SOLUTIONS
ICS20 General Knowledge Review Questions
PART A
1.
List 5 ways to prevent data loss.
1.
2.
Save once on a hard drive and then again on a different backup drive. When all else fails,
you can always restore your data from a back-up--if you made a back-up of your data!
Investing in a HARD DISK BACKUP IS A GOOD IDEA.
2. Always save every 5 minutes. (You do not EVER want to type more than 5 minutes worth of
work over again should an unexpected problem occur!)
3. Use antivirus software and keep it up to date.
4. When you save your files on your computer, organize those files into folders or directories
(ie. Family letters, finances etc.) so that you can easily find your files in the future. If you
tend to forget the names of your files you can place the path and the file name in a small
font at the bottom of your document.
5. Print out one hard copy of important documents.
6. Use surge protectors. Power surges and spikes are sudden jolts of electricity. They come in
to your computer through the electrical line, telephone line, serial cable, parallel cable, or
network connection cable attached to your computer. Power problems can cause data loss,
or they can fry!!! computer components such as the processor, motherboard, RAM, hard
drive, and so forth. :-( You should have all your computer equipment, the main box and all
the extras, plugged into surge suppressors.
7. You may password protect any file that you save on a network or public drive.
Fill in the following chart for our machines in the computer lab
3.
Imagine that a user has a program open at a workstation in our classroom and that workstation is
unexpectedly disconnected from the school network and the Internet. Where should the user save her
work?
USB key is best
4.
Fill in the following chart
Term
byte
Number of bytes
8 BITS 1 BYTE
KB
APPROX. 1000 BYTES
KILO -THOUSAND
MB
APPROX. 1000 000
BYTES
MEGA- MILLION
GB
APPROX. 1000 000 000
BYTES
GIGA- BILLION
TB
APPROX 1 000 000 000
000 BYTES
TERRA -TRILLION
5.
Computer hardware refers to the actual equipment, machines, and physical devices of a
computer system. List 5 items that a computer system usually contains.
CHIP OR PROCESSOR / RAM OR MEMORY / HARD DISK DRIVE AND DISK / FAN / KEYBOARD / MOUSE /
POWER SUPPLY / CD OR DVD DRIVE NETWORK CARD / RIBBON CABLE / SOUND CARD / AUDIO CARD /
SPEAKERS
6.
The SYSTEM UNIT is the cabinet that contains the computer's working components.
7.
An OPERATING SYSTEM is a set of programs that control the resources and components of the
computer. It controls the BIOS or BASIC INPUT OUTPUT SYSTEM.
It allocates memory also known as RAM and synchronizes hardware components such as the monitor,
printer and disk drives.
8.
Apps or APPLICATIONS are written by programmers to perform a specific function for the user.
9.
The tools used by programmers to create these apps are programming languages. Examples of
well-known programming languages include ALICE, JAVASCRIPT, RUBY, PYTHON.
10.
RAM (Sometimes called memory when you go computer shopping)is used by the operating
system to temporarily store the programs and information which are actively in use. The items stored
here are readily accessible to the CPU. This memory is considered VOLATILE OR TEMPORARY because
everything stored in it is erased when the computer is turned off. A computer for gaming would need a
large amount of RAM.
11.
Which of the following is an example of a strong password?
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a) Password - probably one of the worst passwords you can pick
b) 12345678
c) Your passport number
d) None of the above
Passwords should be long, filled with uppercase, lowercase, numbers and special symbols.
12.
You are thinking of a purchasing a laptop for gaming. Specifications are as follows:
In the table on the next page, list 4 features that are described and explain why each feature would be preferable for
this task.
iBuypower Battalion Ultra-Thin M1771
MacBook Pro
SPEC DATA:
SPEC DATA:
Processor Name: Intel Core i7-4700MQ
Processor Name: Dual-core Intel Core i7,
Processor Speed: 2.4 GHz
Processor Speed: 2.6 GHz
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8
Operating System: Mac OS
RAM: 16 GB
RAM: 8 GB
STORAGE:
STORAGE:
Screen Size: 17.3 inches
Screen Size: 13 inches
Native Resolution: 1920 x 1080
Native Resolution: 2560-by-1600
Touch Screen: No
Touch Screen: No
Battery Rundown - Standard Battery: 4:00 hrs:min
Battery Rundown - Standard Battery: 6:00 hrs:min
Cost:$1859.00 BEFORE TAXES AND SHIPPING
Cost:$1859.00 BEFORE TAXES AND SHIPPING
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1
Device:
feature
Why this feature would be more suitable.
M1771
Battery life
LONGER BATTERY LIFE is not an important feature when gaming because
the laptop is often connected to a power source.
Similarly weight is not a factor here as well.
2
Both devices
Price
Because the price is similar, this is not an issue. This is a costly kind of
laptop to purchase because they need to have a lot of computing power.
This would not be true of regular laptops which would be used for
student use.
3
M1771
RAM
The device with the higher amount of RAM is preferable, because game
programs need to work quickly with no hesitations. If you chose the
MacBook, you would have to pay for more RAM.
4
M1771 or
Screensize
The MAcBOOK has clearer resolution, but if you prefer a bigger screen
MacBook
and
then choose the M1771
resolution
13.
a)
b)
c)
d)
A section of code that checks a condition or computes a value is called a(n):
question
parameter
function
none of the above
14.
a)
b)
c)
d)
To make an object invisible in ALICE, you may:
make the opacity of the object = 1
make the opacity of the object = 0
set the invisibility of the object = true
none of the above
15.
a)
b)
c)
d)
Six relational operators exist in Alice. Which of the following represents “greater than or equal to”
=< - not valid
<= less than or equal
=> - not valid
>= greater than or equal
16.
One tool for cutting a set of instructions from one place to another in the editor is to use the
_____________.
a)
trash can
b)
clipboard
c)
play button
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d)
file menu
17.
a)
b)
c)
d)
The keyword(s) _____________ signals the presence of sequential execution
DO IN ORDER
DO TOGETHER – simultaneous execution
IF/ELSE – conditional execution
NOW – not an alice word
18.
a)
b)
c)
d)
Which of the following describes a primitive or built-in method in ALICE?
say
move
a) and b) above
none of the above
19.
a)
b)
c)
d)
One purpose of methods is to _____________.
divide a program into small manageable pieces that work together to create a meaningful whole
allow two different objects to be instantiated from the same class
allow non-interactive code to execute differently each time an Alice world is run
create a distinction between built-in Alice objects and modified Alice objects
20.
a)
b)
c)
d)
A comment in an Alice program is:
an instruction that causes an action to take place
an explanation of what the program does
an expression that holds a value when the program runs
A special property that all objects have
21.
a)
b)
c)
d)
Which statement is an example of a repetition control structure?
Do together statement
If/Else statement
Do in order statement
Loop statement
22.
a)
b)
c)
d)
A boolean value is ____________.
a number
a string
either true or false
the value 0, 1, or -1
23.
Match each term, appearing in the left column, with its definitions, appearing in the right column. The
first answer is done for you as an example.
A.
B.
a step by step list of instructions algorithm
features or characteristics of an object ie the snowwoman’s head is pink
property
C. the time in seconds that an instruction is performed
duration
D. a list of actions to perform a task
method or procedure
E. asking a question to produce a result
function
F. A single “thing” in a virtual world. It has been made according to plan (or class)
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G.
H.
I.
J.
K.
L.
M.
N.
O.
P.
Q.
R.
S.
T.
U.
V.
W.
X.
Y.
Z.
AA.
BB.
CC.
DD.
object
error in a program
bug
a single line of code
instruction
a set of instructions written in a programming language
code / computer program
A 3-D environment that can contain objects. These objects can perform tasks.
virtual world
One after another
sequentially
Taking place at the same time as another thing
simultaneous
The scene which is to be created and the general purpose of the program
scenario
Change your storyboard into program code
implement
A pictorial representation of a plan for a program or a movie
storyboard
The program is efficient and clear
elegant
A pictorial plan of action which uses standard diagram shapes for different
action. flowchart
A measure of how visible or invisible an object is opacity
A statement that is included in a program which explains the program and gives
credit to the author. comment
The time when the program is executing or running. runtime
When one block of code is completely inside another nested
Write a line of code – test it – amend it if necessary test again trial and error
These are programming blocks which direct the flow of execution of the
program. E..g do together control structures
A procedure primarily designed for one object only
class-level methods
A procedure designed for multiple objects
world-level methods
A “basket” or place holder for a value which is passed to a procedure e.g.
WhichToy parameter
The actual value that is passed to a procedure. whichToy = bunny. Bunny is tha
actual value which is passed. argument
An instance of a class which is placed in a world. object
A gallery item class
A characteristic of an object property
24.
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a)
If the mummy is closer to the pyramid, what happens when this program is executed?
This.mummy thinks “I’m closer!!!!”
b)
If the pharaoh is closer to the pyramid, what happens when this program is executed?
This.pharoah thinks “No- I’m closer!!!!”
c)
If they are the same distance from the pyramid, what happens then when this program is executed?
This.pharoah thinks “No- I’m closer!!!!”
Think about how the programmer could make her program work for all possible poutcomes!
25.
Put meaningful comments into this Alice program code.
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26.
Why was the detail “as seen by this room” added to the move up and move down commands?
The Alice command move up would cause the person to shift up through the axis from her feet to her head.
Using the “as seen by the room” causes the character to seem to levitate up.
27.
Lists the parameters and their type in the levitate method.
whichBiped :object or biped type
howFar: decimal type
28.
List the arguments and their types in the statements which move Alice up or down.
This.Alice is the argument / object or biped type
1.0 is the argument / Decimal type
29.
Consider this Alice program
Write a textual storyboard to ask the user the simple multiple-choice question and respond to the user’s answer
with “Good – you got it!” or “Sorry, the correct response was b.”
Which of these is actually a very basic computer?
a) a toaster b) a calculator
c) a light bulb
Note that you will need to use a variable of type textString order to complete this question.
Variable
userResponse
Type
textString
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userResponse  getStringFromUser “Which of these is actually a very basic computer? a) a toaster
b) a calculator c)
a light bulb”
if userResponse contentsEquals* “b” then
cheshireCat say “Good – you got it!”
else
cheshireCat say “Sorry the correct response was b.”
*Note that if the user uses the term is equal to or == instead of the
phrase contentsEquals then the answer would be correct because the is
a storyboard and not the actual Alice code.
30.
Write the textual storyboard to cause the bunny to move randomly forward or backward, while simultaneously
turning left or right. Put your code in a count loop in order to repeat the motion 100 times.
The motion does not need to look realistic. No independent leg motion is needed. Make your code as efficient as
possible.
Count up to 100
Do together
bunny move forward (random number from -.5 to +.5
inclusive)
bunny turn left (random number from -.1 to +.1 inclusive
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31.
a)
Show the textual storyboard needed to create a random integer number between 1 to 5 inclusive
Have the user guess the number. Give them 3 tries.
Use X as the name of the variable which stores the random integer.
Use userRespomse as the variable used to hold their guess.
Variable Name
X
Type
Whole Number
userResponse
Whole Number
How it would look in Alice
How it would look as a textual storyboard
loop 3 times
X  random whole number between 1 and 5 inclusive
Ask the user for a number between 1 and 5 inclusive and store it in
userResponse
if x equals userResponse then
alien says “Correct!”
else
alien says “Try again”
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b)
Improve your program by using a boolean variable called CORRECT which can be true or false.
If they get the answer true then congratulate the user and stop the program. Use a while loop.
Set CORRECT to false to begin with.
How it would look in Alice
CORRECT FALSE // the user has not yet guessed the random number
While not CORRECT is true keep looping
X  random whole number between 1 and 5 inclusive
Ask the user for a number between 1 and 5 inclusive and store it in
userResponse
if x equals userResponse then
alien says “Correct!”
Correct TRUE
else
alien says “Try again”
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32.
Your Alice program has a method called flyForward..
A call to this method would be flyForward (6.5) which would cause a bird to fly forward 6.5m.
You want to run this method when the user presses the “spacebar” key.
Show the textual storyboard needed to describe this keylistener.
If spacebar is pressed then
flyForward (6.5)
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