All 50 questions from the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) Computer Studies 2024 Objective paper, with the correct answer and a full explanation for each. Free, no signup needed.
1. An automatic system is one that A. is operated using sophisticated skills. B. needs fuel before it can be operated by humans. C. performs different kinds of tasks diligently. D. requires little or no human intervention to work.
A. is operated using sophisticated skills.B. needs fuel before it can be operated by humans.C. performs different kinds of tasks diligently.D. requires little or no human intervention to work.Correct Explanation An automatic system is one that requires little or no human intervention to work.
2. Which of the following features of information is not important for meaningful decision?
A. AccuracyB. CompetitivenessCorrect C. CompletenessD. TimelinessExplanation Information must be accurate, complete and timely to be useful; competitiveness is not a standard quality feature of information.
3. The microprocessor that controls a washing machine is known as A.
A. bot.B. console.C. embedded computer.Correct D. mainframe computer.Explanation An embedded computer is designed to be within a larger device or system; the washing machine is one such case.
4. Which of the following statements is true about data?
A. Information is a product of data while knowledge is a product of information.Correct B. Data produces knowledge while knowledge produces information.C. Data is a product of information while knowledge produces information.D. Knowledge is a product of data. Knowledge produces information while information produces data.Explanation Data provides the foundation upon which information is built; knowledge then emerges from information being applied.
5. Instructions were written to the first generation computers using A.
A. assemblers.B. low level language.C. machine language.Correct D. mnemonics.Explanation First generation computers used machine language, which consists of binary code (0's and 1's).
6. Addition and subtraction of numbers in Abacus are done using A.
A. bars.B. beads.Correct C. frame.D. string.Explanation Addition and subtraction in an abacus are done using the beads.
7. In using the slide rule, multiplication that goes off the scale can be corrected by the following approaches except A.
A. resetting the slide.Correct B. using circular slide rule.C. using flat scales.D. using folded scales.Explanation Resetting the slide does not correct multiplication that goes off scale; rather it signifies the start of a new calculation.
8. The computer's short-term memory is the A.
A. arithmetic logic unit.B. arithmetic operator.C. control unit.D. random access memory.Correct Explanation RAM (Random Access Memory) only stores programs the computer is currently working on; once the program closes, RAM deletes it, hence it is short-term memory.
9. Which of the following logic devices is considered as equivalent gate? A. AND B. EX-NOR C. EXOR D. NOR (Use the devices in Figures 1 and 2 to answer questions 10 to 13 given that the input variables X and Y have values of 0011 and 0101 respectively as shown in Table 1.)
A. ANDB. EX-NORCorrect C. EXORD. NORExplanation An EX-NOR gate is a digital logic gate that outputs true (1) when an even number of true (1) inputs are present, making it an equivalent gate.
10. Compute the value of the output Z in Figure 1 using the values of X and Y given.
A. 0001B. 0110C. 0111Correct D. 1000Explanation The gate in Figure 1 is an OR gate that gives 0 only when both inputs are 0, else it gives 1. With X=0011,Y=0101: Z=0111.
11. If the input variable X in Figure 1 is passed through the device in Figure 2 before going into the logic gate in Figure 1, what will be the value of the output Z?
A. 0111B. 1011C. 1101D. 1110Correct Explanation Figure 2 is a NOT gate that inverses the input. Passing X=0011 through the NOT gate gives 1100. Passed through the OR gate with Y, Z=1110.
12. If the input variable Y in Figure 1 is passed through the device in Figure 2 before going into the logic gate in Figure 1, compute the resulting value of the output at Z.
A. 0111B. 1011Correct C. 1101D. 0110Explanation Y=0101 passed through the NOT gate becomes 1010. Passed through the OR gate with X=0011, Z=1011.
13. Using the given values of X and Y for the device in Figure 1, what will be the value of the output Z if it is passed through the device in Figure 2?
A. 0001B. 0110C. 0111D. 1000Correct Explanation The original output Z from Figure 1 is 0111. Passing it through the NOT gate in Figure 2 gives 1000.
14. The part labelled Q in Figure 3 is called A.
A. control unit.Correct B. data bus.C. memory unit.D. register.Explanation The Central Processing Unit (CPU) relies on the memory unit to store and retrieve data and instructions; the part labelled Q is the control unit.
15. MS Access is an example of A.
A. word processing package.B. spreadsheet application.C. graphic software.D. database management system.Correct Explanation MS Access is an example of a database management system, similar to MySQL, Oracle and MongoDB.
16. Which of the following statements explains the function of device drivers? They A.
A. convert source code to object code.B. enable hardware and software control and manage the system.C. help to clean disk space and manage installation of applications.D. help to improve the functionality of hardware devices.Correct Explanation Device drivers improve the functionality of hardware devices.
17. One usefulness of utility software in the computer is A.
A. conversion of source code to object code.B. enhancement of communication between hardware and the computer system.C. removal of malware from the computer.Correct D. to improve the functionality of hardware devices.Explanation Utility software performs tasks that help manage, maintain and optimize computer systems, including removal of malware.
18. Which of the following statements about operating system is false? It A.
A. enhances the booting process.B. manages computer devices.C. manages storage location.D. protects the computer from surge.Correct Explanation The Operating System does not protect the computer from surge; that is the job of a surge protector, e.g. an Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS).
19. Debugging in program development is the process of A.
A. fixing errors.Correct B. introducing bugs.C. removing virus.D. writing error messages.Explanation Debugging is the process of identifying, isolating and fixing errors, bugs or glitches in a program.
20. Identify the flowchart symbol in Figure 4.
A. Decision boxCorrect B. Manual inputC. PreparationD. ProcessExplanation This diamond symbol represents the decision box.
21. The flowchart symbol in Figure 4 is used to A.
A. show the preparation stage.B. represent a decision-making point.Correct C. input data manually in a flowchart.D. execute a process.Explanation The symbol is used to represent a decision-making point.
22. Which of the following operations will be executed last in a program?
A. AdditionB. DivisionC. ExponentiationD. SubtractionCorrect Explanation Order of operations is PEMDAS: Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication, Division, Addition, Subtraction -- Subtraction is executed last.
23. The equation x = p + q(r + s) can be expressed in QBASIC programming as
A. X = P + Q*(R/S)B. X = P + Q*(R/S) (as printed, variant)Correct C. X = P + Q(R/S)D. X = P + Q(R/S) (as printed, variant)Explanation In QBASIC, multiplication is represented by an asterisk (*) and division by a forward slash (/), so x=p+q(r+s) becomes X=P+Q*(R/S).
24. Which of the following statements is true about the rules of flowcharting?
A. All boxes of flowcharts are connected with arrows to show the logical connection between them.Correct B. All flowchart process boxes are connected with on page connector to show the flow of operation.C. All flowcharts start with a start box and end with a decision box.D. The flow of control must always enter an object from bottom to top.Explanation All boxes in a flowchart must be connected with arrows to show the logical connection between them.
25. In computer programming, it is advised to translate source code into intermediate code to A.
A. change the analysis portion for different compilers.B. ensure that full native compiler is used for every new machine that will run the program.C. make it easier to apply the source code modifications to improve code performance.Correct D. make the synthesis part of the compiler target-machine dependent.Explanation Translating source code into intermediate code makes it easier to apply source code modifications to improve code performance.
26. A graphic or text in a document or web page that links to another file or object is referred to as A.
A. domain name.B. hyperlink.Correct C. shortcut.D. icon.Explanation A hyperlink is a graphic or text in a document or webpage that links to another file, object, or other document.
27. Instant messages can be sent with little or no time lag using A.
A. podcast.B. email.C. chat room.Correct D. facsimile.Explanation Chat rooms allow for real-time text-based conversations with little to no time lag.
28. Which of the following statements is true about preventing phishing?
A. Ensure that antivirus is updated regularlyB. Do not click on links in emails from untrusted sourcesCorrect C. Do not download from untrusted sitesD. Use a strong password at all timesExplanation Phishing is a cybercrime where attackers try to trick individuals into revealing sensitive information; one way to prevent it is to not click on links in emails from untrusted sources.
29. Which of the following statements is true about star topologies? A.
A. Computers are connected node-to-node.B. Computers are connected to a central device.Correct C. The connection is linear in shape.D. The connection is a tree-like structure.Explanation In star topology, computers are connected to a central device (hub or switch).
30. An internet user secures his social media account by regularly changing passwords. Which of the following passwords produces the best security?
A. wasscesc2024B. WASSCESC2024C. 2024wasscescD. WASSCEScHool-Candidates@2024Correct Explanation A very secure password is one with a large number of characters, complex (uppercase, lowercase and special characters mixed) and unpredictable.
31. Which of the following statements is true about intranet? A.
A. Private network that uses internet protocol and is accessible by all visitors to an organization's website.B. Private network that uses internet protocol and is accessible by employees of an organization.Correct C. Private network which does not use internet protocol and is accessible by an employee of an organization.D. Public network that uses internet protocol and is accessible by all visitors to an organization's website.Explanation The intranet is a private network that uses internet protocol and is accessible by the employees of an organization.
32. The art of checking for errors in a Word document before publishing is referred to as A.
A. editing.B. formatting.C. modifying.D. proof reading.Correct Explanation Proof-reading is the art of checking for errors in a word document before publishing.
33. Columns in MS Access are referred to as A.
A. fields.Correct B. files.C. records.D. tuples.Explanation Columns in MS Access are called fields. Rows are called records.
34. Which of the following application packages is suitable for making budgets?
A. Word processorB. Spreadsheet packageCorrect C. Graphic packageD. Database Management SystemExplanation Spreadsheet package is suitable for making budgets.
35. What happens when a user clicks on the icon in Figure 5 on the Microsoft Excel menu bar?
A. A copy of the selection is put on the clipboard so that user can paste somewhere else.B. A label that spans multiple columns is created.C. Content on the clipboard is added to the document.Correct D. Selected range of cells is quickly converted to a table with its own style.Explanation This icon is the paste icon. When clicked, the content on the clipboard is added to the document.
36. New comment can be added to a cell in MS Excel by using the procedure A.
A. Edit -> Comment.B. File -> Comment.C. Insert -> Comment.D. Review -> Comment.Correct Explanation To add a new comment in MS Excel, go to the Review tab and click new comment.
37. What is the function of the CorelDraw Toolbox object shown in Figure 6? It is used to
A. change the magnification level in drawing window.B. draw lines and curves.C. edit the shape of objects.D. select and transform objects.Correct Explanation The object shown is the Pick tool. It is used to select and transform objects.
38. Which of the following statements about index is true?
A. It is a data structure that reduces the speed of data retrieval operations on a database table.B. It is used to quickly locate data without searching every row in a table.Correct C. It is created using only two rows of a database table to uniquely identify each record.D. It allows relational database to split and store data in different tables, while linking disparate items.Explanation An index data structure can be used to quickly locate data without searching every row in a table every time a database table is accessed.
39. A collection of computer wires used to identify memory location in a computer is A.
A. system bus.B. data bus.C. data cable.D. address bus.Correct Explanation Address bus is a collection of computer wires used to identify memory location in a computer.
40. Read Only Memory (ROM) contains A.
A. current program in operation.B. preset instructions for operation.Correct C. user instructions.D. volatile programs.Explanation The ROM contains preset instructions for operation. It is a non-volatile memory.
41. What happens when the Shift key is pressed down while deleting a file from the computer? The file is A.
A. uninstalled from the computer.B. permanently deleted from the computer.Correct C. deleted and sent to the Recycle Bin.D. deleted and kept in the clipboard.Explanation This permanently deletes the file from the computer without storing it in the Recycle Bin.
42. Which of the following statements about warm booting is true? The computer A.
A. reloads the operating system while still running in the background.Correct B. loads the operating system into memory from the power-on button.C. reloads the operating system into memory while still running.D. loads the application into memory from rest state.Explanation Warm booting reloads the operating system while running in the background.
43. The ASCII character set represents alphabetical and control characters using numeric code ranging from A.
A. 0 to 32.B. 0 to 64.C. 0 to 127.Correct D. 0 to 128.Explanation The ASCII character set represents characters using numeric code ranging from 0 to 127 (128 characters in total).
44. Which of the following hard disk drive memory capacities can store the largest size of data?
A. 2TBCorrect B. 12GBC. 240MBD. 800KBExplanation 1TB=1024GB, so 2TB=2x1024=2048GB, which is larger than any other option.
45. The equivalent of the letter A in the standard ASCII is A.
A. 01000001Correct B. 01000010C. 01100001D. 01100010Explanation A in standard ASCII is 65 (decimal), which is 01000001 in binary form.
46. One example of a file containing reference data which is usually altered is A.
A. brand name.B. payroll.C. price list.D. stock.Correct Explanation Stock file contains reference data (e.g. quantity of inventory) that is frequently altered to reflect changes.
47. Figure 7 represents a procedure to A.
A. backup files on a computer.B. repair a corrupted file on a computer.C. transfer files from one device to another.Correct D. update software on a device.Explanation This process involves the transfer of files from one device to another via Bluetooth.
48. A user observed that a certain file in a removable storage device changed to a shortcut icon. This implies that A. the file is shared. B. the file is corrupt. C. the removable storage device is corrupt. D. there is a link to the file.
A. the file is shared.B. the file is corrupt.C. the removable storage device is corrupt.Correct D. there is a link to the file.Explanation This can occur when the storage device is corrupt, making the file inaccessible and appear as a shortcut icon.
49. Set of characters used to authenticate a computer user is called A.
A. encoder.B. binary code.C. password.Correct D. barcode.Explanation Password is a set of characters used to authenticate a computer user.
50. Which of the following statements about firewall is correct? A.
A. A network transmission system that increases the speed of incoming and outgoing network traffic.B. A network security system that establishes a barrier between a trusted internal network and an untrusted external network such as the Internet.Correct C. A data structure that improves the speed of data retrieval operations.D. A data structure created using only two rows of a database table to uniquely identify each record.Explanation A firewall is a network security system that establishes a barrier between a trusted internal network and an untrusted external network such as the Internet.
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