Chapter (1)
Introductions to Information Technology: The Future Now
Self-Test Questions
1. The _________ _________ _________ refers to the part of the Internet that
presents information in multimedia form.
World Wide Web
2. “_________ technology” merges computing with highspeed communications.
Information
3. A(n) _________ is an electronic machine that accepts data and processes it
into information. computer
4. The _________ is a worldwide network that connects hundreds of thousands of
smaller networks.
internet
5. _________ refers to information presented in nontextual forms such as video,
sound, and graphics. Multimedia
6. _________ are high-capacity computers with thousands of processors.
Supercomputers
7. Embedded computers, or _________, are installed in “smart” appliances and
automobiles. microcontrollers
8. The kind of software that enables users to perform specific tasks is called
_________ software. application
9. RAM is an example of _________ storage, and a hard drive is an example of
_________ storage. primary, secondary
10. _________ is data that is so large and complex that it cannot be processed
using conventional methods. Big data
11. A(n) _________ is a communications system connecting two or more
computers. network
12. The four basic operations of all computers are _________, _________,
_________, and _________. input, processing, storage, output
13. The first programmable computer in the United States, which appeared in
1946, was called _________. ENIAC (Electronic Numerical Integrator and
Calculator)
14. The_________ is the display device that takes the electrical signals from the
video card and forms an image using points of colored light on the screen.
monitor
15. The base material for computer processing devices is _________, a natural
element found in sand. silicon
16. The general term for all the machinery and equipment in a computer system is
_________. hardware
17. The _________ and the _________ are the two most common input devices.
keyboard, mouse
18. The processor chip, commonly called the _________ or a(n) _________, is a
tiny piece of silicon that contains millions of miniature electronic circuits.
processor, CPU
19. One gigabyte is approximately _________ characters. billion
20. _________ refers to two-way communication; the user can respond to
information received via the computer and modify what the computer is doing.
Interactivity
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Multiple-Choice Questions
1. Which of the following devices converts computer output into displayed
images?
a. printer
b. monitor
c. modem
d. processor
e. hard-disk drive
2. Which of the following computer types is the smallest?
a. mainframe
b. microcomputer
c. microcontroller
d. supercomputer
e. workstation
3. Which of the following is a secondary-storage device?
a. processor
b. main memory chip
c. hard-disk drive
d. printer
e. modem
4. Since the days when computers were first made available, computers have
developed in three directions. What are they?
a. increased expense
b. miniaturization
c. increased size
d. affordability
e. increased speed
5. Which of the following operations constitute the four basic operations
followed by all computers?
a. input
b. storage
c. programming
d. output
e. processing
6. Supercomputers are used for
a. breaking codes.
b. simulations for explosions of nuclear bombs.
c. forecasting weather.
d. keeping planets in orbit.
e. all of these
f. only a, b, and c.
7. What is the leading use of computers?
a. web surfing
b. email, texting, and social networking
c. e-shopping
d. word processing
8. Which is the main circuit board in the computer?
a. RAM chip (random access memory)
b. CPU processor chip (central processing unit)
c. motherboard (system board)
d. hard drive
9. A terabyte is approximately
a. one million characters.
b. one billion characters.
c. one trillion characters.
d. one quadrillion characters.
10.Speakers are an example of
a. an input device.
b. an output device.
c. a processor.
d. a storage device.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------True-False Questions
T F 1. Microcontrollers process faster than supercomputers. FALSE
T F 2. Main memory is a software component.
FALSE
T F 3. The operating system is part of the system software. TRUE
T F 4. Processing is the manipulation by which a computer transforms data into
information. TRUE
T F 5. Primary storage is the area in the computer where data or information is held
permanently. FALSE
T F 6. The keyboard and the mouse are examples of input devices. TRUE
T F 7. Movies are a form of multimedia.
TRUE
T F 8. Computers are becoming larger, slower, and more expensive.
FALSE
T F 9. Modems store information.
FALSE
T F 10. A hard disk is an example of software. FALSE
T F 11. Computers continue to get smaller and smaller. TRUE
T F 12. A modem is a programmable, multiuse machine that accepts data—raw
facts and figures—and processes, or manipulates, it into information we can use.
FALSE
T F 13. Online education programs are called computer learning. FALSE
T F 14. PDAs are devices that can download books in digital form. FALSE
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Short-Answer Questions
1. What does online mean?
Online means using a computer or other information device, connected
through a voice or data network, to access information and services from
another computer or information device. Online communication is widely used
by businesses, services, individuals, and educational institutions.
2. What is the difference between system software and application software?
 System software helps the computer perform essential operating tasks and
enables the application software to run. E.g., Microsoft Windows, Unix,
Linux
 Application software enables you to perform specific tasks—solve
problems, perform work, or entertain yourself. E.g., word processing,
spreadsheet, database manager.
3. Briefly define cyberspace.
Cyberspace refers to the online world and the Internet in particular but also the
whole wired world of communications in general.
4. What is the difference between software and hardware?
Software, also called programs, comprises step-by-step instructions that tell the
computer hardware how to perform a task.
Hardware refers to all machinery and equipment in a computer system.
5. What is a local area network?
A local area network connects, usually by special cable, a group of desktop
PCs and other devices, such as printers, in an office or a building.
6. What is multimedia?
Multimedia (“multiple media”) refers to technology that presents information
in more than one medium—including text, graphics, animation, video, and sound.
7. What is the difference between microcomputers and supercomputers?
 Microcomputers are personal computers; they each have one or two main
processors and fit on a desktop or the floor or can be carried around.
 Supercomputers are the largest computers, with thousands of processors.
They can take up the space in a large room. They are used for research,
design, oil exploration, weather forecasting.
8. What is the function of RAM?
RAM (random access memory) is primary storage (main memory); it is the
internal computer circuitry that temporarily holds data waiting to be processed.
9. What does downloading mean?
Downloading is transferring data from a remote computer to one’s own
computer.
10.What is the basic meaning of cloud computing?
Cloud computing is a model for delivering information technology services via
the Internet through web-based tools and applications, rather than a direct
connection to a server.
11. How to Reduce Your Malware Risks? (Need to any three of the followings)
 Download virus protection software, such as McAfee VirusScan
 Scan your entire system with antivirus software the first time it’s installed; then
scan it regularly after that.
 Don’t open, download, or execute any files, email messages, or email
attachments if the source is unknown
 Delete all spam and email messages from strangers.
 Use webmail sparingly
 Don’t start your computer with a flash drive, USB thumb drive, or CD/DVD in
place
 Back up your data files regularly,
 If you discover you have a virus, ask McAfee or Norton to scan your computer
online; then follow its directions for cleaning or deleting the virus.
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