GCE A/L ICT Past Paper MCQ. 1, 2 Chapters

Who invented the Analytical Engine?

• Blaise Pascal

• Charles Babbage

• John Von Neumann

• John V. Atanasoff

• John Presper Eckert

Answer explanation

The Analytical Engine, considered the first mechanical computer, was invented by Charles Babbage in the 1830s. His design laid the groundwork for modern computing, unlike the other figures listed who contributed in different areas.

Which of the following technologies is used in the Second Generation Computers?

• Integrated Circuits (ICs)

• Large Scale Integration (LSI)

• Microprocessors

• Transistors

• Vacuum tubes

Answer explanation

Second Generation Computers utilized Integrated Circuits (ICs), which replaced vacuum tubes and transistors used in earlier generations, allowing for smaller, more efficient, and reliable computing.

The answer sheet of a multiple-choice question paper can be read with

• Digitizer.

• Light pen.

• MICR.

• Scanner.

• POS terminal.

Answer explanation

A scanner is used to read answer sheets in multiple-choice exams by capturing the marked responses. Other options like digitizers and light pens are not specifically designed for this purpose.

Computerized medical imaging systems which use echoes of transmitted pulses are called

• CAT scans.

• CT scans.

• PETT scans.

• Ultrasound scans.

• X-ray images.

Answer explanation

Ultrasound scans use echoes of transmitted sound pulses to create images of internal body structures, making them the correct choice. Other options like CT and CAT scans use X-rays, while PETT scans involve radioactive tracers.

Who was considered the first computer programmer?

• John Von Neumann

• Blaise Pascal

• Charles Babbage

• Ada Augusta Lovelace

• John Presper Eckert

Answer explanation

Ada Augusta Lovelace is considered the first computer programmer for her work on Charles Babbage's early mechanical general-purpose computer, the Analytical Engine, where she created the first algorithm intended for implementation.

Which of the following technologies has been used in the Third Generation Computers?

• Integrated Circuits (ICs)

• Large Scale Integration (LSI)

• Micro Processors

• Transistors

• Vacuum Tubes

Answer explanation

Third Generation Computers utilized Integrated Circuits (ICs) for their compactness and efficiency, replacing earlier technologies like transistors and vacuum tubes. ICs allowed for more complex and powerful computing.

"The data in .................... is read by using the Laser technology." Which of the following is most appropriate to fill the blank in the above statement?

• Floppy Disk

• Magnetic Tape

• Compact Disk

• Magnetic Hard Disk

• Flash Memory

Answer explanation

The correct answer is 'Compact Disk' because it uses laser technology to read data, unlike floppy disks, magnetic tapes, magnetic hard disks, and flash memory, which rely on different methods.

A high-speed temporary storage, which is a part of the microprocessor that holds data and instructions during the execution, is called:

• Registers

• RAM

• Virtual Memory

• EPROM

• Flash Memory

Answer explanation

Registers are high-speed storage locations within the microprocessor that temporarily hold data and instructions during execution, making them essential for efficient processing.

Microprocessors are usually compared by their clock speed, measured in _________, or by their word size, measured in _________ that can be processed in a single clock cycle. Which of the following is most appropriate to fill in the blanks in the above statement?

• Bits, Megahertz

• Bytes, Gigahertz

• Gigahertz, Bytes

• Megahertz, Bits

• Seconds, Bits

Answer explanation

Microprocessors are compared by clock speed in Gigahertz (GHz) and by word size in Bytes. Thus, the correct fill-ins for the blanks are 'Gigahertz' for clock speed and 'Bytes' for word size.

Typically, the cache memory is used to store:

• A large volume of data temporarily

• The least frequently accessed data permanently

• The least frequently accessed data temporarily

• The most frequently accessed data temporarily

• The most frequently accessed data permanently

Answer explanation

Cache memory is designed to store the most frequently accessed data temporarily, allowing for faster retrieval and improved performance. This is why the correct answer is 'The most frequently accessed data temporarily'.