In a word processing program, you can use the Tab key to perform which of the following actions?

Introduction / Context:
This question covers basic keyboard usage in word processing software such as MS Word. The Tab key is one of the primary keys for controlling horizontal spacing and indentation. Understanding how it affects the position of the cursor and the format of paragraphs is important for efficient document creation and is frequently tested in computer basics exams.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The question focuses on the Tab key.
• We are considering typical word processing behaviour.
• Options describe moving the cursor across or down the screen and indenting paragraphs.
• We assume default tab settings with standard tab stops.

Concept / Approach:
Pressing the Tab key in a text editor or word processor moves the cursor forward to the next tab stop, which is a fixed horizontal position on the line. This effectively moves the cursor horizontally across the screen. When pressed at the beginning of a paragraph, the Tab key is commonly used as a way to create a first line indent. It does not normally move the cursor vertically down the screen, and it does not delete characters. Therefore, the best description is that it both moves the cursor across the screen and can be used to indent a paragraph.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Consider what happens when you press Tab while typing a sentence in a word processor. The cursor jumps forward by a fixed distance to the right. Step 2: This movement is horizontal across the same line, not vertical down to the next line. Step 3: When you press Tab at the start of a paragraph, the first line is shifted inwards from the left margin, creating a standard paragraph indent. Step 4: These two behaviours show that the Tab key can both move the cursor across the screen and indent paragraphs. Step 5: Option d, both move the cursor horizontally and indent a paragraph, captures this combined effect. Step 6: Option a is incomplete because it mentions only cursor movement, not indentation. Step 7: Option b is also incomplete because it mentions indentation but not the underlying horizontal cursor movement. Step 8: Option c is wrong because Tab does not move the cursor down the screen; the Enter key or arrow keys perform vertical movement. Step 9: Option e describes Backspace behaviour, not Tab behaviour.

Verification / Alternative check:
Experimenting in a word processor makes this clear. Typing text and pressing Tab causes the cursor to jump ahead within the same line. When you start a new paragraph and press Tab once, the text begins further in from the left, creating an indent. Many formatting guides even refer to pressing Tab to indent a paragraph. None of these operations involve moving straight down, which would require pressing Enter or an arrow key.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option a and option b each capture only part of what Tab is used for in word processing but ignore the other aspect. Option c incorrectly describes vertical movement, which is not the function of Tab. Option e refers to deleting characters, which is performed by Backspace or Delete, not by Tab. Since the question asks what you can use the Tab key to do, the answer that includes both major uses is the most accurate.

Common Pitfalls:
Students sometimes think of indentation as a separate feature and do not connect it mentally with horizontal cursor movement. Remember that indenting is simply a special case of moving the cursor to a particular horizontal position at the start of a line. Another pitfall is confusing Tab with Enter, which does move the cursor down to a new line. Keeping these roles separate helps avoid mixing up the keys in exam questions.

Final Answer:
You can use the Tab key to both move the cursor horizontally across the screen and indent a paragraph.