Computer Studies Worksheet

1. Write brief notes on the following input/output devices.

a) QWERTY Keyboard. [1]
b) Touch screen [1]
c) Barcode Reader [1]
d) Explain how one of the above devices may be very useful to people with
special needs. [2]

2. When data is transferred from the computer main memory to a printer it is stored
in a buffer.
a) Where is this buffer usually found? [1]
b) Explain why it is necessary to have such a buffer between the CPU and the
printer? [4]

3. Although the ink-jet and the laser printers are the most common types of
printers, the dot matrix is still in use.
a) Give one advantage of each type of printer. [3]
b) When choosing a printer one has to consider various factors. Give two factors
which you consider important. [2]

4. a) What do the letters OCR and OMR stand for? [2]

b) Briefly explain the difference between both systems (OCR and OMR). [2]
c) Give a typical use of both systems. [1]

5. This question is on computer peripherals.

a) Write a short note on the MICR reader, Barcode reader and Touch screen.
State a suitable application for each device. [6]
b) The picture on the left has to be digitised.
i. What do you understand by digitising a picture?
ii. Write down the names of two devices that can be used to input the
picture without having to draw it again. [2]
c) Explain the meaning of the following statements:
i. • A laser printer is a raster device;
ii. • A graphic plotter is a vector device.
iii. What do you understand by the resolution of a raster device? [3]
d) Explain the difference between softcopy and hardcopy. Give an example of
an output device that produces a softcopy of output. [2]
e) The colour depth of a pixel is 256. Explain this statement. [2]

Input/Output Devices -1-