Chapter 1: Hardware and Software Components
Section A: Multiple Choice Questions (30 Marks)
1. The main circuit board inside a computer that holds the CPU, memory, and expansion slots is the:
2. Which memory component loses its stored data when the power is turned off (volatile memory)?
3. Which CPU unit is responsible for controlling the operations of every other component and data transfer?
4. SMPS stands for:
5. Which component is used in a CPU cabinet specifically to dissipate heat generated by the processor?
6. A high-end scanner used primarily in the publishing industry that uses Photomultiplier Tube (PMT) technology is a:
7. Which output device prints by physically striking an inked ribbon against paper?
8. An optical disc format that uses a blue-violet laser and can hold up to 25 GB on a single layer is a:
9. Which port uses an RJ-45 connector and is used to connect a computer to a wired network or internet?
10. HDMI stands for:
11. The port also known as IEEE 1394, developed by Apple Inc. to transfer data at up to 800 Mbps, is:
12. ROM holds startup instructions that prepare a computer for use. This startup software is called:
13. A device that converts digital data into analog signals and vice versa for transmission over phone lines is a:
14. Which output device is specially used for printing large flex banners, engineering maps, and posters?
15. An optical mouse uses which light source technology to detect movement on a surface?
16. A track location that passes vertically through all stacked platters in a hard disk drive is called a:
17. What is the standard storage capacity of a conventional Compact Disc (CD)?
18. Which audio port on a computer allows connecting external speakers or headphones?
19. CPU speed is determined by the number of instructions it executes per second, measured in:
20. Legacy PS/2 connectors were developed by IBM in 1987 specifically for attaching:
21. Rashmi wants to copy her school project file to take home. Which portable plug-and-play USB device should she use?
22. Which expansion component creates the images displayed on the screen and aids high-definition gaming?
23. Which component stores data using non-moving flash memory technology, operating much faster than traditional HDDs?
24. A light-sensitive pointing device used to draw or point directly on CRT screens, mostly replaced by stylus pens, is a:
25. What type of scanner is manually dragged over an image surface and requires a steady hand?
26. Which unit inside the CPU performs mathematical calculations and comparison logic?
27. Standard modern computer keyboards generally have how many keys?
28. The soft copy output on a monitor screen is made up of thousands of small colored dots called:
29. Which port transfers data sequentially one bit at a time and was used for legacy modems and printers?
30. Hardware components that are installed inside the CPU cabinet are called:
Section B: Assertion & Reason Questions (30 Marks)
Directions: Choose the correct option for each question:
- A: Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true, and Reason (R) is the correct explanation of Assertion (A).
- B: Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true, but Reason (R) is NOT the correct explanation of Assertion (A).
- C: Assertion (A) is true, but Reason (R) is false.
- D: Assertion (A) is false, but Reason (R) is true.
31. Assertion (A): RAM is called volatile memory.
Reason (R): Information stored in RAM is lost permanently when power supply is switched off.
32. Assertion (A): ROM is non-volatile memory.
Reason (R): Data in ROM can be modified and rewritten continuously by standard user programs.
33. Assertion (A): SMPS converts incoming AC mains voltage into regulated low-voltage DC power.
Reason (R): Computer internal electronics require stable direct current (DC) for safe functioning.
34. Assertion (A): The motherboard is known as the main circuit board of a computer.
Reason (R): It serves as a single platform connecting CPU, RAM, disk drives, and expansion cards together.
35. Assertion (A): Drum scanners are widely used in personal homes and small offices.
Reason (R): Flatbed scanners are affordable and suitable for standard office document scanning.
36. Assertion (A): Plotters produce high-precision vector graphics using moving pens.
Reason (R): They are ideal for printing large architectural maps, engineering designs, and flex banners.
37. Assertion (A): Impact printers offer superior photo print quality compared to laser printers.
Reason (R): Impact printers work by striking an inked ribbon against paper physically.
38. Assertion (A): FireWire ports are used to transfer data at high speeds with devices like digital video cameras.
Reason (R): FireWire (IEEE 1394) was developed by Apple Inc. and can connect up to 63 devices.
39. Assertion (A): HDMI carries both high-definition video and multi-channel digital audio over a single cable.
Reason (R): HDMI is designed to connect modern HD monitors, TVs, and gaming consoles to computers.
40. Assertion (A): Solid State Drives contain magnetic platters that spin at high RPMs.
Reason (R): SSDs utilize flash memory chips without moving mechanical parts for faster access times.
41. Assertion (A): Heat Sink dissipates heat away from high-temperature electronic chips like CPUs.
Reason (R): Excessive heat can cause electronic processors to malfunction or sustain permanent damage.
42. Assertion (A): Blu-Ray discs get their name from the red laser used to scan data layers.
Reason (R): Blue-violet laser light has a shorter wavelength, allowing tighter data packing on discs.
43. Assertion (A): Optical mice contain a small rubber ball underneath to sense surface motion.
Reason (R): Optical mice use an LED light source and sensor to track movement digitally.
44. Assertion (A): Input devices translate incoming user data into binary code for CPU processing.
Reason (R): Computer hardware circuits operate exclusively on binary signals (0s and 1s).
45. Assertion (A): Ethernet ports utilize RJ-45 connectors to establish wired LAN connections.
Reason (R): RJ-45 connectors resemble telephone RJ-11 connectors but are slightly larger with 8 pins.
46. Assertion (A): Internal modems are installed outside the computer cabinet in a separate box enclosure.
Reason (R): External modems connect via USB ports and feature speed indicator lights.
47. Assertion (A): The Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU) holds temporary data required during active processing.
Reason (R): Memory Unit (MU) holds instructions temporarily while ALU performs calculations.
48. Assertion (A): Peripherals refer to external hardware components attached to a computer.
Reason (R): Examples of peripherals include keyboards, mice, printers, and external pen drives.
49. Assertion (A): Modern keyboards connect primarily through legacy serial ports.
Reason (R): Universal Serial Bus (USB) ports have universally replaced serial and PS/2 ports.
50. Assertion (A): Software represents the physical components of a computer that can be seen and touched.
Reason (R): Hardware consists of the physical mechanical and electronic machinery of a computer.
51. Assertion (A): High CPU clock speed generally correlates with faster instruction execution.
Reason (R): Processor clock speed is measured in Gigahertz (GHz), denoting cycles per second.
52. Assertion (A): Hard disk platters feature individual read/write heads on both sides.
Reason (R): All access arm heads are linked together to move simultaneously across tracks.
53. Assertion (A): Non-impact printers make noise by hammering pins onto paper ribbons.
Reason (R): Inkjet and laser printers print without direct mechanical contact against paper.
54. Assertion (A): Projectors are output devices that project computer images onto large screens or walls.
Reason (R): They are widely utilized in classrooms, theaters, and corporate presentations.
55. Assertion (A): Line-in audio port allows connecting external microphones to record voice.
Reason (R): Mic port is designated for connecting microphones, while Line-in connects audio players.
56. Assertion (A): Sheetfed scanners scan stacks of loose document pages rapidly.
Reason (R): They incorporate automatic document feeder mechanisms similar to compact printers.
57. Assertion (A): VGA connectors contain 15 pins that fit into matching serial holes.
Reason (R): VGA ports carry analog video signals to CRT or LCD monitors.
58. Assertion (A): Printed output generated on paper is termed a soft copy.
Reason (R): Visual display shown on a monitor screen is referred to as a soft copy.
59. Assertion (A): A Sound Card converts internal digital audio files into audible analog signals.
Reason (R): Speakers and headphones require analog electrical signals to generate sound waves.
60. Assertion (A): A pen drive connects via the Universal Serial Bus (USB) port.
Reason (R): USB ports provide standardized plug-and-play connectivity for external devices.
Section C: Image & Visual Feature Based Questions (10 Marks)
61. Identify the motherboard component diagram feature:
Which central internal component is represented here?
62. Look at the RAM stick visual specification:
[ DDR4 RAM Stick | 8 GB Capacity | Volatile Memory Chip ]
What happens to data in this stick during a power outage?
63. Identify the hard disk internal structure diagram:
• Read/Write Access Arm
• Vertical track alignment across platters = [ ? ]
What is the term for this vertical track alignment?
64. Visual interface icon representing a port: 🟦 (15-hole D-sub blue port). Which legacy video port is this?
65. Identify the scanner type visual:
[ Glass Window + Bright Light + Charged Coupled Device (CCD) + Flip-up Cover ]
Which popular scanner used in homes and schools is this?
66. Observe the power regulation device in the CPU cabinet with a built-in cooling fan: 🔌 SMPS. What is its main role?
67. Look at the audio port color-coding diagram:
[ Blue: Line-in | Green: Line-out | Pink: Mic port ]
Which color port should you plug headphones into?
68. Real-life Scenario Visual: Mohit wants to record his voice for a school computer project. Which input device must he plug into the mic port?
69. Identify the port visual with 8 pins, slightly larger than telephone RJ-11: 🌐 RJ-45 Ethernet Port. What connection is it used for?
70. Real-life Scenario Visual: Rashmi wants to digitize an old paper photograph to upload onto her computer. Which peripheral device should she use?