Test your basic knowledge |

Technology In Action - 2

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 cable that transmits data at close to the speed of light along glass or plastic fibers.






2. Any object that a user carries to identify him- or herself and that grants the user access to a computer system or computer facility.






3. The space on the hard drive where the operating system stores data if there isn't enough random access memory (RAM) to hold all of the programs you're currently trying to run.






4. 'Programs that include image - video - and audio editing software - animation software - and other specialty software required to produce computer games - animations - and movies.'






5. See eSata.






6. A type of monitor ( or display in a notebook or PDA) that accepts input from a user touching the screen.






7. 'A device on a network such as a router - hub - and switch that moves data signals around the network.'






8. 'The time it takes for the hard drive's read/write heads to move over the surface of the disk - between tracks - to the correct track.'






9. A signal that tells the operating system that it is in need of immediate attention.






10. 'Someone who has training in computer and peripheral maintenance and repair - network design - and the installation of network software; installs new equipment - configures computers for users - repairs equipment - and assigns network access to users






11. One of three competing technologies for rewritable DVDs.






12. A software holding area for printing jobs.






13. 'A program that provides traditional classroom tools - such as calendars and grade books - over the Internet - as well as areas for students to exchange ideas and information in chat rooms - discussion forums - and e-mail.'






14. 'An alternative to more traditional mapping software programs; easily accessible with any Internet connection and updated more frequently than offline services. Examples include MapQuest - Yahoo! Maps - Google Maps - and Google Earth.'






15. A single copper wire surrounded by layers of plastic insulation and sheathing; used mainly in cable television and cable Internet service. Key Terms






16. 'A network - consisting of client and server computers - in which the clients make requests of the server and the server returns the response.'






17. 'Microsoft operating system that builds upon the security and user interface upgrades that the Windows Vista release provided - and gives users with touch-screen monitors the ability to use touch commands to scroll - resize windows - pan - and zoom.'






18. 'In Windows - a snapshot of your entire system's settings used for restoring your system to a prior point in time.'






19. The time it takes a storage device to locate its stored data.






20. 'The essential component of the operating system that is responsible for managing the processor and all other components of the computer system. Because it stays in random access memory (RAM) the entire time the computer is powered on - the kernel is






21. A specially designed computer chip that resides inside another device - such as a car. These self-contained computer devices have their own programming and typically neither recieve input from users nor interact with other systems.






22. 'An application program - such as Intuit's TurboTax or H&R Block's TaxCut - for preparing state and federal taxes. Each program offers a complete set of tax forms and instructions as well as expert advice on how to complete each form.'






23. System software that controls hardware devices.






24. 'The set of minimum storage - memory capacity - and processing standards recommended by the software manufacturer to ensure proper operation of a software application.'






25. 'The steady and constant pace at which a computer goes through machine cycles - measured in hertz (Hz).'






26. Manipulating or organizing data into information.






27. 'One of two recognized DVD formats that enable you to read - record (R) - and rewrite (RW) data on the disc.'






28. 'An operating system originally conceived in 1969 by Ken Thompson and Dennis Ritchie of AT&T's Bell Labs. In 1974 - the UNIX code was rewritten in the standard programming language C. Today there are various commercial versions of UNIX.'






29. A server that provides client computers with access to information stored in a database.






30. A collection of software programs that have been bundled together as a package.






31. A server that keeps track of who is logging on to the network and which services on the network are available to each user.






32. 'As its name implies - the computer's desktop puts at your fingertips all of the elements necessary for a productive work session and that are typically found on or near the top of a traditional desk - such as files and folders.'






33. 'Portable storage devices - such as CDs - DVDs - and Blu-ray discs - that use a laser to read and write data.'






34. A single software program that incorporates the most commonly used tools of many productivity software programs.






35. The set of techniques used in processing and retrieving information.






36. An application that is still under development.






37. The radio waves or cable that transport data on a network.






38. A set of memory chips - located on the motherboard - which stores data and instructions that cannot be changed or erased; it holds all the instructions the computer needs to start up.






39. 'A small program that performs many of the general housekeeping tasks for the computer - such as system maintenance and file compression.'






40. A measure of the difference in light intensity between the brightest white and the darkest black colors that a monitor can produce. If the contrast ratio is too low - colors tend to fade when the brightness is adjusted to a high or low setting.






41. When data merely travels the entire length of the communications medium and is received by all network devices.






42. 'A hierarchical structure that include files - folders - and drives used to create a more organized and efficient computer.'






43. A device (such as a printer or external hard drive) that can be attached directly to a network instead of needing to attach to a computer on the network.






44. Programs you can use to design interactive Web pages without knowing any HyperText Markup Language (HTML) code.






45. A Windows utility that enables you to schedule tasks to run automatically at predetermined times with no interaction necessary on your part.






46. A port that uses a traditional telephone signal to connect a computer to the internet.






47. A special shelf inside a computer case that is designed to hold storage devices.






48. 'A device that enables the computer (or peripheral) to communicate with the network using a common data communication language - or protocol.'






49. A port that can connect a wide variety of peripherial devices to the computer - including keyboards - printers - mice - smartphones - PDAs - flash drives - and digital cameras.






50. A method of optical storage for digital data - developed for storing high-definition media. It has the largest storage capacity of all optical storage options.