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ICDL Online Essentials study materials
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ICDL Online Essentials practice questions

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Question 1Web Browsing

What is the main purpose of a web browser?

  1. To create spreadsheets and charts
  2. To manage files on a local hard disk
  3. To send and receive email messages
  4. To request, interpret and display web pages Correct answer.

Explanation

A web browser is client software that requests resources from web servers and renders the returned HTML, images and styles into a viewable page. Other applications such as office suites, file managers and mail clients serve different purposes.

Question 2Web Browsing

In a web address such as https://www.example.org/library/books.html, which part identifies the protocol?

  1. https Correct answer.
  2. /library/books.html
  3. example
  4. www.example.org

Explanation

The protocol appears before the colon and double slash and specifies how the resource is transferred. The remaining parts identify the server and the path to the resource.

Question 3Web Browsing

A user wants to keep a page for later reading without leaving it open. Which browser feature stores the address so it can be reopened with one click?

  1. Cache
  2. Downloads
  3. History
  4. Bookmarks Correct answer.

Explanation

Bookmarks (also called favourites) save a page's address in a permanent list that the user can revisit with a single click. History records pages already visited but is not intended as a curated list.

Question 4Web Browsing

What does the padlock symbol shown next to a web address indicate?

  1. The page content has been checked for accuracy
  2. The site cannot contain advertising
  3. The page has been saved to the local cache
  4. The connection to the site is encrypted Correct answer.

Explanation

The padlock indicates that traffic between the browser and the server is protected by an encrypted connection, typically HTTPS. It says nothing about the truthfulness or trustworthiness of the content itself.

Question 5Web Browsing

Which action opens a link in a new browser tab while keeping the current page open?

  1. Press the F5 key
  2. Hold Ctrl (or Cmd) and click the link Correct answer.
  3. Left-click the link
  4. Press the browser's Back button

Explanation

Holding the platform modifier key while clicking opens the target in a background tab so the current page stays visible. A plain click normally replaces the current page.

Question 6Web Browsing

What is a cookie in the context of web browsing?

  1. A compressed image format used on web pages
  2. A temporary copy of the whole website kept on the server
  3. A type of virus that damages the operating system
  4. A small text file stored by a site to remember information about a visit Correct answer.

Explanation

Cookies are small pieces of data that a website asks the browser to store so it can recognise the user on later requests, for example to keep a session logged in. They are not programs and cannot by themselves damage a system.

Question 7Web Browsing

Which of these is a valid example of a top-level domain in the address https://shop.example.co.uk?

  1. https
  2. example
  3. co.uk Correct answer.
  4. shop

Explanation

The top-level domain is the final segment of the domain name hierarchy; here the country-code structure ends in co.uk. The labels to its left are the registered name and sub-domain.

Question 8Web Browsing

A page fails to load and the browser shows an error about the server not being found. What is the most likely cause?

  1. The keyboard layout is incorrect
  2. The address contains a typing mistake or the site is offline Correct answer.
  3. The printer is not connected
  4. The monitor brightness is set too low

Explanation

A server-not-found error means the browser could not resolve or reach the host named in the address, which commonly results from a mistyped domain or a site that is unavailable. Hardware such as monitors or printers plays no part in name resolution.

Question 9Web Browsing

What is the function of the browser's address bar?

  1. To enter a URL or search term and go to that location Correct answer.
  2. To list files saved in the download folder
  3. To display the addresses of pages already visited
  4. To change the display language of the operating system

Explanation

The address bar accepts a URL and navigates to it, and most browsers also pass non-URL text to a search engine. It is an input and navigation control rather than a record of past activity.

Question 10Web Browsing

A user wants the browser to open the same set of news pages every morning with one action. Which feature is most appropriate?

  1. Setting those pages as the home page or startup pages Correct answer.
  2. Clearing the browsing history each evening
  3. Disabling cookies for all sites
  4. Increasing the browser cache size

Explanation

The home page or startup page setting determines which page or pages load when the browser starts, so a chosen set can open automatically. History clearing, cookie blocking and cache size do not control startup content.

Question 11Web Browsing

What is the difference between the browser cache and the browsing history?

  1. The cache records visited pages, while history stores page files
  2. Both store only passwords used on websites
  3. Both are deleted only when the computer is switched off
  4. The cache stores page files for faster loading, while history records pages visited Correct answer.

Explanation

The cache keeps copies of resources such as images and scripts so repeat visits load faster, whereas history is a chronological list of pages the user has visited. They serve different purposes and are cleared by separate options.

Question 12Web Browsing

Which search technique best narrows results to pages containing an exact phrase?

  1. Adding a question mark at the end
  2. Putting the phrase inside double quotation marks Correct answer.
  3. Typing the phrase in capital letters
  4. Typing the phrase without any punctuation

Explanation

Enclosing words in double quotation marks asks the search engine to match that exact sequence of words. Capitalisation and punctuation such as question marks generally do not restrict matching.

Question 13Web Browsing

A user searches for information and wants results only from university websites. Which query is most suitable?

  1. university information -site
  2. university information site:ac.uk Correct answer.
  3. university information filetype:pdf
  4. "university information" OR news

Explanation

The site: operator restricts results to a specified domain, so site:ac.uk limits hits to UK academic domains. The other queries use operators for file type, exclusion or alternatives, which do not restrict to universities.

Question 14Web Browsing

When evaluating a web page found through a search engine, which check most directly supports the reliability of its content?

  1. The author and publication date are stated and the site is reputable Correct answer.
  2. The page uses many bright colours
  3. The page contains several animated banners
  4. The page appears first in the results list

Explanation

Knowing who wrote the material, when it was published and whether the host organisation is credible lets a reader judge authority and currency. Visual style and ranking position are not evidence of accuracy.

Question 15Web Browsing

Which statement best describes a phishing website?

  1. A site that loads more slowly than usual because of heavy images
  2. A site that imitates a trusted organisation to trick users into revealing credentials Correct answer.
  3. A site that offers free software updates from the browser vendor
  4. A site that stores cookies to keep a shopping basket

Explanation

Phishing sites copy the look of a legitimate service and prompt visitors to enter passwords or card details, which are then captured by the attacker. Slow loading, genuine update pages and shopping cookies are ordinary web behaviours.

Question 16Web Browsing

What is the purpose of a private or incognito browsing window?

  1. To stop the internet service provider from seeing any traffic
  2. To block all advertising on every website
  3. To avoid saving local history, cookies and form data after the window closes Correct answer.
  4. To make the connection faster than in a normal window

Explanation

Private windows prevent the browser from keeping local records such as history and cookies once the session ends. They do not hide activity from the network provider, employers or visited websites.

Question 17Web Browsing

A page's text is too small to read comfortably. Which browser control should the user adjust first?

  1. The cookie policy
  2. The home page address
  3. The default download folder
  4. The zoom level for the page Correct answer.

Explanation

Zoom enlarges or reduces the rendered page, including text and images, without changing the site itself. The other settings control storage locations, startup behaviour or data permissions.

Question 18Web Browsing

Which of these is the safest way to handle a download prompt from an unfamiliar website?

  1. Open the file immediately to see what it does
  2. Save and run the file, then scan it only if problems appear
  3. Disable the browser's security warnings first
  4. Cancel the download unless the source and file type are trusted Correct answer.

Explanation

Files from unknown sources can carry malware, so the safe approach is to decline unless the publisher and file type are known and trustworthy. Opening first and scanning later exposes the system before protection is applied.

Question 19Web Browsing

A user wants to send the address of the current page to a colleague by email. Which approach copies the address?

  1. Clear the cache from settings
  2. Select the URL in the address bar and copy it Correct answer.
  3. Open the downloads list
  4. Press the browser's Reload button

Explanation

The URL is displayed in the address bar and can be selected and copied to the clipboard for pasting elsewhere. Reloading, downloads and cache clearing do not place the address on the clipboard.

Question 20Web Browsing

What does a browser extension typically require before it can read data on the pages a user visits?

  1. A change to the operating system registry
  2. A separate email account
  3. User-granted permissions shown at installation Correct answer.
  4. A printed licence key

Explanation

Extensions declare the permissions they need, such as access to page content, and the browser asks the user to approve them when the extension is installed. The other items are not part of the standard permission model.

Question 21Web Browsing

A user opens many pages and cannot find the one just loaded. Which browser element lists all currently open pages in the window?

  1. The status bar
  2. The tab strip Correct answer.
  3. The bookmarks bar
  4. The downloads panel

Explanation

Each open page appears as a tab in the tab strip, so the strip shows everything currently loaded in the window. Bookmarks, status information and downloads do not represent open pages.

Question 22Web Browsing

Which factor most affects whether a browser displays a page correctly after a site redesign?

  1. The size of the monitor bezel
  2. The colour of the browser theme
  3. Whether the cached files are up to date Correct answer.
  4. The number of bookmarks saved

Explanation

Browsers reuse cached resources, so stale copies of styles or scripts can make a redesigned page render incorrectly until the cache is refreshed. Physical bezel size, bookmark count and theme colour do not affect page rendering.

Question 23Web Browsing

A URL begins with http:// rather than https://. What is the main security implication?

  1. Data sent is not encrypted in transit Correct answer.
  2. The site must be a government site
  3. The browser will refuse to display the page
  4. The page cannot contain images

Explanation

Plain HTTP sends requests and responses without transport encryption, so data can be intercepted or altered in transit. It still supports images and is displayed normally, and it is not tied to any particular type of organisation.

Question 24Web Browsing

A search returns thousands of results. Which combination of operators most effectively limits results to recent pages about a topic on one domain?

  1. topic OR example.com before
  2. "topic" -example.com filetype:html
  3. topic site:example.com after:2024-01-01 Correct answer.
  4. topic example.com ~recent

Explanation

Combining site: with a date operator restricts both the domain and the time period, which sharply reduces irrelevant hits. The other queries either broaden with OR, exclude the domain or use unsupported syntax.

Question 25Web Browsing

Why can a page that looks identical to a bank's login screen still be unsafe to use?

  1. Because banks never use web pages for login
  2. Because browsers block all login forms
  3. Because secure pages cannot show logos
  4. Because identical appearance does not prove the domain belongs to the bank Correct answer.

Explanation

Visual similarity can be copied easily, so the decisive check is the domain in the address bar and the certificate for that domain. Appearance alone cannot establish that the site is operated by the organisation it imitates.

Question 26Web Browsing

Which browser feature lets a user keep a page's address for quick access later without searching for it again?

  1. A bookmark Correct answer.
  2. A plug-in
  3. A cache entry
  4. A download

Explanation

Bookmarks store a page's address so the user can return to it from a list with a single click. Other browser data such as cached files or downloads do not provide a labelled shortcut list.

Question 27Web Browsing

A user clicks a link and the new page replaces the current one in the same tab. Which button returns the user to the previous page?

  1. Back Correct answer.
  2. Home
  3. Stop
  4. Refresh

Explanation

The Back button moves backwards through the tab's navigation history to the previously visited page. Refresh reloads the current page, Home goes to the start page, and Stop halts loading.

Question 28Web Browsing

Which part of a web address identifies the organisation or site that hosts the page, such as the part immediately before the top-level domain?

  1. The query string
  2. The port number
  3. The domain name Correct answer.
  4. The file path

Explanation

The domain name is the registered part of the address that identifies the hosting site. The path locates a resource within that site, while the port and query string serve other technical purposes.

Question 29Web Browsing

What is the main purpose of a browser tab?

  1. To store passwords for websites
  2. To translate page text into another language
  3. To keep several pages open within one browser window Correct answer.
  4. To block unwanted advertisements

Explanation

Tabs let a single window hold multiple pages that the user can switch between. Password storage, ad blocking and translation are separate features or add-ons.

Question 30Web Browsing

Which action opens a link in a new tab while leaving the current page visible?

  1. Pressing the Esc key after clicking the link
  2. Dragging the link onto the address bar
  3. Double-clicking the link
  4. Holding Ctrl (or Cmd) and clicking the link Correct answer.

Explanation

Holding the platform modifier key while clicking opens the target in a background tab. Double-clicking or dragging changes behaviour differently, and Esc only cancels loading.

Question 31Web Browsing

A user wants the browser to remember the sites they visit so they can find a page from last week. Which browser record provides this?

  1. The bookmark bar
  2. The download list
  3. The browsing history Correct answer.
  4. The saved passwords list

Explanation

Browsing history records visited pages with timestamps so earlier pages can be found again. The other lists record files, shortcuts or credentials rather than visited pages.

Question 32Web Browsing

Which of these is a typical sign that a web page is trying to collect information deceptively?

  1. It asks for a password after arriving from an unexpected email link Correct answer.
  2. It displays the organisation's logo in the header
  3. It offers a contact telephone number
  4. It uses a padlock icon in the address bar

Explanation

Unexpected requests for credentials reached through an unsolicited link are a classic deception pattern. Logos, padlocks and contact details can all appear on legitimate pages and are not by themselves signs of deception.

Question 33Web Browsing

What does the padlock icon in a browser's address bar indicate?

  1. The site has been checked for accuracy
  2. The page contains no advertising
  3. The site is operated by a government body
  4. The connection to the site is encrypted Correct answer.

Explanation

The padlock shows that traffic between the browser and the server is encrypted, usually with HTTPS. It says nothing about the honesty, accuracy or ownership of the content.

Question 34Web Browsing

A user wants to print only part of a long article. Which browser feature is most directly useful?

  1. The reading list
  2. The zoom control
  3. The full-screen mode
  4. Print preview with a page range or selection option Correct answer.

Explanation

Print preview lets the user choose which pages or which selected content to send to the printer. Zoom, full-screen and reading lists change how content is displayed on screen, not what is printed.

Question 35Web Browsing

A user wants pages they open in a session to be forgotten when the window closes. Which action achieves this?

  1. Using a private browsing window for the session Correct answer.
  2. Disabling cookies permanently for all sites
  3. Clearing the download list after the session
  4. Deleting the bookmarks after the session

Explanation

Private browsing discards session history and cookies when the private window is closed. Bookmarks and downloads are stored separately, and disabling cookies affects all browsing rather than session privacy.

Question 36Web Browsing

A user types a single word into the address bar and presses Enter. What does a modern browser usually do?

  1. Reports an invalid address error
  2. Opens the browser's settings page
  3. Downloads a file with that name
  4. Runs a web search for that word Correct answer.

Explanation

When the entry is not a recognisable address, browsers pass it to a default search engine. They do not treat arbitrary words as settings pages or file names.

Question 37Web Browsing

A page loads but its layout looks broken after a site update. Which action is most likely to fix a stale copy held by the browser?

  1. Adding the page to the bookmarks
  2. Reloading the page with a forced refresh that bypasses the cache Correct answer.
  3. Opening the page in a private window permanently
  4. Changing the browser's default search engine

Explanation

A forced refresh asks the server for fresh copies of the page's files instead of reusing cached versions. Bookmarks, search settings and permanent private browsing do not refresh stored page files.

Question 38Web Browsing

Which browser setting most directly controls whether a site may store data on the user's computer between visits?

  1. The font size setting
  2. The default download folder
  3. The cookie settings Correct answer.
  4. The homepage setting

Explanation

Cookie settings govern whether sites may store small pieces of data locally and how long they persist. Homepage, font size and download folder settings affect other aspects of browsing.

Question 39Web Browsing

A user needs to return to a page visited yesterday but cannot recall its address. Which approach is most reliable?

  1. Reinstall the browser
  2. Check the printer queue
  3. Search the browsing history for a word from the page title Correct answer.
  4. Clear all browsing data and start again

Explanation

History can be searched by page title or address, which recovers previously visited pages. Reinstalling or clearing data would remove the record, and the printer queue is unrelated.

Question 40Web Browsing

Which statement best explains why a browser may warn a user before opening a site?

  1. The site uses too many colours
  2. The site loads faster than average
  3. The site's certificate or reputation data suggests the connection may be unsafe Correct answer.
  4. The site has no mobile version

Explanation

Browsers warn when certificate checks fail or when reputation services flag a site as risky. Visual design, responsiveness and speed are not security signals.

Question 41Web Browsing

A user wants to keep a page's content available to read later without an internet connection. Which approach is most suitable?

  1. Adding the page to the bookmark bar only
  2. Saving the page for offline reading Correct answer.
  3. Increasing the browser zoom level
  4. Opening the page in several tabs

Explanation

Saving a page stores its content locally so it can be opened without a connection. A bookmark stores only the address, and zoom or multiple tabs still require a live connection.

Question 42Web Browsing

Which practice best protects a user's accounts when browsing on a shared computer?

  1. Signing out of accounts and clearing session data before leaving Correct answer.
  2. Choosing a larger browser window
  3. Disabling images on web pages
  4. Using the same password on every site

Explanation

Signing out and clearing session data removes the traces that would let the next user resume the session. Window size and image settings have no security effect, and reusing passwords increases risk.

Question 43Web Browsing

A user wants to stop a page that is still loading because it is taking too long. Which control should be used?

  1. The stop control in the browser toolbar Correct answer.
  2. The zoom menu
  3. The bookmark star
  4. The back button

Explanation

The stop control halts the current transfer while leaving the tab open. Back navigates away, while the bookmark star and zoom menu do not affect loading.

Question 44Web Browsing

A user wants a site to open automatically each time the browser starts. Which setting should be changed?

  1. The download location setting
  2. The pop-up blocking setting
  3. The startup or homepage setting Correct answer.
  4. The default font setting

Explanation

The startup or homepage setting defines which page or pages open when the browser launches. Font, download and pop-up settings control other behaviour.

Question 45Web Browsing

A page address shows a padlock but the domain is a misspelling of a well-known brand. What is the safest conclusion?

  1. The site must be genuine because encryption is present
  2. The misspelling is irrelevant to safety
  3. The padlock guarantees the content is accurate
  4. The encrypted connection does not prove the site is genuine Correct answer.

Explanation

Encryption protects the connection but does not confirm who operates the site. A lookalike domain is a common deception technique, so the misspelling is a strong warning sign.

Question 46Web Browsing

A user's browser repeatedly opens an unfamiliar page when it starts. Which cause is most likely?

  1. The printer driver is out of date
  2. An unwanted program or extension has changed the startup settings Correct answer.
  3. The keyboard layout has changed
  4. The monitor resolution is set too high

Explanation

Unwanted software or extensions commonly alter browser startup pages and search settings. Display, printer and keyboard settings do not change which pages the browser opens.

Question 47Web Browsing

A user wants a group of related work pages to open together with one click. Which feature is designed for this?

  1. Clearing the cache after each visit
  2. Saving the open tabs as a bookmark folder Correct answer.
  3. Using private browsing for the group
  4. Setting a single homepage for one page

Explanation

Saving several open tabs into a bookmark folder lets the user reopen the whole set at once. Clearing the cache or using a private window does not group pages for later reopening.

Question 48Web Browsing

Which explanation best describes why clearing cookies can sign a user out of websites?

  1. Clearing cookies resets the monitor settings
  2. Session cookies identify the signed-in user and are removed with the cookies Correct answer.
  3. Clearing cookies also deletes the saved passwords file
  4. Clearing cookies changes the default search engine

Explanation

Sites often rely on session cookies to recognise a signed-in user, so removing cookies ends that recognition. Saved passwords, display settings and search preferences are stored separately.

Question 49Web Browsing

A user is asked to install a browser add-on that requests permission to read and change all data on every site. What is the most prudent response?

  1. Accept, because all add-ons need full access
  2. Accept, because permissions are only informational
  3. Decline unless the add-on's purpose clearly requires that access Correct answer.
  4. Decline, because no add-on can work without full access

Explanation

Broad permissions let an add-on read sensitive page content, so they should be granted only when the add-on's function genuinely needs them. Not every add-on requires access to all sites.

Question 50Web Browsing

A user must cite a web page in a report. Which detail from the browser is most useful for locating the exact page later?

  1. The date the browser was installed
  2. The size of the browser window
  3. The browser's zoom level
  4. The full address including the path and any query parameters Correct answer.

Explanation

The complete address, including path and query parameters, identifies the specific page and its context. Zoom level, window size and installation date do not identify content.