a
. The information processing cycle is:
a.  input, process, output, store			
b.  fetch, decode, execute, store
c.  never done with a computer			
d.  data, information, knowledge, store

b
. Computer professionals often refer to the basic operations of input, process, output, and storage as the __________. 
a.  machine cycle
b.  information processing cycle
c.  machine ring
d.  computer wheel

c
. The information processing cycle consists of:
a.  input and process
b.  input, process, and storage
c.  input, process, output, and storage
d.  none of the answers

a
. Which of the following operations is not normally performed by computers?
a.  writing programs
b.  making calculations
c.  making comparisons
d.  storing and retrieving data

a
. Which of the following statements accurately describes a computer?
a.  A computer operates under instructions stored in its own memory unit.
b.  A computer can perform arithmetic and logic operations only with human assistance. 
c.  A computer may contain all required electronic circuits on a small plastic chip.
d.  All of the statements accurately describe a computer.

a
. Which of the following statements is true about a computer program?
a.  A computer program consists of a series of instructions which directs the computer to perform an operation.
b.  A computer program must be displayed on a screen to be executed.
c.  A computer program must be stored on external storage to be executed.
d.  none of the answers is true

d
. When a program is executed, its instructions must be transferred from a secondary storage medium into 
a.  Random Access Memory			
b.  volatile memory
c.  main memory				
d.  all of the answers

c
. Which one is a peripheral device?
a.  CPU		
b.  RAM	
c.  keyboard	
d.  chip

b
. Some computer components, such as the __________, are internal and reside inside the system unit.
a.  keyboard and mouse
b.  processor and memory
c.  monitor and microphone
d.  printer and scanner

a
. Some computer components, such as the __________, reside outside the system unit; that is, they are _____________.
a.  keyboard and monitor; peripherals
b.  processor and memory; external
c.  floppy drive and hard drive; internal
d.  printer and microphone; internal

b
. Any external device that attaches to the system unit is called a(n) 
a.  extra device				
b.  peripheral device
c.  secondary device				
d.  none of the answers

d
. Peripheral devices include
a.  input devices
b.  processors
c.  output devices
d.  input and output devices

b
. __________ is a collection of unorganized items, which can include words, numbers, images, and sounds.
a.  Information					
b.  Data
c.  Knowledge					
d.  Output

b
. __________ is data that is organized, has meaning, and is useful such as a report, newsletter, receipt, bill of sale, invoice, or paycheck.
a.  Garbage					
b.  Information
c.  Knowledge					
d.  Output

c
. _________________ is unprocessed symbols without a context or meaning; _________________ is processed symbols given a background context.
a.  information; data			
b.  output; input
c.  data; information			
d.  hardware; software

a
. Information is
a.  processed data	
b.  raw data	
c.  unimportant data	
d.  correct data

b
. The act of organizing data into information is called __________.
a.  storage					
b.  processing
c.  fetching					
d.  decoding

b
. Because it controls most of a computer's operations, the __________ often is referred to as the brains of a computer.
a.  random access memory (RAM)
b.  central processing unit (CPU)
c.  system unit (SU)
d.  disk operating system (DOS)

a
. Two main components on the motherboard are the __________ and the processor.
a.  main memory 
b.  keyboard
c.  monitor
d.  mouse

a
. Two main components on the motherboard are the __________ and main memory.
a.  processor
b.  keyboard
c.  monitor
d.  mouse

c
. The main circuit board of a microcomputer system is called the _________.
a.  system unit
b.  hard drive
c.  motherboard
d.  central processing unit

c
. The circuitry inside the system unit usually is part of, or is mounted on, a circuit board called the __________.
a.  billboard
b.  soundboard
c.  motherboard
d.  snowboard

b
. The __________ is a box-like case made from metal or plastic that protects the internal electronic components.
a.  processor
b.  system unit
c.  keyboard
d.  program

b
. The __________ is a box-like case that houses the computer circuitry.
a.  motherboard
b.  system unit
c.  processor
d.  keyboard

b
. Transferring data from the outside world into the computer's memory is
a.  output		
b.  input		
c.  logic			
d.  garbage
 
b
. A(n) ________ device allows a user to enter data and instructions into a computer.
a.  storage					
b.  input
c.  output					
d.  processing

a
. A __________ can be used to speak into the computer to enter data and control actions that a computer performs.
a.  microphone					
b.  speaker
c.  mouse					
d.  keyboard

a
. A common input device to a computer is:
a.  a keyboard
b.  a printer
c.  a chip
d.  main memory

a
. The keyboard, mouse, microphone, scanner, digital camera, and PC camera are six commonly used _______________ devices.
a.  input
b.  storage
c.  output
d.  processing

a
. Transferring data stored in main computer memory to a medium or device which can be used by people results in the production of:
a.  output.
b.  input.
c.  an error message.
d.  none of the answers

a
. Transferring data from the computer's memory to the outside world is
a.  output		
b.  input		
c.  logic			
d.  garbage
 
c
. A(n) __________ device is used to convey information processed by the computer to a user.
a.  storage					
b.  input
c.  output					
d.  processing

c
. Output units are used to:
a.  make the data available for processing.
b.  store data after it has been processed.
c.  make information on the computer available for users.
d.  process data prior to making it available to the computer.

a
. A printer attached to a computer is an example of an:
a.  output device
b.  input device
c.  input/output device
d.  none of the answers

a
. Commonly used output devices include all of the following except a __________.
a.  keyboard
b.  printer
c.  monitor
d.  speaker

b
. __________ temporarily holds data and instructions while they are being processed by the CPU.
a.  A floppy drive
b.  RAM
c.  A hard drive
d.  A CD-ROM

d
. Without software, a computer can do all EXCEPT the following tasks:
a.  word processing
b.  database management
c.  graphics
d.  none of the answers, without software a computer can do nothing

c
. Software, also called a(n) __________, is a series of instructions that tells the hardware of a computer what to do.
a.  integration
b.  system
c.  program
d.  user

b
. _______ is a series of instructions that tells the computer how to perform tasks.
a.  Hardware
b.  Software
c.  Comparison operations
d.  Controls

b
. Instructions which cause computer machinery to function in desired ways are called:
a.  hardware
b.  software
c.  comparison operations
d.  controls

c
. Computer software is:
a.  a term synonymous with computer hardware.
b.  only important if you don't have a programmer.
c.  a term synonymous with computer programs.
d.  not needed on large computer systems.

c
. __________ is the electric, electronic, and mechanical equipment that make up a computer.
a.  Software					
b.  Programs
c.  Hardware					
d.  Firmware

d
. Computer hardware includes all of the following except __________.
a.  input and output devices
b.  a system unit
c.  storage and communications devices
d.  application programs

c
. Which of the following is NOT an example of computer hardware?
a.  a screen
b.  a keyboard
c.  a program
d.  a printer

d
. Computer hardware components include __________.
a.  input and output devices
b.  a system unit
c.  storage and communications devices
d.  all of the answers

c
. The machines that made up a computer system are grouped under the general term:
a.  software
b.  mindware
c.  hardware
d.  firmware

c
. The computing principle known as __________ points out that the accuracy of a computer's output depends on the accuracy of the input.
a.  what you see is what you get (WYSIWYG)
b.  for what it's worth (FWIW)
c.  garbage in, garbage out (GIGO)
d.  nothing ventured, nothing gained (NVNG)

b
. GIGO means that
a.  computers can process garbage		
b.  bad input gives bad output
c.  computers are smarter than humans		
d.  computers can not be trusted

b
. "GIGO" stands for "garbage in, garbage out."  What does it MEAN?
a.  computers sometimes make mistakes because they operate so quickly
b.  if you give incorrect input, don't expect correct output
c.  whatever kind of data you input, the output is correct
d.  computers are smart and bad input can be ignored

a
. __________ write the instructions necessary to direct the computer to process data into information.
a.  Programmers
b.  Power users
c.  Systems analysts
d.  Mobile users

c
. Secondary storage does NOT include:
a.  magnetic tape
b.  floppy disks
c.  main memory
d.  hard disks

c
. Six common __________ are a floppy disk drive, a Zip® drive, a hard disk drive, a CD-ROM drive, a CD-RW drive, a DVD-ROM drive, and a DVD+RW drive.
a.  processing devices
b.  communications devices
c.  storage devices
d.  output devices

c
. Common secondary storage devices are  __________.
a.  monitor and printer
b.  keyboard and microphone
c.  floppy disk drive and CD-ROM drive
d.  all of the answers

b
. Two common secondary storage devices for personal computers are:
a.  floppy disks and printers.
b.  floppy disks and hard disks.
c.  input units and output units.
d.  magnetic tape and printers.

b
. When data must be stored permanently, it is placed on (or in)
a.  main (primary) memory
b.  an auxiliary (secondary) storage
c.  an output device
d.  an input device

b
. When a large number of characters must be stored permanently for use with a computer:
a.  internal computer memory is normally used.
b.  external secondary storage is used.
c.  input devices are used.
d.  output devices are used.

a
. Types of storage commonly used with large computers are:
a.  magnetic tape and magnetic disk.
b.  magnetic tape and printed reports.
c.  magnetic disk and printed reports.
d.  magnetic tape and screens.

c
. Secondary storage consists of devices that store data and programs permanently on:
a.  RAM chips		
b.  printed output
c.  disk or tape		
d.  the CPU

b
. Secondary storage devices
a.  are only for short term storage			
b.  are for long term storage
c.  are only magnetic				
d.  must be peripherals

c
. Which of the following is NOT a storage device?
a.  floppy disk	
b.  ZIP disk	
c.  network card	
d.  Jazz disk

a
. The term "mainframe" refers to:
a.  a large computer.
b.  the data center housing a computer system.
c.  the main memory of a large computer.
d.  the processor unit of any computer.

d
. The four major categories of computers are __________.
a.  desktop computers, tower models, workstations, and stand-alone computers
b.  network computers, laptops, pen computers, and servers
c.  portable computers, terminals, personal digital assistants, and pen computers
d.  personal computers, minicomputers, mainframe computers, and supercomputers

d
. The four major categories of computers, in order from least powerful to most powerful, are:
a.  personal computers, mainframes, minicomputers, and supercomputers.
b.  minicomputers, personal computers, mainframes, and supercomputers.
c.  mainframes, minicomputers, personal computers, and supercomputers.
d.  personal computers, minicomputers, mainframes, and supercomputers.

d
. Minicomputers:
a.  are small microcomputers
b.  are cheaper than microcomputers
c.  are commonly known as personal computers
d.  are usually more powerful than microcomputers

d
. Supercomputers are used for 
a.  weather and climate simulation			
b.  designing new planes
c.  designing new cars				
d.  all of the answers

b
. A microcomputer is:
a.  more powerful than a minicomputer
b.  less powerful than a minicomputer
c.  more powerful than a mainframe
d.  more powerful than a personal computer

b
. Microcomputers
a.  are more powerful than mainframes		
b.  are less powerful than minicomputers
c.  were the first kind of computers made	
d.  are faster than supercomputers

a
. Microcomputers are divided into two categories:
a.  desktop and portable
b.  minicomputers and personal computers
c.  supercomputers and mainframes
d.  laptops and portables

b
. Internet appliances are 
a.  more powerful than main frames
b.  less powerful than most microcomputers
c.  larger than minicomputers
d.  only useful to children

c
. A(n) __________ is the fastest, most powerful computer - and the most expensive.
a.  mainframe
b.  palmtop computer
c.  supercomputer
d.  Internet appliance

c
. Two types of system software are __________.
a.  shareware and freeware
b.  custom software and public-domain software
c.  the operating system and utility programs
d.  application programs and productivity software

b
. __________ is software that is distributed for free for a trial period, after which time it is expected that payment be sent to the developer.
a.  Freeware
b.  Shareware
c.  Off-the-shelf software
d.  Public domain software

b
. What does it mean to "register" shareware?
a.  to use it					
b.  to pay the creator for it
c.  to delete it					
d.  to give a copy to someone else

d
. __________ software is free software that has been donated for public use and has no copyright restrictions.
a.  Open source
b.  Shareware
c.  Off-the-shelf software
d.  Public domain software

b
. A modem is a(n) __________.
a. small, handheld input device that contains at least one button
b. communications device that enables computers to communicate via telephone lines
c. storage device that stores data using microscopic pits created by laser light
d. output device that looks like a television screen and displays text or graphics

a
. A network that connects computers in a limited geographic area, such as a school computer laboratory, is called a __________.
a.  local area network (LAN)
b.  limited zone network (LZN)
c.  wide area network (WAN)
d.  broad zone network (BZN)

d
. GUI stands for:
a.  good user interface	
b.  graphical user instructions
c.  good user instructions	
d.  none of the answers 

c
. Which of the following applications would justify the use of a computer?
a.  Performing a calculation to help balance a checkbook.
b.  Totaling a column of numbers one time.
c.  Performing complex calculations on a large amount of data.
d.  Selecting an automobile that a person likes to drive.

d
. Computers should be considered for use when it is necessary or desirable to:
a.  process large volumes of data 
b.  sort, select, summarize, and report on large volumes of data 
c.  rapidly retrieve data stored in files 
d.  All of the  answers represent a possible use of a computer