Computer Literacy Self Test

#1: A computer
__ a) is a machine that runs programs;
__ b) is made up of separate components;
__ c) does nothing unless there is a program in control of it;
__ d) processes data.

#2: "Windows" is a program that
__ a) serves as an operating system;
__ b) can do word processing;
__ c) comes with all computers;
__ d) must be installed like any other program;
__ e) stays in memory the entire time our computer is on;
__ f) can't work by itself (without the involvement of other programs).

#3: The difference between "installing" and "loading" a program is
__ a) you install a program once and load it many times;
__ b) you load a program once and install it many times;
__ c) you install and load a program many times;
__ d) you install and load a program once;
__ e) installing a program usually copies the program to a hard disk;
__ f) installing a program puts the program in memory;
__ g) loading a program puts the program on a disk;
__ h) loading a program puts the program in memory;
__ i) there is no difference between "installing" and "loading."

#4: What happens when the "A" key is pressed on the keyboard?
__ a) it depends on the program;
__ b) an "A" (or "a") is displayed on the monitor;
__ c) an "A" is stored on a disk;
__ d) an "A" is stored in memory;
__ e) the computer stores data.

#5: When the computer is turned off
__ a) everything in memory is lost;
__ b) nothing is lost on the hard disk;
__ c) nothing in memory is lost;
__ d) everything on the hard disk is lost
__ e) data is saved;
__ f) programs are uninstalled.

#6: An operating system
__ a) is a program that must be installed;
__ b) is a program that every personal computer must have to work properly;
__ c) is added to a computer as part of the manufacturing process;
__ d) can be used to organize files;
__ e) absolutely must come with every computer sold;
__ f) is the only program we must have (for the computer to work);
__ g) is only needed on big computers.

#7: When we install a new program
__ a) we must learn new mouse and keyboard procedures to work with it;
__ b) it becomes an "icon";
__ c) it lives as a file on a disk;
__ d) it takes control of our computer;
__ e) we must use it on a regular basis for it to keep working properly.

#8: Word processing
__ a) involves turning a computer into an electronic typewriter;
__ b) requires a specific program;
__ c) is something all modern personal computers do;
__ d) is a feature of "Windows";
__ e) is essential to all computers;
__ f) requires a solid understanding of how computers work.

#9: If we write a letter and save it with a word processing program
__ a) the letter does not vanish for good when the computer is shut off;
__ b) the letter is sent out to a separate "peripheral device;"
__ c) it lives as a "file" on a disk;
__ d) no one else can ever find it and read it;
__ e) it cannot be erased;
__ f) we can make changes to it at a later time;
__ g) it must be stored on the hard disk;
__ h) it must be copied into memory if we want to view it or make any changes;
__ i) it is saved in the word processing program;
__ j) it has no connection to the word processing program.

#10: A spreadsheet program
__ a) helps us work with numbers;
__ b) must be used if we want to add a column of numbers;
__ c) can be used to calculate a square root;
__ d) cannot be used to work with string (character/text) data;
__ e) cannot be learned without extensive computer knowledge;
__ f) must be the Microsoft "Excel" brand if we use "Windows;"
__ g) is stored as a file on a disk.

#11: "Quicken," a check register program
__ a) is an example of a database management program;
__ b) is stored as a file on a disk;
__ c) stores all of our check information in a file that represents a database;
__ d) has no physical connection to the list of checks;
__ e) must be used to make changes to our list of checks;
__ f) must be used to extract information from the list of checks.

#12: An inventory program would be a specific example of
__ a) a database management program;
__ b) a spreadsheet program;
__ c) a special kind of word processing program;
__ d) a financial program.

#13: To send and receive e-mail we must have
__ a) an e-mail program;
__ b) a connection to a computer network (such as the Internet);
__ c) a very fast computer;
__ d) a computer that is compatible with the other computers we exchange e-mail with.

#14: BASIC, COBOL, Fortran and C++ are all examples of
__ a) special computer systems;
__ b) programs that can be used to create programs;
__ c) programming "languages;"
__ d) obsolete operating systems;
__ e) computer system brand names.

#15: "Exiting" a program
__ a) removes the program from memory;
__ b) removes the program from a disk;
__ c) removes the program from the monitor;
__ d) puts the program to "sleep";
__ e) does not remove a program from anywhere;
__ f) permanently removes a program that is no longer wanted.

#16: If we write a letter with a word processing program then exit the program
__ a) the letter is removed from memory;
__ b) the letter will be lost if it was not saved;
__ c) the letter can never be completely lost;
__ d) the letter is automatically saved;
__ e) the letter is automatically deleted;
__ f) the program may refuse to go.

#17: All the letters we write and save with our word processing program
__ a) have no physical connection to the word processing program;
__ b) always stay in the computer's memory unless we delete them;
__ c) cannot be read if they are only on a disk;
__ d) cannot be copied into the computer's memory unless the right program is first copied into memory;
__ e) can only be read if they are in memory.

#18: Which of the following cannot be examples of standard computer data?
__ a) an address;
__ b) the sound of a dog barking;
__ c) a glass of water;
__ d) a picture of a car;
__ e) a tree;
__ f) a wedding video.

#19: All computer data is (are)
__ a) represented by numbers;
__ b) stored in programs;
__ c) digital in nature;
__ d) binary in nature.

#20: Which of the following are not examples of computer hardware?
__ a) a monitor (CRT);
__ b) a calculator;
__ c) a file;
__ d) a CD;
__ e) RAM;
__ f) a hard disk;
__ g) a floppy disk;
__ h) a spreadsheet;
__ i) a song.

#21: Which of the following are not examples of computer software?
__ a) "Windows";
__ b) a letter;
__ c) a picture;
__ d) a floppy disk;
__ e) a hard disk;
__ f) the Internet;
__ g) a web browser;
__ h) a game;
__ i) e-mail.

#22: A CD-ROM drive
__ a) works just like a CD player on a stereo system;
__ b) is a specific kind of disk drive;
__ c) gives us access to files on a CD;
__ d) must come with all computers;
__ e) can be used to listen to music CDs;
__ f) does not work unless we have speakers.

#23: The ASCII code
__ a) only applies to string (or character/text) data;
__ b) is a world-wide standard for string data that can be used by any program on any computer;
__ c) is a way to represent characters as code numbers;
__ d) is only for mainframe computer systems;
__ e) is a standard that makes computers compatible;
__ f) must be used by all computers.

#24: What is on a CD?
__ a) code numbers;
__ b) music;
__ c) information in binary form;
__ d) files;
__ e) programs;
__ f) phone numbers.

#25: Saving means
__ a) copying data from memory to disk;
__ b) copying data from disk to memory;
__ c) preserving a program;
__ d) storing data in a program.

#26: Adding more memory (RAM) to a computer system
__ a) allows more programs to be installed;
__ b) will make the computer work faster;
__ c) allows more programs to be loaded;
__ d) makes the computer smarter;
__ e) helps to protect data;
__ f) gives us more room for files.

#27: Opening means
__ a) copying a program or data from disk to memory;
__ b) copying a program or data from memory to disk;
__ c) displaying something on the monitor;
__ d) protecting a letter or other information;
__ e) finding information;
__ f) installing a program or data.

#28: Digitizing means
__ a) representing anything as code numbers in binary form;
__ b) using a computer to create something;
__ c) working with the ASCII code;
__ d) transferring data;
__ e) performing calculations.

#29: The ASCII code
__ a) applies only to string (character/text) data;
__ b) is built into the hardware of all personal computers;
__ c) turns characters into numbers;
__ d) is used to save data;
__ e) is used to encrypt data so it can't be intercepted and decoded.

#30: If we are writing a letter with a word processing program and the power suddenly goes out
__ a) we will lose everything in memory;
__ b) we may lose our letter without hope of recovering it;
__ c) we will definitely not lose our letter;
__ d) we may lose our word processing program without hope of recovering it;
__ e) we will be able to recover any part of the letter that has been saved;
__ f) memory may be damaged;
__ g) information may become hopelessly scrambled.

#31: MgHz (megahertz)
__ a) determines how fast a computer can work, in general;
__ b) is a measure of the processing speed of a CPU;
__ c) determines which programs you can use;
__ d) increases when we add more memory;
__ e) determines the size of the computer monitor's screen.

#32: "MIPS" stands for
__ a) Millions of Instructions per Second;
__ b) Memory Insertion Point Sequencing;
__ c) Multiple Input Processing Standard;
__ d) Musical Instrument Port Slot.

#33: Two computers are compatible if they
__ a) can use the same programs;
__ b) can use the same data;
__ c) have the same keyboard and monitor;
__ d) have the same speed (megahertz);
__ e) cost about the same;
__ f) are about the same size.

#34: If we have two incompatible computers
__ a) they cannot use each other's programs;
__ b) data created on one cannot used on the other;
__ c) we can send e-mail from one to the other (provided they both have a connection to a computer network such as the Internet);
__ d) they must be in different rooms;
__ e) we must get rid of one.

#35: Data is sent from one computer to another over the phone line. To view the data, the person on the receiving computer must
__ a) have a compatible computer;
__ b) have a large hard disk drive;
__ c) have the same size monitor;
__ d) have a program that can work with the data;
__ e) copy the data into memory;
__ f) be sure both computers are on.

#36: Booting means
__ a) turning the computer on;
__ b) loading the operating system program;
__ c) installing the operating system program;
__ e) opening a program;
__ f) preserving special files.

#37: Loading means
__ a) a) copying a program from disk to memory (where it takes control of the CPU);
__ b) b) installing a new program;
__ c) c) copying data into memory so we can work with it;
__ d) d) filling up the hard disk;
__ e) e) filling up memory.

#38: A file
__ a) is an icon displayed on the monitor;
__ b) is a sequence of loud and soft "blips" (or "pits") recorded on a disk, tape or CD;
__ c) may be lost when we turn the computer off;
__ d) is recorded on a disk like a song is recorded on tape;
__ e) is a way of storing programs and data;
__ f) is what results from saving;
__ g) can be saved to memory;
__ h) can be viewed directly from a disk;
__ i) must be copied into memory before it can be viewed.

#39: What we see on our computer monitor
__ a) is whatever a program wants to display;
__ b) is an accurate description of what is in memory;
__ c) must also be on a disk;
__ d) has to be saved at some point;
__ e) is made up of "pixels.

#40: Memory (RAM)
__ a) temporarily stores programs and data;
__ b) loses all programs and data when the computer is turned off;
__ c) holds all of our programs and data;
__ d) can usually be increased;
__ e) is a factor that determines the speed of a computer;
__ f) is where any data must be before we can view it.

#41: On any CD-ROM (including music CDs) we find
__ a) files;
__ b) "pits" and "no pits" ("lands");
__ c) bits and bytes;
__ d) directions on how to use it.

#42: Bits and bytes are a measures of
__ a) how much memory we have;
__ b) the capacity of a hard disk;
__ c) how much space we have on a CD;
__ d) how much information we can send over a phone line in a given amount of time;
__ e) the speed of the computer;
__ f) the size of a file;
__ g) how much storage is required by a program on a disk;
__ h) how much storage is required by a program in memory.

#43: A hard or floppy disk drive functions most like a
__ a) tape recorder;
__ b) record player;
__ c) wastepaper basket;
__ d) water bucket.

#44: Each song on a standard music CD
__ a) is stored as a data file;
__ b) cannot be erased;
__ c) cannot be played without a program;
__ d) is measured in size in bytes.