Processing
(e) Knowledge
3. What term is given to processed data that has meaning to the user?
(a) Information
(b) Storage
(c) Input
(d) Instruction
(e) Program
4. Which ONE of the following represents the correct information processing
cycle?
(a) Output → Processing → Input → Storage
(b) Input → Processing → Output → Storage
(c) Storage → Output → Input → Processing
(d) Processing → Input → Storage → Output
(e) Input → Output → Storage → Processing
5. Which ONE of the following is NOT a characteristic of computers?
(a) Speed
(b) Accuracy
(c) Reliability
(d) Intelligence similar to humans
(e) Large storage capacity
6. What term is given to the physical components of a computer?
(a) Software
(b) Hardware
(c) Data
(d) Information
(e) Applications
7. Which ONE of the following is an example of system software?
(a) Microsoft Word
(b) Adobe Photoshop
(c) Windows Operating System
(d) Microsoft Excel
(e) Google Chrome
8. Which ONE of the following is application software?
(a) BIOS
(b) Device driver
(c) Microsoft PowerPoint
(d) Operating system
(e) Utility program
9. What is the smallest unit of data recognized by a computer?
(a) Byte
(b) Bit
(c) Kilobyte
(d) Character
(e) Word
10. How many bits make up one byte?
(a) 2
(b) 4
(c) 8
(d) 16
(e) 32
11. Which ONE of the following devices is used to enter text into a computer?
(a) Monitor
(b) Keyboard
(c) Printer
(d) Speaker
(e) Projector
12. What is the main function of a scanner?
(a) To display images
(b) To convert printed documents into digital format
(c) To store information permanently
(d) To process instructions
(e) To produce sound output
13. Which ONE of the following input devices captures video images?
(a) Plotter
(b) Webcam
(c) Printer
(d) Speaker
(e) Monitor
14. Which device converts spoken words into digital signals?
(a) Scanner
(b) Microphone
(c) Touchpad
(d) Keyboard
(e) Joystick
15. Which ONE of the following devices uses light to detect marks or characters
on paper?
(a) OCR
(b) Monitor
(c) Speaker
(d) Printer
(e) Projector
16. What does OCR stand for?
(a) Optical Character Recognition
(b) Optical Computer Reader
(c) Output Character Recorder
(d) Online Character Recognition
(e) Optical Code Response
17. Which ONE of the following is commonly used for biometric input?
(a) Fingerprint scanner
(b) Printer
(c) Monitor
(d) Speaker
(e) Plotter
18. A touch screen is classified as:
(a) Only an output device
(b) Only an input device
(c) Both an input and output device
(d) A storage device
(e) A processing device
19. Which ONE of the following devices is used mainly for controlling
movement in computer games?
(a) Scanner
(b) Joystick
(c) Printer
(d) Plotter
(e) Webcam
20. Which ONE of the following is an example of direct input?
(a) Keyboard
(b) Mouse
(c) Barcode reader
(d) Printer
(e) Speaker
22. What term is given to information displayed on a screen but not printed?
(a) Hard copy
(b) Soft copy
(c) Digital copy
(d) Printed copy
(e) Permanent copy
23. Which ONE of the following is an example of a soft copy output device?
(a) Printer
(b) Plotter
(c) Monitor
(d) Photocopier
(e) Printing press
24. Which type of printer uses toner powder to produce printed documents?
(a) Inkjet printer
(b) Dot matrix printer
(c) Laser printer
(d) Thermal printer
(e) Impact printer
25. Which ONE of the following printers uses a ribbon and pins to create
printed characters?
(a) Laser printer
(b) Inkjet printer
(c) Dot matrix printer
(d) Thermal printer
(e) 3D printer
26. What is the main advantage of a laser printer compared with an inkjet
printer?
(a) It uses more electricity
(b) It prints faster and produces high-quality output
(c) It requires a ribbon cartridge
(d) It cannot print graphics
(e) It only produces colour output
27. Which ONE of the following devices is commonly used for displaying
presentations to a large audience?
(a) Scanner
(b) Projector
(c) Keyboard
(d) Plotter
(e) Barcode reader
28. Which ONE of the following devices produces audio output from a
computer?
(a) Microphone
(b) Speaker
(c) Scanner
(d) Touchpad
(e) Webcam
29. What is the main purpose of the system unit?
(a) To provide internet access
(b) To contain and protect the major internal components of a computer
(c) To display information
(d) To print documents
(e) To scan images
30. Which ONE of the following is considered the brain of the computer?
(a) RAM
(b) CPU
(c) Hard disk
(d) Motherboard
(e) Power supply
31. What does CPU stand for?
(a) Central Processing Unit
(b) Computer Processing Utility
(c) Central Program User
(d) Computer Power Unit
(e) Control Processing Utility
32. Which CPU component performs arithmetic and logical operations?
(a) Control Unit
(b) Arithmetic Logic Unit
(c) Memory Unit
(d) Register Unit
(e) Cache Unit
33. Which CPU component controls and coordinates all computer operations?
(a) Arithmetic Logic Unit
(b) Control Unit
(c) RAM
(d) Hard Disk
(e) Power Supply Unit
34. What is the function of RAM in a computer?
(a) To permanently store files
(b) To temporarily store data and instructions currently being used
(c) To print documents
(d) To control external devices
(e) To provide internet connection
35. Which ONE of the following types of memory is volatile?
(a) ROM
(b) Hard disk
(c) RAM
(d) Flash memory
(e) Optical disc
36. What happens to the contents of RAM when the computer is switched off?
(a) They are permanently saved
(b) They are transferred to ROM
(c) They are lost
(d) They are printed automatically
(e) They are copied to the processor
STORAGE DEVICES
37. Which ONE of the following is a secondary storage device?
(a) CPU
(b) RAM
(c) Hard disk drive
(d) Cache memory
(e) Register
38. Which storage device uses flash memory technology?
(a) Magnetic tape
(b) USB flash drive
(c) CD-ROM
(d) Floppy disk
(e) Hard copy
39. What is the main purpose of secondary storage?
(a) To perform calculations
(b) To provide temporary working space
(c) To store data and programs permanently
(d) To control input devices
(e) To display information
40. Which ONE of the following is an optical storage device?
(a) SSD
(b) RAM
(c) DVD
(d) USB flash drive
(e) Cache memory
41. What is the primary function of an operating system?
(a) To create documents and presentations
(b) To manage computer hardware and software resources
(c) To increase internet speed
(d) To replace application software
(e) To provide physical storage space
42. Which ONE of the following is an example of an operating system?
(a) Microsoft Excel
(b) Adobe Photoshop
(c) Windows 11
(d) Google Chrome
(e) Microsoft PowerPoint
43. Which ONE of the following is NOT an operating system?
(a) Linux
(b) macOS
(c) Android
(d) Microsoft Word
(e) Windows
44. What term is given to the process of starting a computer and loading the
operating system?
(a) Formatting
(b) Booting
(c) Debugging
(d) Scanning
(e) Encrypting
45. Which component stores the instructions required to start a computer?
(a) RAM
(b) ROM
(c) Hard disk
(d) Cache memory
(e) Graphics card
46. What is the main purpose of device drivers?
(a) To create documents
(b) To allow the operating system to communicate with hardware devices
(c) To remove computer viruses
(d) To increase storage capacity
(e) To connect users to social media
47. Which ONE of the following is a graphical user interface (GUI) operating
system?
(a) Windows
(b) Machine language
(c) BIOS
(d) Compiler
(e) Antivirus
48. A multi-user operating system allows:
(a) Only one user to access the computer
(b) Multiple users to access computer resources
(c) Only programmers to use the system
(d) The computer to operate without software
(e) Hardware to function without electricity
49. Which ONE of the following is a mobile operating system?
(a) Windows Server
(b) Android
(c) Microsoft Access
(d) Oracle Database
(e) Adobe Reader
50. Virtual memory is used to:
(a) Replace the CPU
(b) Increase the apparent amount of available memory
(c) Remove viruses from the computer
(d) Improve monitor resolution
(e) Increase printer speed
51. Utility programs are mainly designed to:
(a) Create computer games
(b) Maintain, manage, and protect computer systems
(c) Replace operating systems
(d) Manufacture computer hardware
(e) Design websites only
52. Which ONE of the following is an example of utility software?
(a) Microsoft Word
(b) Antivirus software
(c) PowerPoint
(d) Web browser
(e) Database software
53. What is the main purpose of antivirus software?
(a) To increase computer storage
(b) To detect and remove malicious software
(c) To create presentations
(d) To improve keyboard performance
(e) To design databases
54. Which utility program helps remove unnecessary files from a computer?
(a) Disk cleanup
(b) Word processor
(c) Spreadsheet
(d) Presentation software
(e) Compiler
55. Disk defragmentation is used to:
(a) Delete all files permanently
(b) Rearrange fragmented files to improve disk performance
(c) Protect against viruses
(d) Create new operating systems
(e) Increase RAM capacity
56. What is the purpose of backup utility software?
(a) To create duplicate copies of important data
(b) To increase processor speed
(c) To install applications automatically
(d) To display information
(e) To remove hardware devices
57. Application software is designed to:
(a) Manage computer hardware only
(b) Perform tasks for users
(c) Control the motherboard
(d) Replace the CPU
(e) Start the computer system
58. Which ONE of the following is a word processing application?
(a) Microsoft Word
(b) Microsoft Excel
(c) Microsoft Access
(d) Windows Defender
(e) Disk Cleanup
59. Which ONE of the following applications is mainly used for creating
spreadsheets?
(a) Microsoft PowerPoint
(b) Microsoft Excel
(c) Microsoft Word
(d) Adobe Photoshop
(e) Notepad
60. Which ONE of the following applications is commonly used to create
presentations?
(a) Microsoft Access
(b) Microsoft Excel
(c) Microsoft PowerPoint
(d) Windows Explorer
(e) Antivirus
Sample Short Answer Questions
Question 1
a) Define the term computer system. (2 marks)
b) Explain the difference between hardware and software. (4 marks)
c) Identify and explain the four basic stages of the information processing cycle.
(8 marks)
d) Give three examples of application software and state their uses. (6 marks)
Question 2:
a) Define an input device and an output device. (4 marks)
b) List four examples of input devices and explain the function of each. (8
marks)
c) Differentiate between hard copy and soft copy output. (4 marks)
d) Explain the functions of the following output devices:
i. Monitor (2 marks)
ii. Printer (2 marks)
iii. Projector (2 marks)
Question 3:
a) Define the term system unit. (2 marks)
b) Explain the role of the Central Processing Unit (CPU) in a computer system.
(4 marks)
c) Describe the functions of the following CPU components:
i. Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU) (3 marks)
ii. Control Unit (CU) (3 marks)
iii. Registers (2 marks)
d) Explain the difference between RAM and ROM. (6 marks)
Question 4:
a) Explain the difference between primary storage and secondary storage. (6
marks)
b) Give three examples of secondary storage devices. (3 marks)
c) Compare Hard Disk Drives (HDDs) and Solid-State Drives (SSDs) in terms of:
i. Speed (2 marks)
ii. Durability (2 marks)
iii. Storage technology (2 marks)
d) Explain why organizations perform regular data backups. (5 marks)
Question 5:
a) Define an operating system. (2 marks)
b) Explain four functions performed by an operating system. (8 marks)
c) Give three examples of operating systems. (3 marks)
d) Explain the purpose of the following utility programs:
i. Antivirus software (3 marks)
ii. Disk cleanup (2 marks)
iii. Backup utility (2 marks)
Question 6:
a) Define application software. (2 marks)
b) Differentiate between system software and application software. (4 marks)
c) Explain the purpose of the following application software:
i. Word processor (3 marks)
ii. Spreadsheet software (3 marks)
iii. Presentation software (3 marks)
d) Describe three areas where computers are used in society. (5 marks)
Question 7:
A college has purchased new computers for its computer laboratory.
a) Identify five hardware components required for a complete computer system.
(5 marks)
b) Explain the role of the operating system after the computers have been
installed. (4 marks)
c) Recommend three input devices and explain how they will assist students
during computer lessons. (6 marks)
d) Recommend three storage devices suitable for backing up student work and
explain their advantages. (6 marks)