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Early Calculating Devices

Total questions: 36

Worksheet time: 33mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

Why was Napier’s Bones given its name, and what kinds of operations could it perform? Write two or three sentences.

4 lines
2.

Which technology was used to build first generation computers and often made them bulky and hot?

a)

Microprocessor on a chip

b)

Vacuum tubes as switches

c)

Transistors on boards

d)

Integrated circuits chips

3.

Why did second generation computers become smaller and more energy‑efficient than first generation computers? Explain using the change in components.

4 lines
4.

A school wants a single tiny chip that serves as the CPU for many tasks, like typing and drawing. Which generation’s technology should they choose?

a)

Third generation integrated circuits

b)

Second generation transistors

c)

First generation vacuum tubes

d)

Fourth generation microprocessors

5.

Which device is a portable microcomputer designed to sit on your lap and may also be called a notebook computer?

a)

Smartphone with mobile apps

b)

Desktop PC with a large monitor

c)

Laptop with built-in keyboard

d)

Tablet with touch stylus

6.

Which device reads special characters printed with magnetic ink, mainly on cheques?

a)

Magnetic ink character reader device

b)

Handheld bar code reader tool

c)

Optical mark reader used on tests

d)

Quick response barcode scanner app

7.

Explain why information in RAM disappears when a computer is powered off, while information in ROM does not.

4 lines
8.

Which statement best compares primary memory and secondary memory?

a)

Primary memory is auxiliary long‑term storage

b)

Primary memory is used directly by CPU processing

c)

Secondary memory is temporary working space

d)

Secondary memory controls program execution flow

9.

What is the role of an operating system in running application software?

4 lines
10.

Which term means a set of application programs that assist a computer by performing housekeeping tasks like backing up disks or scanning/cleaning viruses?

a)

Open source package

b)

Utility software tools

c)

Business application set

d)

System software suite

11.

MS Access and Sybase are examples of which software type?

a)

Operating systems

b)

Email clients

c)

Database management systems

d)

Business suites

12.

Inventory management, payroll system, and hotel management are grouped under which category?

a)

Educational apps

b)

Business software

c)

Device drivers

d)

Gaming software

13.

Which device acts as an interface between the user and the computer?

a)

Operating system shell

b)

Input keyboard only

c)

Application toolbar

d)

Output monitor only

14.

Which computer type can be placed on your lap?

a)

Desktop tower

b)

Laptop computer

c)

Microcomputer box

d)

Mainframe rack

15.

Fourth generation computers were based on which component?

a)

Magnetic drums

b)

Mechanical cams

c)

Microprocessors

d)

Relays and gears

16.

Fifth generation computers are expected to be based on which capabilities?

a)

Batch processing only

b)

Hand-wired control panels

c)

Artificial intelligence and natural language recognition

d)

Vacuum tube arithmetic

17.

Which components make up the CPU according to the chapter review?

a)

SSD, HDD, RAM

b)

GPU, PSU, BIOS

c)

ALU, CU, MU

d)

Cache, Bus, Port

18.

Which statement about the evolution of languages is correct?

a)

Second generation used high-level languages

b)

First generation used compilers only

c)

Third generation used assembly language

d)

Fourth generation used high-level languages

19.

Which devices are named as early calculating devices in the review?

a)

Pascaline and abacus

b)

Mainframe and micro

c)

Tablet and smartphone

d)

Desktop and laptop

20.

Which item is defined as a modern computing machine that is capable of speedy calculations?

a)

System software

b)

Utility software

c)

Source program

d)

Supercomputer

21.

OPEN: Give one reason students might choose an open source office suite for schoolwork.

4 lines
22.

Choose the correct full form for the acronym ALU.

a)

Arithmetic Logic Unit

b)

Analytical Linking Utility

c)

Automatic Logical Utility

d)

Advanced Logic Unit

23.

Choose the correct full form for the acronym OCR.

a)

Optical Character Recognition

b)

Object Code Resolver

c)

Online Character Reader

d)

Optic Compute Reader

24.

Fill in the blank: ________ invented Analytical Engine.

a)

Alan Turing

b)

John von Neumann

c)

Charles Babbage

d)

Blaise Pascal

25.

Fill in the blank: Third generation computers were based on ________.

a)

Integrated circuits

b)

Vacuum tubes

c)

Transistors

d)

Microprocessors

26.

Open response: Explain the difference between a compiler and an interpreter. Give one example scenario where each would be appropriate.

4 lines
27.

Which type of software is primarily designed to help users perform specific tasks such as word processing or spreadsheet calculations?

a)

Utility software

b)

Application software

c)

Firmware

d)

System software

28.

Which component of a computer is responsible for executing instructions and performing calculations?

a)

Motherboard

b)

Hard Drive

c)

CPU

d)

RAM

29.

What is the primary function of an operating system?

a)

To manage hardware and software resources

b)

To create graphics and animations

c)

To store data permanently

d)

To provide internet connectivity

30.

Which of the following is a type of non-volatile memory?

a)

RAM

b)

Cache Memory

c)

ROM

d)

Registers

31.

What is the primary function of an operating system?

a)

To provide internet connectivity

b)

To manage hardware resources

c)

To design user interfaces

d)

To compile programming languages

32.

Which of the following is a characteristic of cloud computing?

a)

Requires physical servers

b)

Scalability and flexibility

c)

High upfront costs

d)

Limited access to resources

33.

What does the acronym HTTP stand for?

a)

HyperText Transmission Protocol

b)

HighText Transfer Protocol

c)

Hyper Transfer Text Protocol

d)

HyperText Transfer Protocol

34.

What is the primary function of the Control Unit (CU) in a computer?

a)

Control peripheral devices

b)

Direct the operation of the processor

c)

Manage data storage

d)

Perform arithmetic calculations

35.

Which of the following is a type of non-volatile memory?

a)

ROM

b)

Cache

c)

Registers

d)

RAM

36.

In networking, what does the acronym IP stand for?

a)

Information Packet

b)

Interconnected Pathway

c)

Internal Process

d)

Internet Protocol