Basic Computer Technology Terms Quiz
Questions: 16 · 10 minutes
1. Which statement best describes an operating system?
It is a program used only to create text documents
It is the physical circuitry that performs calculations
It is an online service that finds web pages by keyword
It manages the computer's hardware and supports applications
2. Several devices in a home need to share one internet connection. Which device commonly directs network traffic between them and the internet?
A scanner
A monitor
A router
A keyboard
3. Your laptop stops working and its internal drive cannot be recovered. Which earlier action would most directly help you restore your important files?
Creating a backup on another storage location
Increasing the screen resolution
Clearing the web browser's history
Closing unused application windows
4. Which option is software rather than hardware?
A computer mouse
A solid-state drive
A photo-editing application
A network cable
5. A friend says, “Open a browser and search for the museum's website.” Which program would you open first?
A file compression utility
A spreadsheet application
A search engine's indexing system
A web browser such as Firefox, Edge, or Safari
6. What is the primary role of a computer's CPU?
To connect the computer to a wireless network
To store files permanently when the computer is off
To display visual output on the screen
To process instructions and perform calculations
7. A program is frozen, and you restart the computer so the operating system closes and starts again. What is this process commonly called?
Rebooting
Formatting
Uploading
Encrypting
8. You save a document to a service that lets you access it online from your phone and computer. Which term best describes this storage arrangement?
Local processing
Screen mirroring
Cloud storage
File compression
9. An email claims your account will be closed unless you immediately follow a link and enter your password. What term best describes this type of attempt?
File compression
Phishing
Cloud synchronization
Software installation
10. What is a URL?
The address used to locate a resource on the web
A secret code used to unlock an account
A program that removes unwanted files
A device that routes data between networks
11. In a spreadsheet, where would you normally enter one value or formula?
In a browser tab
In a cell
In a file extension
In a network port
12. You want to group several related documents together without changing their file types. What should you create?
A folder
A device driver
A spreadsheet formula
A browser cookie
13. You copy a photo from your computer to a website. Which term describes the transfer from your device to the online service?
Downloading
Uploading
Streaming
Rebooting
14. Which password is generally hardest for an attacker to guess?
A common word used with the same spelling on every account
A short password changed by adding the current year
A family member's name followed by a birthday
A long, unique passphrase not used for other accounts
15. You are editing a document when several open programs make the computer temporarily sluggish. Which component provides short-term working space for those active programs?
The solid-state drive
The graphics card
RAM
The power supply
16. A file is named “budget.xlsx.” What does the “.xlsx” portion most directly indicate?
The folder where the file is stored
The file type or format
The date when the file was created
The person who last edited the file