Computer Operator & IT — Past Papers — Part 5 MCQs with Explanations

File Explorer is the main file management tool in Windows. It is used to create, open, copy, move, rename , and delete files and folders . It also allows users to browse different drives and storage locations .

Increase the font size. Ctrl + Shift + > Additional information : Decrease the font size: Ctrl + Shift + < Increase the font size by 1 point: Ctrl + ] Decrease the font size by 1 point: Ctrl + [ Ctrl + Shift + F: Change the font Open the Font dialog box to change the font: Ctrl + Shift + F Verified & Updated

SmartArt in MS Office helps users visually represent information using diagrams like hierarchy charts, cycles, lists, and processes. It is useful for making organizational structures, workflows, and infographics in a clear and professional format.

A Modem ( Modulator-Demodulator ) converts digital signals into analog signals and vice versa. It is used to connect computers to the internet via telephone lines or other networks. Additional information : Switch – connects multiple devices in a network Hub – basic network connector Repeater – boosts signal strength Router – directs internet traffic

PowerPoint is used for Create presentations from scratch or a template. Add text, images, art, and videos . Select a professional design with PowerPoint Designer .

Microsoft Excel is a spreadsheet program used to organize, calculate, and analyze data efficiently . It is widely used in offices, schools, and businesses for data management. Additional information : Allows calculations using formulas and functions . Can create charts, graphs, and pivot tables for data analysis. Supports data sorting, filtering, and visualization .

F7 F7 does a spelling and grammar check in Microsoft Word F1 Opens the help menu when pressed with the Windows button. F2 Allows you to edit the selected folder or file name in Windows Explorer & Cell F3 Opens search feature in Windows Explorer F4 Alt + F4 closes window F5 Starts slideshow in PowerPoint Refreshes Internet browser pages F6 Goes to the next page in a split screen in Microsoft Word F8 In Excel, enables extend mode for arrow keys F9 Refreshes document in Microsoft Word F10 Opens menu bar F11 Exits and enters full-screen mode in browsers F12 Opens Save as in Word

Ctrl + N shortcut key is used to create a new, blank document Save Document: Ctrl + SO Open Document: Ctrl + O Print Document: Ctrl + P (or Ctrl+F2 for Preview) Undo/Redo: Ctrl + Z (Undo),Ctrl + Y (Redo) Bold/Italic/Underline: Ctrl + B, Ctrl + I, Ctrl + U Center Alignment: Ctrl + E Insert Hyperlink: Ctrl + K Find/Replace: Ctrl + F (Find), Ctrl + H (Replace) Last updated question by NA on 07 May 2026

The speed of a microprocessor is measured in Hertz (Hz) . Hertz indicates the number of clock cycles per second . Modern processors are commonly measured in Gigahertz ( GHz ). Additional information : Hertz (Hz) : 1 cycle per second Kilohertz (kHz) : 1,000 Hz Megahertz (MHz) : 1,000,000 Hz Gigahertz (GHz) : 1,000,000,000 Hz Terahertz (THz) : 1,000,000,000,000 Hz

Linux is based on open-source software . It is a Unix-like operating system. Created by: Linus Torvalds ( 1991 ). It is widely used in servers, mobile devices, and supercomputers . Last updated 18-07-2026 by NA

HTML files commonly use the .html or .htm extension. HTML stands for HyperText Markup Language . Additional information : .docx is used for MS Word documents. .xlsx is used for MS Excel spreadsheets.

In a spreadsheet, =A1+B1 tells the program to add the values in cells A1 and B1 . The calculated result is displayed in cell C1 . The + operator is used for addition .

=SUM(A1:A3) means add A1 + A2 + A3 A1 = 2 A2 = 4 A3 = 6 2 + 4 + 6 = 12

CPU: The brain of the computer. Full Form: Central Processing Unit. Function: Processes data and executes instructions. First Commercial CPU: Intel 4004 . Released: 1971 by Intel. Key Designer: Federico Faggin. Last updated by NA ON 16-09-2026

RAM is categorized as volatile and temporary (or primary / main) memory It means its data is lost when power is turned off. Volatile memory requires continuous power to retain data. Additional information : ROM is non-volatile and retains data without power .

ASCII: American Standard Code for Information Interchange Purpose: Character encoding standard Range: 0–127 Represents: Letters, numbers & punctuation Work began: May 1961 Definitive version: Published in 1968 Last updated by NA ON 16-09-2026

Laptop: A portable computer you can easily carry and use in different places . Battery-powered: Can operate without a direct power connection for a limited time. Smaller and lighter than a desktop compute r. Last updated by NA ON 16-09-2026

MICR stands for Magnetic Ink Character Recognition . It is a technology used mainly in the banking industry . It helps machines read and process checks quickly. Last updated NA on 10-09-2026

Modem is a computer hardware device used for communication over a network . Modem stands for Modulator-Demodulator. A modem converts digital data into signals suitable for transmission . It also converts incoming signals back into digital data. Modems are commonly used to provide Internet connectivity .

Junk mail is also called spam . The name comes from an old Monty Python comedy sketch. It is commonly used for ads, scams, or fake promotions. Additional information : Spoof means pretending to be another sender (email spoofing). Ema il services use spa m filters to block junk mail automatically.

A document in Microsoft Word can be saved in three commonly t aught ways. File → Save → Saves the document. Ctrl + S → Quick Save shortcut. F12 → Opens the Save As dialog box. Save → Updates the current file. Save As → Saves with a new name, location, or format.

PowerPoint is used to create multimedia presentations. Combines text, images, audio, video, animations, and charts. Developed by Microsoft . File extension: .pptx Last updated on 14-09-2026

Keyboard → An input device used to enter data and commands. Inventor: Christopher Latham Sholes Function keys: 12 (F1–F12) Alphanumeric keys: A–Z and 0–9 Punctuation keys: Comma, period, semicolon, etc. Special keys: Arrow keys, Caps Lock, Enter, Ctrl, Alt Longest key: Spacebar Standard keyboard: 101 keys

DOS stands for Disk Operating System DOS is a command-line-based operating system. Users type commands to perform tasks. It does not primarily use a graphical interface like Windows.

IBM 1401 belongs to the second generation. Second generation of computers : 1956 to 1963 Used in the second generation: Transistors Additional information: IBM stands for International Business Machines Founded on June 16, 1911 . Formerly: Computing-Tabulating-Recording Company (1911–1924) Renamed to IBM: 1924 Founders George Winthrop Fairchild Charles Ranlett Flint Herman Hollerith Headquarters: 1 Orchard Road, Armonk, New York, United States Area served: 170 countries

UTP = Unshielded Twisted Pair Used for networking and data transmission. Common in Ethernet cables. Contains twisted pairs of copper wires.

Maximum font size in dropdown: 72 pt You can manually enter a larger size, such as 1638 pt. The list contains font sizes in points 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 36, 48 and 72 .

Shift + F3 → Changes text case in MS Word. It cycles through: lowercase UPPERCASE Capitalize Each Word Additional information: MS Word — Useful Shortcuts Ctrl + B → Bold Ctrl + I → Italic Ctrl + U → Underline Ctrl + C → Copy Ctrl + X → Cut Ctrl + V → Paste Ctrl + Z → Undo Ctrl + Y → Redo Ctrl + S → Save Ctrl + P → Print Ctrl + A → Select All

Breaking or guessing a password is commonly called password cracking Additional information: Hacking → Gaining unauthorized access to systems. Phishing → Tricking users to obtain sensitive information. Formatting → Preparing or erasing a storage device.

There are 128 characters i n standard ASCII, numbered from 0 to 127 . ( Note: Extended ASCII uses 8 bits to provide 256 characters, but the original standard ASCII uses a 7-bit code ). Additional information: ASCII: American Standard Code for Information Interchange. Purpose: Character encoding standard. Includes letters, numbers & symbols. Work began in May 1961. Definitive version published in 1967.

Intelligent Device: Contains a microprocessor (or Sensor) Microprocessor: Acts as the brain of the device. Function: Processes data and instructions. Examples: Smartphone, smartwatch, calculator. Last updated NS on 13-09-2026

Compiler: Translates high-level language → machine language. Machine Language: Binary code (0s and 1s). Compiler: Translates the whole program before execution . Additional information: Interpreter: Translates code line by line at runtime. Modem: Modulates and demodulates signals for communication; it does not translate programming languages. Last updated NS on 13-09-2026

SATA: Serial Advanced Technology Attachment Type: Computer hardware interface Used for: Connecting storage devices Devices: HDDs, SSDs & optical drives Connection: Storage device → Motherboard Last updated NS on 13-09-2026

Compiler checks: syntax errors and some semantic/type errors. The compiler does not check whether the sentence is grammatically correct in natural English . Last updated: 13-09-2026

A firewall’s main function is to prevent or block unauthorized access to a computer network. It acts as a security barrier between trusted and untrusted networks (like the internet). It filters incoming and outgoing network traffic based on security rules. It helps protect systems from hackers and unwanted access attempts .

The dollar sign ($) is used to create an absolute cell reference in MS Excel. Additional information : Absolute Reference: $D$2 (Row and column fixed) Relative Reference: D2 (Row and column change) Mixed Reference: $D2 (Column fixed) Mixed Reference: D$2 (Row fixed) Shortcut Key: F4 toggles between reference types.

FTP (File Transfer Protocol) is specifically designed to transfer files between computers over the internet . It allows uploading, downloading, and managing files on remote servers.

The SQL command used to retrieve data from a database table is the SELECT statement. This command is fundamental to the Data Query Language (DQL) in SQL.

COUNTA() counts only non-empty cells in a selected range. It counts cells containing numbers, text, logical values (TRUE/FALSE), errors, and formulas that return values. It does not count completely empty cells. COUNTA() is commonly used for counting filled entries in datasets. Additional information : COUNT() → Counts only numeric cells COUNTBLANK() → Counts empty (blank) cells COUNTIF() → Counts cells matching a specific condition COUNTIFS() → Counts cells matching multiple conditions Last verified 08-07-2026

Win + R opens the Run dialog box in Windows. It allows users to quickly open programs, folders, files, and system tools by typing commands Additional Information: cmd: Opens the Command Prompt. notepad: Opens Notepad . msconfig: Opens System Configuration. control: Opens the Control Panel Last updated 07-09-2026 by NA