Vocabulary For: Hardware & Software

A printed circuit board containing the principal components of a computer or other device, with connectors into which other circuit boards can be slotted. What is the term for this board?

• motherboard

• hard drive

• RAM

• power supply

A circuit board that can be inserted in a computer to give extra facilities or memory. What is the term for this board?

• Expansion card

• Motherboard

• Processor

• Hard drive

A button on a computer keyboard, distinct from the main alphanumeric keys, to which software can assign a particular function. What is the term for this button?

• function key

• space bar

• enter key

• shift key

What is a special key in the context of computing and technology?

• A key that performs a specific function

• A key that is used to unlock a computer

• A key that is used to encrypt data

• A key that is used to start a program

A mouse is a small device that a computer user pushes across a desk surface in order to point to a place on a display screen and to select one or more actions. True or False?

• True

• False

Random-access memory is a form of electronic computer memory that can be read and changed in any order, typically used to store working data and machine code. True or False?

• True

• False

ROM (Read-Only Memory) is a type of computer memory that stores ______ data and instructions for the device to start up.

• temporary

• volatile

• permanent

• random

Flash memory is a kind of memory that retains data in the absence of a ______.

• power supply

• diagram

• network connection

• cooling system

A video card is a printed circuit board controlling output to a ______.

• printer

• keyboard

• monitor

• mouse

A network interface card (NIC) is a hardware component, typically a circuit board or chip, installed on a computer so it can connect to a ______.

• printer

• monitor

• keyboard

• network