Basic computer operations (hardware and software)

The governing concept is temporary keyboard modification. Holding Shift while pressing a letter key produces one uppercase letter, after which normal typing can continue without changing the keyboard mode. Escape usually cancels, Alt supports alternate commands, and Tab moves focus or inserts indentation. Caps Lock is not listed; therefore option A, Shift, is correct.

The governing concept is window control in a graphical operating system. Minimise hides the active window from the desktop and places its button on the taskbar without closing the application, so it can be reopened later. Close exits the window, Maximise enlarges it, and Scroll moves through content. Therefore option B is correct.

The governing concept is window control in a graphical user interface. Clicking the Maximise button enlarges the active window so that it occupies the available screen area, therefore option C is correct. Minimise reduces the window to a taskbar button, Close exits the window or program, and Back changes the previous page or location rather than changing the window size.

The governing concept is the use of standard window-control buttons. The Close button terminates the current program window, so option D is correct. Minimise only hides the window on the taskbar, Maximise enlarges it, and Restore returns a maximised window to its earlier size. A user should normally save important work before closing because unsaved changes may be lost.

The governing concept is selecting application software according to the task. Drawing software provides tools such as a canvas, pencil, brush, shapes, colours, and an eraser for creating or editing digital pictures, so option A is correct. Antivirus software protects against malicious programs, a calculator performs numerical operations, and a file manager organises files and folders rather than drawing images.

The governing concept is document creation using application software. A word processor is designed to enter, edit, format, save, and print letters and paragraphs, so option B is correct. A media player handles audio or video, antivirus software detects and helps block malicious software, and spreadsheet software organises data in cells and supports calculations. Thus the writing task clearly points to a word processor.

The governing concept is the use of spreadsheet application software. A spreadsheet arranges information in rows and columns, allows formulas to perform calculations, and helps present data in tables, so option C is correct. Drawing software creates images, a media player plays audio or video, and a web browser opens internet pages. Those programs do not primarily provide cell-based calculation and tabulation tools.

The governing concept is web access through application software. A web browser requests, loads, and displays web pages and other internet content, so option D is correct. A file manager organises local files, a word processor creates documents, and a calculator performs arithmetic. A search engine may help locate a website, but the browser is the program that displays the site to the user.

The governing concept is protective utility software and malware detection. Antivirus software scans files, programs, and sometimes incoming activity to identify, block, quarantine, or remove harmful software, so option A is correct. Drawing software creates images, a calculator performs arithmetic, and presentation software prepares slides. Antivirus protection is stronger when the program and its malware definitions are kept updated.

The governing concept is system software. The operating system acts as an interface between the user, applications, and hardware; it manages memory, files, devices, and processor time while providing services for other programs. Therefore option B is correct. A media player, image editor, and calculator are application programs that depend on the operating system rather than controlling the whole computer.

The governing concept is identifying hardware by its primary function. A pen drive, also called a USB flash drive, uses flash memory to store and transfer digital files, so option C is correct. A monitor displays output, a speaker produces sound output, and a microphone captures sound as input. These three devices may connect to a computer, but they do not primarily provide removable data storage.

The governing concept is secondary or non-volatile storage. A hard disk is an internal storage device that keeps the operating system, applications, and user files even when the computer is switched off, so option D is correct. A keyboard and mouse are input devices, while a speaker is an output device. They help the user communicate with the computer but do not permanently store its files.

The governing concept is electrical and equipment safety. Water conducts electricity better than dry skin, so wet hands can increase the chance of an electric shock, especially near plugs, sockets, or damaged wires. Moisture can also enter electronic parts and cause short circuits or damage. Therefore, option A is correct. The other options are unrelated: wet hands cannot speed up a computer, clean its screen, or save files automatically.

The governing concept is safe, systematic troubleshooting. A first check should be simple and non-destructive: confirm that the power switch, plug, adapter, and essential cables are connected correctly. A loose connection or absent power can explain why the computer does not start. Therefore option C is correct. Deleting files may cause data loss, cutting wires is dangerous, and pouring water can cause serious damage.

The governing concept is responsible computer operation and shutdown. Before leaving the computer unused for a long period, save open work, close applications, and use the operating system’s proper shutdown command. This helps protect unsaved data, stops processes correctly, and avoids unnecessary electricity use. Option D is therefore correct. Keeping the system on wastes energy, deleting files is unnecessary, and pressing keys serves no useful purpose.

The governing concept is the interdependence of hardware and software. Hardware means the physical parts, such as the processor, memory, keyboard, and monitor; software means the programs and instructions that tell those parts what to do. Hardware carries out software instructions, while software needs hardware to run. Therefore option A is correct. The other statements incorrectly deny this relationship or make the false claim that hardware works only through the internet.

The governing concept is safe and systematic digital work. Meaningful filenames make files easy to identify, regular backups provide another copy if data is lost, and proper shutdown protects open work and system processes. Option B combines all three good practices, so it is correct. Anonymous filenames reduce organisation, sharing passwords weakens security, and opening unknown files can expose the computer to malware or unsafe content.

The Backspace key removes the character immediately to the left of the insertion cursor when text is being edited, so option C is correct. Enter starts a new line or confirms an action, Shift changes the case or types an alternate symbol, and Caps Lock changes continuous letter capitalization. The Delete key can remove the character to the right, so Backspace and Delete should not be confused.

The Enter key normally moves the cursor to the next line when typing in a document or text field, making option D correct. It can also confirm a command or activate a selected button, depending on the application. Spacebar inserts a blank space, Tab moves to the next tab position or field, and Escape cancels or exits an operation. These different functions distinguish Enter from the distractors.

The governing concept is keyboard modifier behavior. When Caps Lock is turned on, alphabetic characters are typed in uppercase continuously until the key is pressed again to turn it off. Therefore, option B is correct. Tab moves the cursor between fields, Enter confirms or creates a new line, and Backspace removes the character to the left; none of these controls continuous capitalization.

The governing concept is temporary character modification. Holding Shift while pressing an alphabet key produces one uppercase character, or one alternate symbol, and releasing it returns typing to the normal state. Thus option C is correct. Caps Lock is used for continuous uppercase typing, while Enter starts an action or line, Spacebar inserts a blank space, and Tab moves to the next position.

The governing concept is identifying keyboard sections by their input function. A numeric keypad contains grouped number keys and commonly includes arithmetic operators, so it is designed for quick numerical entry. Therefore, option D is correct. Function keys perform commands, arrow keys move the cursor, and letter keys mainly enter alphabetic characters, although the top row can also contain number keys on many keyboards.

The governing concept is volatile primary memory. RAM temporarily holds the programs and data that the processor is actively using, allowing quick access during current work. Therefore, option A is correct. RAM is volatile, so its contents are normally lost when power is removed. Printing belongs to a printer, sound playback to audio hardware, and permanent file storage to devices such as an SSD or hard disk.

The governing concept is secondary, non-volatile storage. A hard disk drive or solid-state drive stores the operating system, applications, and user files for long-term use, retaining information when the computer is switched off. Therefore, option B is correct. RAM holds active temporary data, whereas the screen, sound system, and mouse perform display, audio, and pointing functions rather than permanent storage.

The governing concept is classification by a device’s primary role. A pen drive, also called a USB flash drive, uses flash memory to store, transfer, and carry digital files between compatible devices. Thus option C is correct. It is not primarily a processing unit or an output device; although a computer can read data from it, calling it only an input device would be incomplete.