WOMEN’S UNIVERSITY IN AFRICA
Addressing gender disparity and fostering equity in University Education
FACULTY OF MANAGEMENT AND ENTREPRENEURIAL SCIENCES
FACULTY OF SOCIAL SCIENCES AND GENDER TRANSFORMATIVE SCIENCES
FACULTY OF AGRICULTURE
BSc HONOURS DEGREE IN MANAGEMENT AND ENTREPRENEURIAL
DEVELOPMENT STUDIES
BSc AGRICULTURE HONOURS DEGREE IN ANIMAL SCIENCE
BSc AGRICULTURE HONOURS DEGREE IN AGRIBUSINESS MANAGEMENT
BSc AGRICULTURE HONOURS DEGREE IN HORTICULTURE
BSc HONOURS DEGREE IN SOCIOLOGY AND DEVELOPMENT STUDIES
BSc HONOURS DEGREE IN PSYCHOLOGY
BSc HONOURS DEGREE IN WOMEN’S AND GENDER STUDIES
BACHELOR OF EDUCTION DEGREE (PRIMARY)
BACHELOR OF EDUCTION DEGREE IN EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT
EXECUTIVE DIPLOMA IN MANAGEMENT
DIPLOMA IN ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
DIPLOMA IN SOCIAL WORK
MAIN PAPER
BCL 111:
BASIC COMPUTER LITERACY
INTAKES:
FIRST YEARS, FIRST SEMESTER
TIME: 3 HOURS
INSTRUCTIONS TO CANDIDATES
Answer all questions from Section A and any three questions from Section B.
SECTION A:
1. input, processed and output:
A. Operating System
B. Motherboard
C. Computer
D. Central Processing Unit
2. Part of a computer that allow user to put information into the computer:
A. Operating System
B. Software
C. Output Device
D. Input Device
3. The heart of a computer is:
A. CPU
B. Memory
C. I/O Unit
D. Disks
4. The software generally used for what-if analysis is related to:
A. word-processing
B. graphics
C. database management
D. None of the above
5. In a distributed computer system:
A. there are many computers and terminals
B. the task is executed by a number of processors
C. the task is distributed throughout the system
D. all of the above.
6. Which of the following is not used as secondary storage?
A. semiconductor memory
B. magnetic disks
C. magnetic drums
D. magnetic tapes
7. The ALU of a computer contains a number of high speed storage elements called
A. semiconductor memory
B. registers
C. hard disk
D. magnetic disk
8. Which of the following is the fastest?
A. CPU
B. Magnetic tapes and disks
C. Video terminal
D. Sensors, mechanical controllers
9. Stored instructions and data in digital computers consists of
A. alphabets
B. numerals
C. scripts
D. bits
10. The linking of computers with a communication system is called
A. networking
B. pairing
C. interfacing
D. assembling
11. A worldwide network of computers?
A. CPU
B. Internet
C. RAM
D. Network
12. Networking is a connection of two or more
A. Computer System
B. Man
C. Place
D. Business
13. The use of computer work stations to send and receive messages is known as
A. electronic funds transfer
B. electronic message switching
C. electronic mail
D. electronic publishing
14. Protecting the data from unauthorized access is called
A. data inaccessibility
B. data encryption
C. data security
D. data validity
15. Modern computers do not work with decimal numbers. Instead, they process binary
because
A. electronic devices are most reliable when designed for two state (binary) operations
B. binary circuits are simple
C. memory is only possible for binary numbers
D. with decimal numbers, the circuits are complex and costly
16. Binary coded decimal (BCD) numbers express each decimal digital as
A. binary digits
B. digits and strings
C. nibble
D. word
17. Integrated circuits are classified according to the:
A. no. of chips
B. no. of vacuum tube
C. no. of gates
D. no. of transistor
18. The arranging of data in a logical sequence is called:
A. Sorting
B. Classifying
C. Reproducing
D. Summarizing
19. BCD is:
A. Binary Coded Decimal
B. Bit Coded Decimal
C. Binary Coded Digit
D. Bit Coded Digit
20. If you want to improve the performance of your PC, you need to upgrade the
A. CPU
B. Monitor
C. Keyboard
D. Printer
21. The output quality of a printer is measured by
A. Dot per sq. inch
B. Dot per inch
C. Dots printed per unit time
D. All of the above
22. A high quality CAD system uses the following for printing drawing and graphs:
A. Dot matrix printer
B. Digital plotter
C. Line printer
D. All of the above
23. Which of the following is not an input device?
A. OCR
B. Optical scanners
C. Voice recognition device
D. COM (Computer Output to Microfilm)
24. Regarding a VDU, Which statement is more correct?
A. It is an output device
B. It is an input device
C. It is a peripheral device
D. It is hardware item
25. Software in computer:
A. Enhances the capabilities of the hardware machine
B. Increase the speed of CPU
C. Both of above
D. None of above
SECTION B:
QUESTION 1
a) State the components which constitute the CPU. Outline briefly the role of each component in
processing
[12 marks]
b) What are the three differences between main memory and backing storage [8 marks]
c) Give any reasons why backing storage is usually needed
[5 marks]
QUESTION 2
a) Explain the following modes of communication giving an example of where the mode is
appropriately used:
i. Simplex transmission
[4 marks]
ii. Half duplex transmission
[4 marks]
iii. Full duplex transmission
[4 marks]
b) Highlight the following ways of transmitting data
i. Asynchronous transmission
[4 marks]
ii. Synchronous transmission
[4 marks]
c) List any five symptoms of a computer virus
[5 marks]
QUESTION 3
a) Define data security
[2 marks]
b) Describe any four requirements for a good computer room environment [8 marks]
c) Computers can affect the health of users’. Give and explain any five known side effects of
computers on users
[10 marks]
d) Explain the concept of “data encryption”
[5 marks]
QUESTION 4
a) State and explain any five functions of the operating system [10 marks]
b) Explain the following giving an example of each
i. Secondary storage
[5 marks]
ii. Primary storage
[5 marks]
c) What factors should be taken into consideration when buying a software package such
Microsoft Office
[5 marks]
QUESTION 5
a) Describe the following input devices and state the appropriate application of each:
i. MICR
[3 marks]
ii. Light Pen
[3 marks]
iii. Keyboard
[3 marks]
iv. Touch Sensitive Screen
[3 marks]
v. Bar Code Reader
[3 marks]
b) Explain any five factors that are likely to influence the data processing methods to be adopted
by an organization
[10 marks]