Chapter 1: Introduction to Computers and IT (Set-9)
Which statement best explains why the abacus is important in computer history
A First electronic machine
B Stored program system
C Early calculation aid
D Internet communication tool
The abacus is important because it shows early methods of doing calculations using a tool. It is not a computer, but it represents the human need to speed up arithmetic long before machines.
A key difference between Pascaline and modern computers is that Pascaline mainly
A Stores programs digitally
B Works on binary data
C Runs operating system
D Uses mechanical gears
The Pascaline was a mechanical calculator using gears and wheels to do arithmetic. Modern computers are electronic, programmable, and can store instructions and data, making them far more flexible.
Which feature made the Difference Engine useful for its main purpose
A Automatic table calculation
B Internet based sharing
C Touch screen input
D Wireless communication
The Difference Engine was designed to compute and print mathematical tables. Its purpose was to reduce human error in manual calculations, especially for repeated table values used in science and engineering.
Which concept in the Analytical Engine is closest to a modern computer’s memory
A Use paper only
B Store numbers internally
C Print without control
D Run no instructions
Babbage’s Analytical Engine included the concept of storing values, which is similar to memory in modern computers. Memory allows data and instructions to be kept for processing rather than relying only on manual input.
ENIAC is considered an important milestone mainly because it was
A First web browser
B Battery laptop machine
C Electronic general computer
D Mobile touch device
ENIAC was one of the first general-purpose electronic computers. It used vacuum tubes and showed that electronics could perform calculations far faster than mechanical methods, influencing later computer development.
Which improvement is most closely linked with EDVAC compared to ENIAC
A Stored program idea
B Abacus bead system
C Mechanical gear use
D Handwritten tables
EDVAC is linked with storing instructions and data in memory, making computers easier to reprogram. ENIAC required difficult setup changes. Stored-program design became a foundation of modern computer architecture.
Which statement best matches UNIVAC’s role in early computing
A Ancient bead calculator
B Mechanical adding tool
C Early AI generation
D Commercial data processing
UNIVAC was among the first commercial computers used in business and government. It processed large records efficiently, showing that computers could support real-world administrative tasks beyond scientific research.
Which technology change mainly reduced heat and size from first to second generation
A IC to microprocessor
B Abacus to Pascaline
C Vacuum to transistor
D Gear to bead
Second-generation computers replaced vacuum tubes with transistors. Transistors were smaller, produced less heat, used less power, and improved reliability, making computers more practical for wider use.
Which generation is best linked with integrated circuits becoming standard
A First generation
B Third generation
C Second generation
D Fifth generation
Third-generation computers used integrated circuits, combining many components into chips. This improved speed, reduced size, and increased reliability, allowing better software and broader computer usage.
Which generation is most correctly connected to microprocessor-based personal computers
A Fourth generation
B Second generation
C First generation
D Third generation
Fourth generation introduced microprocessors, putting CPU functions on one chip. This led to affordable personal computers, making computing common in homes, schools, and offices.
Which generation term is commonly associated with AI and intelligent systems goals
A Third generation
B Second generation
C Fifth generation
D First generation
Fifth-generation computing is associated with goals of artificial intelligence, such as natural language processing and expert systems. It represents efforts to move beyond only speed and storage improvements.
Charles Babbage is called “father of computers” mainly because he
A Built first smartphone
B Invented internet protocol
C Created web browsers
D Designed programmable concepts
Babbage proposed machines like the Analytical Engine with ideas of memory and control, similar to modern computers. His designs introduced the concept of programmable machines, which shaped later computer development.
Alan Turing is best known in basic computing history for
A Computation theory model
B First GUI creation
C First mouse invention
D Printer development
Alan Turing proposed the Turing Machine model, which explains how computation can be performed. His work laid the foundation of computer science and influenced thinking about algorithms and machine problem solving.
Von Neumann architecture is important because it uses
A Only mechanical gears
B Bead based counting
C Shared memory design
D No instructions stored
Von Neumann architecture stores both data and program instructions in the same memory. This enables flexible programming and is the basic structure used in most modern computers.
Herman Hollerith’s main contribution to computing was using
A Microprocessor design
B Punched cards processing
C Touch screen system
D Wireless internet
Hollerith used punched cards for tabulating large amounts of data, improving speed and accuracy in census and business records. His approach influenced future data processing and early computing industries.
Ada Lovelace is remembered in computing history mainly for
A Making microprocessors
B Creating TCP/IP
C Designing laptops
D Writing early algorithm
Ada Lovelace wrote early algorithm notes for Babbage’s Analytical Engine. She showed how a machine could follow steps to compute results, which is why she is often called the first programmer.
Grace Hopper is best associated with making programming easier by developing
A Abacus method
B Vacuum tubes
C Compiler concept
D Punch card holes
Grace Hopper helped develop early compilers that translated readable instructions into machine code. This reduced the need to write low-level binary and made programming more practical for business and large systems.
Dennis Ritchie’s major role in computing history includes
A C and UNIX
B WWW invention
C TCP/IP creation
D Abacus building
Dennis Ritchie developed the C programming language and contributed to UNIX. C influenced many later languages, and UNIX became the base idea for many operating systems used today.
Tim Berners-Lee is mainly known for creating
A Microprocessor chip
B World Wide Web
C COBOL language
D Vacuum tube computer
Tim Berners-Lee created the World Wide Web by developing HTML, HTTP, and URLs. This made it easy to access linked information through browsers and changed communication worldwide.
Vint Cerf is closely linked with the development of
A Analytical Engine
B Pascaline machine
C TCP/IP protocols
D Abacus device
Vint Cerf is a key figure in TCP/IP development, which enables devices to communicate across networks. These protocols form the foundation of how data travels reliably on the internet.
Which option best describes firmware in a computer system
A Built-in control code
B Word processing app
C Internet search tool
D Photo editing app
Firmware is stored in non-volatile memory and controls basic hardware functions, such as startup routines. It is not used for user tasks like writing documents, but for device-level control.
Which pairing correctly matches memory type and property
A ROM is volatile
B SSD is volatile
C DVD is volatile
D RAM is volatile
RAM loses its contents when power is turned off, so it is volatile. ROM and storage devices like SSD keep data without power, so they are non-volatile.
Which sequence best represents a simple startup flow in most PCs
A OS then POST
B Output then input
C POST then OS
D Print then boot
Most systems first perform POST to check basic hardware. After that, boot code loads the operating system into memory. This sequence ensures hardware is ready before full software loading.
Which interface type is best suited for low-resource control and server management
A GUI interface
B CLI interface
C Touch interface
D Gesture interface
CLI uses text commands and requires fewer system resources than GUI. It is common for server management, scripting, and troubleshooting because it allows precise control even without graphical display.
A beginner-friendly interface with icons and menus is mainly called
A GUI interface
B CLI interface
C BIOS interface
D POST interface
GUI provides windows, icons, and menus, making computer use easy for beginners. Users can click to perform tasks instead of memorizing command syntax, which is required in CLI environments.
Which action best supports safe lab practice related to electricity
A Touch sockets wet
B Block air vents
C Keep liquids away
D Run near wires
Keeping liquids away prevents short circuits and electric shock risk. It also protects devices from damage. Electrical safety is essential in labs where many computers and power boards are used.
Which ergonomic setup best helps prevent neck strain during long computer use
A Monitor on floor
B Monitor behind chair
C Monitor very low
D Monitor at eye-level
Keeping the monitor at eye level helps maintain a neutral neck posture. Proper chair height, back support, and correct viewing distance also reduce fatigue during long study or office work.
Which practice best reflects digital literacy when reading online study material
A Share without checking
B Verify source credibility
C Click unknown links
D Ignore privacy tools
Digital literacy means using online information responsibly. Verifying credibility helps avoid misinformation and improves learning. It also encourages safe browsing habits and better decision-making while using digital resources.
Which behavior is an example of computing ethics violation in an office
A Using pirated apps
B Saving own files
C Logging out safely
D Updating security
Using pirated software violates copyright and is unethical. It also increases malware risk. Ethical computing supports legal software use, privacy protection, and responsible behavior in digital environments.
Which component is best described as the main board connecting CPU, RAM, and devices
A Printer cable
B Mouse pad
C Motherboard
D Paper tray
The motherboard is the main circuit board that connects CPU, memory, storage, and ports. It provides communication pathways and power distribution so the computer system works as a coordinated unit.
A power supply unit is important because it mainly
A Stores user files
B Prints documents
C Displays images
D Converts AC to DC
The PSU converts AC electricity from the wall into stable DC power for computer components. Without proper DC power, the system may fail to start, crash, or suffer hardware damage.
Which troubleshooting step is safest first when a monitor shows “no signal”
A Check cable connection
B Open CPU cabinet
C Replace motherboard
D Remove RAM quickly
“No signal” often happens due to loose VGA/HDMI cable or wrong input source. Checking connections is a safe, simple first step before doing risky hardware actions that could damage parts.
Which statement best explains why saving frequently prevents data loss
A CPU becomes slow
B Mouse stores files
C RAM clears on power
D Monitor saves text
Unsaved work is often held in RAM, which is volatile. If power fails or the system crashes, RAM contents vanish. Saving writes the data to non-volatile storage like SSD/HDD.
Which computer characteristic is most directly linked with performing repeated calculations without fatigue
A Humor
B Diligence
C Emotion
D Fear
Diligence means computers can work continuously for long periods without getting tired. They keep the same speed and accuracy for repetitive tasks like data processing, payroll, and sorting large lists.
Which term best explains a computer’s ability to do many tasks by changing software
A Weight
B Noise
C Heat
D Versatility
Versatility allows the same computer to handle different jobs like typing, designing, and communication. Only the software changes, while the hardware remains the same, making computers useful in many fields.
Which statement best explains why correct input matters in computer results
A Battery low issue
B Printer paper jam
C Garbage in-out
D Screen glare problem
“Garbage in, garbage out” means if input data is wrong, the output will also be wrong even if the computer processes correctly. This is why validation and careful data entry are important.
Which output is most clearly an example of information rather than raw data
A Monthly sales summary
B List of receipts
C Unsorted item codes
D Random numbers sheet
A monthly sales summary is processed and organized, making it useful for decisions. Raw lists and random numbers are data. When data is summarized into totals and trends, it becomes information.
Which computer type is most suitable for complex graphics and engineering work by one user
A Mainframe computer
B Workstation computer
C Analog computer
D Abacus device
Workstations are powerful single-user computers designed for tasks like CAD, 3D modeling, and scientific work. They typically have strong processors, large RAM, and advanced graphics capability.
Which type of computer is best described as personal computer category
A Supercomputer
B Mainframe
C Minicomputer
D Microcomputer
Microcomputers are designed for individual users, like desktops and laptops. They are common in homes and offices and run general-purpose applications such as word processing, browsing, and learning software.
A hospital using one system for many terminals to access records typically uses
A Tablet device
B Abacus tool
C Mainframe system
D Analog meter
Mainframes handle many users and large databases reliably. Hospitals and large organizations use them for continuous record access and transaction processing where uptime, security, and data consistency are crucial.
Which computer type is most suitable for portable everyday computing with physical keyboard and battery
A Laptop computer
B Mainframe system
C Supercomputer unit
D Analog device
Laptops are portable computers with built-in screen, keyboard, and battery. They support general-purpose tasks like study, browsing, and office work, making them useful for students and professionals on the move.
Which statement about “information quality” is most accurate
A Only colorful display
B Accurate and relevant
C Only large storage
D Only fast typing
Good information should be accurate, relevant, and timely. These qualities ensure it supports correct decisions. Colorful display or fast typing does not guarantee information quality without correctness and usefulness.
Which concept helps prevent unauthorized editing of a database record
A Screen resolution
B Mouse sensitivity
C Access control
D Printer speed
Access control limits who can view or change data. It protects privacy and maintains data integrity by preventing unauthorized edits. This is important in systems like banking, school records, and hospital databases.
Which term refers to the system software that manages hardware and programs
A Operating system
B Spreadsheet software
C Photo editor app
D Music player app
The operating system manages CPU, memory, files, and devices. It provides a platform for application software to run and offers user interaction methods like GUI or CLI, making the computer usable.
Which software category best matches “word processor” usage
A Firmware software
B Hardware software
C Boot software
D Application software
Word processors are application software because they help users perform specific tasks like creating and formatting documents. They run on top of the operating system, which provides hardware management and services.
Which memory stores currently running programs and clears when power is off
A SSD storage
B RAM memory
C ROM memory
D DVD storage
RAM holds data and programs actively being used by the CPU. It is volatile, so it loses content when power is off. Permanent storage devices keep data even after shutdown.
Which memory type is used to store firmware instructions for startup
A RAM memory
B Cache memory
C ROM memory
D Register memory
ROM is non-volatile memory that stores firmware like BIOS/UEFI. It keeps startup instructions even without power, allowing the computer to initialize hardware and begin the boot process.
Which safety action is most suitable before cleaning a computer in a lab
A Increase screen light
B Run heavy games
C Remove CPU chip
D Switch off power
Switching off power reduces risk of electric shock and prevents short circuits while cleaning. Safe lab practice includes shutting down properly, unplugging if needed, and using dry cloths away from internal components.
Which statement about a programming language is correct
A Helps write programs
B Prints documents only
C Stores electricity only
D Displays icons only
Programming languages provide rules and syntax to write instructions that computers can execute. These instructions are translated into machine code by compilers or interpreters, enabling tasks like calculations and device control.
Which pairing correctly matches tool and function in programming
A Mouse makes executable
B Compiler makes executable
C Monitor compiles code
D Printer interprets code
A compiler converts a full high-level program into machine code, producing an executable file. This allows the CPU to run the program directly. Other devices like mouse or monitor do not perform code translation.