English and Computer Knowledge
This combined section tests standard English grammar and comprehension alongside basic computer literacy: hardware, software, memory, office applications, internet and safe use.
English grammar
- Subject-verb agreement: a singular subject takes a singular verb; 'one of the boys is' is correct because the true subject is 'one'.
- Articles: 'a' before consonant sounds, 'an' before vowel sounds, 'the' for something specific.
- Tenses: choose the tense from the time marker; 'since' and 'for' take present perfect or perfect continuous.
- Active to passive changes the object into the subject and uses the past participle with the correct form of 'be'.
Computer basics
- Hardware is physical, software is a program; RAM is volatile and ROM is non-volatile.
- 1 byte = 8 bits; 1 KB = 1024 bytes; 1 MB = 1024 KB.
- MS Excel formulas begin with '='; =SUM(A1:A5) adds a range; a cell reference like B3 means column B, row 3.
- Common shortcuts: Ctrl+C copy, Ctrl+V paste, Ctrl+Z undo, Ctrl+S save.
Worked example
Choose the correct verb: 'One of the girls ___ absent.' Reasoning: the subject is 'one', not 'girls', so the singular verb 'is' is correct. The phrase 'of the girls' is a prepositional modifier and does not control agreement.
Traps
Do not use 'amount of' with countable nouns; use 'number of'. Do not call RAM permanent storage. Do not write a spreadsheet formula without '='. Do not assume Ctrl+X copies; it cuts.