Computer Software

21 Grade 9 Pre-Technical Studies questions on Computer Software, with worked marking schemes. 21 questions are available on this topic in full.

1. Question 1

   1 mark

   A shopkeeper wants to keep records of stock, calculate totals automatically and draw charts of monthly sales. The best software is a:

   A. Web browser

   B. Media player

   C. Word processor

   D. Spreadsheet

   (1 mark)

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2. Question 2

   1 mark

   Software that is freely available for anyone to use, copy and modify, with its source code openly shared, is described as:

   A. Open-source software

   B. Proprietary software

   C. Firmware

   D. Trial software

   (1 mark)

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3. Question 3

   4 marks

   Give two reasons why a school should regularly update the software installed on its computers.

   (4 marks)

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4. Question 4

   3 marks

   State three advantages of using a spreadsheet program over manual calculation for keeping a school tuck-shop's daily sales records.

   (3 marks)

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5. Question 5

   6 marks

   A small business owner has just bought a new computer and wants to understand the programs installed on it before using it for typing invoices and managing records.

   (a) Distinguish between system software and application software. (4 marks)

   (b) Give ONE example of application software the owner would use to type the invoices. (2 marks)

   (6 marks)

   Marking scheme

   (a) System software is a set of programs that control, manage and run the basic operations of the computer hardware and provide a platform on which other programs run (for example the operating system that manages memory, files and devices). Application software is a set of programs designed to help the user perform specific end-user tasks such as typing documents, performing calculations or managing data; it cannot run without the system software. (2 marks for each correct distinction = 4 marks) (b) Any ONE word-processing application, e.g. Microsoft Word, LibreOffice Writer, Google Docs (a spreadsheet such as Microsoft Excel is also acceptable for invoices). (2 marks)

6. Question 6

   1 mark

   Which type of software is designed to detect and remove malicious programs from a computer?

   A. Spreadsheet software

   B. Antivirus software

   C. Compiler software

   D. Presentation software

   (1 mark)

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7. Question 7

   1 mark

   A learner is asked to list examples of system software that manage the computer's hardware and resources. Which of the following is system software rather than application software?

   A. A word processor used to type letters

   B. An operating system such as Windows or Linux

   C. A spreadsheet used to record sales

   D. A web browser used to view pages

   (1 mark)

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8. Question 8

   1 mark

   A small business owner wants a program that controls the computer hardware and allows other programs to run on the machine. Which category of software should the owner install FIRST?

   A. A spreadsheet application

   B. An operating system

   C. A web browser

   D. A photo editor

   (1 mark)

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9. Question 9

   1 mark

   A program used specifically to arrange, retrieve and manage large collections of related records, such as a clinic's patient list, is a:

   A. Slide show program

   B. Database management program

   C. Word processor

   D. Antivirus program

   (1 mark)

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10. Question 10

    1 mark

    Which of the following is an example of an operating system?

    A. Microsoft Windows

    B. Microsoft Excel

    C. Google Chrome

    D. Adobe Photoshop

    (1 mark)

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11. Question 11

    4 marks

    A church treasurer wants to prepare a printed newsletter with columns, pictures and different fonts.

    (a) Name the most suitable type of software.

    (b) Give two formatting features he would use.

    (4 marks)

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12. Question 12

    1 mark

    A learner at a junior school wants to type and format a school composition. Which application software is MOST suitable?

    A. Word processor

    B. Disk defragmenter

    C. Web browser

    D. Antivirus program

    (1 mark)

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13. Question 13

    1 mark

    A small shop owner wants software to record daily sales, calculate totals automatically and produce simple charts of weekly income. Which type of application software is best suited?

    A. A presentation program

    B. A media player

    C. A spreadsheet program

    D. An antivirus program

    (1 mark)

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14. Question 14

    1 mark

    Which of the following BEST explains why software should be licensed before use?

    A. To connect the computer to the internet

    B. To increase the speed of the computer

    C. To reduce the size of files

    D. To respect the copyright of the developer

    (1 mark)

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15. Question 15

    1 mark

    A school ICT teacher needs to prepare a slide show for a parents' meeting. The most appropriate software is a:

    A. Database program

    B. Painting program

    C. Spreadsheet program

    D. Presentation program

    (1 mark)

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16. Question 16

    4 marks

    Distinguish between system software and application software, giving one example of each.

    (4 marks)

    Marking scheme

    System software: controls and manages the operation of computer hardware / provides a platform for other programs (1 mark) e.g. an operating system such as Windows or Linux (1 mark). Application software: performs specific user tasks (1 mark) e.g. a word processor such as Microsoft Word (1 mark).

17. Question 17

    6 marks

    A small business owner has bought a new computer and wants to type and print invoices, keep customer records in tables, and protect the machine from viruses.

    (a) Distinguish between system software and application software. (2 marks)

    (b) Name the type of application software the owner should use to:

    (i) type and print the invoices; (2 marks)

    (ii) protect the computer from viruses. (2 marks)

    (6 marks)

    Marking scheme

    (a) System software is software that controls and manages the computer hardware and provides a platform for other programs to run (for example, the operating system); application software is software designed to help the user perform specific tasks such as typing documents or keeping records. (2 marks) (b) (i) A word processor (word-processing software, e.g. for typing and printing invoices). (2 marks) (b) (ii) Antivirus software (utility/security software that detects and removes viruses). (2 marks)

18. Question 18

    3 marks

    A Grade 9 learner downloaded a free game from an unknown website and the computer started behaving strangely, opening pop-ups on its own.

    (a) Identify the likely cause.

    (b) State two measures the learner should take to protect the computer.

    (3 marks)

    Marking scheme

    (a) The computer has been infected by a virus/malware from the downloaded file (1 mark). (b) Any two (1 mark each): install and update antivirus software; avoid downloading from untrusted sites; scan files before opening; keep the operating system updated; use a firewall.

19. Question 19

    4 marks

    Explain the term 'utility software' and give two examples of tasks it performs.

    (4 marks)

    Marking scheme

    Utility software: a type of system software that helps to maintain, manage or optimise the performance of the computer (2 marks). Two tasks (1 mark each): disk cleanup/defragmentation; file compression; antivirus scanning; backup and recovery; disk formatting.

20. Question 20

    1 mark

    Which category of software directly manages the computer hardware and provides a platform on which other programs run?

    A. A firmware licence

    B. A utility document

    C. Application software

    D. System software

    (1 mark)

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21. Question 21

    1 mark

    A shopkeeper wants to record daily sales, automatically add totals and create simple charts of monthly income. Which application software is MOST appropriate?

    A. A word processor

    B. A presentation program

    C. A spreadsheet program

    D. An antivirus program

    (1 mark)

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