Module B Exercise > Modb_qb01_eng

Chapter 1 An Overview of Personal Computers

Chapter 1

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An Overview of Personal Computers

Multiple Choice Questions (U04C01L01Q001) Which of the following was invented to replace vacuum tubes? A integrated circuits B punched cards C transistors D floppy disks Answer C (U04C01L01Q002) Which of the following was invented by Herman Hollerith? A punched-card data tabulating machine B abacus C difference engine D integrated circuits Answer A (U04C01L01Q003) Which of the following is the first large-scale calculating machine? A Apple I B IBM PC C Difference Engine D Mark I Answer D

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Chapter 1 An Overview of Personal Computers

Question Bank

(U04C01L01Q004) Which of the following statements about desktop computers is/are correct? (1) They offer more processing power than laptop computers. (2) They offer less storage than laptop computers. (3) They are too big to be used at home. A (1) only B (2) only C (3) only D (1) and (2) only Answer A (U04C01L01Q005) Which of the following statements about handheld computers is correct? A They offer more processing power than desktop computers. B They are not designed for portability. C They are light-weighted and compact computers of a palm’s size. D They take up more space than laptop computers. Answer C (U04C01L01Q006) Which of the following is not a type of computers classified by sizes? A desktop computers B Macintosh computers C handheld computers D laptop computers Answer B (U04C01L01Q007) Which of the followings is NOT the fundamental characteristic of computer? A. speed B. portability C. reliability D. storage capacity Answer B Computer & Information Technology for HKCEE (Module B)

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Chapter 1 An Overview of Personal Computers

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(U04C01L01Q008) Which of the followings is NOT the hardware technology of computer? A. optical fibre B. vacuum tube C. transistor D. integrated circuit Answer A (U04C01L01Q009) Transistors were used to replace vacuum tubes in the second generation computers. Which of the followings is NOT the advantage of using transistors instead of vacuum tubes? A. smaller in size B. easier in production C. more reliable D. energy-efficient Answer B (U04C01L01Q010) The major difference between the fifth generation computers and the previous generations computers is A. faster. B. higher storage capacity. C. more reliable. D. having artificial intelligence. Answer D (U04C01L01Q011) Personal computers are also called A. minicomputers. B. microcomputers. C. servers. D. mainframes. Answer B Computer & Information Technology for HKCEE (Module B)

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Chapter 1 An Overview of Personal Computers

Question Bank

(U04C01L01Q012) Which of the following computers are the least often equipped with disk storage devices? A. laptop computer B. subnotebook computer C. palmtop computer D. tablet PC Answer C (U04C01L01Q013) Which of the following is responsible for sharing of files, software applications and other resources? A. server B. minicomputer C. mainframe D. supercomputer Answer A (U04C01L01Q014) Which of the following is the technological advancement of the fifth generation computers? A. integrated circuit B. large-scale integration C. very large-scale integration D. superconductor Answer D

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Chapter 1 An Overview of Personal Computers

Question Bank

Conventional Questions (U04C01L02Q001) (a) First-generation computers were powered by thousands of vacuum tubes as processing units. State THREE disadvantages of using vacuum tubes. (3 marks) (b) What device was introduced in the second generation? (1 mark) (c) Briefly describe the device in (b). (2 marks) (d) State THREE advantages of having the device in (b) compared with vacuum tubes. (3 marks) Answers (a) The vacuum tubes were large. (the size of today’s light bulbs) (1) They required large amounts of energy (1), and they generated much heat. (1) (b) transistors (1) (c) Transistors were made of a semi-conducting material (1) and controlled the flow of electricity through the circuits. (1) (d) Transistors were less expensive and smaller, (1) required less electricity, (1) and emitted less heat than vacuum tubes. (1) (U04C01L02Q002) (a) Compare the third generation computers with those of the second generation. (3 marks) (b) What technology was used in the third generation computers? (1 mark) (c) Compare the technology in (b) with transistors and circuit boards. State THREE advantages. (3 marks) (d) What are the technologies used in the fourth-generation computers? Briefly describe the techniques used in the fourth-generation computers. (3 marks) Answers (a) Third generation computers were smaller (1), more efficient, (1) and more reliable. (1) (b) integrated circuits (ICs) (1) (c) Unlike transistors and circuit boards that were assembled manually, integrated circuits (ICs) were single, complete electronic semiconductor circuits (1) contained on a piece of silicon called chips. (1) ICs could be manufactured by machinery, which ultimately resulted in a lower cost. (1) (d) It is the techniques of implementation of integrated circuits by using large scale integration (LSI) (1) and very large scale integration (VLSI) of chips. (1) The techniques can pack several thousands and millions electronic components on a tiny chip. (1) Computer & Information Technology for HKCEE (Module B)

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Chapter 1 An Overview of Personal Computers

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(U04C01L02Q003) (a) (i) Briefly describe laptop computers. (2 marks) (ii) Give ONE example that laptop computers can be used. (1 mark) (b) (i) Comparing with laptop computers, state ONE advantage and ONE disadvantage of desktop computers. (2 marks) (ii) In what areas are desktop computers commonly used? (1 mark) (c) (i) Comparing with laptop computers, state TWO distinct features of handheld computers. (2 marks) (ii) Give ONE example that handheld computers can be used. (1 mark) Mr. Lee is a teacher. He wants to buy a personal computer in order to work at home. He will use the computer to type notes and exercises, and calculate students’ test marks as well. (d) Which type of personal computer should he buy? Give TWO reasons. (3 marks) Answers (a) (i) They are portable computers that integrate the display, keyboard, mouse or other pointing device, processor, main memory and hard disk drive all in a battery-operated package. (1) Their sizes are slightly larger than an average hardcover book. (1) (ii) Out of office / outdoor usage (Any 1 × 1) (b) (i) Desktop computers offer more processing power, storage and versatility for less cost than laptop computers, (1) but they take up more space. (1) (ii) Desktop computers are commonly used in offices, schools and homes. / They can also be used as workstations of a network. (Any 1 × 1) (c) (i) Handheld computers are light-weighted and compact computers of a palm’s size. / They often use flash memory instead of a hard disk drive for storage. / Some handheld computers do not have keyboards, but rely on touch-screen technology for user to input. (Any 2 × 1) (ii) Handheld computers are commonly used as an electronic organiser for individuals. (1) (d) Desktop computer. (1) Mr. Lee does not need to bring the computer outdoor. He just wants to use it at home. (1) Desktop computer is less expensive and has adequate power to fulfill his needs. (1)

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Chapter 1 An Overview of Personal Computers

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(U04C01L02Q004) (a) State FOUR distinct features of computers. (4 marks) (b) Briefly describe the fifth generation computers. (6 marks) Answers (a) Computer can perform reliable arithmetic and logic operations at tremendous speed. (1) They have the ability to store large volumes of data (1) and search that stored data for information. (1) Computers can replace many dull, repetitive and labour-intensive jobs previously carried out by humans. (1) (b) The fifth generation computers are based on Artificial Intelligence (AI), (1) which is a branch of computer science concerned with making computers think and behave like humans. (1) The building of the fifth generation computers relies on two major technological advancements: i. Parallel processing combines the power of many CPUs to work as a single central processing unit, (1) thus significantly increasing the computational power of computers. (1) ii. Superconductor technology allows the flow of electricity with little or even no resistance, (1) greatly improving the speed of data flow. (1)

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Chapter 1 An Overview of Personal Computers

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(U04C01L02Q005) (a) What is a server? (2 marks) (b) State THREE distinct features of a mainframe computer. (3 marks) (c) State THREE categories of Portable PC. Briefly describe them. (6 marks) Answers (a) Servers allow users to share files, software applications and other resources, such as printers, storage devices etc. over a computer network. (1) They typically have large memory capacity and secondary storage, such as reliable disk drives. (1) (b) Mainframe computers can handle thousands of users, (1) store large amounts of data (1) and process transactions at a very high rate. (1) (c) Portable personal computers include palmtop (1), laptop (notebook) (1) and Tablet PC (1). Palmtop computers typically have limited capabilities and do not have any disk storage devices. (1) Notebook computers are physically compact enough to fit in a briefcase and light enough to carry around. (1) Tablet PC use a pen-like device to enter data and make selections presented on the screen. (1)

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