Spring Term 2 Assessment - Spreadsheet Skills

What is a spreadsheet primarily used for?

• Writing essays

• Organising and analysing data

• Drawing pictures

• Playing games

Answer explanation

A spreadsheet is primarily used for organising and analysing data, allowing users to perform calculations, create charts, and manage information efficiently. The other options do not align with its main purpose.

Which of the following is a common spreadsheet software?

• Microsoft Word

• Microsoft Excel

• Adobe Photoshop

• Google Chrome

Answer explanation

Microsoft Excel is a common spreadsheet software used for data organization and analysis, while Microsoft Word is a word processor, Adobe Photoshop is for image editing, and Google Chrome is a web browser.

In a spreadsheet, what is a 'cell'?

• A type of battery

• A single box in a spreadsheet where you can enter data

• A group of boxes

• A type of formula

Answer explanation

A 'cell' in a spreadsheet refers to a single box where you can enter data, such as text, numbers, or formulas. This distinguishes it from other options like groups of boxes or types of formulas.

What symbol is used to start a formula in a spreadsheet?

• $

• @

• =

• #

Answer explanation

In spreadsheets, formulas always begin with the '=' symbol. This indicates to the program that the following text is a formula to be calculated, making '=' the correct choice among the options provided.

Which of the following is a correct formula to add the values in cells A1 and A2?

• A1 + A2

• =A1 + A2

• SUM(A1, A2)

• ADD(A1, A2)

Answer explanation

The correct formula to add values in cells A1 and A2 is '=A1 + A2'. This formula uses the equal sign to indicate a calculation, while 'A1 + A2' lacks it, and 'SUM(A1, A2)' is valid but not the simplest form. 'ADD' is not a valid function.

What is the purpose of a graph in a spreadsheet?

• To write text

• To display data visually

• To calculate sums

• To format cells

Answer explanation

The purpose of a graph in a spreadsheet is to display data visually. This allows users to easily interpret trends and patterns in the data, making it more accessible than raw numbers.

Which type of graph is best for showing trends over time?

• Pie chart

• Line graph

• Bar chart

• Scatter plot

Answer explanation

A line graph is best for showing trends over time because it connects data points with lines, making it easy to visualize changes and patterns across a continuous time scale.

What does the SUM function do in a spreadsheet?

• Multiplies numbers

• Subtracts numbers

• Adds numbers

• Divides numbers

Answer explanation

The SUM function in a spreadsheet is used to add numbers together. It calculates the total of a range of cells, making it essential for performing addition operations.

If you want to find the average of numbers in cells B1 to B5, which formula would you use?

• =AVERAGE(B1:B5)

• =SUM(B1:B5)/5

• =MEAN(B1:B5)

• =TOTAL(B1:B5)/5

Answer explanation

The correct formula to find the average of numbers in cells B1 to B5 is =AVERAGE(B1:B5). This function directly calculates the mean of the specified range, making it the most efficient choice.

Which of the following is NOT a type of chart available in most spreadsheet software?

• Line chart

• Bar chart

• Pie chart

• Text chart

Answer explanation

The correct answer is 'Text chart' because it is not a standard chart type in most spreadsheet software. Line, Bar, and Pie charts are commonly used to visualize data.