Test your basic knowledge |

IT Literacy

Subjects : it-skills, literacy
Instructions:
  • Answer 50 questions in 15 minutes.
  • If you are not ready to take this test, you can study here.
  • Match each statement with the correct term.
  • Don't refresh. All questions and answers are randomly picked and ordered every time you load a test.

This is a study tool. The 3 wrong answers for each question are randomly chosen from answers to other questions. So, you might find at times the answers obvious, but you will see it re-enforces your understanding as you take the test each time.
1. A pocket-sized computer used to organize appointments - tasks - notes - contacts - and other personal information; sometimes called hand-held computer or palmtop computer. Many PDAs include additional software and hardware for wireless communication.






2. A specialist who interviews and observes experts - and converts their words and actions into a knowledge base.






3. Software that serves as tools for doing system maintenance and some repairs that are not automatically handled by the operating system;






4. Alignment of text on a line: left justification (smooth left margin - ragged right margin) - right justification (smooth right - ragged left)






5. Component of word-processing software that analyzes each word in context - checking for content errors - common grammatical errors - and stylistic problems






6. Random Access Memory; Memory that stores program instructions and data temporarily






7. Software that facilitates the arrangement of information into hierarchies or levels of ideas






8. A device that enables digital machines to monitor a physical quantity of the analog world (i.e. temperature - humidity - pressure) to provide data used in robotics. (Enables robots to modify actions based on feedback from outside world) (Ex: vision -






9. An interactive cross-reference system that allows textual information to be linked in nonsequential ways. A hypertext document contains links that lead quickly to other parts of the document or to related documents.






10. Technology that creates the illusion that the user is immersed in a world that exists only inside the computer; this environment contains both scenes and the controls to change those scenes.






11. The use of computer displays that add virtual information to a person's sensory perceptions - supplementing rather than replacing (as in virtual reality) the world the user sees.






12. Process of saving data - esp. for data recovery. Many systems automatically back up data and software onto disks or tapes






13. Software which must be purchased through commercial channels and is copyrighted; Cannot be legally duplicated for others






14. Knowledge acquired from living in the world.






15. Custom-designed procedure program which automates tasks in an application program






16. Device for accepting input (e.g. a keyboard)






17. A method of compression that can squeeze a music file to a fraction of its original CD sized with only slight loss of quality.






18. Information in a form that can be read - used and manipulated by a computer






19. (Modeling) The use of computers to create abstract models of objects - organisms - organizations and processes






20. The narrow (but deep) knowledge base of an expert system.






21. Documentation file that appears onscreen at the user's request






22. Software that is free to try with a send-payment-to-keep honor system






23. 1) flexible schedule; 2) save time commuting and save $; 3) better for the environment (less gas consumption); 4) better ergonomics (working conditions); 5) save office space/expenses.






24. 1) must be a disciplined worker -- self-motivation! (IB student); 2) must have good time management; 3) lack of socialization with coworkers






25. Video clip in which one image metamorphoses into another.






26. Software programs that can ask questions - respond to commands - pay attention to users' work patters - serve as a guide and a coach - take on owner's goals - and use reasoning to fabricate their own goals.






27. 1) color depth; 2) resolution






28. Working from home by modem - as do many programmers - accountants - and other information workers.






29. 1) Say what is meant and with care (when using the Internet/email - there is no tone of voice); 2) keep it short (otherwise people may not read it all and miss stuff); 3) don't assume you're anonymous; 4) learn the non-verbal language of the net; 5)






30. Wide Area Network ; A network that extends over a long distance. Each network site is a node on the network






31. A word - phrase - or picture that acts as a button - enabling the user to explore the Web or a multimedia document with mouse clicks.






32. A class of Internet addresses indicated by a suffix such as: .com - .gov - .net






33. Enables you to 'paint' pixels on the screen with a pointing device.






34. Block that appears at the top of every page in a document displaying repetitive information such as chapter title






35. Software packages which include several applications designed to work well together; such as Microsoft Office






36. Communicates with peripherals; Coordinates the concurrent processing of tasks; Manages memory; Keeps track of location of all programs/files of hard drive






37. Information systems or software programs designed to replicate the decision-making process of a human expert.






38. 1) Saves printing costs after initial software purchase. 2) Saves time traveling back to commercial printer b/c you can use a personal printer. 3) Reduces # of publication errors. 4) Allows more people to publish.






39. The address of a Web site. (unique)






40. Email discussion groups on special-interest topics. All subscribers receive messages sent to the group's mailing address. (private)






41. Most common security tools used to restrict access to computer systems.






42. 1) documents can be disorienting and leave the reader wondering; 2) documents don't always have the links readers want - leaving them frustrated because they can't easily get from here to there; 3) documents may contain 'lost' links - especially on t






43. Billions of clock cycles per second - a measurement of a computer's clock speed






44. Protocols developed as an experiment in internetworking - now the language of the Internet - allowing cross-network communication for almost every type of computer and network.






45. Protects transmitted information by scrambling the transmissions; When a user encrypts a message by applying a secret numerical code (encryption key) - the message can be read only after it's been reconstructed with a matching key






46. 1) data stays consistent over distances; 2) more data can be transmitted; 3) can communicate with other devices






47. 1) makes long distance meetings possible and reduces costs; 2) enables decisions to evolve over time; 3) emphasizes messages over messenger






48. Professionally designed - empty documents that can be adapted to specific user needs. In spreadsheet software - worksheets that contain labels and formulas but no data values. The template produces instant answers when you fill in the blanks.






49. Allows documents of all types to be stored - viewed - or modified on any Windows or Macintosh computer - making it possible for many organizations to reduce paper flow.






50. 1) creative; 2) parallel processing (multitasking); 3) image analysis; 4) common sense knowledge; 5) see relationships between concepts; 6) knowledge base is vast - not narrow; 7) translation of languages (idioms); 8) expression/interpretation of emo