A few clicks of common sense.
Everyday computer words, with the jargon unpacked.
Ten questions, with the answers explained. Try them in your head, then open each answer when you're ready.
Play this quiz →QUESTION 1 / 10
What does CPU stand for?
- Cable power unit
- Computer picture utility
- Central printing user
- Central processing unit
Show answer & explanation+
Central processing unit
The central processing unit executes program instructions.
QUESTION 2 / 10
What is RAM mainly used for?
- Cooling the screen
- Working memory for active tasks
- Permanent paper records
- Connecting a mouse mechanically
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Working memory for active tasks
RAM holds data for programs currently in use and is typically volatile.
QUESTION 3 / 10
What is a web browser used for?
- Charging a laptop battery
- Measuring room temperature
- Accessing and displaying web pages
- Only writing printer firmware
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Accessing and displaying web pages
A browser retrieves and displays web content and lets you interact with it.
QUESTION 4 / 10
Which of these is a file extension commonly used for images?
- .png
- .csv
- .mp3
- .txt
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.png
PNG is an image format. MP3 is audio, CSV is tabular text, and TXT is plain text.
QUESTION 5 / 10
What does a hyperlink let you do?
- Navigate to another location or resource
- Print without power
- Increase a screen's weight
- Erase all passwords
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Navigate to another location or resource
A hyperlink points to another page, file, or location within a document.
QUESTION 6 / 10
What is a spreadsheet especially useful for?
- Repairing a broken keyboard
- Recording smells
- Sharpening photographs optically
- Organizing tabular data and calculations
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Organizing tabular data and calculations
Spreadsheets organize cells in rows and columns and can calculate with formulas.
QUESTION 7 / 10
What is a backup?
- A brighter screen setting
- A second username only
- A faster cursor
- A separate copy kept for recovery
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A separate copy kept for recovery
A backup provides another copy to recover from when the original is lost or damaged.
QUESTION 8 / 10
What does a search engine help you find?
- The physical weight of a server
- A printer's ink level by sight
- Information indexed from the web
- Only files on a disconnected USB drive
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Information indexed from the web
Search engines organize indexed information and return results related to your query.
QUESTION 9 / 10
Which unit is larger: a gigabyte or a megabyte?
- Megabyte
- They are equal
- Gigabyte
- Neither is a data unit
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Gigabyte
A gigabyte is larger than a megabyte. Exact byte counts depend on decimal or binary conventions.
QUESTION 10 / 10
What is an operating system?
- Software managing hardware and application resources
- A type of monitor stand
- A computer's shipping carton
- A single web address
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Software managing hardware and application resources
An operating system manages resources and provides services for applications.