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






2. A small - compact portable computer.






3. An expansion card that attaches to the motherboard inside the system unit and that enables the computer to produce sounds by providing a connection for the speakers and microphone.






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






5. 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.






6. A type of network that uses servers to deliver services to computers that are requesting them (clients).






7. A measurement used in comparing software and hardware performance. Benchmarks are created using software applications that are specifically designed to push the limits of computer performance.






8. 'Software that handles requests for information - Internet access - and the use of peripherals for the rest of the network nodes.'






9. A set of controls on standard keyboards that moves the cursor(the flashing symbol on the monitor that indicates where the next character will be inserted); also known as an arrow key.






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






11. Programs that perform basic editing tasks on audio files such as cutting dead air space from the beginning or end of a song or cutting a portion from the middle.






12. An internal hard drive that is enclosed in a protective case to make it portable - the drive is connected to the computer with a data transfer cable and is often used to back up data.






13. A mouse with a rollerball on top instead of on the bottom. Because you move the trackball with your fingers - it doesn't require much wrist motion - so it is considered healthier for your wrist than a traditional mouse.






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






15. The language computers use to process data into information - consisting of only the values 0 and 1.






16. A method of optical storage for digital data that has greater storage capacity than compact discs.






17. A program that is hosted on a Web site and does not require installation on the computer.






18. The measurement (in miliseconds) of the time it takes for a pixel to change color; the lower the response time - the smoother moving images will appear on the monitor.






19. A program that manages the data between a computer's operating system and all the input and output devices attached to the computer; also responsible for loading the operating system (OS) from its permanent location on the hard drive to random access






20. '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.'






21. Any of the main files of an operating system.






22. See eSata.






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






24. The science of using nanostructures to build devices on an extremely small scale.






25. 'Programs used to create and edit written documents such as papers - letters - and r






26. The maximum speed at which data can be transmitted between two nodes on a network; usually measured in megabits per second (Mbps).






27. A computer that provides resources to other computers on a network.






28. A small segment of data that is bundled for sending over transmission media. Each packet contains the address of the computer or peripheral device to which it is being sent.






29. A wide area network (WAN) that links users in a specific geographic area (such as within a city or county).






30. 'The process of identifying a computer user - based on a login or username and password. The computer system determines whether the computer user is authorized and what level of access is to be granted on the network.'






31. Software that is developed for and customized to a specific industry's needs (such as a wood inventory system for a sawmill) as opposed to software that is useful across a range of industries (such as word processing software).






32. '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.'






33. A computer that provides resources to other computers on a network.






34. The set of programs that enables a computer's hardware devices and application software to work together; it includes the operating system and utility programs.






35. 'Software that handles requests for information - Internet access - and the use of peripherals for the rest of the network nodes.'






36. A server that processes and delivers incoming and outgoing e-mail.






37. Twisted pair cable that contains a layer of foil shielding to reduce interference.






38. A special numerical code that prioritizes requests from various devices. These requests then are placed in the interrupt table in the computer's primary memory.






39. A device similar to a switch in an Ethernet network. It takes the place of a wireless network adapter and helps relay data between network nodes.






40. 'A device that reads information from a magnetic strip on the back of a credit card-like access card (such as a student ID card); card readers are easily programmed by adding authorized ID card numbers - Social Security numbers - and so on.'






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






42. A heavily secured server located on a special perimeter network between a company's secure internal network and its firewall.






43. A hard drive that is installed inside the system unit.






44. 'The result of an action - such as a keystroke - mouse click - or signal to the printer - in the respective device (keyboard - mouse - or printer) to which the operating system responds.'






45. A self-regulatory body established in 1994 by the Entertainment Software Association that rates computer and video games according to the age appropriateness of content.






46. A network device that is used to send data between two different local area networks (LANs) or two segments of the same LAN.






47. A tag that looks like a sticker or label - is attached to a batch of merchandise - and contains a microchip that holds a unique sequence of numbers used to identify the product to which it is attached.






48. A device that absorbs a signal so that it is not reflected back onto parts of the network that have already received it.






49. 'Software - often used for training purposes - which allows the user to experience or control an event as if it is reality.'






50. The process of restarting the system while it's powered on.