Mastering ECDL / ICDL

ECDL / ICDL Exercise Questions

Module One
Basic Concepts of Information Technology

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CONTENTS

1.1 GETTING STARTED............................................................................................................ 1

1.1.1 HARDWARE/SOFTWARE INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY..............................................................1
1.1.2 TYPES OF COMPUTER........................................................................................................... 1
1.1.3 MAIN PARTS OF A PERSONAL COMPUTER..............................................................................1
1.2 HARDWARE............................................................................................................................. 2
1.2.1 CENTRAL PROCESSING UNIT................................................................................................. 2
1.2.2 INPUT DEVICES.................................................................................................................... 2
1.2.3 OUTPUT DEVICES................................................................................................................. 2
1.3 STORAGE................................................................................................................................ 3
1.3.1 MEMORY STORAGE DEVICES................................................................................................ 3
1.3.2 TYPES OF MEMORY.............................................................................................................. 3
1.3.3 MEASURING MEMORY........................................................................................................... 3
1.3.4 COMPUTER PERFORMANCE................................................................................................... 3
1.4 SOFTWARE............................................................................................................................. 4
1.4.1 TYPES OF SOFTWARE........................................................................................................... 4
1.4.2 OPERATING SYSTEM SOFTWARE........................................................................................... 4
1.4.3 APPLICATIONS SOFTWARE.................................................................................................... 4
1.4.4 SYSTEMS DEVELOPMENT...................................................................................................... 4
1.5 INFORMATION NETWORKS................................................................................................... 5
1.5.1 LAN AND WAN.................................................................................................................... 5
1.5.2 THE TELEPHONE NETWORK IN COMPUTING...........................................................................5
1.5.3 ELECTRONIC MAIL................................................................................................................ 5
1.5.4 THE INTERNET...................................................................................................................... 5
1.6 COMPUTERS IN EVERYDAY LIFE......................................................................................... 6
1.6.1 COMPUTERS IN THE HOME.................................................................................................... 6
1.6.2 COMPUTERS AT WORK OR IN EDUCATION..............................................................................6
1.6.3 COMPUTERS IN DAILY LIFE................................................................................................... 6
1.7 IT AND SOCIETY..................................................................................................................... 7
1.7.1 A CHANGING WORLD............................................................................................................ 7
1.7.2 A GOOD WORKSPACE.......................................................................................................... 7
1.7.3 HEALTH AND SAFETY............................................................................................................ 7
1.8 SECURITY, COPYRIGHT AND THE LAW...............................................................................8
1.8.1 SECURITY............................................................................................................................ 8
1.8.2 COMPUTER VIRUSES............................................................................................................ 8
1.8.3 COPYRIGHT.......................................................................................................................... 8
1.8.4 Data Protection Act............................................................................................................. 8
 ECDL/ICDL [Module One] 1
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Basic Concepts of IT EXERCISE QUESTIONS

1.1 Getting Started

1.1.1 Hardware/Software Information Technology

 Explain the terms “hardware” and “software”.

1.1.2 Types of Computer

 What is a mainframe computer?

 What is a mini-computer?
 What is the difference between a PC and a Mac?
 What is a networked computer?
 What is a laptop computer?
 What is the difference between intelligent and dumb terminals?
 Explain the role of the CPU type in the overall speed of a computer.
 Explain the role of the computer's clock speed in the overall speed of a computer.
 Explain the role of the amount of RAM in the overall speed of a computer.
 What unit is commonly used to measure the storage capacity of a hard disk?

1.1.3 Main Parts of a Personal Computer

 What is meant by the term "system unit"?

 What is meant by the term system (mother) board?
 What is meant by the term CPU (Central Processing Unit)?
 What is meant by the term RAM (Random Access Memory)?
 What is meant by the term ROM-BIOS (Read Only Memory - Basic Input Output System)?
 What does the term serial port mean?
 What does the term parallel port mean?
 What is meant by the term USB (Universal Serial Bus)?
 What does the term monitor mean?
 Briefly compare and contrast floppy disks, hard disks, CD-ROMs and DVDs.
 What is meant by the term Zip disc?
 What does the term peripheral device mean?
 What is the function of a modem?
 What is the function of a printer?
 What is the function of a scanner?
 Explain how a recordable CD may be useful!
 What is the function of a tape backup unit?
 Explain the terms “Input Device” and “Output Device”.
 Where might you use PCMCIA compatible hardware devices?

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2 ECDL/ICDL [Module One]
EXERCISE QUESTIONS Basic Concepts of IT

1.2 Hardware

1.2.1 Central Processing Unit

 Explain the function of the CPU.

 What unit is used to measure the speed of the CPU?

1.2.2 Input Devices

 List types of input devices.

1.2.3 Output Devices

 List types of output devices.

 What is the term VDU short for?
 Explain some of the advantages of flat screen monitors.
 Is screen size normally measured horizontally or diagonally?
 What is VGA short for?
 Contrast VGA with XGA.
 What is a computer projection device and who might use such as device?
 List as many different types of printer as you can.
 Explain the term “printer consumerables”, and their significance in printer running costs.

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 ECDL/ICDL [Module One] 3
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Basic Concepts of IT EXERCISE QUESTIONS

1.3 Storage

1.3.1 Memory Storage Devices

 Please complete the following table comparing the speed, capacity and cost of a range of
different data storage devices.

Device Speed Capacity Cost

Internal hard disk
External hard disk
Zip and Jaz drives
Floppy disks (diskettes)
CD-ROM drives
DVD drives

1.3.2 Types of Memory

 What is RAM short for?

 What is ROM short for?
 What is RAM used for?
 What is ROM used for?
 What does ROM-BIOS stand for and what is it used for?
 What does the term “flash BIOS” mean and why can it be useful?

1.3.3 Measuring Memory

 What is a “bit”.
 How many bits are there in a byte?
 What does the word binary mean?
 How many bytes are there in 1 KB?
 How many bytes are there in 1 MB?
 How many bytes are there in 1 GB?
 Explain the terms computer files and computer records.

1.3.4 Computer Performance

 List items that affect the overall speed of a computer.

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4 ECDL/ICDL [Module One]
EXERCISE QUESTIONS Basic Concepts of IT

1.4 Software

1.4.1 Types of Software

 What is an Operating System?

 Give examples of different operating systems.
 What is an Application Program?

1.4.2 Operating System Software

 What is a Graphical User Interface?

 List advantages of using a GUI.

1.4.3 Applications Software

 List examples of word-processing applications.

 List examples of spreadsheet applications.
 List examples of database applications.
 List examples of payroll applications.
 List examples of presentation applications.
 List examples of desktop publishing applications.
 List examples of multimedia applications.
 List examples of Web authoring applications.

1.4.4 Systems Development

 What is a systems development cycle?

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 ECDL/ICDL [Module One] 5
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Basic Concepts of IT EXERCISE QUESTIONS

1.5 Information Networks

1.5.1 LAN and WAN

 What does the term LAN stand for?

 List some of the advantages of using a PC connected to a network.
 What does the term WAN stand for?
 Compare LANs and WANs?
 What is workgroup computing?

1.5.2 The Telephone Network in Computing

 Explain the term PSDN.

 Explain the term ISDN.
 Explain how satellite communications have impacted on the use of a PC.
 Explain the term Fax.
 Explain the term Telex.
 Explain the term Modem.
 Explain the difference between digital vs. analogue.
 Explain the term Baud rate.

1.5.3 Electronic Mail

 Explain some of the benefits of using e-mail.

 What is required to use e-mail?

1.5.4 The Internet

 What is the term WWW short for?

 What is the Internet and how is it useful?
 What is the difference between the Internet and the WWW?
 What is an Internet search engine?
 List examples of commonly used search engines.
 Compare and contrast the use of email vs. conventional mail.

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6 ECDL/ICDL [Module One]
EXERCISE QUESTIONS Basic Concepts of IT

1.6 Computers in Everyday Life

1.6.1 Computers in the Home

 Explain how computers within the home may be used in connection with pursuing a hobby.
 Explain how computers within the home may be used in connection with running the
household accounts.
 Explain how computers within the home may be used in connection with working from home.
 Explain how computers within the home may be used to help children with their homework.

1.6.2 Computers at Work or in Education

 Explain the term CBT.

 Explain how automated production systems can increase productivity within industry.
 Explain how computerized design systems can increase producing within the creative design
business.
 List types of computer based systems used in business to aid productivity.
 List areas where it would be better to use a computer than a person.

1.6.3 Computers in Daily Life

 List types of computer systems used within the home.

 List types of computer systems used in education.
 Explain ways in which the banks have exploited the use of the computer.
 Explain ways in which the supermarkets have exploited the use of the computer.
 Explain the terms “Smart ID cards”.

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 ECDL/ICDL [Module One] 7
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Basic Concepts of IT EXERCISE QUESTIONS

1.7 IT and Society

1.7.1 A Changing World

 Explain the concept of the “Information Society”.

 Explain the problems surrounding the “Year 2000 bug” that occurred at the start of this
millennium.
 Explain the term “e-commerce”.

1.7.2 A Good Workspace

 List some good working practices with regard to the use of a computer.
 List some bad working practices with regard to the use of a computer.

1.7.3 Health and Safety

 List some of the precautions that you should take to ensure that your computer is safe to use,
and does not infringe health and safety regulations.
 What is RSI?
 Why is it essential to use a properly designed chair when using a computer?

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8 ECDL/ICDL [Module One]
EXERCISE QUESTIONS Basic Concepts of IT

1.8 Security, Copyright and the Law

1.8.1 Security

 Why do you need to back up your computer?

 How might you organize your computer for more efficient backups?
 Compare complete vs. incremental backups.
 Why should you use 'off-site' storage for data that you have backed up?
 Why is it important to use passwords to protect your computer data?
 Describe the importance of properly shutting down your computer.
 What is a UPS?
 Why might electrical surge protection for your computer be a good idea?

1.8.2 Computer Viruses

 What are computer viruses?

 How do viruses infect PCs?
 How might you protect your PC against virus threats?
 How could you make a diskette read-only?

1.8.3 Copyright

 Describe some of the common software copyright issues connected with the use of a PC.
 What is freeware?
 What is shareware?

1.8.4 Data Protection Act

 List the main points of the Data Protection Act (or similar legislation within your country).

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