Al Manar Language School

American section
IT Department Grade 12

Hardware and software

Hardware refers to the physical components that make up any typical computer system. These
components can be internal or external to the computer.
 Software is a general term used for programs that control the computer system and process data;
software can be applications software or system software.

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1-Central processing unit

The central processing unit (CPU) is a computer component that interprets and executes commands
from computer hardware and software.

2-Internal memory and backing storage

Random access memory (RAM) is an internal memory chip where data is stored temporarily.

Read-only memory (ROM) is also an internal memory chip and stores data permanently; the data is
retained even when the computer is powered down.
3-Input and output devices
Input devices allow data to be entered into a computer either manually (e.g. using a keyboard) or
automatically (e.g. direct data entry such as QR code readers).

Output devices allow the results of a computer’s processing to be shown in a human-readable form (e.g.
monitor or printer).

4-Backing storage:

Data to be kept permanently is stored on a backing store. Backing stores are generally either

hard disk drives (HDD) or solid-state drives (SSD).

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An operating system (OS) is a type of software that enables a computer system to function and allows
the user to communicate with the computer by:

1- controlling input/output devices and backing storage devices – this usually involves control of
data flow
2- supervising the loading, running and storage of applications (apps)

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1-Desktop computers: not portable but less expensive than other computer types

2- Mobile computers: they are portable but sometimes more expensive like ( smartphone – tablet –
laptop)

3- Mainframe computers Mainframe computer is a term used for a large, very powerful, computer
system.
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An input device: is hardware that allows a user to interact with a computer and also allows the
computer to collect data.
Examples:
Keyboard –Pointing device: mouse-touchpad-tracker ball- Touchscreen – Scanner -Microphone.

An output device: allow the results of a computer’s processing to be shown in a human-readable form
(e.g. monitor or printer).
Examples:
Monitor – touch screen – laser printer- ink jet printer- speakers -
Questions :-
Q1- Choose the correct answer :-
1-Which one of these is an output device?

A Scanner B Microphone C Speaker D Mouse

2- A document can be printed by clicking on a picture like the one shown.

The name given to a picture used in this way is:

A an image B an icon C a photograph D a pointer

3- A company wants to calculate staff salaries . The most appropriate type of software to use
is
A presentation package B word processor C control package D spreadsheet

4- An internal hard disk is a type of:

A processor B primary storage C secondary storage D operating system

5- Which one of these is a data input device?

A ROM B WAN C mouse D monitor

6- The most appropriate type of software to use for presentation is:

A word B excel C powerpoint D audio editing

7- A tracker ball is a type of:

A input device B processing device C output device D storage device

8- Which one of these is part of system software?

A Device driver B Optical mark reader C Touch screen D Control software

9- Which one of these is the largest storage capacity?

A 2 TB B 200 MB C 500 KB D 5 GB

10- Which one of these will not retain data when the computer power is turned off?
A Hard drive B RAM C Flash drive D ROM

11- All devices used to input data to, or output data from, a computer are:
A access devices B peripheral devices C communication devices D wireless devices
12- Which one of these symbols must be included in an email address?
A/ B* C@ D$

13- Spreadsheets and databases are types of:

A applications software B operating systems C system software tools D storage devices

14- Which one of these is a portable device?

A Mainframe computer B Desktop PC C Laptop D Super computer

15- A device used to produce a hard copy of a line drawing is a:

A speaker B processor C monitor D printers

16- The software that must be installed on a computer to access web pages is:
A a web crawler B an ISP C a search engine D a web browser

17- Copies of files can be stored on an external hard disk. An external hard disk is a type of:
A primary storage B secondary storage C random storage D read-only storage

18- Computer files are stored in a:

A table B window C web log D folder

19- Which one of these can be used to input and output data?
A Plotter B Webcam C Scanner D Touch screen

20- The software needed to send an email is:

A presentation software B web authoring software C communication software D graphics software

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Q2-Six applications are shown in the table below. By using a tick (✓) indicate the most
appropriate method of inputting data for each application.
Application Keyboard Touchscreen Sensor
Inputting text into a √
word processor
Inputting temperatures √
directly in an industrial
control process
Selecting from a menu √
at an ATM
Inputting commands, √
such as Prnt scrn or
Ctrl+P, into a computer
Selecting options at an √
information system
access point at an
airport
Q3-By ticking (✓) either the true or false column, indicate which statements are true and
which are false.
True (✓ False (✓
Digital cameras use HDD storage to True
hold the photographs
Light pens only work with CRT True
monitors
Tracker balls are used in luxury cars to False
select functions rather than operate
dials and switches
Data from microphones can not be False
directly processed by a computer
Optical computer mouse use light to True
transmit data directly to the computer
Driving (steering) wheels use sensors True
to detect left/right movement to give
the sensation of steering
Spreadsheets and word processors are False
examples of system software

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Q4- Which devices / Software are being described below:-

1-A device that can convert hard copy documents into an electronic form . (Scanner )
2- A device that takes an image from a computer, for example, and then magnifies the image and allows
it to be shown on a large screen. ( Projector )
3- Software used to manipulate and organise numerical data; data is put into grid of numbered rows and
lettered columns . ( Excel )
4- Software used to edit bitmap and vector images ( photoshop )
5-Software used to edit text and documents . ( Word processing )
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Q5- write the full form of the following terms :-

1- CPU : Central Processing Unit

2- SDD: Solid State Drive
3- HDD: Hard Disk Drive
4- RAM : Random Access Memory
5- ROM : Read Only Memory
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