Southern New Hampshire University
IT -200 fundamentals of information technology
Questions and answers for milestone 1
1
What technological breakthrough accompanied the invention of the mainframe
computer?
The ability for computerized devices to be operated away from
the office
The ability to simultaneously run operations and manage
data efficiently
The ability to organize and store large amounts of data
The ability to conduct e-commerce operations
RATIONALE
The mainframe computer allowed the user to organize and store large amounts of data. It did not enable the other
technological breakthroughs.
CONCEPT
History of Computers
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2
Audrey is trying to figure out which files on her computer take up the most space, and which take up the least.
Select the option that correctly orders the file sizes on Audrey's computer from smallest to largest.
Remember to consider the number of units as well as the units themselves.
4000 GB, 8000 KB, 7 MB, 2 TB
2 TB, 7 MB, 4000 GB, 8000 KB
7 MB, 8000 KB, 2 TB, 4000 GB
8000 KB, 7 MB, 4000 GB, 2 TB
RATIONALE
7 MB = 7 x 1,000,000 bytes = 7,000,000 bytes
8,000 KB = 8,000 x 1,000 bytes = 8,000,000 bytes
2TB = 2 x 1,000,000,000,000 bytes = 2,000,000,000,000 bytes
4,000 GB = 4,000 x 1,000,000,000 bytes = 4,000,000,000,000 bytes
Therefore, 7 MB < 8,000 KB < 2 TB < 4,000 GB.
CONCEPT
Unit Prefixes
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3
Jacob has a computer with a clamshell design that he typically brings with him when he's going to work.
What type of computer does Jacob have?
A laptop
A desktop computer
A tablet
A smartphone
RATIONALE
A laptop is a type of portable computer with a clamshell design. Since Jacob has a computer with a clamshell design
that he can bring with him to work, he likely has a laptop.
CONCEPT
Types of Computers
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4
Vince's job requires him to edit and transform a lot of images, so he primarily uses a mouse to make edits.
Beth's job requires her to analyze financial data for her organization. She prefers to view the information on
her monitor, but she occasionally uses her printer to look at the data.
The channel that Beth is using to deliver the results of the process is known as .
Vince, who is entering information into the computer, is using the channel known as .
a circuit, a command
output, input
data processing, storage
input, output
RATIONALE
The channel that Beth is using to deliver the results of the process is known as output; while Vince, who is entering
information into the computer, is using the channel known as input.
CONCEPT
The Primary Functions of a Computer
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5
Abel is a salesman who travels daily throughout the U.S.
Select the best computer option for his needs.
Fast processor
Laptop
Basic desktop
Large screen
RATIONALE
Abel is a salesman who travels daily throughout the U.S; therefore, he needs a laptop, which is easily portable.
CONCEPT
Selecting a Computer
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6
Marco is using Microsoft Windows to organize the files and folders on his desktop.
Marco is using software.
utility
productivity
operating system
integrated development environment
RATIONALE
Microsoft Windows is an operating system, so that is what Marco is using.
CONCEPT
Computer Software
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7
Which statement describes a computer's vent?
A device that is not a native part of the computer system
A device that enters alphanumeric text and/or special symbols
into a computer system
An opening that dissipates internally generated heat
A device that allows users to input documents as images or text
RATIONALE
A vent is an opening that dissipates internally generated heat. The other statements describe a peripheral, a
keyboard, and a scanner.
CONCEPT
External Computer Hardware
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8
What is the function of a computer's mouse?
A device used to display video/images or text.
A device that is moved along a flat surface to direct the
on-screen pointer.
A device installed on a laptop that permits a finger to direct the
on- screen pointer.
A device that generates a hard copy of work created on a computer.
RATIONALE
A mouse is a device that is moved along a flat surface to direct the on-screen pointer. The other statements describe
a touchpad, a monitor, and a printer.
CONCEPT
External Computer Hardware
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9
Talia needs a device to output data from her computer to share with her team.
Which of the following components would be considered an output device that Talia could use?
pointing device
hard drive
GPU
printer
RATIONALE
A printer is output hardware. The GPU is a data processing component, the hard drive is a data storage
component, and the pointing device is an input component.
CONCEPT
Computer Components and Roles
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10
What is the function of a hard disk?
Serves as the working memory of a computer and transfers
data upon starting the device
Performs the computation and logic operations
Provides much of the electrical connection between different
computer components
Stores long-term data when the computer is turned off, and is
where data is retrieved from when the computer is turned on
RATIONALE
A hard disk is a stack of disks contained inside of a rigid metal case that stores long-term data when the computer is
turned off, and is where data is retrieved from when the computer is turned on. The other statements describe the
function of the CPU, motherboard, and RAM.
CONCEPT
Internal Computer Hardware
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11
Brittany is analyzing financial transactions on a computer, Craig is writing a set of instructions that will tell the
computer what to do, and Giselle is installing a second monitor to use with her computer.
What component of an information system is Giselle working with?
Data
Hardware
Software
Process
RATIONALE
Giselle is installing a second monitor to use with her computer. This second monitor is hardware.
CONCEPT
Information Systems
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12
is a set of instructions that gives commands to the hardware to carry out activities. An
example of this would be a(n) .
Output, network
Software, operating system
Memory, motherboard
Utility, CPU
RATIONALE
Software is a set of instructions that gives commands to the hardware to carry out activities. An example of this
would be an operating system.
CONCEPT
Computer Software
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13
Which statement about the relationship between hardware and software is true?
Computer hardware cannot be used with software.
Computer hardware is intangible, while computer software can
be physically touched.
The hardware controls the software.
The operating system of the computer makes the hardware useful.
RATIONALE
It is true that the operating system makes the hardware useful. The other statements are false; software controls the
hardware, which cannot be used without software.
CONCEPT
The Relationship Between Hardware and Software
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14
Tony has a collection of over 500 movies on an external hard drive.
How much storage space is necessary for Tony's collection?
Terabytes
Megabytes
Gigabytes
Kilobytes
RATIONALE
The amount of storage size Tony would use for storing 500 movies is measured in terabytes. The other units of
measurements are too small.
CONCEPT
Data Storage
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15
Using an input device on which she slides her finger along the area below the keyboard of her laptop, Monica
selects the “save” icon to make sure her computer saves the most recent edits to her document.
This describes the interaction between the and the .
optical disk, printer
flash drive, scanner
scanner, ROM
touchpad, hard disk
RATIONALE
This describes the interaction between the touchpad and the hard drive.
CONCEPT
Computer Components and Roles
solid state drive
mobile phone
flash drive
hard drive
RATIONALE
The best storage device for Jim would be a flash drive. Considering the small amount of data, a hard drive, a solid
state drive, or an optical disk are not appropriate. A mobile phone is not used to transport data.
CONCEPT
Computer Components and Roles
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17
Which statement describes a motherboard?
The working memory of the computer
The “brain” of the computer
A form of memory in which the data stored can be read, but
not changed
The device containing the main circuits of the computer
RATIONALE
The motherboard is the device containing the main circuits. The other statements describe the CPU, the ROM
(Read Only Memory), and the RAM (Random-Access Memory).
CONCEPT
Internal Computer Hardware
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