Question 1

COMPUTER HARDWARE — Identifying peripherals Which term best describes hardware devices that are not part of the core computer (CPU, motherboard, RAM) and are often added later, such as printers or scanners?

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: PC systems are built around a core and extended with external devices. Being able to categorize devices correctly helps with troubleshooting, purchasing, and configuring drivers. Given Data / Assumptions: Devices considered: printers, scanners, webcams, external drives, keyboards, mice. We seek the umbrella term for such devices. Terms like “clip art” or “execute” are clearly unrelated to hardware classification. Concept / Approach: Peripherals are external or auxiliary devices that connect to the core computer system to provide input, output, or storage. They attach via USB, HDMI, Bluetooth, or network interfaces. Examples include monitors (output), keyboards (input), and external SSDs (storage). Step-by-Step Solution: Identify role: not central processing but input/output/auxiliary.Match role to the standardized term → peripheral.Exclude unrelated words (clip art, highlight) and verbs (execute). Verification / Alternative check: Operating systems use “device manager” categories including “peripherals.” Manufacturers market “PC peripherals” as accessories. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Clip art — collection of images, not hardware.Highlight/Execute — software actions, not device categories.Kernel — the core of an OS software component, not external hardware. Common Pitfalls: Assuming “peripheral” implies low importance; many peripherals (e.g., storage arrays, medical devices) are mission-critical despite being external. Final Answer: Peripheral

Question 2

INTERNET PROTOCOL SUITE — Identify the outsider Which of the following is not part of the standard Internet (TCP/IP) protocol suite used on the public Internet?

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: The Internet runs on a family of protocols commonly referred to as TCP/IP. Recognizing which protocols belong to this suite helps diagnose connectivity issues and design networks. Given Data / Assumptions: We compare listed protocols with the TCP/IP stack. HTTP and FTP are application-layer Internet protocols; IP is the network layer; TCP is the transport layer. STP is a well-known networking protocol but not part of the Internet suite. Concept / Approach: STP stands for Spanning Tree Protocol. It operates on Ethernet switches to prevent layer-2 loops in a bridged LAN by creating a loop-free tree. While important for local switching, STP is not an Internet protocol in the TCP/IP stack used for end-to-end communication across the public Internet. Step-by-Step Solution: List Internet protocols among options: HTTP (application), FTP (application), IP (network), TCP (transport).Identify the remaining candidate: STP — a layer-2 bridging protocol, not part of TCP/IP.Therefore, the item that is not an Internet protocol is STP. Verification / Alternative check: OSI vs TCP/IP mapping shows STP at OSI Layer 2 (IEEE 802.1D), while HTTP/FTP/TCP/IP operate at higher Internet layers. Why Other Options Are Wrong: HTTP — used for web traffic.FTP — used for file transfer.IP — core addressing and routing protocol.TCP — reliable transport protocol. Common Pitfalls: Assuming “if it is a protocol, it must be an Internet protocol.” Many networking protocols exist outside the TCP/IP suite (e.g., STP, ARP at link layer, proprietary routing). Final Answer: STP

Question 3

CYBERSECURITY HYGIENE — Infection vectors Which action below is a common way to get a computer virus or similar malware on a personal computer?

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Malware often relies on social engineering to trick users into running malicious code. E-mail remains a major attack vector because attachments can hide executable payloads or macro-enabled documents. Given Data / Assumptions: Typical home/office user behavior is considered. Attachments may include executable files, macro-enabled Office documents, or compressed archives. Modern mail systems scan for malware, but zero-day and social engineering still succeed. Concept / Approach: Malicious attachments or links inside e-mails can deliver trojans, ransomware, spyware, and worms. When a user opens or enables macros, the code runs with the user’s privileges, infecting the machine. Safe practices include verifying sender identity, scanning attachments, and disabling automatic macro execution. Step-by-Step Solution: Identify which listed action executes untrusted code → opening e-mail attachments.Recognize that merely “sending e-mail” does not infect your own PC.Other options (season, shopping online) are not causal without downloading or running unsafe files. Verification / Alternative check: Incident response data repeatedly shows phishing with malicious attachments as a leading initial infection vector; security awareness training targets this risk. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Sending e-mails — benign unless sending malware to others, which still requires execution to infect.Winter usage — weather does not install malware.Shopping online — generally safe over HTTPS unless you download/run malicious files; risk lies in downloads, not the act itself. Common Pitfalls: Trusting attachments from spoofed senders; enabling macros in “invoices” or “resumes.” Always preview, scan, and verify before opening files. Final Answer: Opening e-mail attachments

Question 4

Computer number systems – internal calculation base In digital electronics and computer architecture, computers represent and calculate numbers using which fundamental numeral system at the hardware level (logic gates, ALUs, memory cells)?

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Understanding how computers represent data is essential for programming, digital logic, and troubleshooting. Although humans commonly use base-10 (decimal), computer hardware is constructed from electronic switches that naturally implement base-2 (binary). This question checks foundational knowledge of number systems as used by processors, memory, and digital circuits. Given Data / Assumptions: A “computer” here refers to the physical hardware (CPU, ALU, registers, memory). Logic gates operate with two stable voltage states (often labeled 0 and 1). We are concerned with the native representation for arithmetic and logic. Concept / Approach: Binary uses digits 0 and 1. Each binary digit (bit) corresponds to an “off/on” or “low/high” state realizable with transistors. Larger units (nibbles, bytes, words) are sequences of bits. Arithmetic units implement binary addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division using combinational and sequential logic (full adders, shifters, multipliers). Decimal or octal may be used for human-friendly display, but internally the encoding is binary (with special encodings like two’s complement for signed integers and IEEE-754 for floating point). Step-by-Step Solution: Identify the physical substrate: transistors that switch between two states.Match two states to base-2 representation → binary digits 0 and 1.Conclude that all arithmetic and logical operations are performed in binary, even if results are shown to users in decimal or hexadecimal. Verification / Alternative check: Examine CPU instruction set manuals: opcodes manipulate bits/bytes; arithmetic flags reflect binary outcomes (carry, zero, sign, overflow). Memory addresses and data buses are also binary lines. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Decimal: sometimes emulated (e.g., BCD instructions), but not the core hardware representation. Octal: a historical shorthand for binary on certain systems; not the internal computation base. None of the above: incorrect because binary is correct. Common Pitfalls: Confusing display base (what users see) with computation base (what hardware uses). Even when programmers write hexadecimal, it is simply a compact human representation of underlying binary bits. Final Answer: Binary

Question 5

Early computing history – identifying an early mainframe-class machine Among the following names, which one refers to an early large-scale electronic computer frequently cited in computing history timelines and considered a mainframe-class ancestor?

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Knowledge of early computers provides perspective on modern architectures. Large, room-sized machines developed in the 1940s–1960s pioneered electronic computation and are often grouped under “mainframe” ancestors. The question asks you to recognize a historically authentic machine among distractors. Given Data / Assumptions: The options contain one historically accurate name and several fictitious ones. “Early mainframe” loosely denotes first-generation large electronic computers. We focus on name recognition from classic computing history. Concept / Approach: ENIAC (Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer) was unveiled in the mid-1940s in the United States. It used vacuum tubes, consumed significant power, and required manual re-wiring for programming. It is widely credited as one of the first general-purpose electronic computers and a direct ancestor of later mainframe systems. While other authentic names include EDSAC, UNIVAC, and IBM 701, the only genuine option listed here is ENIAC. Step-by-Step Solution: Scan the choices for historically documented machines.Identify “ENIAC” as a known early electronic computer.Discard invented names (UNIC, BRAINIA, FUNTRIA) lacking historical presence. Verification / Alternative check: Standard computing history texts and museum archives list ENIAC alongside contemporaries like Colossus (codebreaking) and EDVAC/UNIVAC (commercial follow-ups). Why Other Options Are Wrong: UNIC, BRAINIA, FUNTRIA: no established historical records; distractors meant to test recognition. Common Pitfalls: Confusing ENIAC with UNIVAC. UNIVAC was a later commercial line; ENIAC predates it and is the earliest among the famous acronyms. Final Answer: ENIAC

Question 6

Web fundamentals – meaning of "http" in a URL When you type a web address that begins with "http://", the abbreviation "http" expands to which standardized networking term used by web browsers and servers?

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Every URL begins with a scheme (such as http, https, ftp) that indicates how a client should communicate with a server. Understanding what “http” stands for clarifies how the web transports documents and APIs across networks. Given Data / Assumptions: The focus is on the expansion of the acronym “http”. We assume familiarity with basic web browsing and URLs. We are not asked about security (that would be “https”). Concept / Approach: HTTP stands for Hyper Text Transfer Protocol. It is an application-layer protocol that defines how requests (GET, POST, etc.) and responses (status codes, headers, bodies) are formatted and exchanged. Originally designed to transfer hypertext documents (HTML) with embedded links, HTTP now carries a wide range of media types and is the foundation for RESTful APIs and modern web services. Step-by-Step Solution: Identify the acronym within the URL scheme: “http”.Recall the standardized expansion: Hyper Text Transfer Protocol.Select the option matching this exact phrase. Verification / Alternative check: Developer documentation and web standards (for example, RFCs) describe HTTP’s methods, status codes (200, 404, 500), and header semantics as part of the protocol. Why Other Options Are Wrong: HTML Transfer Technology Process: conflates HTML (a markup language) with transport. Hyperspace options: fictitious phrases that do not correspond to web standards. Common Pitfalls: Mixing up HTTP (protocol) with HTML (markup). HTML structures content; HTTP moves it between client and server. Final Answer: Hyper Text Transfer Protocol

Question 7

Computer hardware – alternate name for the CPU In personal computers and embedded systems, which term is most commonly used as another name for the Central Processing Unit (the primary executing chip)?

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: The Central Processing Unit (CPU) is the component that fetches, decodes, and executes instructions. In many modern systems, the core CPU is integrated into a single silicon die packaged as a microprocessor. This question asks for the commonly used synonym for CPU in everyday technical usage. Given Data / Assumptions: We refer to the chip that performs general-purpose computation. Terms like “execute” and “decode” are operations, not component names. “Micro chip” is an imprecise colloquialism. Concept / Approach: A microprocessor integrates CPU functions on a single integrated circuit. While some architectures distinguish CPU cores, caches, and chipsets, the term “microprocessor” is widely treated as synonymous with CPU, especially in context of desktop, laptop, and embedded processors (for example, x86, ARM). Step-by-Step Solution: Identify which option is a component name, not an action.“Microprocessor” refers to the chip implementing the CPU functions.Choose “Microprocessor” as the correct synonym for CPU. Verification / Alternative check: Motherboard diagrams label the main processor package as “CPU” or “microprocessor,” confirming common equivalence in usage. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Execute / Decode: pipeline stages or instruction cycle actions, not device names. Micro chip: vague; any small IC could be called a microchip. Common Pitfalls: Assuming “CPU” always equals an entire processor package. In multi-chip and system-on-chip designs, CPU cores may sit alongside GPUs and accelerators; however, “microprocessor” remains the accepted synonym for the primary CPU chip. Final Answer: Microprocessor

Question 8

Internet addressing – spotting an invalid domain example Which of the following strings is not a validly structured domain name according to common Internet naming conventions (letters/digits/hyphens in labels and a proper top-level domain)?

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Domain names are hierarchical. From right to left you have the top-level domain (TLD), the second-level domain, then optional subdomains. Valid examples end with a recognized TLD such as .com, .org, .net, or a country code like .uk and .fr. Given Data / Assumptions: Capitalization is irrelevant (DNS is case-insensitive); focus on structure. “www” is a conventional subdomain label, not a requirement. We assume standard public DNS naming practices. Concept / Approach: A structurally valid domain must terminate in a TLD. For example, yahoo.com ends with .com (TLD). yahoo.co.uk ends with .uk (TLD) preceded by .co (a second-level category used by the UK registry). yahoo.fr ends with .fr (TLD). The string www.fr.yahoo ends with .yahoo, which is not the TLD in public DNS for that brand; instead, “yahoo” is widely known as a second-level domain under .com, .co.uk, .fr, etc. Without a valid TLD at the far right, the name is malformed for standard resolution. Step-by-Step Solution: Check the rightmost label in each option.Confirm a recognized TLD (.com, .uk, .fr) appears at the far right for valid domains.Identify “Www.fr.yahoo” → rightmost label “yahoo” is not a TLD here → invalid. Verification / Alternative check: Basic DNS resolution rules specify matching from the root rightward; the ultimate suffix must be a recognized TLD. The options with .com, .co.uk, and .fr satisfy this; the one ending in “.yahoo” does not. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Www.yahoo.com : valid format, TLD .com. Www.yahoo.co.uk : valid UK multi-level domain format. Www.yahoo.fr : valid format with TLD .fr. Common Pitfalls: Thinking “www” is mandatory or that subdomain ordering is arbitrary. The TLD must always be the rightmost label. Final Answer: Www.fr.yahoo

Question 9

Editing basics – selecting text with the mouse In common word processors and text editors, dragging the mouse pointer across characters so they appear with a shaded background is commonly called what?

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Basic editing skills improve productivity in documents, emails, and code editors. One of the first interactions users learn is selecting text by dragging the mouse, which enables formatting, copy, cut, and delete operations. Given Data / Assumptions: The user interface shows selected text with an inverse color or shaded background. We are naming the action performed by dragging across text. Terminology should match common software usage. Concept / Approach: The action is called highlighting (or selecting). Once text is highlighted, commands like Ctrl+C (copy), Ctrl+X (cut), or formatting actions can be applied to the selection. “Clip art” refers to ready-made graphics, not text selection. “Fetch” and “decode” are unrelated operations. Step-by-Step Solution: Identify the UI behavior: shaded/colored region indicates selection.Recall common menu labels: “Select All,” “Highlight,” “Copy,” etc.Choose “To highlight.” Verification / Alternative check: Most help guides (Word, Google Docs, VS Code) refer to “selecting (highlighting) text” for drag operations with the mouse. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Clip art: graphic assets, not selection. To fetch / To decode: networking or data-processing terms, not editor actions. Common Pitfalls: Confusing “highlight” with “highlight color” formatting (yellow marker style). In many apps, “highlight” colloquially means “select”; visual emphasis formatting is a separate feature. Final Answer: To highlight

Question 10

Networks – Internet vs. intranet distinction Which statement best captures the core difference between the Internet and an intranet in terms of scope and accessibility?

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Organizations often deploy private networks that look and feel like the web (browsers, web apps, internal portals) but are accessible only to authorized users. Distinguishing an intranet from the public Internet is foundational for IT policy, security, and architecture. Given Data / Assumptions: The Internet is a global, publicly reachable network of networks using TCP/IP. An intranet is a private TCP/IP-based network operated by an organization. Security posture can vary; privacy versus public accessibility is the primary distinction. Concept / Approach: The essential difference is scope and access. The Internet is globally addressable and open (with local restrictions), while an intranet is private, typically behind firewalls, VPNs, and access controls. Both can use the same technologies (HTTP/HTTPS, DNS, email) and both can be monitored; security and safety depend on configuration, not on the label Internet/intranet per se. Step-by-Step Solution: Identify the axis that always distinguishes them: public vs. private reachability.Eliminate claims about inherent safety or inability to monitor—those are not universally true.Select “One is public, the other is private.” Verification / Alternative check: Corporate IT documentation often defines intranet resources as internal-only and reachable via internal DNS or VPN, whereas Internet resources are globally reachable via public DNS and AS-level routing. Why Other Options Are Wrong: One is safer than the other: depends on controls; not an inherent property. One can be monitored, the other can’t: both can be monitored. None of the above: incorrect because public vs. private is correct. Common Pitfalls: Assuming intranets are automatically secure. They still require authentication, patching, and segmentation. Final Answer: One is public, the other is private

Question 11

Basic electronics – component used to store electric charge Which electronic component is specifically designed to store electric charge and energy in an electric field between two conductors separated by a dielectric?

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Recognizing the function of basic components is fundamental to circuit analysis and design. Among passive and active devices, only one is intended primarily to store charge and energy electrostatically. Given Data / Assumptions: The device should accumulate charge and energy, not merely control current or voltage. We consider standard discrete components. Operation involves a dielectric and two conductive plates or electrodes. Concept / Approach: A capacitor stores energy in an electric field: E = 0.5 * C * V^2, where C is capacitance and V is voltage. It consists of two conductors (plates) separated by an insulator (dielectric). Applications include filtering, timing (RC networks), energy buffering, coupling/decoupling, and power-supply smoothing. By contrast, diodes allow current primarily in one direction; transistors amplify/switch; resistors dissipate energy as heat according to I^2 * R. Step-by-Step Solution: Identify which device is defined by charge storage behavior.Recall the capacitor's energy formula and structure (plates + dielectric).Select “Capacitor.” Verification / Alternative check: Datasheets list capacitance in farads (F, µF, nF, pF) and voltage ratings, highlighting charge/energy storage roles. Circuit simulations show capacitors charging/discharging exponentially in RC networks. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Transistor: active device for switching/amplification; not intended for bulk charge storage. Diode: rectification; small junction capacitance is incidental, not the primary function. Resistor: converts electrical energy to heat; no intentional energy storage. Common Pitfalls: Confusing incidental parasitic capacitances of diodes/transistors with a component designed for storage. Only capacitors are built expressly to store charge. Final Answer: Capacitor

Question 12

Resistor color code – digit value for BLUE In the standard 10-color resistor code (black to white), what base digit does the color BLUE represent when reading resistor values?

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: The resistor color code encodes numerical values and tolerances with colored bands. Remembering each color’s digit helps you read resistors quickly without a calculator or chart. Given Data / Assumptions: The standard sequence is: black, brown, red, orange, yellow, green, blue, violet, grey, white. Digits map from 0 through 9 in that order. We are asked specifically for the digit corresponding to BLUE. Concept / Approach: Using a common mnemonic (for example, “BB ROY Great Britain Very Good Wife” or similar), blue is the seventh color in the 0–9 sequence starting at black=0. Counting: black 0, brown 1, red 2, orange 3, yellow 4, green 5, blue 6, violet 7, grey 8, white 9. Step-by-Step Solution: List the ordered colors with digits.Locate BLUE in the sequence → 6.Choose “6.” Verification / Alternative check: Any electronics handbook or resistor calculator confirms blue corresponds to 6 for significant figures and, in multiplier position, to 10^6. Why Other Options Are Wrong: 1 (brown), 2 (red), 4 (yellow): digits belonging to other colors; not blue. Common Pitfalls: Confusing digit values with tolerance colors (gold, silver) or reading bands in the wrong direction. Always start from the side with the tolerance band farthest from the edge. Final Answer: 6

Question 13

Accessing the web – identifying a non-access method Which of the following items is not a method or technology used to connect to and access the World Wide Web?

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: To reach the web, users employ access technologies that carry IP traffic over last-mile links, such as dial-up, ISDN, cable, fiber, or DSL. This question checks whether you can distinguish access methods from unrelated hardware components. Given Data / Assumptions: “Access method” means a telecommunications technology or device enabling network connectivity. Examples include dial-up modems, ISDN, xDSL, cable modems, fiber ONTs, mobile data. A CPU is a processing unit, not a network access medium. Concept / Approach: ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network) provided digital dial-up lines. A modem modulates/demodulates signals to carry digital data over analog lines. DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) provides broadband over copper pairs. A CPU executes instructions inside a computer but does not itself provide a network link; you still need a NIC and an access medium. Step-by-Step Solution: Identify which options are telecommunication access mechanisms: ISDN, DSL, Modem.Recognize CPU is a processor, not an access technology.Select “CPU.” Verification / Alternative check: Network diagrams show CPUs behind network interface cards, switches, and WAN links; the CPU is not the access path. Why Other Options Are Wrong: ISDN: legacy access method for internet connectivity. Modem: device enabling dial-up or broadband connections. DSL: broadband access technology. Common Pitfalls: Assuming any computer component relates directly to connectivity. Without an access line and modem/ONT/NIC, a CPU alone cannot reach the web. Final Answer: CPU

Question 14

Computing Fundamentals – Translating Binary to Human-Readable Text In computer systems, changing the machine language of 1's and 0's into characters that a person can understand is called:

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Computers store and process information in binary, using sequences of 1's and 0's. Humans, however, read letters, digits, and symbols. The act of converting machine-level bit patterns into meaningful, human-readable characters is a foundational concept in computing and data communications. Given Data / Assumptions: The input is binary data (1's and 0's). Target output is human-readable characters such as A–Z, a–z, 0–9, and punctuation. Standard character encodings (for example, ASCII or Unicode/UTF-8) are in use. Concept / Approach: When a system interprets bit patterns according to a character encoding table, it decodes the binary into glyphs or code points. Encoding is the forward operation (characters → bytes), while decoding is the reverse (bytes → characters). Execution runs instructions; highlighting changes screen selection; clip art refers to images, not binary-to-text conversion. Step-by-Step Solution: Recognize the operation: binary data must be interpreted via a code map.Match operation to terminology: converting bytes → characters = decoding.Eliminate actions unrelated to representation (execute, highlight, clip art).Conclude the correct term is “Decode.” Verification / Alternative check: Text editors and browsers always decode incoming byte streams using an assumed or declared charset (for example, Content-Type headers) to render readable text. If the wrong charset is used, mojibake (garbled characters) appears, confirming the necessity of decoding. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Highlight: A user-interface selection action; no translation occurs. Clip art: Refers to stock images, not character conversion. Execute: Runs instructions; it does not translate binary to human-readable text. Common Pitfalls: Confusing decryption (security) with decoding (representation). Decryption removes secrecy; decoding interprets format. Also, mixing up encoding (writing bytes) versus decoding (reading bytes) is common. Final Answer: Decode

Question 15

Acronyms in Hardware – What does RAM stand for? Choose the correct expansion used in computer architecture and operating systems:

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: RAM is a core hardware component in every computing device, from smartphones to servers. It temporarily stores data and instructions that the CPU needs to access quickly while programs are running, greatly influencing system performance. Given Data / Assumptions: The acronym in question is RAM. Context is standard computer hardware terminology. We are choosing the correct expansion used globally in textbooks and documentation. Concept / Approach: Random Access Memory means any location in memory can be accessed directly (in approximately equal time), unlike sequential media. RAM is volatile; its contents are lost when power is removed. It contrasts with storage devices (SSD, HDD), which are non-volatile but slower for random access patterns. Step-by-Step Solution: Identify the real technical expansion known in computing.Match RAM → Random Access Memory.Reject joke or incorrect expansions.Confirm by standard hardware references and system specifications. Verification / Alternative check: Operating system tools (for example, Task Manager, top) report installed RAM; hardware manuals cite “Random Access Memory” in specifications, validating the expansion. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Really Annoying Machine: Humorous, not technical. Read A Manual: Colloquial phrase, unrelated to memory. Real Absolute Memory: Not a standard term in computer architecture. Common Pitfalls: Assuming RAM is permanent storage. RAM is volatile working memory; saving files requires non-volatile storage. Final Answer: Random Access Memory

Question 16

PC Troubleshooting – Unusual Clatter When Loading Programs If you hear a growing clatter from your computer, especially while loading software or opening files, what is the most likely cause?

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Mechanical hard disk drives (HDDs) use spinning platters and moving actuator arms. Abnormal noises—clicks, clatters, or grinding—often surface when the drive seeks data during heavy access, and they can be early warnings of impending failure. Given Data / Assumptions: Noise increases during program loads or data retrieval. System previously operated more quietly. The device likely contains a mechanical HDD (not solely SSD). Concept / Approach: When read/write heads or bearings degrade, access attempts can produce repeated clicking or clattering. Such sounds during seeks are classic symptoms of a failing HDD. Immediate backups and drive diagnostics (for example, SMART checks) are prudent. Fan or cable noises tend to be more constant and correlate with fan speed rather than disk access patterns. Step-by-Step Solution: Observe when noise occurs: mainly during disk I/O.Associate seek-time noises with HDD mechanisms.Infer elevated risk of imminent disk failure.Plan immediate data backup and replacement. Verification / Alternative check: Run vendor diagnostics, check SMART attributes (reallocated sectors, pending sectors), and test with another system or an external enclosure. Confirm that fan noise is not the source by briefly observing with fans at different speeds (safely). Why Other Options Are Wrong: It's infested with reindeer: Joke option. A loose wire is hitting the cooling fan: Possible, but that noise usually correlates with fan speed, not disk access. A loud metallic clatter is normal: Persistent clatter is not normal and signals trouble. Common Pitfalls: Delaying backups after hearing repeated clicks; once failure advances, recovery becomes costly. Also, confusing normal soft seek sounds with sharp repetitive clacks. Final Answer: Your hard disk may be headed for failure

Question 17

Internet Basics – Subscribing to an Email (Listserv) Mailing List What is the typical method to subscribe to an Internet mailing list maintained by a list server?

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Before social media, topical discussions commonly used email-based mailing lists (for example, LISTSERV, Mailman). Subscribing correctly ensures you receive messages and can participate without creating noise or bothering unrelated parties. Given Data / Assumptions: A mailing list is administered by automated software or a human moderator. Lists usually publish subscription instructions (for example, subscribe commands). The user has email access. Concept / Approach: The standard approach is to send an email to the list's subscription address or list manager (for example, listname-request@domain), often with a specific command in the subject or body such as “subscribe .” Contacting an ISP or telephoning a webmaster is neither necessary nor effective for automated list enrollment. Step-by-Step Solution: Locate subscription instructions on the list's info page.Send an email to the list manager/subscription address with the required command.Confirm via the automated reply or moderation approval.Begin receiving list messages after confirmation. Verification / Alternative check: Mailing list footers and help commands (for example, emailing help@listserver) describe the subscribe workflow and confirm that enrollment is handled by email instructions. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Contact your Internet service provider: ISPs do not manage independent mailing lists. Telephone the mailing list webmaster: Webmasters maintain sites, not list memberships. Send a letter to the list: Postal mail cannot trigger automated subscriptions. Common Pitfalls: Sending “subscribe” to the discussion address instead of the request/manager address; this spams all members. Final Answer: Send e-mail to the list manager

Question 18

Digital Logic – Basic AND Operation In a standard binary (Boolean) digital circuit, what is the result of 1 AND 1?

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Boolean logic underpins digital electronics and programming. The AND operation outputs true only if all inputs are true. Understanding these fundamentals is essential for analyzing logic gates, truth tables, and conditional expressions in software. Given Data / Assumptions: Binary inputs: 1 represents true/high, 0 represents false/low. We are using the logical AND operator. Two-input truth table applies. Concept / Approach: The AND truth rule is simple: 1 AND 1 → 1; 1 AND 0 → 0; 0 AND 1 → 0; 0 AND 0 → 0. In hardware, an AND gate only drives its output high when all inputs are high. Numeric outputs like 2 or 4 are meaningless here because Boolean logic does not sum values; it evaluates truth conditions. Step-by-Step Solution: Write the two-input AND truth table.Evaluate the case (1, 1) → output is 1.Validate that any zero input forces output to 0.Conclude the correct result is 1. Verification / Alternative check: Test with a simple circuit simulator or Boolean algebra rules: A * B equals 1 only when A = 1 and B = 1. Why Other Options Are Wrong: 0: Would be correct for OR? No—AND needs all 1s; here both are 1. 2, 4: Misinterpret Boolean logic as arithmetic addition or multiplication of integers; outputs are logical, not numeric magnitudes beyond 1. Common Pitfalls: Confusing arithmetic with logic, or mixing OR/AND semantics. Final Answer: 1

Question 19

History of Communications – In which decade was the electric telegraph invented and deployed? Select the best historical timeframe for the invention and early use of the practical telegraph.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: The electric telegraph revolutionized long-distance communication by transmitting coded electrical signals over wires. Its practical deployment predates the telephone and paved the way for modern telecommunications networks. Given Data / Assumptions: The question seeks the decade of invention and early deployment. We refer to practical, operational systems rather than early laboratory experiments. Key figures include Samuel Morse in the United States and Cooke & Wheatstone in Britain. Concept / Approach: While prototypes emerged earlier, the 1840s saw practical telegraph lines established: Morse's line between Washington, D.C., and Baltimore opened in 1844, and Cooke & Wheatstone advanced their systems in the 1830s–1840s. Therefore, the 1840s best capture the period of invention-to-adoption for real-world communication networks. Step-by-Step Solution: Identify earliest widespread operational lines—Morse, 1844.Recognize parallel developments in Britain in late 1830s/early 1840s.Choose the decade representing practical rollout → 1840s.Eliminate later decades that correspond to telegraph expansion, not invention. Verification / Alternative check: Historical timelines routinely list 1844 as the first long-distance telegraph message (“What hath God wrought”), anchoring the 1840s as the seminal decade. Why Other Options Are Wrong: 1810s: Too early for practical electric telegraph lines. 1870s/1890s: Telegraph was already mature and widespread by then; the telephone (1870s) had appeared. Common Pitfalls: Equating early experiments with operational deployment, or confusing telegraph with later telephone milestones. Final Answer: 1840s

Question 20

Hardware Terminology – Another Name for a Computer Chip In everyday computing vocabulary, which term is commonly used as another name for a computer chip?

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Computer hardware comprises many integrated circuits (ICs), popularly called chips. Knowing basic terminology helps users and students communicate accurately about components during troubleshooting or upgrades. Given Data / Assumptions: “Computer chip” refers broadly to an integrated circuit package. We seek a common synonym used in general discourse. Options include actions (execute, select) and component names. Concept / Approach: A microchip (often written “microchip” rather than “Micro chip”) is a widely used synonym for an integrated circuit. A microprocessor is a specific type of chip that serves as a CPU; while it is a chip, it is not a generic synonym for all chips. Therefore, the best general synonym for “computer chip” among the choices is “Micro chip.” Step-by-Step Solution: Identify broad term that maps to ICs in general.Select “Micro chip” as the everyday synonym for a chip.Reject functional verbs unrelated to hardware nouns.Note that “microprocessor” is a specific chip category, not a generic synonym. Verification / Alternative check: Dictionaries and consumer electronics guides define microchip as an integrated circuit, confirming synonymy. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Execute / Select: Software user actions; not hardware components. Microprocessor: A particular chip (CPU), not a general synonym for all chips. Common Pitfalls: Using “processor” to refer to any chip. Systems contain many chips (memory, controllers, sensors) beyond the CPU. Final Answer: Micro chip

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