IGCSE ICT - Input and Output Devices
Section A: Fill in the Blanks (10 Marks)
1. The Keyboard is an input device used to enter text and commands into a
computer.
2. A Pointer is a small handheld device used to control a cursor on a screen.
3. A joystick is mainly used for games and simulation applications.
4. A touch screen functions as both an input and output device.
5. A OCR is an input device that captures images and converts them into digital
format.
6. The Chip and Pin Reader reader is commonly used in credit and debit card
transactions.
7. OMR stands for Optical Mark Recognition.
8. A barcode reader scans and deciphers data represented as price .
9. A laser printer uses laser beam to print high-quality documents.
10. An actuator is an output device that converts digital signals into robotic
movement.
Section B: Short Answer Questions (10 Marks)
11. Define an input device and give two examples.
Any device that is used to send data from a computer to another device or user.
Eg: Monitor, Printer, etc
12. How does a touch screen work as an input device?
With a touch screen the user can choose an option by simply touching a
button/icon on the screen. The selection is automatically made without
the need for any pointing device.
13. Differentiate between a laser printer and an inkjet printer.
Laser Printer Inkjet Printer
Uses a laser beam to produce an image Spray tiny droplets of liquid ink directly
on the screen. onto paper.
They are used where low noise is Best For home use, photo printing ,
required (for example, in an office). small- scale color jobs
14. What are the advantages of using a barcode reader in supermarkets?
» Much faster than keying in data manually and fewer mistakes will be made.
» If used as a way of recording safety testing of components (for instance
electrical components) they can help improve safety.
» They allow automatic stock control.
» They are a tried and trusted technology.
15. Name two input devices used for gaming and their functions.
Joystick: A Joystick can carry out the same tasks as a mouse as well as other
functions such as controlling movement.
Driving Wheel: Also Called As Racing Wheel. Used as Input Device in Racing games
and simulations where users control vehicles
16. Describe how a chip and PIN reader enhances security in transactions.
Data encryption protects against theft
17. What are the main functions of a multimedia projector?
» Training presentations (to allow the whole audience to see the images from a
computer).
» Advertising presentations (large images showing product features, for example
a new car; can be shown at exhibitions, shopping malls, etc.).
» Home cinema systems (projecting the images from a DVD or television).
18. List two disadvantages of using a dot matrix printer.
They are Slow
They are Noisy
19. How does a QR scanner differ from a barcode reader?
20. Why are 3D printers considered revolutionary in modern technology?
Section C: Scenario-Based Questions (10 Marks)
21. A school wants to improve security by using biometric authentication. Which
input device would be most suitable and why?
22. A retail store wants to speed up the checkout process. Which input device
should they use and what are its advantages?
Barcode Reader.
» Much faster than keying in data manually and fewer mistakes will be made.
» If used as a way of recording safety testing of components (for instance
electrical components) they can help improve safety.
» They allow automatic stock control.
» They are a tried and trusted technology.
23. A student needs to scan handwritten notes and convert them into editable
text. Which device should they use?
OCR. Optical Character Recognization
24. A photographer needs to print high-quality color images. Which printer should
they use and why?
Inkjet Printer. Because it uses toner.
25. A visually impaired person needs to interact with a computer. Suggest a
suitable input and output device.
Touch Screen
26. A factory uses machines to automate tasks based on computer instructions.
Which output device is most relevant?
Automated industrial machinery
27. A student wants to create an interactive presentation with touch functionality.
Which device should they use?
They can use Tablet
28. An organization wants to track attendance using identity cards. Which input
device should they use and why?
RFID Reader
29. Explain how RFID technology is useful in inventory management.
RFID technology revolutionizes inventory management by enabling real-time,
automated tracking of products using radio waves, which significantly improves
accuracy and visibility across the supply chain, reduces labor-intensive manual
processes, and helps prevent stockouts, theft, and errors
30. A graphic designer wants to print large-scale posters with high precision.
Which output device should they use?
Plotter
Section D: Descriptive Questions (10 Marks)
31. Explain the working principle, advantages, and disadvantages of a scanner.
Advantages of scanning
● Flatbed Scanners are Very Accurate and Can Produce Reasonably High
quality image
● Scanned Images can be imported to graphics/applications
Disadvantages of Scanning
● While scanning there may be a reduction in the quality of image
● Scanned image can take up lot of space in storage
32. Compare and contrast a keyboard and a numeric keypad in terms of usage
and efficiency.
Keyboard: An Input Device That Is used to enter fixed values , often characteristics
into the computer system
Numeric Keypad: A Keyboard with a group of keys representing the digital fro 0 to
9 arranged in a rectangle.
33. Describe how a microphone can be used in speech recognition systems.
A microphone acts as the primary input device for a speech recognition system,
converting spoken words into electrical signals that are then processed by the
computer
34. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of using a touch screen as both an
input and output device.
Advantages Disadvantages
They are intuitive and easy to use Not suitable for inputting large
amounts of data
Cost effective for shops and Not very accurate for selecting very
restaurants small area
35. Explain the role of sensors in automation and give two examples of their
applications.
Sensors provide the essential "eyes and ears" for automated systems by
detecting physical phenomena like temperature, pressure, or motion and
converting them into signals that control machines and processes, thereby
improving efficiency, quality, and safety
36. What is Optical Character Recognition (OCR)? Discuss its uses and limitations.
Optical Character Recognition (OCR) is technology that converts text in
images or scanned documents into machine-readable and editable digital text,
enabling users to edit, search, and store the content electronically.
37. Compare a plotter and a 3D printer in terms of functionality and applications.
A plotter is a device that creates 2D technical drawings and graphics by using
pens to draw continuous lines on paper. A 3D printer, conversely, is an
additive manufacturing device that creates three-dimensional objects by
building them layer by layer from digital CAD files using materials like plastic
or resin
38. Describe how a multimedia projector works and its key advantages in
education.
The benefits of projectors in education include making lessons more
engaging and interactive, increasing student participation and
understanding, and enhancing collaboration and communication
among students.
39. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of inkjet printers in home and
office use.
Inkjet printers are advantageous for their low initial cost, compact size, and
high-quality color output
40. Explain the importance of actuators in robotics and industrial automation.
Actuators are crucial in robotics and industrial automation because they
convert energy into physical motion, enabling a system to perform tasks
