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CCSLC Digital Literacy study materials
CCSLC Digital Literacy study resources

CCSLC Digital Literacy practice questions

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Question 1Digital Literacy

A learner wants to save a document so that it can be opened later on almost any device without losing its layout. Which file format is the best choice for a finished, read-only document?

  1. Comma-separated values file (.csv)
  2. Plain text file (.txt)
  3. Portable Document Format (PDF) Correct answer.
  4. Rich Text Format (.rtf)

Explanation

A PDF stores text, images and layout together so the document looks the same on different devices and operating systems. It is designed for sharing finished documents that should not easily change. Plain text and CSV discard formatting, and RTF does not guarantee identical layout across viewers.

Question 2Digital Literacy

A student receives an email claiming to be from the school asking them to click a link and re-enter their password. The sender address looks slightly misspelled. What is this message best described as?

  1. A software update notice
  2. A phishing attempt Correct answer.
  3. A firewall alert
  4. A mailing list subscription

Explanation

Phishing is a trick message that imitates a trusted organisation to steal credentials or personal data. Misspelled sender addresses and urgent password requests are classic warning signs. The other options describe legitimate system messages, not deceptive ones.

Question 3Digital Literacy

Which practice gives the strongest protection to an online account?

  1. Writing the password on a note stuck to the screen
  2. Reusing one strong password across all accounts
  3. Using a long unique password plus a second verification step Correct answer.
  4. Choosing a password made of your birth date

Explanation

A long unique password combined with a second factor, such as a code sent to a phone, means a stolen password alone is not enough to log in. Reuse is dangerous because one breach exposes every account. Predictable or visible passwords are easily guessed or found.

Question 4Digital Literacy

In a spreadsheet, what does a formula normally begin with so the program treats the entry as a calculation?

  1. An equals sign Correct answer.
  2. A full stop
  3. A hash symbol
  4. A quotation mark

Explanation

Spreadsheet programs such as LibreOffice Calc and Excel expect a formula to start with an equals sign, which signals that the following text is a calculation rather than a label. Without it, the entry is stored as ordinary text. The other symbols have different meanings inside formulas.

Question 5Digital Literacy

Which of these is an example of a strong search strategy when looking for reliable information about a health topic?

  1. Relying on the first result without opening it
  2. Typing a full sentence question and trusting the first advertisement
  3. Using specific keywords and checking who published the page Correct answer.
  4. Searching only for opinions that match what you already believe

Explanation

Effective searching means choosing precise keywords and then evaluating the source, for example by checking the author, organisation and date. Advertisements and unopened results are not reliable evidence. Deliberately seeking only agreeing opinions prevents you from judging accuracy.

Question 6Digital Literacy

What is the main purpose of a spreadsheet function such as SUM?

  1. To protect the file with a password
  2. To sort the rows alphabetically
  3. To perform a built-in calculation on a range of cells Correct answer.
  4. To change the font colour of a cell

Explanation

Functions are ready-made calculations that take a range of cells and return a result, so SUM adds the values in that range. Formatting, protection and sorting are separate features. Using a function avoids writing a long manual formula.

Question 7Digital Literacy

A person wants to send a very large video file to a classmate, but the email service rejects it for exceeding the attachment limit. What is the most suitable digital solution?

  1. Print the video frames and post them
  2. Convert the video into a text file and attach that
  3. Upload the video to a cloud storage service and share a link Correct answer.
  4. Split the video into many emails sent one after another

Explanation

Cloud storage lets you upload a large file once and share a link, so the email size limit no longer applies. Splitting the file into many messages is impractical and may still be blocked. Converting to text or printing destroys the video content.

Question 8Digital Literacy

Which statement best describes the difference between hardware and software?

  1. Hardware means programs; software means cables
  2. Hardware is stored on the internet; software is stored on the device
  3. Hardware is the physical equipment; software is the set of instructions it runs Correct answer.
  4. Hardware is always newer than software

Explanation

Hardware refers to the tangible parts of a computer such as the screen, keyboard and processor. Software is the instructions and programs that tell the hardware what to do. Neither is defined by age or by where it is stored.

Question 9Digital Literacy

A learner is writing an email to a teacher and wants to keep a copy of the message for their own records while also sending it to the teacher. Which pair of fields should be used?

  1. Cc for the teacher and Subject for the learner
  2. To for the learner and Bcc for the teacher
  3. Subject for the teacher and To for the learner
  4. To for the teacher and Cc for the learner Correct answer.

Explanation

The To field holds the main recipient, and Cc (carbon copy) sends a visible copy to additional addresses, which is how you keep a record. Bcc hides recipients from each other and is not needed here. Subject is a heading, not an address field.

Question 10Digital Literacy

A table in a report must satisfy the rule that each record has a unique identifier. Which column best serves as the primary key?

  1. Student first name
  2. Classroom colour
  3. Student ID number Correct answer.
  4. Date of birth

Explanation

A primary key must be unique and never blank for every record, so an assigned ID number is ideal. Names, colours and dates can repeat, which would break the uniqueness rule. Choosing a repeating value would allow duplicate records to be confused.

Question 11Digital Literacy

Which action best protects a laptop's data if the device is lost or stolen?

  1. Turning off automatic updates
  2. Keeping the laptop in a bag at all times
  3. Encrypting the storage drive and enabling a screen lock Correct answer.
  4. Using a shorter password so it is easy to retype

Explanation

Encryption makes the stored data unreadable without the key, and a screen lock blocks casual access to the device. Physical care reduces but does not remove risk. Short passwords and disabled updates both weaken security.

Question 12Digital Literacy

A website address begins with https rather than http. What does the extra s indicate?

  1. The site cannot contain advertisements
  2. The connection is encrypted using TLS Correct answer.
  3. The site is guaranteed to be truthful
  4. The page will always load faster

Explanation

The s in https stands for secure, meaning traffic between the browser and server is encrypted with TLS. Encryption protects the connection but does not prove the site's claims are honest. Speed and advertising are unrelated to the protocol.

Question 13Digital Literacy

When citing an online article in a school project, which detail is most important for letting a reader find the original source?

  1. The number of comments below the article
  2. The brand of computer you used
  3. The full web address and the date you accessed it Correct answer.
  4. The colour scheme of the website

Explanation

A citation needs enough information to locate the source again, so the full URL and access date are essential, along with author and title. Appearance, comment counts and your own device are irrelevant to locating the article. Online content can change, which is why the access date matters.

Question 14Digital Literacy

A user receives a file called invoice.pdf.exe. Why should this file be treated as suspicious?

  1. PDF files cannot be sent by email
  2. Executable files are always safe
  3. The double extension may hide an executable program Correct answer.
  4. The file name is too long

Explanation

Attackers add a harmless-looking extension such as .pdf before the real .exe so the file appears to be a document. On many systems the true extension determines how the file runs, so the program could install malware. Legitimate invoices are not distributed as executable programs.

Question 15Digital Literacy

In a word processor, what is the effect of applying a heading style such as Heading 1 to a title?

  1. It applies consistent formatting and marks the text for navigation and tables of contents Correct answer.
  2. It permanently deletes any text below the title
  3. It converts the document into a spreadsheet
  4. It prevents the document from being printed

Explanation

Heading styles apply a defined set of formatting rules and tag the text structurally, so the program can build a table of contents and an outline. They do not delete content or change the file type. Consistent styles also make long documents easier to update.

Question 16Digital Literacy

A shared online document is being edited by four classmates at once. What feature allows them to see each other's changes as they happen?

  1. Offline print preview
  2. Real-time collaborative editing Correct answer.
  3. Local file compression
  4. Screen brightness control

Explanation

Real-time collaborative editing lets multiple users work in the same document and shows their edits and cursors live. Print preview, compression and brightness settings do not involve sharing edits. This feature is central to cloud-based productivity tools.

Question 17Digital Literacy

A survey question asks: 'Do you agree that our excellent service is fast and friendly?' Why is this a poor survey item?

  1. It is a leading question that pushes respondents toward agreement Correct answer.
  2. It is too short to be understood
  3. It uses numbers instead of words
  4. It cannot be answered online

Explanation

The wording praises the service as excellent and friendly, which steers respondents toward saying yes and produces biased data. A fair item would ask about speed and friendliness separately and neutrally. Length, number use and delivery method are not the problem here.

Question 18Digital Literacy

Which measure best reduces the risk of a computer becoming infected through removable USB drives?

  1. Renaming the drive before use
  2. Opening files immediately to check what they contain
  3. Scanning the drive with antivirus software before opening its files Correct answer.
  4. Disabling automatic system updates

Explanation

Malware can spread through USB drives, so scanning with up-to-date antivirus before opening files detects known threats. Opening files to inspect them can trigger the infection. Updates and renaming do not remove malicious code from the drive.

Question 19Digital Literacy

A student wants to check whether a news story shared on social media is accurate. Which step is most reliable?

  1. Counting how many likes the post received
  2. Reading only the headline
  3. Assuming it is true because a friend shared it
  4. Cross-checking the claim against several independent reputable sources Correct answer.

Explanation

Verifying a claim means comparing it with several independent, reputable sources that do their own reporting. Popularity, personal connections and headlines are not evidence of accuracy. Independent confirmation reduces the chance of repeating a rumour.

Question 20Digital Literacy

A learner needs to present the same set of slides on a computer that does not have the presentation software installed. Which approach is most dependable?

  1. Email the original file and hope it opens
  2. Export the slides as a PDF and open it in a PDF reader Correct answer.
  3. Take photographs of the screen during the talk
  4. Copy only the slide titles into a text file

Explanation

Exporting to PDF embeds the visual layout in a format that most computers can open with a free reader. Sending the original file requires the same software to be installed. Losing the design or photographing the screen reduces quality and reliability.

Question 21Digital Literacy

A spreadsheet column contains the values 10, 20, 30 and 40. Which function returns the average of these four values?

  1. COUNT
  2. SUM
  3. AVERAGE Correct answer.
  4. MAX

Explanation

AVERAGE adds the values and divides by how many there are, giving 25 for this set. SUM would return 100, COUNT would return 4, and MAX would return 40. Choosing the right function depends on the result you need.

Question 22Digital Literacy

A school stores student records in a database. Which principle should guide what information is collected and who can see it?

  1. Collect every possible detail in case it is useful later
  2. Allow all staff and students to view every record
  3. Publish the records so parents can check them
  4. Collect only what is needed and restrict access to authorised staff Correct answer.

Explanation

Data minimisation means gathering only the information required for a clear purpose, and access controls limit viewing to those who need it. Collecting extra data or exposing records increases the harm if there is a breach. Privacy rules generally require both limits.

Question 23Digital Literacy

A web page shows a padlock and a valid certificate, yet it asks you to enter your bank password on a domain that is not your bank's. What is the best conclusion?

  1. The encrypted connection does not prove the site is genuine, so the request should be refused Correct answer.
  2. The padlock proves the site belongs to the bank
  3. The certificate makes the site safe to use
  4. The domain name can be ignored if the padlock is shown

Explanation

A certificate only confirms that the connection is encrypted to whoever owns that domain; it does not confirm the owner is your bank. Attackers can obtain certificates for look-alike domains. The domain name must match the organisation you expect before you trust the page.

Question 24Digital Literacy

A team shares a folder in cloud storage. A member accidentally deletes an important file. Which feature most directly allows recovery?

  1. The folder's colour label
  2. The file's sharing permissions
  3. The size of the file
  4. The version history or recycle bin of the cloud service Correct answer.

Explanation

Cloud services usually keep deleted items in a recycle bin and retain earlier versions, so the file can be restored. Permissions control who may access a file but do not bring back deleted content. Colour labels and file size have no role in recovery.

Question 25Digital Literacy

A learner copies a paragraph from a website into an assignment without quotation marks or a citation. Which statement best evaluates this action?

  1. It is acceptable if the learner changes one or two words
  2. It is acceptable because the source is freely available online
  3. It is plagiarism because the words and ideas are presented as the learner's own Correct answer.
  4. It is acceptable because the assignment is not published

Explanation

Plagiarism is presenting someone else's words or ideas as your own, whether or not the source is public and whether or not the work is published. Free availability does not remove the need to cite. Minor word changes still leave the original structure and ideas uncredited.

Question 26Digital Literacy

A learner wants to make the word 'Important' appear in bold inside a paragraph of a word-processed document. Which action achieves this?

  1. Change the page orientation to landscape
  2. Select the word and apply the bold formatting command Correct answer.
  3. Insert a page break before the paragraph
  4. Increase the document's zoom level to 200%

Explanation

Bold is a character-level formatting attribute, so it must be applied to selected text rather than to the page or view. Selecting the word and using the bold command changes only its appearance, leaving other text unchanged. Page layout and zoom settings affect display or pagination, not font weight.

Question 27Digital Literacy

A student needs to find every occurrence of the word 'recycle' in a long report and replace it with 'reuse'. Which built-in feature performs this task in a word processor?

  1. Find and replace Correct answer.
  2. Spell check
  3. Track changes
  4. Word count

Explanation

Find and replace searches for a specified string and substitutes another string wherever it occurs, which is exactly the bulk-editing task described. Spell check only flags possible misspellings, and word count reports statistics. Track changes records edits for review rather than performing a global substitution.

Question 28Digital Literacy

A learner types a formula in a spreadsheet cell and it displays an error code starting with '#'. What is the most useful first step to diagnose the problem?

  1. Change the font colour of the cell to white
  2. Check that referenced cells contain the type of values the formula expects Correct answer.
  3. Print the spreadsheet to see whether the error disappears
  4. Delete the entire worksheet and start again

Explanation

Spreadsheet error codes usually indicate that a formula cannot evaluate, for example because a referenced cell is empty, contains text where a number is required, or the cell reference is invalid. Reviewing the referenced cells and the formula's expected inputs isolates the cause. Deleting work or changing appearance does not address the underlying calculation problem.

Question 29Digital Literacy

A class project requires a chart that shows how each student's mark compares with the others in the class. Which chart type is most suitable?

  1. A line chart with a single line for the class total
  2. A bar chart with one bar per student Correct answer.
  3. A pie chart showing the total marks of the whole class
  4. A scatter chart of marks against student names

Explanation

A bar chart displays a separate bar for each category, making individual values easy to compare side by side. A pie chart shows parts of a whole and would misrepresent independent marks, and a single-line chart hides individual differences. Category names are not numeric, so a scatter chart is inappropriate for plotting them.

Question 30Digital Literacy

A presentation slide contains a long paragraph of text that is hard for the audience to read. Which revision best follows good presentation design?

  1. Copy the same paragraph onto every slide for consistency
  2. Keep the paragraph but make the font smaller to fit more words
  3. Add several decorative images behind the paragraph
  4. Reduce the text to a few short bullet points and speak the detail aloud Correct answer.

Explanation

Slides support the speaker rather than replace them, so concise bullet points let the audience follow the key ideas while the presenter supplies detail verbally. Shrinking text or repeating paragraphs increases reading load, and busy backgrounds reduce legibility. Good design prioritises clarity over the amount of text shown.

Question 31Digital Literacy

A learner must give a presentation in a room where the projector cable fits only an HDMI port, but the laptop has only USB-C ports. What is the most appropriate solution?

  1. Convert the slides to a text document
  2. Use a USB-C to HDMI adapter Correct answer.
  3. Email the presentation to the audience instead
  4. Lower the screen resolution until the cable fits

Explanation

A USB-C to HDMI adapter converts the laptop's output into the signal and connector the projector accepts, which resolves the physical incompatibility directly. Changing the file format or resolution does not change connector shape. Sending the file to the audience does not allow the planned presentation to be displayed.

Question 32Digital Literacy

A user creates a strong password but reuses it on every website. Which risk does this behaviour create?

  1. The password will expire sooner than usual
  2. One breached site exposes the same password on all other accounts Correct answer.
  3. The websites will automatically slow down the user's connection
  4. The password becomes harder to remember over time

Explanation

Password reuse means a single data breach at any one service can give attackers working credentials for every other account using that password. Attackers commonly try stolen credentials across many sites, a practice known as credential stuffing. Reuse therefore multiplies the impact of one leak across all accounts.

Question 33Digital Literacy

A message claims to be from a delivery company and asks the recipient to click a link and confirm card details to release a parcel. Which feature most strongly suggests this is a phishing attempt?

  1. The message was received on a weekday
  2. The message requests sensitive payment details through an unsolicited link Correct answer.
  3. The message contains the recipient's first name
  4. The message is written in the recipient's language

Explanation

Phishing relies on urgency and impersonation to extract credentials or payment data through links the recipient did not request. An unexpected request for card details via a link is a classic warning sign. Personalisation and language are easy for attackers to copy and are not reliable indicators.

Question 34Digital Literacy

A school wants to reduce the harm caused if a staff laptop is stolen. Which combination of measures addresses the risk most directly?

  1. A printed label with the school's address together with a mouse
  2. A brighter screen together with a longer warranty
  3. Full-disk encryption together with a screen lock Correct answer.
  4. A larger hard drive together with a faster processor

Explanation

Encryption makes stored data unreadable without the key, so a thief cannot extract files even after removing the drive. A screen lock prevents casual access to the running session. Hardware upgrades, labels, and warranties do not protect the confidentiality of the data itself.

Question 35Digital Literacy

A learner receives an email with an attachment from an unknown sender. Which action is safest?

  1. Reply to the sender asking for more attachments
  2. Delete the message without opening the attachment and report it if required Correct answer.
  3. Open the attachment immediately to check whether it is useful
  4. Forward the attachment to classmates to see if it opens for them

Explanation

Attachments from unknown senders can carry malware, and merely opening a malicious document can compromise a device. Deleting the message without opening the file removes the risk, and reporting it helps protect others. Forwarding spreads any threat, and replying confirms the address is active.

Question 36Digital Literacy

A learner wants to check whether a social media post's claim about a new law is true. Which approach is most reliable?

  1. Ask friends whether they believe the claim
  2. Look for the same claim on an official government or reputable news website Correct answer.
  3. Check whether the post has many likes
  4. Count how many people have shared the post

Explanation

Verification requires consulting authoritative sources that are accountable for accuracy, such as official publications or established news organisations. Popularity measures reflect spread, not truth, and personal opinion is not evidence. Cross-checking against a primary or reputable source is the reliable step.

Question 37Digital Literacy

A learner needs to keep a permanent copy of a web page for a project because the page may change or disappear. Which action best preserves the evidence?

  1. Memorise the main points of the page
  2. Save a copy of the page and record the URL and the date accessed Correct answer.
  3. Bookmark the page in the browser
  4. Take a screenshot of only the browser's address bar

Explanation

Saving the content together with its address and access date preserves both the evidence and the details needed for citation, even if the page later changes. A bookmark only stores a link that may break. Memory is unreliable, and a screenshot of the address bar alone captures no content.

Question 38Digital Literacy

A database table stores orders, and each order must be linked to exactly one customer record. Which design achieves this link correctly?

  1. Store a customer identifier in the order row that references the customer table Correct answer.
  2. Store the order total in the customer table instead
  3. Store all customer details inside the order table as one long text field
  4. Store the customer's full name as free text in each order row

Explanation

A foreign key holds the unique identifier of the related customer, so each order points to exactly one customer record without duplicating data. Storing names as free text allows inconsistent spellings and breaks the link if a name changes. Combining all details into one field prevents structured querying and updates.

Question 39Digital Literacy

A spreadsheet lists products in column A and prices in column B. A learner wants the total price of only the products in a named category stored in column C. Which approach is most appropriate?

  1. Use a function that sums values meeting a specified condition Correct answer.
  2. Apply bold formatting to the matching rows
  3. Sort the prices and read the middle value
  4. Add every price manually with a calculator

Explanation

A conditional sum function adds only the values whose related cells meet a stated criterion, which matches the requirement to total one category. Manual addition is error-prone and does not update. Sorting and formatting do not calculate a category total.

Question 40Digital Literacy

A learner must submit an assignment as a single file that preserves layout on any computer but cannot easily be edited. Which file format best meets this requirement?

  1. A plain text file such as .txt
  2. A portable document format such as .pdf Correct answer.
  3. A word-processor document format such as .docx
  4. An image format such as .jpg

Explanation

A PDF embeds fonts and layout so the document looks the same on different systems, and it is not designed for casual editing. Word-processor files may reflow differently depending on software and fonts, while plain text loses all formatting. An image captures appearance but is not a proper document and cannot be searched easily.

Question 41Digital Literacy

A folder contains files named report1.docx, report2.docx, and report10.docx. When sorted alphabetically by name, which order results?

  1. report2, report1, report10
  2. report1, report10, report2 Correct answer.
  3. report1, report2, report10
  4. report10, report1, report2

Explanation

Alphabetical sorting compares characters one at a time, so after 'report1' the next character decides the order. The character '0' in 'report10' comes before '2' in 'report2', placing report10 second. This is why numbered files are often padded with leading zeros to sort correctly.

Question 42Digital Literacy

A user wants to free space on a full hard drive. Which action is most appropriate?

  1. Change the desktop wallpaper to a smaller image
  2. Delete temporary files and move rarely used files to external storage Correct answer.
  3. Rename all large files to shorter names
  4. Open fewer browser tabs at the same time

Explanation

Storage space is consumed by file content, so removing temporary files and relocating large unused files to another drive reduces usage directly. Renaming files or changing wallpaper does not reduce their size meaningfully. Closing tabs frees memory, not permanent disk space.

Question 43Digital Literacy

A learner wants to collaborate on a document with classmates who use different devices and operating systems. Which choice best supports this?

  1. A cloud-based document that can be edited through a web browser Correct answer.
  2. A printed copy passed around the classroom
  3. A locally installed program that saves only to one computer
  4. A file emailed back and forth with manual merging

Explanation

A browser-based document works across operating systems and keeps one shared copy that everyone edits, avoiding version conflicts. Local software ties the file to one machine, and printed copies cannot be edited digitally. Emailing files creates multiple versions that must be merged by hand.

Question 44Digital Literacy

A user is asked to install a browser extension that promises to speed up the internet but requests permission to read all data on every website visited. What is the most reasonable response?

  1. Install it and then disable the browser's security settings
  2. Decline it because the permissions are broader than the stated purpose requires Correct answer.
  3. Install it because speed improvements are always safe
  4. Share the extension with friends before checking it

Explanation

Permission requests should match the function an extension claims to perform. Reading data on every site is far broader than speeding up a connection and could expose passwords and messages. Refusing excessive permissions is a sound privacy decision, and weakening browser security makes the risk worse.

Question 45Digital Literacy

A school's acceptable-use policy states that network activity may be monitored. What is the main purpose of informing users of this?

  1. To allow students to bypass the network filter
  2. To guarantee that no data is ever lost
  3. To confirm that all websites are educational
  4. To make users aware that their activity is not private on the school network Correct answer.

Explanation

Monitoring notices set expectations so users understand that school network activity can be reviewed and should not be treated as private. This supports responsible use and informed consent. Such a policy does not guarantee data safety, approve content, or grant permission to bypass filters.

Question 46Digital Literacy

A learner's online account offers two-step verification. What does enabling it add?

  1. A second password that must be typed twice
  2. A second proof of identity, such as a code from a phone, after the password Correct answer.
  3. A second username shown to other users
  4. A second email address for newsletters

Explanation

Two-step verification requires a second factor beyond the password, such as a one-time code or an authenticator app, so a stolen password alone is not enough to sign in. It does not duplicate the password or change how the account is displayed. The extra factor is the key protection.

Question 47Digital Literacy

A student copies a diagram from a website into a school project and adds the source but not the creator's permission. Which statement best describes the situation?

  1. Adding the source transfers ownership to the student
  2. Images on the internet are free to use because they are public
  3. Citing the source always makes any use lawful
  4. Copyright may still restrict reuse even when the source is credited Correct answer.

Explanation

Attribution is not the same as permission; copyright protects original works whether or not a credit is given. A school project may fall under limited exceptions in some places, but crediting the source does not by itself authorise reuse. Checking the licence or seeking permission is the safe approach.

Question 48Digital Literacy

A learner wants to reduce the amount of personal data visible to strangers online. Which change has the most direct effect?

  1. Set the profile's privacy settings so posts are visible only to approved contacts Correct answer.
  2. Change the profile picture to a cartoon
  3. Post more frequently to appear active
  4. Use a longer display name

Explanation

Privacy settings control who can see posted content, which directly limits strangers' access to personal information. Name length, posting frequency, and image choice do not change the audience for the content. Restricting visibility is the most direct control available to the user.

Question 49Digital Literacy

A user notices the computer runs unusually slowly and the fan is constantly loud after installing a free program. Which explanation is most plausible?

  1. The keyboard layout has changed
  2. The printer driver is out of date
  3. Background software is using the processor heavily Correct answer.
  4. The monitor has reached the end of its life

Explanation

High processor use by unwanted background software, such as bundled or malicious programs, causes constant fan activity and slowdowns. The timing after an installation points to that cause. Monitor age, keyboard layout, and printer drivers do not produce sustained processor load.

Question 50Digital Literacy

A spreadsheet cell shows '#####' instead of a number. What is the most likely cause and fix?

  1. The formula is wrong, so it must be rewritten
  2. The number is negative, so the sign must be removed
  3. The column is too narrow, so it should be widened Correct answer.
  4. The cell is locked, so the sheet must be unprotected

Explanation

Spreadsheet software displays hash marks when a numeric result does not fit the current column width. Widening the column reveals the value, and the underlying data or formula is unchanged. The display does not indicate a wrong formula, a negative value, or a locked cell.