HIT100 ICT Revision Questions & Answers — OmpathStudy

HIT100 ICT Revision Questions & Answers — Past Papers Compilation Revision questions and model answers compiled from University of Nairobi HIT100 Information Technology past examinations (2012–2021). Organised by topic to match the course syllabus. Use alongside the course notes for exam preparation. --- Section 1: Computer Fundamentals & Operating Systems Q1. What do you understand by the term "operating system"? [2 marks] Answer: An operating system (OS) is system software that manages a computer's hardware and software resources and provides common services for application programs. It acts as an intermediary between the user and the computer hardware, controlling the execution of programs, managing memory, handling input/output operations, and providing a user interface (GUI or command line). Examples include Windows, macOS and Linux. Q2. State THREE functions of an operating system. [3 marks] Answer: 1. Memory management — the OS allocates and deallocates RAM to processes, tracks which parts of memory are in use, and reclaims memory when programs close. 2. File management — the OS organises data into files and directories, controls access permissions, and manages reading from and writing to storage devices. 3. Process management — the OS schedules which programs get CPU time, handles multitasking (running several programs at once), and manages process creation, execution and termination. Other valid answers include: device management (controlling peripherals via drivers), security and access control, and providing a user interface. Q3. Draw the functional block diagram of a computer system. [6 marks] Answer: A functional block diagram shows the major components and how data flows between them: ┌─────────────────────────────────┐ │ INPUT DEVICES │ │ (Keyboard, Mouse, Scanner, │ │ Microphone) │ └──────────────┬──────────────────┘ │ ▼ ┌──────────────────────────────────┐ │ CENTRAL PROCESSING │ │ UNIT (CPU) │ │ ┌───────────┐ ┌──────────────┐ │ │ │ ALU │ │ Control │ │ │ │ (Arithmetic│ │ Unit (CU) │ │ │ │ & Logic) │ │ │ │ │ └───────────┘ └──────────────┘ │ │ ┌──────────────────────────┐ │ │ │ Registers / Cache │ │ │ └──────────────────────────┘ │ └──────────────┬───────────────────┘ │ ┌──────────────┼───────────────────┐ │ │ │ ▼ ▼ ▼ ┌───────────┐ ┌───────────┐ ┌───────────────┐ │ PRIMARY │ │ SECONDARY│ │ OUTPUT DEVICES│ │ MEMORY │ │ MEMORY │ │ (Monitor, │ │ (RAM, │ │ (HDD,SSD, │ │ Printer, │ │ ROM) │ │ USB) │ │ Speakers) │ └───────────┘ └───────────┘ └───────────────┘ The CPU processes data received from input devices, uses primary memory (RAM) for temporary storage during processing, secondary memory (hard disk) for permanent storage, and sends results to output devices. The Control Unit directs the flow of data between all components. Q4. Define the following terms: [6 marks] (a) Bit — the smallest unit of data in a computer, representing a single binary digit: either 0 or 1. (b) Motherboard — the main printed circuit board inside a computer that holds and connects all components together, including the CPU, RAM, expansion slots and connectors for peripherals. It allows all parts of the system to communicate. Q5. Briefly explain the following as used in the Windows operating system: [2 marks] (a) Folder — a container in the file system used to organise and store files and other folders (sub-folders). Folders help keep related data grouped together, much like physical folders in a filing cabinet. (b) Files — the basic units of storage in a computer; each file contains a piece of data (a document, image, program, etc.) and has a name, type (extension), size and location within a folder. Q6. State the parts of the Internet Explorer window. [6 marks] Answer: The main parts of the Internet Explorer window are: 1. Title bar — shows the page title and window control buttons (minimise, maximise, close). 2. Menu bar — File, Edit, View, Favourites, Tools, Help menus. 3. Command bar / Toolbar — buttons for common actions (Back, Forward, Stop, Refresh, Home, Print). 4. Address bar — where you type the URL of the website you want to visit. 5. Tab bar — allows multiple pages to be open in tabs within one window. 6. Content area / Browser pane — the main area that displays the web page. 7. Status bar — at the bottom, shows loading progress and security information. Q7. Explain the following terms related to binary arithmetic: [2 marks] (a) Binary number system — a base-2 number system using only two digits, 0 and 1. Each position represents a power of 2 (from right: 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, etc.). (b) Binary arithmetic — mathematical operations performed on binary numbers. For example, 1111₂ × 1111₂ = 11100001₂ (which equals 15 × 15 = 225 in decimal). --- Section 2: MS Word Q8. (CASE STUDY) Mr. Rattan is a trainee editor working with BBB Publishers. He is working on a book related to Computer Hardware. Help Mr. Rattan answer the following: [20 marks] The term "computer hw" refers to the physical components of a computer, namely K