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CAPE Information Technology Unit 1 study materials
CAPE Information Technology Unit 1 study resources

CAPE Information Technology Unit 1 practice questions

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Question 1Information Technology Unit 1 - Module 1

A student is configuring a new desktop computer and wants the fastest possible boot time for the operating system while keeping the cost low. Which storage technology best meets these requirements?

  1. Magnetic hard disk drive (HDD)
  2. Optical disc drive (ODD)
  3. Magnetic tape drive
  4. Solid State Drive (SSD) Correct answer.

Explanation

An SSD stores data in flash memory with no moving parts, giving very low access latency and high transfer rates, so the operating system loads much faster than from spinning media. Optical discs and magnetic tape are far slower and are not used as boot devices in standard desktops.

Question 2Information Technology Unit 1 - Module 1

Which of the following is classified as system software rather than application software?

  1. A utility program that defragments a disk Correct answer.
  2. A spreadsheet program used for budgeting
  3. A photo-editing package for image retouching
  4. A web browser used to access email

Explanation

System software manages and maintains the computer itself, and utility programs such as disk defragmenters fall into this category because they service hardware and the operating system. Spreadsheets, browsers and photo editors perform user tasks and are therefore application software.

Question 3Information Technology Unit 1 - Module 1

In the data hierarchy used in information systems, which sequence correctly orders the components from smallest to largest?

  1. Bit, field, record, file, database Correct answer.
  2. Bit, record, field, file, database
  3. Record, field, bit, file, database
  4. Field, bit, record, database, file

Explanation

A bit is the smallest unit of data; bits group into characters, which form fields, fields combine into records, records into files, and files into a database. The other sequences place records before fields or bits after fields, which contradicts this hierarchy.

Question 4Information Technology Unit 1 - Module 1

A company wants to connect computers across a single office floor so that they can share files and a printer without routing traffic through the internet. Which type of network is most appropriate?

  1. Local Area Network (LAN) Correct answer.
  2. Wide Area Network (WAN)
  3. Personal Area Network (PAN)
  4. Virtual Private Network (VPN)

Explanation

A LAN covers a limited geographic area such as one building or floor and is designed for high-speed local resource sharing. A WAN spans large distances, a VPN is a secure tunnel over another network, and a PAN covers only a few metres around one person.

Question 5Information Technology Unit 1 - Module 1

Which statement best describes the function of an interpreter?

  1. It links separately compiled object modules into a single executable
  2. It loads a compiled program into memory and starts its execution
  3. It converts an entire source program into machine code before execution
  4. It translates and executes a program one statement at a time Correct answer.

Explanation

An interpreter reads source code statement by statement, translating and executing each in turn, which makes debugging easier but execution slower. A compiler converts the whole program first, a linker combines object modules, and a loader places the executable in memory.

Question 6Information Technology Unit 1 - Module 1

A user complains that a computer slows down badly when several applications are open at once, yet the disk is only half full. Which component is the most likely bottleneck?

  1. The monitor refresh rate
  2. The power supply unit
  3. Random Access Memory (RAM) Correct answer.
  4. Read Only Memory (ROM)

Explanation

RAM holds programs and data currently in use, so when too many applications are open the system must swap data to disk, causing severe slowdowns. ROM stores firmware, the power supply delivers electricity, and refresh rate affects display smoothness, none of which explains multitasking slowdown.

Question 7Information Technology Unit 1 - Module 1

Which of the following is an example of an output device?

  1. A laser printer Correct answer.
  2. A barcode scanner
  3. A microphone
  4. A graphics tablet

Explanation

Output devices present processed data to the user, and a laser printer produces printed documents from digital data. Scanners, graphics tablets and microphones all accept input from the user or environment.

Question 8Information Technology Unit 1 - Module 1

Which number base is used internally by digital computers to represent data and instructions?

  1. Base 10 (decimal)
  2. Base 2 (binary) Correct answer.
  3. Base 8 (octal)
  4. Base 16 (hexadecimal)

Explanation

Digital circuits have two stable states, on and off, which map directly to the two binary digits 0 and 1, so binary is the internal representation. Octal and hexadecimal are compact shorthand notations used by programmers, and decimal suits human counting.

Question 9Information Technology Unit 1 - Module 1

A school stores student records in a database. Which item in a student record uniquely identifies each student and should therefore be used as the primary key?

  1. The student's surname
  2. The student's date of birth
  3. The student registration number Correct answer.
  4. The student's class group

Explanation

A primary key must be unique and non-null for every record, and a registration number is assigned once per student for that purpose. Dates of birth, surnames and class groups can all be shared by several students and so cannot uniquely identify a record.

Question 10Information Technology Unit 1 - Module 1

A programmer writes a loop that never updates its control variable, so the condition never becomes false. Which type of error is this?

  1. A runtime error such as division by zero
  2. A logic error causing an infinite loop Correct answer.
  3. A syntax error detected by the compiler
  4. A semantic error in a data type declaration

Explanation

The program is syntactically valid and runs, but its logic is faulty because the loop condition can never be satisfied, producing an infinite loop. Syntax errors prevent compilation, and runtime errors such as division by zero would halt execution with an exception instead.

Question 11Information Technology Unit 1 - Module 1

A small business needs a data-processing arrangement in which each department has its own computer handling its own processing, while a central machine stores shared data. Which configuration does this describe?

  1. Distributed processing with a central server Correct answer.
  2. Batch processing on a mainframe
  3. Time-sharing on a single terminal
  4. Real-time processing on an embedded controller

Explanation

Distributed processing spreads computing tasks across several independent computers, and a central server can hold shared data for them. Batch processing groups jobs for later execution, time-sharing gives many users slices of one machine, and embedded controllers handle dedicated real-time tasks.

Question 12Information Technology Unit 1 - Module 1

Which protocol is responsible for reliably delivering data between hosts by acknowledging received packets and retransmitting lost ones?

  1. Address Resolution Protocol (ARP)
  2. Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) Correct answer.
  3. Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP)
  4. Internet Protocol (IP)

Explanation

TCP provides connection-oriented, reliable delivery by numbering segments, acknowledging receipt and retransmitting anything lost. IP handles addressing and routing without guarantees, ARP resolves IP addresses to MAC addresses, and DHCP assigns network configuration automatically.

Question 13Information Technology Unit 1 - Module 1

A hospital must update patient monitoring data instantly as readings arrive, with no delay for later processing. Which processing method is required?

  1. Offline processing
  2. Real-time processing Correct answer.
  3. Batch processing
  4. Deferred processing

Explanation

Real-time processing handles input immediately and responds fast enough to influence the ongoing activity, which is essential for live patient monitoring. Batch and offline methods collect data and process it later, which would delay critical alerts.

Question 14Information Technology Unit 1 - Module 1

Which statement correctly distinguishes data from information?

  1. Data are meaningful to the user, while information is meaningless until sorted
  2. Data are stored on disk, while information is stored only in memory
  3. Data are raw unprocessed facts, while information is data processed into a meaningful form Correct answer.
  4. Data are always numeric, while information is always textual

Explanation

Data are raw facts and figures with little meaning on their own, and they become information once processed, organised and placed in context so a user can act on them. The other statements confuse storage location or data type with the data-information distinction.

Question 15Information Technology Unit 1 - Module 1

A user reports that a web page loads slowly even though the local network is fast, and the delay happens before any content appears. Which factor is the most direct explanation?

  1. High latency on the path to the web server Correct answer.
  2. Small size of the browser cache
  3. Low resolution of the user's monitor
  4. Low capacity of the local printer

Explanation

Latency is the delay before data begins to arrive, so high latency on the route to the server delays the initial response even when bandwidth is plentiful. Monitor resolution, cache size and printer capacity do not cause a delay before content appears.

Question 16Information Technology Unit 1 - Module 1

Which of the following best describes the role of an operating system's memory manager?

  1. It routes packets between different networks
  2. It converts source code into machine language
  3. It allocates memory to processes and reclaims it when they finish Correct answer.
  4. It stores backup copies of files on remote servers

Explanation

The memory manager tracks which parts of memory are in use, allocates space to processes and frees it when they terminate, and may use virtual memory to extend capacity. Compilation, packet routing and remote backup are handled by other software entirely.

Question 17Information Technology Unit 1 - Module 1

A file is described as having 8 bits per character and a total size of 2 kilobytes. Approximately how many characters does the file contain?

  1. 16384 characters
  2. 256 characters
  3. 1024 characters
  4. 2048 characters Correct answer.

Explanation

One kilobyte is 1024 bytes, so 2 KB is 2048 bytes. With one byte (8 bits) per character, the file holds 2048 characters.

Question 18Information Technology Unit 1 - Module 1

In a relational database, a foreign key is used primarily to do which of the following?

  1. Uniquely identify every record within its own table
  2. Link a record in one table to a related record in another table Correct answer.
  3. Encrypt sensitive values stored in a column
  4. Store the result of a calculated field permanently

Explanation

A foreign key is an attribute in one table that matches the primary key of another table, creating a relationship and enforcing referential integrity between them. Uniquely identifying records within a table is the role of the primary key, and encryption or stored calculations are separate concerns.

Question 19Information Technology Unit 1 - Module 1

A programmer needs to repeat a block of code a known number of times, based on a counter. Which control structure is most suitable?

  1. A while loop that tests a condition before each pass
  2. A for loop with a fixed counter Correct answer.
  3. A procedure that takes no parameters
  4. A case or switch selection structure

Explanation

A for loop is designed for definite iteration where the number of repetitions is known in advance and managed by a counter. A while loop suits indefinite iteration, a case structure selects one branch, and a parameterless procedure does not inherently repeat.

Question 20Information Technology Unit 1 - Module 1

Which characteristic most clearly distinguishes a compiler from an interpreter during program development?

  1. A compiler produces source code, while an interpreter produces object code
  2. A compiler reports all errors after scanning the whole program, while an interpreter stops at the first error it meets Correct answer.
  3. A compiler runs on the target machine, while an interpreter never runs on a computer
  4. A compiler is used only for databases, while an interpreter is used only for networks

Explanation

A compiler translates the entire source program and can report a list of errors once it finishes, whereas an interpreter translates and executes statement by statement and halts at the first error. The other statements reverse the roles or invent restrictions that do not exist.

Question 21Information Technology Unit 1 - Module 1

A company wants to allow employees to work from home and access the office network securely over the internet. Which solution best meets this requirement?

  1. A Local Area Network (LAN) installed at each employee's home
  2. A Virtual Private Network (VPN) connection to the office Correct answer.
  3. A broadcast radio link shared by all employees
  4. A Personal Area Network (PAN) linking the employee's devices

Explanation

A VPN creates an encrypted tunnel over the public internet so remote users can reach the office network as though locally connected. A home LAN alone cannot reach office resources, a PAN covers only nearby devices, and a shared broadcast link provides no secure private access.

Question 22Information Technology Unit 1 - Module 1

A data-entry clerk types a valid but incorrect value into a field, and the system accepts it because the value satisfies the field's format rules. Which statement best explains this outcome?

  1. Verification compares the data with a second entry and should have caught it
  2. Verification checks only that the field is not left blank
  3. Validation checks format and range but cannot confirm that the data is true Correct answer.
  4. Validation rejects any value that is factually wrong

Explanation

Validation confirms that data is reasonable and correctly formatted, but it cannot establish truth, so a plausible yet wrong value passes. Verification, such as double entry, is the process that compares entries to catch such mistakes.

Question 23Information Technology Unit 1 - Module 1

A programmer converts the decimal number 45 to binary. Which result is correct?

  1. 101101 Correct answer.
  2. 111001
  3. 101011
  4. 110101

Explanation

Using place values 32, 16, 8, 4, 2 and 1, the number 45 equals 32 + 8 + 4 + 1, giving 101101 in binary. Checking the alternatives by summing their place values yields 53, 43 and 57 respectively.

Question 24Information Technology Unit 1 - Module 1

An organisation's information system must guarantee that a bank transfer either completes fully or leaves both accounts unchanged. Which property of transaction processing is being described?

  1. Portability
  2. Availability
  3. Scalability
  4. Atomicity Correct answer.

Explanation

Atomicity means a transaction is treated as a single indivisible unit that either commits completely or is rolled back entirely, which is exactly what a bank transfer requires. Scalability, availability and portability describe capacity growth, uptime and ease of moving software, none of which covers all-or-nothing execution.

Question 25Information Technology Unit 1 - Module 1

A network designer must choose a topology in which the failure of one cable affects only the device connected to it, while a central device still manages all traffic. Which topology satisfies this requirement?

  1. Bus topology
  2. Star topology Correct answer.
  3. Ring topology
  4. Mesh topology

Explanation

In a star topology each device has its own link to a central hub or switch, so a single cable failure isolates only that device while the centre continues to manage traffic. In a bus topology a broken backbone disrupts the whole network, and in a ring a break can halt the loop.

Question 26Information Technology Unit 1 - Module 1

Which of the following is classified as an input device in a computer system?

  1. Laser printer
  2. Liquid crystal display monitor
  3. Optical character reader Correct answer.
  4. Plotter

Explanation

An input device captures data from the outside world and converts it into a form the computer can process. An optical character reader scans printed text and converts the characters into digital data, so it is an input device.

Question 27Information Technology Unit 1 - Module 1

Which unit of storage is exactly equal to 1,024 megabytes?

  1. One kilobyte
  2. One terabyte
  3. One byte
  4. One gigabyte Correct answer.

Explanation

Storage units in binary systems increase by a factor of 1,024 at each step. One kilobyte is 1,024 bytes, one megabyte is 1,024 kilobytes, and one gigabyte is 1,024 megabytes.

Question 28Information Technology Unit 1 - Module 1

A supermarket chain wants senior managers to receive summarised monthly sales totals while store clerks enter individual transactions. Which type of information system best supports the senior managers' need?

  1. Process control system
  2. Management information system Correct answer.
  3. Transaction processing system
  4. Word processing system

Explanation

A management information system draws on transaction data and produces summarised reports used by managers for planning and control. Monthly sales summaries are exactly this kind of periodic, aggregated output.

Question 29Information Technology Unit 1 - Module 1

Which of the following is an example of system software rather than application software?

  1. Utility program for disk defragmentation Correct answer.
  2. Payroll application
  3. Web browser
  4. Spreadsheet package

Explanation

System software manages the hardware and provides a platform on which other programs run. Utility programs such as disk defragmentation tools fall into this category because they maintain the computer system itself.

Question 30Information Technology Unit 1 - Module 1

Which statement best describes the purpose of a database management system?

  1. It stores data in flat files that only one user may open at a time.
  2. It converts high-level source code into machine language instructions.
  3. It provides facilities for defining, storing, retrieving and controlling access to data. Correct answer.
  4. It allocates physical memory to running processes.

Explanation

A database management system is software that sits between users and the stored data, offering facilities for defining the structure of data, manipulating it and enforcing security and integrity. It supports controlled access rather than simple single-user files.

Question 31Information Technology Unit 1 - Module 1

In a spreadsheet used to model a budget, which feature allows the user to test how the final balance changes when the interest rate is altered?

  1. Sorting
  2. Mail merge
  3. What-if analysis Correct answer.
  4. Spell checking

Explanation

What-if analysis lets a user change an input value and immediately observe the effect on calculated results. This is precisely the behaviour needed when testing how an altered interest rate affects a budget balance.

Question 32Information Technology Unit 1 - Module 1

Which type of software licence typically allows a user to install and use a program without paying, while the author keeps the copyright and may require that modified versions remain free?

  1. Free and open-source licence Correct answer.
  2. Site licence
  3. Proprietary commercial licence
  4. Shareware licence

Explanation

A free and open-source licence allows use and often modification without payment, but the author retains copyright and may impose conditions such as copyleft. These conditions distinguish it from purely commercial arrangements.

Question 33Information Technology Unit 1 - Module 1

Which of the following correctly lists the components of a computer system?

  1. Hardware, firmware and networks only
  2. Software, documentation and printers only
  3. Data, algorithms and monitors only
  4. Hardware, software, data, people and procedures Correct answer.

Explanation

A computer system is more than machinery: it combines physical hardware, the programs that run on it, the data processed, the people who use it and the procedures they follow. All five elements are needed for the system to work.

Question 34Information Technology Unit 1 - Module 1

A payroll file stores each employee's monthly salary as a fixed-length field of 6 digits. Which data type is most appropriate for the salary field?

  1. Alphanumeric
  2. Numeric Correct answer.
  3. Date
  4. Boolean

Explanation

A salary is a quantity on which arithmetic such as totalling and averaging will be performed, so a numeric type is required. Storing it as text would prevent reliable calculation and sorting.

Question 35Information Technology Unit 1 - Module 1

A validation rule requires that an employee number begin with the letter E followed by exactly four digits. Which validation method is being applied?

  1. Presence check
  2. Format check Correct answer.
  3. Range check
  4. Consistency check

Explanation

A format check verifies that data matches a required pattern of characters, such as a letter followed by a fixed number of digits. It confirms shape rather than magnitude or presence.

Question 36Information Technology Unit 1 - Module 1

A school's student table uses an admission number as its primary key. What is the main benefit of this choice?

  1. It automatically sorts records alphabetically by surname.
  2. It guarantees that no two students can share a name.
  3. It removes the need for any other fields in the table.
  4. It ensures each record can be uniquely identified and referenced. Correct answer.

Explanation

A primary key uniquely identifies every record in a table, so no two rows can share the same key value. This uniqueness is what allows other tables to refer reliably to a specific student record.

Question 37Information Technology Unit 1 - Module 1

In a relational database, a table is normalised. Which problem is normalisation primarily intended to reduce?

  1. Data redundancy and update anomalies Correct answer.
  2. Slow printing of reports
  3. Excessive use of primary keys
  4. Loss of backup copies

Explanation

Normalisation organises fields and tables to remove repeated data and the insertion, update and deletion anomalies that repetition causes. The aim is consistency, not faster output or fewer keys.

Question 38Information Technology Unit 1 - Module 1

A student writes a program that must add the numbers 1 to 100 and display the total. Which control structure is most suitable?

  1. A loop that repeats while a counter is less than or equal to 100 Correct answer.
  2. A single assignment statement
  3. A procedure call that performs no repetition
  4. A selection structure using IF

Explanation

The task repeats an addition a known number of times, which is naturally expressed as a loop controlled by a counter. Repetition is required because the same operation is applied to each successive number.

Question 39Information Technology Unit 1 - Module 1

A programmer writes a function that calls itself with a smaller input until a base case is reached. What is this technique called?

  1. Recursion Correct answer.
  2. Compilation
  3. Iteration
  4. Declaration

Explanation

Recursion occurs when a subprogram invokes itself on a reduced version of the problem until a stopping condition, the base case, is satisfied. Without a correct base case the calls would continue indefinitely.

Question 40Information Technology Unit 1 - Module 1

Which characteristic makes a solid-state drive preferable to a magnetic hard disk in a laptop that may be carried around?

  1. It has no moving parts, so it resists physical shock. Correct answer.
  2. It stores data on rotating magnetic platters.
  3. It has moving parts that absorb shock.
  4. It requires a larger power supply.

Explanation

A solid-state drive stores data in flash memory with no spinning platters or moving heads, so knocks and vibration are far less likely to cause damage. This makes it well suited to portable devices.

Question 41Information Technology Unit 1 - Module 1

A school wants each classroom computer to run programs locally and share files with the others without relying on one central server. Which network classification fits this arrangement?

  1. Client-server network
  2. Metropolitan area network
  3. Peer-to-peer network Correct answer.
  4. Wide area network

Explanation

In a peer-to-peer network, each computer can act as both client and server, sharing its own resources directly with others. No dedicated central server is required, which matches the arrangement described.

Question 42Information Technology Unit 1 - Module 1

A user wants to send an email message with a photograph attached. Which combination of protocols is normally involved in sending the message and retrieving it later?

  1. SMTP for retrieval and FTP for sending
  2. FTP for sending and HTTP for retrieval
  3. SMTP for sending and POP3 or IMAP for retrieval Correct answer.
  4. HTTP for sending and SMTP for retrieval

Explanation

SMTP handles the transfer of outgoing mail between mail servers, while POP3 or IMAP allows a client to retrieve messages from a mailbox. Each protocol serves a distinct stage of the mail journey.

Question 43Information Technology Unit 1 - Module 1

Which statement best explains why a data warehouse differs from an operational database?

  1. A data warehouse holds data for a single department only.
  2. A data warehouse stores only current transactions for daily processing.
  3. A data warehouse is used mainly to store summarised historical data for analysis. Correct answer.
  4. A data warehouse cannot be queried with SQL.

Explanation

A data warehouse collects data from several operational sources, often over long periods, and organises it for analysis and reporting rather than routine transaction entry. This historical, integrated nature is its defining feature.

Question 44Information Technology Unit 1 - Module 1

An organisation introduces a new information system. Which activity belongs to the analysis stage of the system development life cycle?

  1. Repairing faults reported after installation
  2. Writing the program code for each module
  3. Installing the finished system on user machines
  4. Gathering and documenting user requirements Correct answer.

Explanation

The analysis stage establishes what the new system must do by investigating the current system and collecting user requirements. Coding, installation and post-release repair all occur in later stages.

Question 45Information Technology Unit 1 - Module 1

A hospital wants doctors to view a patient's latest test results at any hour without waiting for a printed report. Which benefit of an information system is most directly demonstrated?

  1. Timely access to information for decision making Correct answer.
  2. Guaranteed prevention of data-entry errors
  3. Elimination of all hardware costs
  4. Reduced need for data accuracy

Explanation

Information systems add value by making accurate data available when it is needed, allowing faster and better decisions. Immediate access to test results supports timely clinical decisions around the clock.

Question 46Information Technology Unit 1 - Module 1

A database table stores orders with a customer number in each row. Which design change would best remove the repetition of the customer's full address in every order?

  1. Store a separate customer table keyed by customer number and link it to orders. Correct answer.
  2. Add a second address field to each order row.
  3. Delete the address from all records entirely.
  4. Sort the orders alphabetically by address.

Explanation

Moving customer details into their own table and referencing it by customer number removes repeated data and the anomalies that follow from it. This is the standard relational approach to redundancy.

Question 47Information Technology Unit 1 - Module 1

A binary number is 1011. What is its decimal value?

  1. 13
  2. 15
  3. 9
  4. 11 Correct answer.

Explanation

Each binary digit carries a power of two, from 8 down to 1. Adding the place values where a 1 appears gives 8 + 2 + 1 = 11.

Question 48Information Technology Unit 1 - Module 1

A program contains a loop that reads records until an end-of-file marker is reached. Which type of loop is most appropriate?

  1. A sequence of straight-line statements
  2. A selection structure with no repetition
  3. A counted loop with a fixed number of repetitions
  4. A conditional loop tested before each repetition Correct answer.

Explanation

The number of records is unknown in advance, so the loop must test a condition before each pass and stop when the marker is found. A pre-tested conditional loop handles this safely, including the case of an empty file.

Question 49Information Technology Unit 1 - Module 1

A company keeps two copies of a database on separate servers and applies every update to both at the same time. Which property of the data is being protected?

  1. Compression of stored records
  2. Encryption of network traffic
  3. Redundancy of the user interface
  4. Consistency between copies Correct answer.

Explanation

Applying each update to both copies keeps the two versions in agreement, so the data remains consistent. This duplication also supports availability if one server fails.

Question 50Information Technology Unit 1 - Module 1

A programmer must choose between storing a whole number of items in a variable and storing a price with two decimal places. Which pair of data types is most appropriate?

  1. Boolean for the item count and integer for the price
  2. Integer for the item count and real for the price Correct answer.
  3. String for both values
  4. Real for the item count and integer for the price

Explanation

An item count is a whole number, so an integer type is suitable and avoids unnecessary fractional storage. A price requires a fractional part, so a real or fixed-point type is needed to hold the decimal places.