Grade 10 ICT Unit Exam Questions
Grade 10 ICT Unit Exam Questions
Input devices like keyboards and mice allow users to interact with and send data to the computer, while output devices such as printers and monitors display or produce the processed results. These interfaces are critical, bridging user interaction with the machine's operational capacity, enabling data entry, manipulation, and result presentation .
Classifying a device as a magnetic media device, such as a hard disk, implies the use of magnetic material for data storage, allowing for the storage of large amounts of data with relatively fast access times. Unlike optical media like CDs or DVDs, magnetic media can be rewritten multiple times, supporting dynamic data management typical in hard drives .
Coaxial cable carries signals using a central conductor with grounding to reduce interference, suitable for television and older internet connections. Fiber optic cables, on the other hand, transmit data at higher speeds using light through glass fibers, offering greater bandwidth and distance with less signal attenuation but requiring more complex installation .
Multiple data transmission modes, such as simplex, half-duplex, and full-duplex, allow for flexibility in communication systems. Simplex permits unidirectional data flow (e.g., keyboards), half-duplex allows bidirectional flow but not simultaneously (e.g., walkie-talkies), and full-duplex supports simultaneous bidirectional flow (e.g., telephones), each serving different communication needs for efficiency and effectiveness .
Cache memory serves as high-speed storage located close to the CPU, holding frequently accessed data and instructions to reduce latency and improve processing speed. It is faster and more expensive than main memory, typically divided into levels (L1, L2, etc.) based on proximity to the CPU, assisting in quicker data retrieval .
Dot matrix printers utilize a print head that moves back-and-forth, forming characters and images through a series of dots with an ink ribbon. They are notably noisy compared to laser or inkjet printers, which use quieter technologies for higher-quality, faster prints. Dot matrix printers are suitable for carbon and multi-part forms, offering cost-effective printing .
RAM, or Random Access Memory, is volatile, meaning it loses its stored information when power is cut, and is used for temporary storage of data currently in use. ROM, or Read-Only Memory, is non-volatile, retaining its data without power and typically used to store firmware or software essential for bootstrapping the system .
Star topology offers excellent scalability and fault tolerance, as each node connects independently to a central hub; a node failure does not affect others. In contrast, bus topology is less scalable and susceptible to entire network failure from a single point of failure along the main cable. Mesh topology provides high fault tolerance with multiple paths between nodes but is complex and costly to implement .
The CPU, or Central Processing Unit, executes instructions from software applications by performing basic arithmetic, logic, control, and input/output operations. Its role in processing and carrying out instructions from software makes it akin to the brain, coordinating all activities within the computer system .
A Gateway functions as a node that connects two distinct networks with different protocols, potentially translating data formats between them. In contrast, routers direct data packets among networks, switches manage data transmission within a single network, and hubs broadcast data to all devices on a network without intelligent routing .