Topic 1 Basic Terms

Question 1

Modern Devices

Answer 1

Modern devices are electronic tools, such as smartphones, tablets, laptops, and smartwatches, that use advanced technology to process data, connect to the internet, and perform a wide range of tasks. They are portable, user-friendly, and often combine multiple functions, such as communication, entertainment, and productivity, into one device. These devices rely on both hardware and software to work effectively.

Question 2

Contemporary

Answer 2

The word contemporary refers to something that exists, occurs, or is used in the same time period as something else, often meaning modern or current. It can describe people, objects, art, technology, or events that belong to the present era.

Here are 10 sentence examples using the word “contemporary”:

Many contemporary artists experiment with digital media to create new forms of art.

The building’s design is contemporary, with sleek lines and large glass windows.

Contemporary music often blends genres like pop, hip-hop, and electronic.

She prefers reading contemporary novels rather than classic literature.

Contemporary technology has made communication faster and easier than ever before.

The museum is hosting an exhibition of contemporary sculpture from around the world.

Contemporary architecture often focuses on sustainability and energy efficiency.

His contemporary peers were impressed by his innovative ideas.

Contemporary films often address social and political issues of today.

The fashion designer creates contemporary clothing that reflects modern trends.

Question 3

Feature

Answer 3

A feature is a specific function or characteristic of a device, software, or system that helps it perform a task or meet the user’s needs. Features are the parts that make a product useful or different from others, such as a camera on a smartphone or spell-check in a word processor.

Question 4

Function

Answer 4

A function is a specific operation or action that a device, software, or system can perform to achieve a particular purpose. Functions describe what a system or program does, such as sending an email, calculating a total, or storing a file. Unlike a feature, which is a characteristic, a function focuses on the actual task being carried out.

Example in context:
In an exam, a question might ask: “Explain the function of a word processor.” A strong answer would be: “The function of a word processor is to allow users to create, edit, format, and save text documents efficiently.”

Question 5

Feature vs Function

Answer 5

Key difference in context:
The main difference is that a feature describes what is included in a product, while a function describes what the product actually does. For example, a smartphone’s feature might be a camera, while the function of that camera is to take photos and record videos.

Question 6

Hardware

Answer 6

Hardware refers to the physical, tangible parts of a computer or electronic device that you can touch, see, and interact with. This includes components such as the processor, keyboard, monitor, hard drive, and motherboard. Hardware works together with software to perform tasks and allow the device to function properly.

Example in context:
In an exam, a question might ask: “Give one example of hardware and explain its role.” A strong answer would be: “A keyboard is hardware that allows the user to input text and commands into a computer.”

Question 7

Software

Answer 7

Software is the set of programs, applications, and instructions that tell a computer or device how to perform tasks. Unlike hardware, software is intangible; it cannot be touched, but it controls how the hardware operates. Examples include operating systems, word processors, and web browsers.

Example in context:
In an exam, a question might ask: “Give one example of software and explain its function.” A strong answer would be: “Microsoft Word is software that allows users to create, edit, and format text documents.”

Question 8

Hardware

Answer 8

Hardware refers to the physical components of a computer or device, such as the keyboard, monitor, or processor, which you can touch and see. Software, on the other hand, is the collection of programs and instructions that run on hardware, telling it what tasks to perform; it is intangible and cannot be physically touched. In short, hardware is the device itself, while software is what makes the device work.

Question 9

Hardware examples

Answer 9

Keyboard
Mouse
Monitor
Processor (CPU)
Motherboard
Hard drive (HDD)
Solid-state drive (SSD)
RAM (Random Access Memory)
Graphics card (GPU)
Power supply
Printer
Scanner
Speakers
Webcam
Network card

Question 10

Software

Answer 10

Microsoft Word
Microsoft Excel
Google Chrome
Mozilla Firefox
Adobe Photoshop
Adobe Illustrator
Windows 11
macOS Ventura
Linux Ubuntu
Zoom
Skype
Slack
Spotify
VLC Media Player
Minecraft

Question 11

Operating system

Answer 11

An operating system is software that manages a computer’s hardware and software resources and provides common services for other programs. It acts as an intermediary between the user, applications, and the hardware, allowing the computer to function efficiently. Examples include Windows, macOS, and Linux.

Question 12

Performance

Answer 12

Performance refers to how efficiently and effectively a computer, device, or system can carry out tasks and processes. It is influenced by hardware, software, and system resources, and can be measured by speed, responsiveness, and the ability to handle multiple tasks at once. High performance means tasks are completed quickly and reliably, while poor performance can cause delays or errors.

Question 13

Information

Answer 13

Information is data that has been processed, organised, or structured in a way that makes it meaningful and useful to the user. Unlike raw data, information provides context and understanding, helping people make decisions or solve problems. In IT, information can be stored, transmitted, and retrieved using hardware and software.

Question 14

Binary

Answer 14

Binary is a system of representing information using only two symbols, usually 0 and 1. Computers use the binary system because their hardware can easily recognise two states, such as on/off or high/low voltage. Binary is used to encode data, perform calculations, and control all operations inside a computer.

Question 15

Denary

Answer 15

Denary, also known as the decimal system, is a number system that uses ten symbols (0 to 9) to represent values. It is the system humans use in everyday counting and calculations. In IT, denary numbers are often converted to binary so that computers, which use two states, can process them.

Question 16

Denary Vs Binary

Answer 16

Denary, or the decimal system, is a number system that uses ten symbols (0–9) and is the one humans use for everyday counting. Binary is a number system that uses only two symbols (0 and 1) and is used by computers to represent and process data. The main difference is that denary is base 10, while binary is base 2, meaning each binary digit represents a power of 2 instead of a power of 10.