Corporation Bank PO Socio Economics 2011

Corporation Bank Probationary Officers Exam., 2011(Held on 29-5-2011)
General Awareness on Socio-Economic Developments : Solved Paper

1. Micro credit or micro finance is a novel approach to banking with the poor. In this approach bank credit is extended to the poor through—
(A) Self Help Groups
(B) Anganwadees
(C) Cooperative Credit Societies
(D) RBI
(E) None of these
Ans : (A)

2. TRAI regulates the functioning of which of the following ser-vices ?
(A) Port
(B) Trade
(C) Telecom
(D) Transport
(E) None of these
Ans : (C)

3. Many times we read about ‘Hawala’ transactions in newspapers. Hawala in India is prohibited under the provision of which of the following Acts ?
(A) Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management Act
(B) Banking Regulation Act
(C) Financial action Task Force Act
(D) Foreign Exchange Management Act
(E) None of these
Ans : (D)


4. Which of the following is the popular name of the norms by which bank satisfy itself about the customers identity and motivation ?
(A) Basel norms
(B) KYC norms
(C) Service norms
(D) Lending norms
(E) None of these
Ans : (B)

5. Mutual funds are regulated by—
(A) Association of Mutual Funds of India (AMFI)
(B) Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI)
(C) Reserve Bank of India
(D) IRDA
(E) None of these
Ans : (B)

6. Bancassurance is—
(A) an insurance scheme to insure bank deposits
(B) an insurance scheme exclusively for the employees of banks
(C) a composite financial service offering both bank and insurance products
(D) a bank deposit scheme exclusively for employees of insurance companies
(E) None of these
Ans : (C)

7. Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan is aimed at the education of which of the following ?
(A) Education of children between 6–14 years
(B) Education of girls up to graduation level
(C) College education
(D) Adult education
(E) None of these
Ans : (A)

8. Jnanpith Award is given for excellence in the field of—
(A) Social service
(B) Sports
(C) Classical dance
(D) Music
(E) Literature
Ans : (E)

9. Which of the following bills presented in the Parliament will bring some changes in existing tax regime ?
(A) Direct Taxes Code (DTC) Bill
(B) Foreign Exchange Management Regulatory Bill
(C) Companies Act Bill
(D) Salaries and Perks for MPs Bill
(E) Finance Bill 2010-11
Ans : (A)

10. The full form of PIN in a ATM card is—
(A) Permanent Information Number
(B) Personal Identification Number
(C) Professional Identification Number
(D) Permanent Identification Number
(E) Personal Index Number
Ans : (B)

11. Which of the following is not the function of RBI ?
(A) Maintaining Forex
(B) Decides Bank rate, CRR and SLR from time to time
(C) Opening Savings Accounts for general public
(D) Prescribes the Capital Adequacy Ratio
(E) Currency Management
Ans : (C)

12. Obligation of a Banker to maintain secrecy is applicable to—
(A) only in case of existing deposit accounts
(B) only in respect existing loan accounts
(C) only in case of closed accounts
(D) all types of deposit/loan accounts (existing/closed)
(E) None of these
Ans : (D)

13. Banks today in addition to normal banking services offer which of the following services ?
(A) Internet banking
(B) Depository services
(C) Financial counseling services
(D) Only (A) and (B) above
(E) All (A), (B) and (C) above
Ans : (E)

14. Dr. Muhammad Yunus is a resident of—
(A) India
(B) Pakistan
(C) Bangladesh
(D) U.S.A.
(E) U.K.
Ans : (C)

15. Which among the following cannot be called an anti inflationary measure ?
(A) Raising the bank rates
(B) Raising the reserve ratio requirements
(C) Purchase of securities in the open markets
(D) Rationing of the credit
(E) None of these
Ans : (C)

16. Which among the following is the major marine food export item of India ?
(A) Frozen fish
(B) Frozen shrimp
(C) Frozen crabs
(D) Cephalopods
(E) None of these
Ans : (B)

17. In context with the business and banking, what is CRAR ?
(A) Capital to risk asset ratio
(B) Credit to risk asset ratio
(C) Credit to risk assessment ratio
(D) Capital to risk assessment rate
(E) Credit rate assessment ratio
Ans : (A)

18. The monetary authority in India viz. reserve bank of India is bound to maintain a reserve against the note issue whatever may be the amount. This system is called as—
(A) Minimum reserve system
(B) Proportional reserve system
(C) Maximum fiduciary issue system
(D) Simple deposit system
(E) None of these
Ans : (A)

19. Consider the following—
1. Bank rate policy
2. Open market operations
3. Devaluation of rupee.
Which among the above are called fiscal measures ?
(A) 1 only
(B) 1 and 2 both
(C) 1 and 3 both
(D) 3 only
(E) None of these
Ans : (D)

20. Which among the following is the most abundant human resource in India ?
(A) High skilled labour in organized sector
(B) High skilled labour in unorganized sector
(C) Low skilled labour in organized sector
(D) Low skilled labour in unorganized sector
(E) None of these
Ans : (B)

21. What is the maximum amount per withdrawal in a day that can be withdrawn by a customer by using ATM of other bank ?
(A) Rs. 1,000
(B) Rs. 3,000
(C) Rs. 5,000
(D) Rs. 10,000
(E) No such limit
Ans : (E)

22. Interest rates on which of the following deposit schemes is fixed by Reserve Bank of India ?
(A) Fixed deposit above 5 years maturity
(B) Recurring deposits
(C) Saving bank
(D) Flexi deposit scheme
(E) None of these
Ans : (C)

23. Which of the following policies is known as annual policy statement ?
(A) Annual budget of Central Govt.
(B) Credit and monetary policy of RBI
(C) Foreign trade policy of DGFT
(D) Regulation issued by SEBI
(E) None of these
Ans : (B)

24. Appropriate banking facilities are to be provided to habitations having population above 2000 people by—
(A) 2011
(B) 2012
(C) 2013
(D) 2014
(E) 2015
Ans : (B)

25. Govt. shareholding in public sector banks cannot be below—
(A) 33%
(B) 51%
(C) 74%
(D) 76%
(E) 100%
Ans : (B)

26. The Union Budget for 2011-12 proposed lowering of qualifying age for tax relief for senior citizens for 65 years to—
(A) 55 years
(B) 58 years
(C) 63 years
(D) 62 years
(E) 60 years
Ans : (E)

27. Government of India in March 2011 conferred the miniratna status on which of the following PSUs ?
(A) National Small Industries Corporation (NSIC)
(B) Air India Charters Ltd.
(C) Cement Corporation of India
(D) HMT Machine Tools Ltd.
(E) Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd.
Ans : (A)

28. Noted social worker Anna Hazare started his hunger strike at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi to protest against the reported delay in bringing in which of the following bills to effectively deal with corruption ?
(A) Central Vigilance Commission Bill
(B) The Competition (Amendment) Bill
(C) The Airports Economic Regulatory Authority of India Bill
(D) The Appropriation (No. 3) Bill
(E) Lokpal Bill
Ans : (E)

29. As we all know Govt. of India collects tax revenue on various activities in the country. Which of the following is a part of the tax revenue of the Govt. ?
1. Tax on income
2. Tax on expenditure
3. Tax on property or capital asset
4. Tax on goods and services.
(A) Both 1 and 3 only
(B) Both 2 and 4 only
(C) All 1, 2, 3 and 4
(D) Only 2, 3 and 4
(E) None of these
Ans : (A)

30. Sardar Sarovar dam is on which of the following rivers ?
(A) Ganga
(B) Jamuna
(C) Beas
(D) Narmada
(E) Ravi
Ans : (D)

31. As per the targets for 11th Five Year Plan, educated unemployment is to be reduced to which of the following levels ?
(A) 9%
(B) 6%
(C) 7%
(D) 8%
(E) 5%
Ans : (E)

32. Which of the following Acts was framed specially to deal more effectively with the problem of Non-performing assets in banking system ?
(A) Companies Act
(B) Banking Regulation Act
(C) Foreign Exchange Management Act
(D) Industrial Dispute Act
(E) SARFAESI Act
Ans : (E)

33. Very often we read in news-papers / magazines about ‘Sovereign Wealth Funds’. Which of the following is/are the correct description of the same ?
1. These are the funds or the reserves of a government of central bank of a country which are invested further to earn profitable returns
2. These are the funds, which were accumulated by some people over the years but were not put in active circulation as they retain them as Black Money for several years
3. The funds which are created to be used as relief funds or bailouts packages.
(A) Both 2 and 3 only
(B) Only 2
(C) Only 3
(D) Only 1
(E) None of these
Ans : (D)

34. Credit rating—
(A) is used to rate the borrowers while giving advances
(B) is used to work out performance of the employees
(C) is used to calculate the number of excellent audit rated branches
(D) is not used in any bank
(E) is necessary before giving promotion to employees
Ans : (A)

35. Names of which of the following rates/ratios cannot be seen in financial newspapers ?
(A) Bank rate
(B) Repo rate
(C) Statutory liquidity ratio
(D) Cash reserve ratio
(E) Pulse rate
Ans : (E)

36. Invisible exports means export of—
(A) Perishable goods
(B) Prohibited goods
(C) Unrecorded goods
(D) Goods through smuggling
(E) Services
Ans : (E)

37. Ten rupee notes contain the signature of—
(A) Finance Secretary, GOI
(B) Chairman, State Bank of India
(C) Governor, Reserve Bank of India
(D) Finance Minister, GOI
(E) Prime Minister
Ans : (C)

38. In banking terminology NPA means—
(A) No promise account
(B) Non personal account
(C) Non performing asset
(D) Net performing asset
(E) New promising amblence
Ans : (C)

39. Who is the present RBI Governor ?
(A) Dr. Y. V. Reddy
(B) Dr. Ravi Mohan
(C) Dr. Smt. Usha Thorat
(D) Shri M. V. Nair
(E) Dr. D. Subbarao
Ans : (E)

40. The wheat based Nutrition programme is being implemented by which of the following Ministries/departments of the Govt. of India ?
(A) Ministry of Labour Welfare
(B) Department of Women and Child Development
(C) Department of Consumer Affairs
(D) Ministry of Agriculture
(E) Ministry of Planning
Ans : (B)

41. Which of the following is true about ‘Rajiv Gandhi Grameen Vidyutikaran Yojana of the Govt. of India ?
1. Its objective is electrification of all unelectrified villages
2. It was launched to provide free electricity to the farmers during the harvesting season
3. Each family covered under the scheme is eligible to get one free connection for a period of five years.
(A) Only 1
(B) Only 2
(C) Only 3
(D) Only 1 and 3
(E) All 1, 2 and 3
Ans : (A)

42. ‘Mahila Samakhya Scheme’ is launched by the ministry of—
(A) Human Resource Development
(B) Social Welfare
(C) Rural Development
(D) Agriculture
(E) Youth Affairs & Sports
Ans : (A)

43. National Rural Health Mission was launched in the year—
(A) 1995
(B) 2000
(C) 2007
(D) 2010
(E) 2005
Ans : (E)

44. Which of the following schemes is launched for providing health services in rural areas ?
(A) Operation flood
(B) Look east
(C) SJSRY
(D) JNNURM
(E) ASHA
Ans : (E)

45. Which of the following schemes is launched for the school going children ?
(A) Lok Jumbish
(B) Mid Day Meal
(C) Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan
(D) AYUSH
(E) None of these
Ans : (B)

46. Eligibility age for pension under Indira Gandhi National old age pension scheme for Below Poverty Line beneficiaries is now reduced to—
(A) 65 years
(B) 60 years
(C) 58 years
(D) 62 years
(E) 55 years
Ans : (B)

47. Which of the following schemes is launched by the Govt. of India to provide/develop infrastructure in rural areas ?
(A) Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act
(B) Financial Action Task Force
(C) Pradhan Mantri Shahari Rozgar Yojana
(D) Bharat Nirman
(E) None of these
Ans : (A)

48. Govt. of India has launched special Green Revolution project for which of the following states/ group of states ?
(A) North-east states
(B) Bihar and Jharkhand
(C) West Bengal
(D) Tamil Nadu and Kerala
(E) None of these
Ans : (A)

49. ‘Sugam’ is a scheme launched for—
(A) Small tax payers
(B) Pensioners getting old age pension
(C) Big Corporate House
(D) Getting all sorts of permission/clearances for small exporters
(E) None of these
Ans : (A)

50. Govt. of India has created a special India Micro finance Equity Fund of Rs. 100 crores. The fund is maintained by—
(A) IDBI Bank
(B) RBI
(C) ECGC
(D) SIDBI
(E) NABARD
Ans : (D)

Union Budget 2011-12 at a glance

Union Budget 2011-12

• AC restaurants serving liquor and AC hospitals with more than 25 beds under service tax.
• Service tax on air travel to be increased.
• Customs duty on raw silk reduced from 30 to 5 per cent.
• Legal services to be expanded to business entities.
• 20% export duty for iron ore.
• Custom duty on Pet Coke and Gypsum to minimized to 2.5%.
• No new tax exemption limit for women.
• Mandatory levy of 10 pct on branded garments.
• Budget estimates for 2011-12 projects- Rs 9,32,440 crore.
• No change in Central excise duty rate. Base rate on excise duty raised from 4% to 5%.
• Surcharge rate reduced from 7.5 percent to 5 percent for domestic companies.
• Hike in exemption IT limit from Rs 1.6 lakh to Rs 1.8 lakh.
• New series of coins with new rupee symbol expected.
• Simplify tax collection procedure.
• 1 million UID cards to be distributed per day shortly.
• Targeting to reduce deficit to 4.6% for the upcoming fiscal year.
• Plan and Non-Plan expenditure to be increased by 23%.
• BPL pension eligibility age limit reduced.
• Group formed to monitor corruption;will start implementing from 62 dept. in first phase.
• Amendment of Indian Stamp Act shortly.
• Simplified form 'Sugam' for small tax payers.
• Rs 1.64 lakh crore for Defence.
• Rs 1000 crore to build judicial infrastructure.
• Group of ministers to sort out Environmental concerns.
• 1000 crore for improvising judiciary system.
• Rs 8,000 cr to Northeast.
• 60 schemes for SC/ST to be implemented.
• Rs 100 crore for Ladakh.
• Rs 150 crore for Jammu.
• Pension amount increased for 80 years and above.
• Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme eligibility revised from 65 to 60 years.
• Rs 200 cr grant to IIT Kharagpur.
• Rs 20 crore to IIM Calcutta.
• 50 Crore to muslim universities in different states.
• 58,000 crore for Bharat Nirman Schemes: FM
• State Innovation Council in each state to be set up.
• Remuneration of anganwadi workers increased from Rs 1500 to Rs 3,000 per month.
• Independent debt management office to be established.
• Rs 1.6 lakh crore to be spent on social projects.
• Current a/c gap a concern due to composition of FX flows: FM
• Establishment of national policy on psychotic drugs, narcotics.
• Tax free infra bonds worth Rs 30000 cr for PSBs proposed.
• 15 mega food parks to be set up.
• Infrastructure spending increased by 23%.
• Rs 30K crore tax free bonds to be provided for railways.
• Financial assistance to be provide to Bengaluru, Chennai, Kolkata metro projects.
• Allocation under Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana to be increased to Rs 7860 crore.
• Promote organic farming.
• GDP manufacturing, targeting 16-25 % increase in next 10 years.
• Rs 300 cr to cultivate pulses in rain-fed areas;Rs 300 cr for the promotion of farm product cultivation.
• Provide Rs 6000cr for PSU bank recapitalization.
• FM: Micro finance companies to be provided with Rs 100 crore equity funds.
• Extension of NBS for urea to be analyzed.
• Home loan limit increased.
• Rs 300 cr for improving pulses production.
• Rural infrastructure development fund to be raised to 180 billion Rupees for the coming fiscal year.
• Grant 1% interest on home loans upto 50 lakhs.
• Mortage Risk Guarantee fund for rural housing to be set up.
• Rs 5,000 cr to be provided to SIDBI to meet priority lending targets.
• Rs 2000 crore for warehousing facilities.
• Rs 2,000 cr for manufacturing facilities.
• Allocation of Rs 6000 cr for some PSU banks.
• Only registered FII's to be associated with Indian MF industry.
• Rs 40,000cr to be raised via disinvestment.
• GST bill to be introduced in current session.
• Extension of NBS to cover urea under review: FM
• 500 crore proposed for empowering women.
• Micro finance institutes proposed for 100 crore.
• 300 crore to be provided to NABARD.
• FBI to regularize banking amendments.
• Ensures better delivery of urea, kerosene.
• FII allow to trade amongst themselves.
• FBI policy to be regularized.
• Public Debt Management Bill to be introduced in 2012.
• Pranab sees Budget 2011-12 as transition towards a transparent and result-oriented economic management.
• Public sector undertaking to be increased.
• Direct transfer of cash subsidy to downtrodden.
• Average inflation and current account deficit to be minimized by next year: FM
• Strong proposition to fight against corruption.
• Pranab seeking Lord Indra's blessings to get good monsoon.
• Remarkable record for last fiscal year.
• Improvise the governance.
• Govt. to reconsider ecological concerns.
• Tremendous growth in exports-29.4%.
• Food inflation down from 22.2% to 9.3 %. But still is a major concern, says FM.
• Budget to ensure more transparent economy.
• Focus on supply side issues in agriculture.
• Pranab: Work on food inflation.
• Stabilize the macro economic situation.
• Budget 2011 approved by Cabinet.
• Pranab: Impressive fiscal consolidation
• Pranab Mukherjee begins the speech.

Computer Questions For PO exams

1. Operating System is


(A) Hardware
(B) Software
(C) Storage Media
(D) None of the above


2. Booting is a process to


(A) Load DOS
(B) Switch 'ON' the Computer
(C) Load the memory
(D) None of the above


3. To restart the Computer press


(A) Ctrl+Z
(B) Ctrl+Alt+Del
(C) Tab+Alt+Del
(D) Shift+Ctrl+Tab


4. Active Window means


(A) The active window is designated by a different color toolbar than other open windows.
(B) The window that is currently open
(C) Both a and b above mentioned.
(D) The window that is last used.


5. A bitmap is


(A) Is a format which windows use for desktop wallpaper.
(B) A graphic file format made up of small dots.
(C) A specific kind of bitmap file with the .BMP extension.
(D) All of the above.


6. The extension of Batch file is


(A) .Doc
(B) .BTC
(C) .BPC
(D) .BAT


7. The file that executing at the time of Booting


(A) Autoexec.Bat
(B) ABC.txt
(C) windows.bat
(D) Start.bat


8. BIOS stands for


(A) Basic Input Output Services
(B) Big Integrity of System
(C) Base Interface Outerface System
(D) None


9. DISK operating system is a


(A) Single user operating system
(B) Multi user operating system
(C) Multi programming operating system
(D) All of the above


10. RAM stands for


(A) Random Access Memory
(B) Random All Memory
(C) Rise All memory
(D) Random Access MemoryChip






11. The DOS system files have the extension


(A) .SYS
(B) .BAT
(C) .BTC
(D) .INI






12. A cursor is


(A) To make a selection from the document and duplicate it on the clip-board
(B) A symbol that designates the position on the screen where text of codes
will be inserted or deleted.
(C) Pressing and holding the main mouse button
(D) A button in a dialog box.






13. A dialog box is a one


(A) Which is a sort of on-screen from where you can fill in the blanks, make selections
from lists and chose various combinations of options and settings.
(B) In which you can connect to another Internet user and establish an audio and video
contact using Microsoft Word.
(C) In which you can give verbal commands to Microsoft Word menu.
(D) All of the above.






14. What is Active Desktop


(A) A term that is synonymous with viewing our desktop as a web page.
(B) A feature to customize your desktop to display information you can
update from the Internet.
(C) A software
(D) Both a and b above mentioned






15. DBMS stands for


(A) Direct Base Management System
(B) Double Base management System
(C) Database Management system
(D) Double Boom Managed System






16. Which one is not an Operating System?


(A) UNIX
(B) WINDOWS
(C) RAM
(D) DOS






17. A VIRUS is


(A) Software Program
(B) Hardware
(C) Simple Machine
(D) Code






18. VIRUS can be spread by


(A) Networks
(B) Modem
(B) PAN drive
(D) All of the above






19. NORTAN is an


(A) Software
(B) Anti virus
(C) Language
(D) Code






20. The primary goal of DBMS is
(A) Store information
(B) Retrieve information
(C) both (1) and (2)
(D) None of the above






21. Which one is not the option of multi user operating system?
(A) UNIX
(B) NOVELL
(C) PC-DOS
(D) Netware






22. The term BOOT refers to:
(A) Start up a computer
(B) Loading Software in computer
(C) Managing memory of Computer
(D) All of the above






23. What is HTML?
(A) It is developed for world wide web(www).
(B) Used for all the formatted documents.
(C) To make formatted web documents with links, those can be viewed in Web Browser.
(D) All of the above






24. What is an icon?
(A) It is some action performed when some thing like menu or button clicked.
(B) It is small graphical image which is used to represented an application command, or a tool.
(C) both a and b
(D) A folder






25. Which of the following is not a Web Browser?
(A) Internet Explorer
(B) Opera
(C) MS Excel
(D) Netscape






26. Which device is used to connect your computer with a telephone line so that can access
information from other servers and ordinary users?
(A) Set Top Box
(B) Modem
(C) RAM
(D) UPS






27. MICR stands for?
(A) Magnetic Ink Character Reader
(B) Main Image Character Reader
(C) Magnetic Ignore Character Reader
(D) Magnetic Ink Chrome Reader






28. Read only memory is
(A) Volatile
(B) Non-Volatile
(C) Both-1 & 2
(D) None






29. GUI stands for
(A) Graphical User Interface
(B) Graphical User Internet
(C) Graphical User Interanet
(D) None of these.






30. In windows operating system document by default saves in
(A) My Documents
(B) Desktop
(C) My Computer
(D) None of the above






31. Cursor is a
(A) Thin blinking line
(B) Pixel
(C) Pointing device
(D) None of the above






32. All deleted files stores in
(A) Recycle Bin
(B) My Computer
(C) Folder
(D) My Documents






33. Internel Commands are stored in
(A) ROM
(B) RAM
(C) CD
(D) Floppy DISK






34. While choosing an operating system, we must keep in mind
(A) Basic design of computer
(B) Method of communication
(C) Method of operating system
(D) All of the above






35. CPU can directly understand this language (A) C
(B) C++
(C) Assembly
(D) Java






36. All windows setting are stored in this file
(A) Windows.ini
(B) Win.ini
(C) Start.ini
(D) Startup.bat






37. Compilers are
(A) Both OS and Hardware dependent
(B) Only OS dependent
(C) Only Hardware dependent
(D) Cannot be generalized for all compilers






38. Router is a networking equipment used for
(A) Routing e-mails
(B) Routing IP datagrams
(C) Maintaining telephonic connections
(D) Fiber optics links






39. A program written in high-level language is a
(A) Compiled program
(B) Object program
(C) Source program
(D) All of these






40. A processing complex consisting of two or more interconnected computers
(A) Computer network
(B) Control program
(C) Cybernetics
(D) None of these






41. A high level language developed for business data processing application
(A) BASIC
(B) PASCAL
(C) COBOL
(D) FORTAIN






42. Language which can easily interact with the hardware are called
(A) High level languages
(B) Low level languages
(C) Middle level languages
(D) None of these






43. How many bits are there in ASCII codes
(A) 8
(B) 10
(C) 12
(D) 16






44. Buffering in printers is necessary because
(A) Computer is fast in generating data for printing then printer can print it.
(B) There is not enough memory is provided with printers
(C) It is only because to make printer work for mores years
(D) Both a and b






45. Which of the following is not a logic gate
(A) AND
(B) OR
(C) NAT
(D) NOT






46. When we purchase a product over a Mobile Phone, the transaction is called
(A) Web Commerce
(B) E-Commerce
(C) M-Commerce
(D) Mobile Purchases






47. Who is the founder of Oracle Corporation?
(A) Lars Ellison
(B) Bill Gates
(C) Dennis Ritche
(D) Linux Torvalds






48. Computer software includes:
(A) Application Programs
(B) Operating System Programs
(C) Packages Programs
(D) All of the above






49. Machine Language
(A) Is the language in which programs were first written
(B) Is the only language understood by the computer
(C) Differs from one type of computer to another
(D) All of these






50. Which device is used as the standard pointing device in the Graphical User Environment?
(A) Keyboard
(B) Mouse
(C) Joystick
(D) Trackball






ANSWERS
1.B 2.B 3.B 4.B 5.D 6.D 7.A 8.A 9.D 10.A
11.A 12.B 13.A 14.C 15.C 16.C 17.A 18.D 19.B 20.C
21.C 22.A 23.D 24.C 25.C 26.B 27.A 28.A 29.A 30.A
31.C 32.A 33.B 34.A 35.C 36.B 37.A 38.B 39.B 40.A
41.B 42.A 43.A 44.D 45.C 46.B 47.A 48.D 49.D 50.C

Frequently Asked Computer Questions

1. All of the following are examples of real security and privacy risks EXCEPT:

A. hackers.

B. spam.

C. viruses.

D. identity theft.

Answer: B

2. A process known as ____________ is used by large retailers to study trends.

A. data mining

B. data selection

C. POS

D. data conversion

Answer: A

3. ____________terminals (formerly known as cash registers) are often connected to complex inventory and sales computer systems.

A. Data

B. Point-of-sale (POS)

C. Sales

D. Query

Answer: B

4. A(n) ____________ system is a small, wireless handheld computer that scans an item’s tag and pulls up the current price (and any special offers) as you shop.

A. PSS

B. POS

C. inventory

D. data mining

Answer: A

5. The ability to recover and read deleted or damaged files from a criminal’s computer is an example of a law enforcement specialty called:

A. robotics.

B. simulation.

C. computer forensics.

D. animation.

Answer: C

6. Which of the following is NOT one of the four major data processing functions of a computer?

A. gathering data

B. processing data into information

C. analyzing the data or information

D. storing the data or information

Answer: C

7. ____________ tags, when placed on an animal, can be used to record and track in a database all of the animal’s movements.

A. POS

B. RFID

C. PPS

D. GPS

Answer: B

8. Surgeons can perform delicate operations by manipulating devices through computers instead of manually. This technology is known as:

A. robotics.

B. computer forensics.

C. simulation.

D. forecasting.

Answer: A

9. Technology no longer protected by copyright, available to everyone, is considered to be:

A. proprietary.

B. open.

C. experimental.

D. in the public domain.

Answer: A

10. ____________ is the study of molecules and structures whose size ranges from 1 to 100 nanometers.

A. Nanoscience

B. Microelectrodes

C. Computer forensics

D. Artificial intelligence

Answer: A

11. ____________ is the science that attempts to produce machines that display the same type of intelligence that humans do.

A. Nanoscience

B. Nanotechnology

C. Simulation

D. Artificial intelligence (AI)

Answer: D

12. ____________ is data that has been organized or presented in a meaningful fashion.

A. A process

B. Software

C. Storage

D. Information

Answer: D

13. The name for the way that computers manipulate data into information is called:

A. programming.

B. processing.

C. storing.

D. organizing.

Answer: B

14. Computers gather data, which means that they allow users to ____________ data.

A. present

B. input

C. output

D. store

Answer: B

15. After a picture has been taken with a digital camera and processed appropriately, the actual print of the picture is considered:

A. data.

B. output.

C. input.

D. the process.

Answer: B

16. Computers use the ____________ language to process data.

A. processing

B. kilobyte

C. binary

D. representational

Answer: C

17. Computers process data into information by working exclusively with:

A. multimedia.

B. words.

C. characters.

D. numbers.

Answer: D

18. In the binary language each letter of the alphabet, each number and each special character is made up of a unique combination of:

A. eight bytes.

B. eight kilobytes.

C. eight characters.

D. eight bits.

Answer: D

19. The term bit is short for:

A. megabyte.

B. binary language.

C. binary digit.

D. binary number.

Answer: C

20. A string of eight 0s and 1s is called a:

A. megabyte.

B. byte.

C. kilobyte.

D. gigabyte.

Answer: B

21. A ____________ is approximately one billion bytes.

A. kilobyte

B. bit

C. gigabyte

D. megabyte

Answer: C

22. A ____________ is approximately a million bytes.

A. gigabyte

B. kilobyte

C. megabyte

D. terabyte

Answer: C

23. ____________ is any part of the computer that you can physically touch.

A. Hardware

B. A device

C. A peripheral

D. An application

Answer: A

24. The components that process data are located in the:

A. input devices.

B. output devices.

C. system unit.

D. storage component.

Answer: C

25. All of the following are examples of input devices EXCEPT a:

A. scanner.

B. mouse.

C. keyboard.

D. printer.

Answer: D

26. Which of the following is an example of an input device?

A. scanner

B. speaker

C. CD

D. printer

Answer: A

27. All of the following are examples of storage devices EXCEPT:

A. hard disk drives.

B. printers.

C. floppy disk drives.

D. CD drives.

Answer: B

28. The ____________, also called the “brains” of the computer, is responsible for processing data.

A. motherboard

B. memory

C. RAM

D. central processing unit (CPU)

Answer: D

29. The CPU and memory are located on the:

A. expansion board.

B. motherboard.

C. storage device.

D. output device.

Answer: B

30. Word processing, spreadsheet, and photo-editing are examples of:

A. application software.

B. system software.

C. operating system software.

D. platform software.

Answer: A

31. ____________ is a set of computer programs used on a computer to help perform tasks.

A. An instruction

B. Software

C. Memory

D. A processor

Answer: B

32. System software is the set of programs that enables your computer’s hardware devices and ____________ software to work together.

A. management

B. processing

C. utility

D. application

Answer: D

33. The PC (personal computer) and the Apple Macintosh are examples of two different:

A. platforms.

B. applications.

C. programs.

D. storage devices.

Answer: A

34. Apple Macintoshes (Macs) and PCs use different ____________ to process data and different operating systems.

A. languages

B. methods

C. CPUs

D. storage devices

Answer: C

35. Servers are computers that provide resources to other computers connected to a:

A. network.

B. mainframe.

C. supercomputer.

D. client.

Answer: A

36. Smaller and less expensive PC-based servers are replacing ____________ in many businesses.

A. supercomputers

B. clients

C. laptops

D. mainframes

Answer: D

37. ____________ are specially designed computers that perform complex calculations extremely rapidly.

A. Servers

B. Supercomputers

C. Laptops

D. Mainframes

Answer: B

38. DSL is an example of a(n) ____________ connection.

A. network

B. wireless

C. slow

D. broadband

Answer: D

39. The difference between people with access to computers and the Internet and those without this access is known as the:

A. digital divide.

B. Internet divide.

C. Web divide.

D. broadband divide.

Answer: A

40. ____________ is the science revolving around the use of nanostructures to build devices on an extremely small scale.

A. Nanotechnology

B. Micro-technology

C. Computer forensics

D. Artificial intelligence

Answer: A

41. Which of the following is the correct order of the four major functions of a computer?

A. Process à Output à Input à Storage

B. Input à Outputà Process à Storage

C. Process à Storage à Input à Output

D. Input à Process à Output à Storage

Answer: D

42. ____________ bits equal one byte.

A. Eight

B. Two

C. One thousand

D. One million

Answer: A

43. The binary language consists of ____________ digit(s).

A. 8

B. 2

C. 1,000

D. 1

Answer: B

44. A byte can hold one ____________ of data.

A. bit

B. binary digit

C. character

D. kilobyte

Answer: C

45. ____________ controls the way in which the computer system functions and provides a means by which users can interact with the computer.

A. The platform

B. The operating system

C. Application software

D. The motherboard

Answer: B

46. The operating system is the most common type of ____________ software.

A. communication

B. application

C. system

D. word-processing software

Answer: C

47. ____________ are specially designed computer chips that reside inside other devices, such as your car or your electronic thermostat.

A. Servers

B. Embedded computers

C. Robotic computers

D. Mainframes

Answer: B

48. The steps and tasks needed to process data, such as responses to questions or clicking an icon, are called:

A. instructions.

B. the operating system.

C. application software.

D. the system unit.

Answer: A

49. The two broad categories of software are:

A. word processing and spreadsheet.

B. transaction and application.

C. Windows and Mac OS.

D. system and application.

Answer: D

50. The metal or plastic case that holds all the physical parts of the computer is the:

A. system unit.

B. CPU.

C. mainframe.

D. platform.

Answer: A

Fill in the Blank:

51. Between PCs and Macs, the ____________ is the platform of choice for graphic design and animation.

Answer: Mac

52. The ____________ is the program that manages the hardware of the computer system, including the CPU, memory, storage devices, and input/output devices.

Answer: operating system

53. The type of operating system software you use depends on your computer’s ____________.

Answer: platform

54. ____________software helps you carry out tasks, such as typing a document or creating a spreadsheet.

Answer: Application

55. ____________are the fastest and most expensive computers.

Answer: Supercomputers

56. A ____________ is approximately 1,000 bytes.

Answer: kilobyte

57. Input devices are used to provide the steps and tasks the computer needs to process data, and these steps and tasks are called ____________.

Answer: instructions

58. A computer gathers data, processes it, outputs the data or information, and ____________ the data or information.

Answer: stores

59. The binary language consists of two digits: ____________ and ____________.

Answer: 0 and 1

60. A string of ____________ 0s and 1s is called a byte.

Answer: eight (8)

61. The devices you use to enter data into a computer system are known as ____________ devices.

Answer: input

62. The devices on a computer system that let you see the processed information are known as ____________ devices.

Answer: output

63. ____________ is the set of computer instructions or programs that enables the hardware to perform different tasks.

Answer: Software

64. When you connect to the ____________, your computer is communicating with a server at your Internet service provider (ISP).

Answer: Internet

65. ____________ are computers that excel at executing many different computer programs at the same time.

Answer: Mainframes

66. ____________is the application of computer systems and techniques to gather legal evidence.

Answer: Computer forensics

67. ____________ is the science that attempts to create machines that will emulate the human thought process.

Answer: Artificial intelligence (AI)

68. Macintosh computers use the Macintosh operating system (Mac OS), whereas PCs generally run ____________ as an operating system.

Answer: Microsoft Windows

69. A process known as ____________ tracks trends and allows retailers to respond to consumer buying patterns.

Answer: data mining

70. Hard disk drives and CD drives are examples of ____________ devices.

Answer: storage

71. You would use ____________ software to create spreadsheets, type documents, and edit photos.

Answer: application

72. ____________ are computers that support hundreds or thousands of users simultaneously.

Answer: Mainframes

73. ____________ is the term given to the act of stealing someone’s identity and ruining their credit rating.

Answer: Identity theft

74. Surgeons are using ____________ to guide robots to perform delicate surgery.

Answer: computers

75. Patient ____________ are life-sized mannequins that have a pulse and a heartbeat and respond to procedures just like humans.

Answer: simulators

True and False

76. Currently, the performance of tasks by robots is based on preprogrammed algorithms.

Answer: True

77. Data can be a number, a word, a picture, or a sound.

Answer: True

78. Strictly defined, a computer is a data processing device.

Answer: True

79. The discrepancy between the “haves” and “have-nots” with regard to computer technology is commonly referred to as the digital society.

Answer: False (digital divide)

80. One of the benefits of becoming computer fluent is being a savvy computer user and consumer and knowing how to avoid viruses, the programs that pose threats to computer security.

Answer: True

81. Trend-spotting programs, developed for business, have been used to predict criminal activity.

Answer: True

82. Employers do not have the right to monitor e-mail and network traffic on employee systems used at work.

Answer: False

83. Clicking on an icon with the mouse is a form of giving an instruction to the computer.

Answer: True

84. Output devices store instructions or data that the CPU processes.

Answer: False (memory)

85. The CPU and memory are located on a special circuit board in the system unit called the motherboard.

Answer: True

86. Nanostructures represent the smallest human-made structures that can be built.

Answer: True

87. The main difference between a supercomputer and a mainframe is that supercomputers are designed to execute a few programs as quickly as possible, whereas mainframes are designed to handle many programs running at the same time (but at a slower pace).

Answer: True

88. Being computer fluent means that you should be able to build a computer yourself.

Answer: False

89. Embedded computers are self-contained computer devices that have their own programming and do not receive input.

Answer: True

90. A Web browser is a special device that is installed in your computer that allows it to communicate with other devices on a network.

Answer: False (network adapter)

91. With a wireless network, it is easier to relocate devices.

Answer: True

92. The most common type of memory that the computer uses to process data is ROM.

Answer: False (RAM)

Matching:

93. Match the following terms with their approximate size:

I. kilobyte A. one million bytes

II. byte B. eight bits

III. gigabyte C. one thousand bytes

IV. megabyte D. one billion bytes

V. terabyte E. one trillion bytes

Answer: C, B, D, A, E

94. Match the following terms with their meanings:

I. printer A. storage device

II. scanner B. output device

III. RAM C. input device

IV. CPU D. a type of memory

V. CD drive E. processor

Answer: B, C, D, E, A

95. Match the following terms with their meanings:

I. mainframe A. the most expensive computers that perform complex calculations extremely rapidly

II. supercomputer B. a computer that provides resources to other computers connected to a network

III. embedded computer C. a large, expensive computer that supports hundreds or thousands of users simultaneously

IV. PDA D. a self-contained computer device that usually performs preprogrammed functions such as temperature control

V. server E. a small mobile computing device

Answer: C, A, D, E, B

96. Match the following terms with their meanings:

I. software A. transforming data into information

II. hardware B. data that has been organized or presented in a meaningful fashion

III. operating system C. any part of the computer that you can physically touch

IV. processing D. a set of computer programs that enables hardware to perform different tasks

V. information E. the most common type of system software, it controls the way in which the computer system functions

Answer: D, C, E, A, B

97. Match the following terms with their meanings:

I. system software A. the set of programs that enables computer hardware devices and application software to work together

II. application software B. the kind of operating system software you will use depends on this

III. platform C. operating system software generally used on PCs

IV. Microsoft Windows D. a set of programs used to accomplish a specific task

V. Mac OS E. operating system software used on the Apple Macintosh

Answer: A, D, B, C, E

98. Match the following terms with their meanings:

I. data A. the main circuit board in the system unit

II. memory B. the representation of a fact or idea (unprocessed information)

III. output C. processed data or information

IV. storage D. holds instructions or data that the CPU processes

V. motherboard E. data or information that can be accessed again

Answer: B, D, C, E, A

99. Match the following terms with their meanings:

I. bit A. the science revolving around the use of nanostructures to build devices on an extremely small scale

II. binary language B. the case that contains the system components

III. instructions C. consists of 0s and 1s

IV. system unit D. short for binary digit

V. nanotechnology E. steps and tasks necessary to process data into usable information

Answer: D, C, E, B, A

100. Match the following fields to the related computer technology:

I. medicine A. Internet research and virtual tours

II. business B. data mining

III. law enforcement C. robotics and simulation

IV. education D. computer forensics

V. archeology E. digital recreations of ruins

Answer: C, B, D, A, E

Fundamentals Of Computer

Basics of Computer

1. What computers are and are not

The term 'computer' is misleading for many people. It suggests that these machines are mainly about computing with numbers; that was their original use, but they are in fact 'all-purpose' machines. A computer can work as a telephone, a television, a VCR, a CD player, a typewriter, a bulletin board, a post office, a multimedia textbook, a mini-library, an art gallery, a music-composing tool, etc. You can use it to design a house, create a 3D painting, simulate a science experiment, and, yes, even compute with numbers. Most uses of computers in education today do not involve numbers at all.

2. How a computer works

The brain of the computer is called the Central Processing Unit (CPU). It is located inside the main box on a printed electric circuit called a Motherboard; it is a 'micro-chip', a piece of ceramic-like material that has billions of microscopic electrical connections etched onto it. Any form of information (words, pictures, sounds, numbers) can be converted to electric signals that are 'input' to the chip. The electric connections on the chip allow these signals to be compared to one another and combined with one another according to a 'program' that 'processes' or manipulates the information into a new form, which becomes the 'output' electric signal from the chip. Everything else in a computer is designed to take human information and convert it to the input electric signals for the chip, or to take the chip's output signals and convert them back to a form that humans can recognize. These other components are called 'peripherals', or just input and output devices.

3. Computer programs

Something has to tell the chip what to do with each input signal in order to combine it with other input signals to make the output: the program. The program is just more information; it is written in a 'programming language' that is a cross between English and Algebra. An input device called an 'interpreter' or 'compiler' converts the typed program into input signals to the chip. The chip combines the other input information with the program information to create its output signals. All information for the chip has to be in the form of a simple electric signal: voltage on (or voltage high) vs. voltage off (or voltage low). This simple signal is represented by a '1' (for ON or High) vs. a '0' (for OFF or Low) in writing programs. Every letter of the alphabet, every number, every color, every location on the computer screen, every sound has a code in terms of a long sequence of 1's and 0's (voltage signals), such as: 100111010100011101.

Since this form of coding is slow and hard to remember, programming languages are built so that the program writer puts in words and special symbols (for operations like comparing two codes, storing a code temporarily in the computer's memory chip, etc.), and the language runs its own program to convert these into the actual 1 and 0 codes. As computer languages have become more advanced they have basically become complex programs themselves: they tell the CPU how to convert instructions from the user into 1 and 0 codes. A long set of instructions makes up a program, and is also called 'the code' for that program. The 1's and 0's are called the 'machine language code' -- since they directly control the electric signals to the chip -- and the instructions about what to do with each unit of information is called the 'assembly language code'. Most programmers write in a 'high level language' (e.g. C++ or Visual Basic or Java), which runs a little program to convert itself into the machine code. In high level languages the kinds of instructions you write are things like: Open a window on the screen, take the words from this file and display them in the window, highlight the word that the mouse cursor (see below) is over, etc.

4. The parts of the computer

What you see when you look at a typical computer workstation is:

• a Monitor -- looks like and basically is a TV screen and controls
• a Keyboard -- like a typewriter but with many useful extra keys
• a Mouse -- a palm-size gadget that rolls on a ball and has buttons on it
• a Printer -- inkjet or laser-xerox miniature printing machine a microphone and speakers -- if you're lucky, not all machine have these
• a pair of stereo Speakers, for multimedia systems (also sometimes a Microphone to speak into)
• a miniature TV camera -- if you're very lucky; not yet common
• the BOX -- contains the CPU microchip and all the really important components

So then, what's in/on the BOX?

On the Front of the box:

• On/Off switch (sometimes on the side)
• Reset button -- only on some machines
• Floppy-disk Drive -- you put in a square disk that contains information
• CD-ROM drive -- you put in a digital CD platter that contains a lot of information
• Tape Drive -- optional, for storing information in case something goes wrong
• Other special drives -- old-fashioned big diskette drive, super-new storage drives
• On/off light, Hard Disk Operating light, miscellaneous lights and buttons

Inside the Box. What you see on the front is just the opening slot of the actual drives. A 'drive' is a storage device. In addition to the CPU chip and the input and output devices, computers need places to store information either temporarily or more permanently (for reuse later), the short-term storage is called RAM (random-access memory) and is expensive. For longterm storage various kinds of disks and platters and cassettes are used; these are basically like videotape, but much higher quality, or like CDs. The drives read the information off these storage media and pass it on to the CPU; some drives can also write new information onto the disk or platter/CD or cassette.

• The CPU and RAM memory chips on the 'motherboard'
• The HARD DRIVE -- the main longterm storage system for programs and info
• The Disk and CD-ROM drives -- the main part of them is inside the box
• The specialized 'Boards' -- these run the input and output devices
• The Modem -- one of the boards; connects to the telephone line
• Network Board -- another board, connects to the LAN (see below)
• Video Board -- connects to the monitor
• An electic power supply, battery, and a lot of connecting cables

Every input device and output device is connected first to a specialized Board that has its own microchip to convert signals and pass them on to the CPU (on the main or Mother Board).

On the back of the Box. This is where all the input/output peripherals are connected to the Box, and the Box is connected to the electric outlet, the telephone system (for a modem), and the local area computer network (LAN) cable system. There are a lot of confusing cables back here. Sometimes they come lose. The specialized Boards stick out the back slightly, just like the drives stick out the front slightly. The Boards have connector sockets called Ports where the keyboard, mouse, printer, monitor, etc. are supposed to be plugged in.

5. How to turn it on

To make the computer work, there has to be electric power to several different parts, so there are sometimes several ON switches; you need to turn ALL of them on. If you are lucky there will be one Master Switch to do all this for you, but don't count on it. First make sure there are no disks VISIBLE in any of the drives (look, don't touch). If there is one in the drive, push the release button to get it out. Now, turn on the power supply switch if there is one (sometimes called Master Switch). Turn on the Monitor (watch for a light to come on). Turn on the Printer (optional). Turn on the Box.

The machine is working if: lights come on on all the parts, after a minute or less you see something on the monitor screen: words, numbers, changing colors. It takes a few minutes for a computer to warm up and get itself ready to work, be patient.

6. The 'Boot Up' Process

Watch the monitor screen while the machine is starting up. It may go by fast at times, but you can learn a lot. There are ways to slow it down, too, but that's for advanced users. The first things you usually see on a PC (not a Mac) is the count-up of the RAM memory. 8000 is very small, 16000 is ok, 32000 is good, more is wonderful. The machine is really testing the short-term memory storage to see that it's working and how much there is. You can add more memory by paying for it and sticking it in the box.

Now the machine starts to check all the different input and output devices. It looks for the keyboard and tests it, the mouse, the monitor, the printer, the hard drive, the disk drive, the CD-ROM drive, etc. For each of these it loads a program called a 'driver' program to convert signals between the CPU and the device. This is the time when the machine detects any problems. Hope that it doesn't find anything wrong! This is also usually the time when a program is run automatically to check for 'viruses' (these are unwanted programs that can damage the machine or make it not work properly; they have nothing to do with biological viruses at all).

If everything is working, the machine displays the USER INTERFACE. This is your signal that you can now take over and tell the machine what to do. Everything before this was automatic, run by programs built into the machine. The basic startup program is called the BIOS, then there are other programs that you can sometimes change (like how to check for viruses, what kind of CR-ROM drive you have, etc.).

7. The Operating System and the User Interface

The operating system is the master program that runs the computer behind the scenes while you work. It translates your instructions into actions by the machine. It also heads off conflicts between one part of the machine and another, making them all take turns. The most common operating systems are Windows, MacOS, and Unix. DOS is an older system that is now a small part of Windows.

The User Interface is what you see on the screen at the beginning. You can come back to this screen anytime you need it. Sometimes a part of it is always visible. The simplest user interface is a Command Line. The line is shown by a Prompt, some symbols that tell you where to type your commands (e.g. C:\windows> ...); this is not so common today, but it is easy to use -- if you remember the Commands. Since most people can't remember a lot of commands or don't want to be bothered, the alternative is a GUI, graphical user interface: a pretty set of little pictures called 'icons' with printed labels on them that appear on the screen to remind you of the commands. The Mouse is used to 'click' on an icon or label to issue a command. The most common commands are the ones to start new programs. The programs then give you more choices of specialized commands to edit text, draw pictures, access the internet, etc.

8. Programs, Commands, Folders and Files

An 'application program' is the most common kind of program. A word-processor is an application program for writing, reading, and editing text. A paint or draw program is for making, viewing, and changing pictures. A calculator program is for doing arithmetic. Almost everything you want to do with a computer is available, for a price, as a program or set of connected programs. Every program appears on screen as an icon, or has a command to start it.

Once you start a program, there are special commands that work only in that program to make it do things, or there are special icons that appear to help you do these things. Many programs have a linked Help program, that tells you what to do. Some have Wizard programs that walk you step by step through something. There are also Tutorial programs to introduce a new program to you. And there are program manuals, printed books that explain how to use the program. To use any program you have to LEARN how.

Most programs create, read, and modify information. This information is then stored in a FILE. There are text files, picture files, sound files, video files, multimedia files, and others. All information in a computer is stored in some kind of a file. To keep track of all these files, there is a Filing System, a special program built into the operating system. What you see are Folders (also called directories or subdirectories), and inside a folder there are files. There can also be folders inside other folders. To locate a particular file of information, the computer, and sometimes you, need to know the Path to the file, which consists of telling what DRIVE it is stored on, what folder it is in, what folder that folder is in, and so on. Usually each drive has a letter, or an icon. If there are letters, A: and B: are the floppy disk drives, C: is the main hard disk drive (where most of the files are kept permanently), and other letters can be other disk drives and CD-ROM drives. A path might look like C:\windows\system\audio.dll -- this is the path to a file called audio.dll that contains information that the windows operating system uses to communicate with the speakers and play music or sound; it is in a folder called System and that is in a folder called Windows and that folder is permanently stored on the C: hard drive. Usually you can just use the icons for the file system to click on folders, 'open' them, and see more folders or files 'inside' them. These are just visual images on the screen, not the actual files, but you can link to the real files by clicking on their image icons.

10. Actually doing something

Start up the computer (section 5). Wait till everything stops. Click on an icon on the user interface screen. If nothing happens, 'double click' (twice very fast) or hit the Enter key. This will either start a program or open a folder than contains files and programs. On many computers if you double-click a file that can be seen or heard with a program, the program will automatically start up and show the file (a text, a picture, etc.). Otherwise you have to start the program first and then use its special commands to open a particular file.

Look for a MENU bar at the top of the screen once a program has started. Move the mouse around to put the cursor on the menu bar and press the button on the mouse. You should see a list of commands. Click on a command, or move the mouse with the button held down over a command and then let go of the mouse button (takes a little practice). If there is a FILE menu of commands, one will be the OPEN command. If you activate this command, a little box will usually appear to ask which file you want to open, and very often there will be a way to see a list of all the files that the program can use. There will also be a NEW command, to let you create a new file, e.g. a new text document, a new picture, etc.

There is also usually a HELP command somewhere near the end of the MENU bar, or pressing the F1 key (one special key, not F and 1) may start the Help program.

The FILE menu will also usually have a QUIT or EXIT or CLOSE or STOP command which will either close the file you are using or stop the program altogether (it does not stop the computer, just one program). The program will usually ask you if you want to save the new file or changes you made to a file in permanent storage. If it was a new file, say YES; if it was a file you found already in the computer, say NO, unless you are really sure that it is ok to make a change in it. A file remains unchanged in storage unless you specifically SAVE changes to it. The copy on file is not the copy you see on the screen, until you tell the machine to replace the file copy with the one on screen. This is called SAVING the new file.

The operating system usually knows what program goes with what file (this is called an 'association'), but sometimes you have to tell it. Sometimes a program cannot use a file of information until it has been 'converted' to work with that program. If you have a paper you wrote on a Mac and want to print it on a PC, it has to be converted first. If you have a paper you wrote with the MSWord program and you want to edit it with the WordPerfect program, it has to be converted first. Always keep a copy of the original version, just in case something goes wrong. This safety rule is called 'backing up' the file, i.e. keeping a spare copy of the old version in case the new version doesn't work or is accidentally lost or ruined.

Key Things to Learn First:

How to use the Mouse to start a program and use menu commands in a program How to copy a file from a disk to the hard drive and vice versa How to make a back-up copy of a file on a disk or on the hard drive How to find a program or a file in the computer's filing systems of folder icons How to check a disk to make sure it has no viruses on it (VERY IMPORTANT!!) How to start a Browser program to access the Internet (WWW, web) How to print a file How to store on disk or hard-drive a copy of a file you found on the internet

The Most Important Types of Application Programs

• Word Processor -- creates, reads, edits text files; sometimes can add pictures or tables
• Paint or Draw -- creates, shows, and changes pictures and images; usually in color
• Database -- stores and organizes information, helps locate needed information
• Spreadsheet -- does simple math calculations, especially for businesses
• Communications -- helps connect to other computers by modem and telephone
• Browser -- connects to the Internet to show web pages
• Email -- write, read, send, receive, store, and organize electronic mail messages

Input Devices: Keyboard, Mouse, Microphone, Trackball, Joystick; Disk or CD drive when it reads a disk or CD Output Devices: Monitor, Printer, Speakers; Disk drive when it writes information onto a disk Storage Devices: Hard disk, Floppy diskette disk, CD-ROM platter disk, Tape Backup drive

Types of Computers: Macintosh, Windows PC, Unix workstation, Mainframe, Supercomputer

Communications between computers: Modem -- telephone connection; LAN -- local cables; Internet -- long-distance cables