Bangladesh International School Dammam
Class VIII
Chapter No. 1 Class Notes
Q1. Define hardware and give two examples.
Answer:
Hardware is the physical part of the computer system that can be touched.
Examples: Keyboard, monitor.
Q2. What is the difference between RAM and ROM?
Answer:
RAM (Random Access Memory): Volatile memory used for temporary storage of data
and programs in use.
ROM (Read Only Memory): Non-volatile memory that stores permanent startup
instructions.
Q3. Give two examples of input devices and two examples of output devices.
Answer:
Input devices: Keyboard, scanner.
Output devices: Printer, monitor.
Q4. State the role of the Control Unit (CU).
Answer:
The CU directs the flow of data and instructions within the CPU.
It controls how data moves between the CPU, memory, and input/output devices.
Q5. What is meant by backing storage? Give one example.
Answer:
Backing storage is secondary storage used for long-term saving of data and programs.
Example: Hard disk drive or SSD.
Long-Answer Questions (4–6 marks each)
Q6. Describe the main components of the CPU.
Answer:
Control Unit (CU): Directs the flow of data and instructions.
Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU): Performs arithmetic operations and logical comparisons.
Registers: High-speed storage inside the CPU for temporary data.
These components work together to process instructions and manage data.
Q7. Explain the difference between analogue and digital data, and why a computer needs
conversion.
Answer:
Analogue data: Continuous data, such as sound waves and light.
Digital data: Binary (0s and 1s), the form computers can process.
Computers need conversion because they can only process digital data:
o ADC (Analogue to Digital Converter): Converts analogue input (like sound)
into digital.
o DAC (Digital to Analogue Converter): Converts digital signals into analogue
output (like sound through speakers).
Q8. Compare desktop computers, laptops, and tablets.
Answer:
Desktop: Large, non-portable, powerful, used at home/office.
Laptop: Portable, battery-powered, suitable for working anywhere.
Tablet: Touchscreen device, lighter and less powerful, ideal for browsing and
multimedia.
Conclusion: Desktops are powerful, laptops balance power with portability, tablets are
lightweight but limited.
Q9. Explain the role of the operating system.
Answer:
Manages hardware and software resources.
Controls input and output devices.
Allocates memory and processor time.
Provides a user interface (GUI or command line).
Without an operating system, a computer cannot function.
Q10. Describe Artificial Intelligence (AI) and give two examples of its application.
Answer:
AI is when machines are designed to simulate human intelligence.
Examples:
o Chatbots that answer customer questions.
o Face recognition systems used in security.
AI allows computers to "learn" and perform decision-making tasks.
Q11. Differentiate between Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR).
Answer:
VR: A computer-generated environment that immerses the user in a 3D virtual world
(e.g., VR headsets for gaming).
AR: Adds digital images or information to the real world (e.g., AR apps that overlay
graphics onto camera view).
Both are part of Extended Reality (XR) technologies.