IC3 - Digital Literacy Hardware and Software Concepts 3

Question 1

A user's laptop becomes very slow whenever many browser tabs and apps are open at once. Which upgrade would most likely help?

Accepted Answer

Adding more RAM

Answer

More RAM lets the computer keep more programs and tabs active without swapping data to slower storage.

Question 2

Which connector is reversible and can carry data, video, and power through a single cable?

Accepted Answer

USB-C

Answer

USB-C is a reversible connector that supports data transfer, display output, and charging.

Question 3

What is the main reason a solid-state drive (SSD) is more durable than a traditional hard disk drive (HDD)?

Accepted Answer

It has no moving mechanical parts

Answer

SSDs store data on flash memory chips, so there are no spinning platters or read heads to break.

Question 4

When a computer is turned on, which process checks that essential hardware such as memory and the keyboard is working before the OS loads?

Accepted Answer

Power-On Self-Test (POST)

Answer

POST is run by the firmware at startup to verify core hardware before handing control to the operating system.

Question 5

After plugging in a new printer, the computer does not recognize it correctly. What software is most likely missing?

Accepted Answer

A device driver

Answer

A device driver lets the operating system communicate with a specific piece of hardware.

IC3 - Digital Literacy Certification Practice Test