Chapter 2

INPUT, OUTPUT AND MEMORY DEVICES

INPUT, OUTPUT AND MEMORY DEVICES

Question and answers: (1,2 and 3 marks)
One Mark (Multiple choice questions in question paper) :

1. ________ consist of the devices which are used to give input to the
computer.
Ans. Input unit
2. _________ consist of the devices which are used to receive output from
the computer.
Ans. Output unit
3. Expansion of OCR is _____.
Ans. Optical Character Recognition
4. OMR stands for______.
Ans. Optical Mark Recognition
5. Expansion of MICR is _____.
Ans. Magnetic Ink Character Recognition.
6. _____ is the use of memory.
Ans. To store programs and data.
7. _______is a high-speed memory between processor and RAM which is
used to speed up processing.
Ans. cache
8. ______________is used to increase the speed of processing by making the
recently read data and programs available to CPU at a rapid rate.
Ans. cache
9. MOUSE stands for _________.
Mechanically Operated User Serial Engine.
10. _____________of a monitor refers to the number of dots displayed in the
X and Y coordinates.
Ans. Resolution
11. The main memory of the computer called as _____.
Ans. RAM
12. RAM stands for _________.
Ans. Random Access Memory.
13. ROM stands for _________.
Ans. Read Only Memory
14. Expansion of Pixel is ______
Picture Element
15. ______ is one example of non-impact printer.
Ans. Inkjet printer

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16. _______ is considered as the main memory of a computer.

Ans. RAM
17. ________is used to store firmware instructions that are required at the
time of booting up of the system.
Ans. ROM
18. Expand:
DPI - Dots Per Inch.
CPS - Character Per Second
PPM - Pages Per Minute
CRT - Cathode Ray Tube
RPM - Revolutions Per Minute
OCR, RAM, SRAM, DRAM, SDRAM, ROM, PROM........
(Any other abbreviation given in the lesson)

Two marks questions:

19. Explain aspect ratio of a monitor.
The width to height ratio of the monitor is called “Aspect Ratio”. Most
of the monitors have 4:3 as aspect ratio.

20. What is pixel? Expand Pixel.

The smallest dot that can be displayed on the monitor is called pixel.
The expansion is Picture element

21. Compare input and output units.

Input unit consist of the devices which are used to give input to the
computer.
Output unit include devices which are used to obtain the result from the
computer.

22. Mention different types of printers.

Impact and non-impact printers

23. Write any two limitation of line printer.

It could print only one font and no graphic were possible.

24. What is the difference between volatile and non-volatile memory?

Volatile: The information written into it retained as long as power is
there.
Non-Volatile: The information stored in it is not lost when the power
supply is off.
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25. Give the difference between hard copy and soft copy.
Hard copy: The data present in computer memory is called soft copy.
Soft copy: The data present in printed form is called hard copy.

26. Write a note on keyboard.

✓ Keyboard is one of the most common input devices with computer.
✓ The keys in keyboard are arranged in a similar manner to that of a
type writer.
✓ It has got alphanumeric keys, special keys and function keys.

27. Mention any two types of Keyboards

Standard Keyboard, Wireless keyboard

28. Write a note on mouse.

Mouse is used as a pointing device. It controls the movement of cursor on
the screen. Things in the screen are selected by mouse click.

29. Mention any two types of Mouse.

USB Mouse, Wireless Mouse

30. How computer memory is classified?

a) Primary memory
b) Secondary memory

31. Mention two types of primary memory.

RAM and ROM

32. Mention any two functions of primary memory.

a. The primary memory RAM contains a copy of operating system.
b. It temporarily stores a copy of application programs that is
currently being executed.
c. It temporarily stores the data input which is required for
processing.

33. What is secondary memory? Give some examples.

Secondary memory is the computer memory that is used to store data and
instructions permanently. It allows a user to store large volume of data.
Some examples are Hard Disk and Magnetic tapes.

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Three marks questions:

34. What is impact printer? Give any two characteristics.
Impact printers are printers that print by striking a print head mechanism
against inked ribbon.
Line printers and Dot matrix printers are some of the impact printers.
Characteristics of Impact printers:
1. Multiple carbon copies can be produced.
2. Due to striking activity, impact printers are very noisy.

35. What is Nonimpact printer? Give any two characteristics.

Non-impact printers do not use striking mechanism to create print. They
create print without any direct contact between the paper and the print
mechanism.
Ink jet printer and laser printer are some of the examples.
Characteristics of Impact printers:
1. Multiple carbon copies cannot be produced.
2. Comparatively very less noise.

36. Write any three characteristics of impact printers.

a. There is a physical contact of a print head mechanism with the paper
to produce print.
b. Multiple carbon copies can be produced.
c. Due to striking activity, impact printers are very noisy.
d. Speed is usually measured in ‘characters per second’ (cps)
e. It is very slow.
f. It does not support transparencies. (Learn any 3)

37. Write any three characteristics of non-impact printers.

a) There is no physical contact of a print mechanism with the paper to
produce print.
b) Multiple carbon copies cannot be produced.
c) Comparatively very less noise.
d) Speed is usually measured in ‘pages per minute’ (ppm)
e) These printers usually support transparencies.
f) Can print in variety size of papers. (Learn any 3)

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38. Differentiate between impact and non-impact printers.

Impact Printer Non-impact printer
There is a physical contact of a There is no physical contact of a
print head mechanism with the print mechanism with the paper to
paper to produce print. produce print.
Multiple carbon copies can be Multiple carbon copies cannot be
produced. produced
Due to striking activity, impact Comparatively very less noise.
printers are very noisy.

39. Explain dot matrix printer.

✓ It is an impact printer which prints using a print head mechanism.
✓ The print head contains a matrix of tiny pins.
✓ By pushing the pins in various combinations, the head can create
alphanumeric characters.
✓ This way it can produce less quality graphics also.
✓ In this carbon papers are used to make multiple copies. (Any 3)

40. Write a note on line printers.

✓ Line printers are Impact printers.
✓ These are high-speed printers capable of printing an entire line at a
time.
✓ The main limitation of line printer is that it cannot print in different
font and it cannot print graphics.

41. Write a note on plotters.

✓ A plotter is a printer that interprets commands from a computer to
make line drawings on paper with one or more automated pens.
✓ Any other printer prints line by using closely placed series of dots. The
plotter can draw continuous point-to-point lines.
✓ Multicolour plotters use different-coloured pens to draw different
colours.

42. Write a note on speakers.

✓ Speakers are output unit that are used to receive audio outputs.

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✓ There are many programs that send audio signals for different
information. And no need to mention the usefulness of speakers for
watching videos on DVD or the internet.
✓ And computer speakers are absolutely essential for web conferencing
and internet phone service.

43. Write a note on laser printer.

✓ Laser printers use a laser beam and dry powdered ink to produce print.
✓ It can produce very good quality text and graphic print.
✓ It prints an entire page at a time.

44. Write a note on inkjet printer.

✓ It is a non-impact printer.
✓ It has got nozzle like print head that sprays ink onto paper to form
characters and graphics.
✓ It provides colour printing also
✓ It prints one line at a time. (Any 3 point)

45. Write a note on thermal printer.

✓ Thermal printers are printers that produce impression on heat-
sensitive paper by pressing electrically heated pins against it.
✓ Thermal printers are relatively inexpensive and less noisy.
✓ They are widely used in shops to provide bills. In ATM, thermal
printers are used to provide the slip.

46. Compare static and dynamic RAM.

DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory):
✓ Dynamic RAM loses its stored contents in a very short time (a few
milliseconds) even though the power supply is on. Therefore, it needs
to be refreshed periodically, generally every 2 milliseconds.
✓ It is slow while comparing to SRAM.
✓ It is cheaper and consumes less power.
SRAM (Static Random Access Memory):
✓ It retains the stored information as long as the power supply is on. It
need not be refreshed periodically. It loses its contents only if power
goes off.
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✓ The speed is higher than DRAM.

✓ It is costlier and consumes more power while comparing with DRAM.

47. Give different types of keyboards.

The following are different types of keyboards available:
a) Standard keyboard:
These are the keyboards which come with the basic standard layout. The
average number of keys on a regular keyboard is 105/108.
b) Ergonomics:
Ergonomic keyboards are designed in such a way that typing can be done
putting the least amount of stress on the fingers and wrist.
c) Wireless keyboards:
Wireless keyboard use Bluetooth, Infrared (IR), or Radio Frequency to
connect to the computer. They work with the help of batteries.
d) Virtual keyboards:
Virtual keyboard is a software device that let you input data just like a
hardware keyboard.
e) Compact keyboards:
Compact keyboards are slim and usually do not have a numeric keypad that
is present on the right side of normal keyboard. (Any three)

48. Give the applications of OCR, OMR, and MICR.

Optical Mark Recognition (OMR)
OMR is widely used in applications like objective type answer papers
evaluation in which large number of candidates appear.
Optical Character Recognition (OCR)
OCRs are used in applications such as credit card billing and reading of pin
code numbers in large post offices to sort mail geographically.
Magnetic Ink Character Recognition (MICR)
MICR is widely used by banks to process cheques.

49. Write a note on monitors.

✓ Monitor is a display screen used to provide computer output to the
user.
✓ The smallest dot that can be displayed is called a pixel and Resolution
is the total number of pixels.
✓ Higher resolution monitor can provide more clear display.
50. Write a short note on RAM.
✓ RAM is the main memory in a PC.
✓ It is temporary in nature.
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✓ The information written into it is retained in it as long as the power

supply is on. Every time when the computer is switched on, programs
are reloaded into it.

51. Write a short note on ROM.

✓ When the computer is getting switched on, it has to perform a number
of operations such as checking all hardware and loading the operating
system into the primary memory etc.
✓ Instructions to perform all these operations are present permanently
in a memory called as ROM.
✓ It is a permanent non-volatile memory. The information stored in it is
not lost when the power is off.

52. Explain any three types of RAM.

1. DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory):
It is a type of RAM which we need to be refreshed at every milli-
seconds.
2. SRAM (Static Random Access Memory):
It is a type of RAM which can retain its content as long as power is
there. It need not be refreshed at all.
3. SDRAM (Synchronous DRAM):
In SDRAMs, the system clock coordinates or synchronizes memory
access.
4. DDR SDRAM (Double-Data-Rate SDRAM):
DDR SDRAM transmits data twice in a clock cycle and thus it is faster.

53. Explain any three types of ROM.

1. PROM (Programmable read-only memory):
The data stored in it are permanently stored and cannot be changed
or erased.
2. EPROM (Erasable programmable read-only memory):
It can be reprogrammed. The data stored in EPROM can be erased
and reprogrammed again by ultraviolet light using PROM Writer.
3. EEPROM (Electrically erasable programmable read-only memory):
As its name refers, it can be programmed and erased electrically. The
data and program of this ROM can be erased and programmed using
system specifications.

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54. Write a note on Hard Disk.

✓ The most common physical device for storing files is the hard disk.
✓ The hard disk contains several rotating disk plates. These are
permanently encased in a hard disk pack or drive.
✓ The surface of the plates is covered by metal oxide.
✓ It is direct access storage medium. Information can be stored and
retrieved randomly. (Any 3)

55. Write a short note on Floppy disk.

✓ Floppy diskette contains a single flat piece of circular plastic coated
with metal oxide and enclosed in plastic cover.
✓ It is divided into tracks and sectors.
✓ Floppy disk is small and portable.

56. Write a short note on Optical Disk.

✓ Optical disk is a random accessed, removable disk on which data is
written and read through the use of a laser beam.
✓ Optical disks consist of a rotating disk, which is coated with a highly
reflective material.
✓ Data recording on the disk is done by focusing a laser beam on the
surface of the spinning disk.

57. Write a note on Magnetic tape.

✓ This recording medium contains a thin tape with a coating of a fine
magnetic strip, used for recording digital data.
✓ The tape itself is a strip of plastic, coated with a magnetic recording
medium.
✓ It is a serial access device.

58. Write the difference between ROM and RAM.

ROM
1) ROM is Read Only Memory
2) It stores the operations that needs to be performed at the time of
booting the system
3) It is non-volatile i.e. it holds data even the power is off
RAM
1) RAM is Random Access Memory
2) It stores the data and instructions that is needed by the processor
currently
3) It is volatile i.e., the data stored in it is lost once the power is off.

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59. Write the difference between primary memory and secondary memory.

1) The memory size of the primary memory is small while comparing to

secondary memory.
2) For a given unit, if you compare the cost of primary and secondary
memory, primary memory is much costlier than secondary memory.
3) Primary memory is much faster than secondary memory.
4) The processor can access the primary memory directly. But the data
stored in the secondary storage is not directly accessible for the
processor. It needs to be routed through the primary memory.

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