Basic components of a computer system

The governing concept is hardware connectivity. Ports are physical or logical connection points through which external devices communicate with a computer; USB, HDMI, and audio ports are familiar examples. Icons are graphical symbols, folders organize files, and files contain data. Since the question asks for connection points, option B, Ports, is the only suitable answer.

The governing concept is the use of computer ports for peripheral devices. A pen drive is designed to connect through a USB port, which supports data transfer and, in many cases, power for the device. An audio port is for sound equipment, a video port is for display signals, and a power port is not the usual data connection. Thus, option C is correct.

The governing concept is the direction of data flow. A mouse sends pointing actions and a keyboard sends characters or commands from the user into the computer, so both are input devices. Monitors and printers are output devices, storage devices retain data, and the CPU performs processing. Therefore, option A correctly identifies the category of the mouse and keyboard.

The governing concept is output from a computer to its user. A monitor presents processed information visually on a screen, while a printer produces a paper copy; both communicate results outward, so they are output devices. A keyboard and mouse would be input devices, the CPU performs processing, and a network adapter handles communication. Therefore, option B is correct.

The governing concept is secondary storage. Both a hard disk and a pen drive retain digital information such as documents, photographs, programs, and videos so it can be accessed later, even when the computer is switched off. Calculations are mainly performed by the CPU, images are displayed by output hardware, and sound recording uses input hardware. Thus, option A is correct.

The governing concept is the structure of the computer system. The motherboard is the main circuit board that provides sockets, slots, and electrical pathways for the CPU, memory modules, and other components. A monitor displays results, a printer makes paper output, and a scanner captures input; none normally holds the CPU and system memory. Therefore, option D is correct.

The governing concept is visual processing. A graphics card, also called a video card or graphics processing unit, processes visual data and sends suitable signals to the display, helping render images, animations, and videos. A sound card handles audio, a network card handles network communication, and the power supply provides electricity. Hence, option A is correct.

The governing concept is audio processing. A sound card, or audio adapter, converts and processes digital and analog audio signals so that a computer can record, play, and manage sound through microphones and speakers. A graphics card handles visuals, the motherboard connects components, and a hard disk stores data. Therefore, option B is the specific component that processes sound.

The governing concept is network connectivity. A network card, also called a network interface card or adapter, enables a computer to send and receive data over a wired or wireless network. A sound card manages audio, a graphics card handles visual data, and a printer produces physical output. Since the question asks for the networking component, option C is correct.

The governing concept is primary or main memory. Random Access Memory, or RAM, temporarily holds the programs and data that the processor is actively using, so it is called the computer’s main working memory. A DVD, pen drive, and hard disk are storage media used to retain data for longer periods. RAM is volatile, so its contents normally disappear when power is removed. Hence, option A is correct.

The governing concept is non-volatile memory. Read Only Memory, or ROM, normally retains its stored instructions even after the computer is switched off because it does not depend on continuous power to preserve them. RAM, cache memory, and processor registers are volatile working memories whose contents are generally lost when power is removed. Therefore, option B is the correct answer.

The governing concept is high-speed temporary memory. Cache memory is a small, very fast memory located close to the processor. It temporarily stores frequently used instructions and data so the CPU can access them faster than it could from ordinary main memory or secondary storage. A hard disk, DVD, and pen drive are slower storage devices and are not the intended answer. Thus, option A is correct.

The governing concept is the computer system unit. The system unit is the main enclosure that contains or houses important internal parts such as the motherboard, processor, memory, power supply, and often internal storage. A mouse and scanner are input devices, while a speaker is an output device. They may connect to the computer but do not hold its major internal components. Therefore, option B is correct.

The governing concept is input devices. A barcode scanner uses light or an imaging sensor to detect the bars and spaces in a printed or displayed barcode, then converts that pattern into digital data for the computer. A projector and speaker are output devices, while a plotter produces printed drawings. Since the scanner reads information into the system, the barcode scanner is the correct answer: option A.

The governing concept is the classification of output devices by the form of information they produce. A plotter creates large, accurate line drawings on paper, so it is suitable for maps, architectural plans and engineering designs. A webcam and microphone capture input, while a keyboard enters text and commands. Therefore, option B is the only device designed for large technical drawings.

The governing concept is input through a pointing device. A light pen detects the user’s position or movement on a compatible display and can be used to point, select or draw directly on the screen. A speaker, printer and projector present information to the user, so they are output devices rather than input devices. Hence option A, Light Pen, is correct.

The governing concept is the use of input devices to control software. A joystick has a movable stick that sends directional signals, allowing a player to control movement in games and simulations. A scanner captures images, while a monitor and printer provide output. Since only the joystick is designed for directional game control, option B is correct.

The governing concept is pointing and cursor control through an input device. A touchpad is a flat, touch-sensitive surface commonly built into laptops; moving a finger across it moves the on-screen pointer, and tapping can select items. A plotter prints drawings, a barcode scanner reads codes, and a projector displays images. Therefore option C is correct.

The governing concept is document digitisation through pattern recognition. Optical Character Recognition, or OCR, analyses the shapes of printed letters in a scanned document and converts them into machine-readable, editable text. Magnetic ink recognition is used for specialised cheque characters, mark recognition reads filled responses, and barcode recognition reads coded patterns. Thus option D is correct.

The governing concept is recognition of marks rather than recognition of letters. Optical Mark Recognition, or OMR, detects darkened areas at predetermined positions on forms, such as filled circles on objective examination sheets. OCR reads printed characters, MICR reads magnetic-ink cheque characters, and speech recognition processes spoken language. Therefore option A is correct.

The governing concept is specialised character recognition in banking documents. Magnetic Ink Character Recognition, or MICR, reads characters printed with magnetisable ink, especially the coded numbers along the bottom of bank cheques. OMR reads filled marks, OCR reads ordinary printed text, and barcode recognition reads patterned bars. Hence option B is the only technology matching cheque character processing.

The governing concept is classification by the role a device performs. A fingerprint scanner captures a distinctive biological characteristic and sends that information to the computer for identification or authentication. It therefore works as a biometric input device. It does not present results, store information as its primary function, or perform processing itself. Thus option C is correct.

The governing concept is classification according to how a component stores or handles data. A DVD is an optical storage medium: a laser reads data encoded on its surface, and the disc can hold documents, software, music or video. It is not a pointing input device, a processor or an audio output device. Therefore option A is correct, and the basic-components topic is the best available mapping.

The governing concept is secondary or removable storage. A memory card records and retains digital information such as photographs, videos, music and documents in devices like cameras and phones. Therefore, option B is correct. Printing is done by a printer, calculations are performed by the processor, and moving the pointer is the role of a mouse or touchpad; none of those describes a memory card.

The governing concept is hardware connectivity. Cables are physical wires or assemblies that carry electrical power or data signals between computer parts, peripherals and ports. Thus, option C is correct. Folders are software containers for organising files, drivers are software that helps the operating system communicate with hardware, and applications are programs; none of these is the general name for connecting wires.