,OpenStax Workplace Software and Skills Test Bank
Chapter 1: Technology in Everyday Life and Business
OpenStax Workplace Software and Skills
Test Bank
Chapter 1: Technology in Everyday Life and Business
Review Questions
Multiple Choice
1. What was the weight of Z1, the first modern computer?
A. Z1 weighed over 2,500 pounds, which is about 500 times the weight of today’s average
laptop computer.
B. Z1 weighed over 2,000 pounds, which is about 400 times the weight of today’s average
laptop computer.*
C. Z1 weighed over 1,500 pounds, which is about 300 times the weight of today’s average
laptop computer.
D. Z1 weighed over 1,000 pounds, which is about 200 times the weight of today’s average
laptop computer.
LO: 1.1.1
Difficulty: Easy
2. Based on the percentage of women in the U.S. workforce, should a higher percentage of
women work in STEM fields?
A. Yes. Women comprise about 45 percent of the U.S workforce, but less than 25 percent of
STEM field employees are women.
B. No. Women comprise about 45 percent of the U.S workforce, and about 45 percent of STEM
field employees also are women.
C. Yes. Women comprise about 50 percent of the U.S workforce, but less than 30 percent of
STEM field employees are women.*
D. No. Women comprise about 50 percent of the U.S workforce, and about 50 percent of STEM
field employees also are women.
LO: 1.1.1
Difficulty: Difficult
3. Why was Xerox’s Alto computer considered revolutionary?
A. It included a screen with elements, such as folders and buttons, which were controllable with
a mouse.*
B. It was the first microcomputer that was usable and affordable to average consumers.
C. It introduced the floppy disk, which provided the means to easily store and move data.
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Chapter 1: Technology in Everyday Life and Business
D. It was the first computer that offered applications for use in fields other than science and
engineering.
LO: 1.1.1
Difficulty: Moderate
4. Before the late 1990s and early 2000s, many people did not see the value of owning a
personal computer for home use. What changed their minds?
A. expansion of the internet, improved interfaces, and customizable features*
B. lower costs and smaller computer sizes
C. better laptops that could be easily moved between home and the office
D. the ability to use video features like Zoom to communicate
LO: 1.1.2
Difficulty: Easy
5. Why is an operating system one of the most important components of a computing device?
A. It allows data to be stored and easily moved from one computing device to another.
B. It enables computing devices to operate with a single processing unit, making them smaller
and more user-friendly.
C. It creates customizable features for users, such as color schemes.
D. It handles the interactions between the hardware and software components of a computing
device.*
LO: 1.1.4
Difficulty: Moderate
6. How is robotics distinguished from automation?
A. Robotics is the process of using computers or machines to complete tasks that humans can
do, while automation refers to machines that can be programmed to complete tasks that
humans cannot do.
B. Robotics includes machines that can be programmed to complete tasks that humans cannot
do, while automation is the process of using computers or machines to complete tasks that
humans can do.*
C. Robotics can be both a technical and mechanical process, while automation is strictly a
mechanical process.
D. Robotics is generally limited to manufacturing processes, while automation can be used in all
industries.
LO: 1.1.4
Difficulty: Easy
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Chapter 1: Technology in Everyday Life and Business
7. In the workplace, which essential skills cannot be replicated by technology?
A. communication, microprocessing, and creative problem solving
B. communication, fostering cross-functional collaborations, and autonomous decision making
C. communication, data analysis, and creative problem solving
D. communication, fostering cross-functional collaborations, and creative problem solving*
LO: 1.1.5
Difficulty: Easy
8. When you turned on your computer this morning, you couldn’t run any of your programs.
Which part of your computer may have stopped working?
A. random access memory (RAM)
B. CPU’s microprocessor
C. motherboard*
D. information processing cycle
LO: 1.2.1
Difficulty: Difficult
9. What sequence of events is included in the information processing cycle?
A. input, programming, microprocessing, and output
B. input, data analysis, programming, and output
C. input, processing, storage, and output*
D. input, logic compilations, processing, and output
LO: 1.2.2
Difficulty: Easy
10. Your computer is taking longer than usual to retrieve information. Which part of your
computer likely is not working properly?
A. motherboard
B. hard disk
C. information processing cycle
D. cache*
LO: 1.2.2
Difficulty: Difficult
11. What is the difference between HTTPS and HTTP?
A. HTTPS has more RAM, which makes it faster and more efficient than HTTP.
B. HTTPS is more secure than HTTP because the protocol includes a “pass” safety inspector that
protects users’ information.*
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4 11/20/23
,OpenStax Workplace Software and Skills Test Bank
Chapter 1: Technology in Everyday Life and Business
C. HTTPS operates on wide area networks (WANs), while HTTP is limited to personal area
networks (PANs).
D. HTTPS includes a secure connection for transferring files, while HTTP is limited to general
internet usage.
LO: 1.2.3
Difficulty: Moderate
12. What tools developed in 1990 led to the birth of the World Wide Web, giving average
people access to the internet?
A. internet protocol address (IP address), hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP), and the uniform
resource locator (URL)
B. domain name system (DNS), hypertext markup language (HTML), and the uniform resource
locator (URL)
C. hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP), domain name system (DNS), and virtual private network
(VPN)
D. hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP), hypertext markup language (HTML), and the uniform
resource locator (URL)*
LO: 1.3.1
Difficulty: Easy
13. What should you do to search the internet for an exact word or phrase?
A. Enclose the word or phrase in quotation marks.*
B. Use the tilde (~) symbol in front of the word or phrase.
C. Include “+” in front of the word or phrase.
D. Focus on base or root words, such as “run” instead of “running.”
LO: 1.3.2
Difficulty: Moderate
14. When conducting research on the internet, why is triangulation a good practice?
A. Triangulation provides hyperlinks that help locate a wider variety of research sources.
B. Triangulation enables users to find peer-reviewed research sources that are free.
C. Triangulation helps verify the credibility of research sources.*
D. Triangulation narrows search results to the most relevant research sources.
LO: 1.3.3
Difficulty: Difficult
15. You have decided to use a web-based application in your small business. How will this
benefit your operations?
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Chapter 1: Technology in Everyday Life and Business
A. This will allow everyone in your office to share the application with the purchase of just one
license.
B. This will allow everyone in your office to install the program directly on their computers.
C. This will allow your business to save money by avoiding subscription fees.
D. This will allow you and your employees to collaborate seamlessly in real time.*
LO: 1.3.3
Difficulty: Difficult
16. Your company installed firewalls in its computer system. How will this improve your
company’s computer security?
A. The firewall establishes encryption to decipher a computer system’s information.
B. The firewall establishes a link between an employee’s personal computer and an
organization’s intranet.
C. The firewall establishes two-factor authentication to access a computer system.
D. The firewall establishes a barrier between a network that is secure and one that is not
secure.*
LO: 1.4.1
Difficulty: Difficult
17. Multiple employees in your company received an email from the home office requesting
sensitive information. The email appeared to be legitimate, but it was actually fake. What
type of security threat was this email?
A. malware
B. phishing*
C. triangulation
D. encryption
LO: 1.4.2
Difficulty: Moderate
18. What are biometrics?
A. an individual’s unique physical markers, such as fingerprints, used to gain access to a
computer system*
B. small data files deposited on user hard disks from websites
C. attempts to use an individual’s personal data to hack into a computer system
D. tools to rewrite readable computer information into a code that can only be deciphered by
using a key to the code
LO: 1.4.3
Difficulty: Easy
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6 11/20/23
,OpenStax Workplace Software and Skills Test Bank
Chapter 1: Technology in Everyday Life and Business
19. Which of the following is a tip for creating a strong password?
A. Use a combination of letters and numbers with at least six characters.
B. Include complete words as part of the password.
C. Use only lowercase letters.
D. Include special symbols, such as an exclamation point, instead of letters or numbers.*
LO: 1.4.3
Difficulty: Easy
20. To protect the privacy of its employees, your company is removing personally identifiable
information from the company’s computer data. What process is the company using?
A. phishing
B. data masking*
C. encryption
D. data erasure
LO: 1.4.4
Difficulty: Moderate
True/False
21. True or false? Technology has changed all industries, including industries like farming that
traditionally have been considered nontechnical.
Answer: True
LO: 1.1.3
Difficulty: Easy
22. True or false? The concept of a mobile phone is older than many people think, dating back
to the 1920s.
Answer: False
Mobile phones actually date back to the early 1900s, and a patent for a wireless phone in
Kentucky was issued in 1908.
LO: 1.1.4
Difficulty: Easy
23. True or false? The original purpose of social media was to connect friends and families, and
this goal has been accomplished as more than 60 percent of the global population uses
social media.
Answer: False
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,OpenStax Workplace Software and Skills Test Bank
Chapter 1: Technology in Everyday Life and Business
While it is true that social media sites originated to connect friends and family, only 40 percent,
not 60 percent, of the global population uses social media.
LO: 1.3.3
Difficulty: Moderate
24. True or false? With the Internet of Things (IoT), it is possible to transfer information
between any two entities, even my cell phone and my dishwasher.
Answer: True
LO: 1.3.5
Difficulty: Difficult
Identification
A. Encryption
B. Two-factor authentication
C. Antivirus/antimalware software
D. Cloud-based intranet
25. This prevents unauthorized attempts to gain access to a computer system.
Answer: C. Antivirus/antimalware software
LO: 1.3.4
Difficulty: Moderate
26. This requires two pieces of identification to access a computer system.
Answer: B. Two-factor authentication
LO: 1.3.4
Difficulty: Easy
27. This requires a username and password to access a private computer system.
Answer: D. Cloud-based intranet
LO: 1.3.4
Difficulty: Moderate
28. This requires a key to the code to decipher a computer system’s information.
Answer: A. Encryption
LO: 1.3.4
Difficulty: Moderate
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,OpenStax Workplace Software and Skills Test Bank
Chapter 1: Technology in Everyday Life and Business
Fill in the Blank
29. Herman Hollerith relied on the punch card system to advance number calculations used for
the ________.
Answer: 1880 U.S. census
LO: 1.1.1
Difficulty: Easy
30. ________ refers to computer programs that convert data into actions and processes.
Answer: Software
LO: 1.2.1
Difficulty: Easy
31. I want visitors to my website to be able to easily visit other websites that contain related
information. The most efficient way to enable users to do this is by inserting ________ on
my web pages.
Answer: hyperlinks
LO: 1.3.1
Difficulty: Difficult
32. To protect the security of a company’s computer system, employees should use a(n)
________ to gain access to an organization’s intranet when they are working off-site.
Answer: virtual private network (VPN)
LO: 1.3.4
Difficulty: Moderate
Short Answer Questions
33. Who was Grace Hopper and what was her contribution to computing?
Sample Answer: Grace Hopper was a mathematician and admiral in the U.S. Navy. She was one
of the first women to earn a doctorate from Yale University, and she became a pioneer in the
military and the field of computer science by working in a male-dominated field. She made
computer coding easier to learn and write by creating a programming language based on the
English language, using words instead of symbols. This programming language later became
COBOL, which is still used today.
LO: 1.1.1
Difficulty: Easy
For more free, peer-reviewed, openly licensed resources visit OpenStax.org.
9 11/20/23
, OpenStax Workplace Software and Skills Test Bank
Chapter 1: Technology in Everyday Life and Business
34. Why did the development of the microcomputer change the face of the computer
industry?
Sample Answer: Before the microcomputer was developed, computers were heavy and
expensive. Typically, only large corporations and research institutions had the resources
needed to purchase and store computers, which cost $3,200 in 1964 or almost $30,000 in
today’s dollars. The microcomputer, which was marketed in 1971, was a personal computer. By
the 1980s, its smaller size and less costly price tag made computers useful and affordable for
smaller businesses and organizations, as well as individuals.
LO: 1.1.1
Difficulty: Easy
35. As a computer salesperson, you hope to convince Micah and Aliza, the owners of a family
farm, that they can benefit by using computer technology in farming. What information will
you share with Micah and Aliza to encourage them to purchase a computer?
Sample Answer: Even though farms have traditionally been regarded as nontechnical
operations, computers can benefit farmers and help them succeed. For example, computers
can monitor field conditions, providing information such as the moisture levels of soil. This
helps farmers determine when they need to irrigate their fields, and computers can be used to
control irrigation. Farmers also use computers for other activities, such as maintaining
accounting and financial records and inventories of farm equipment and supplies.
LO: 1.1.3
Difficulty: Difficult
36. Describe a smart space work environment.
Sample Answer: In a smart space office, computers handle tasks, maintain records, and send
reminders. For example, the lights throughout the building may automatically turn on when
anyone enters a room and turn off when the last person leaves the room. When employees
work with customers, they may input customer information into a computer system, which
automatically generates and sends invoices as needed. If customers do not pay those invoices
by the due dates, the system may automatically contact customers to remind them that their
bill is due. Meetings and appointments may be tracked on a calendar, which sends reminders
each morning of the schedule for that day. Employees may have the ability to share files,
conduct videochats, and e-sign documents without ever leaving their desks. In smart space
work environments, employees are connected via the internet, which makes work easier and
more efficient.
LO: 1.1.4
Difficulty: Moderate
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Chapter 1: Technology in Everyday Life and Business
OpenStax Workplace Software and Skills
Test Bank
Chapter 1: Technology in Everyday Life and Business
Review Questions
Multiple Choice
1. What was the weight of Z1, the first modern computer?
A. Z1 weighed over 2,500 pounds, which is about 500 times the weight of today’s average
laptop computer.
B. Z1 weighed over 2,000 pounds, which is about 400 times the weight of today’s average
laptop computer.*
C. Z1 weighed over 1,500 pounds, which is about 300 times the weight of today’s average
laptop computer.
D. Z1 weighed over 1,000 pounds, which is about 200 times the weight of today’s average
laptop computer.
LO: 1.1.1
Difficulty: Easy
2. Based on the percentage of women in the U.S. workforce, should a higher percentage of
women work in STEM fields?
A. Yes. Women comprise about 45 percent of the U.S workforce, but less than 25 percent of
STEM field employees are women.
B. No. Women comprise about 45 percent of the U.S workforce, and about 45 percent of STEM
field employees also are women.
C. Yes. Women comprise about 50 percent of the U.S workforce, but less than 30 percent of
STEM field employees are women.*
D. No. Women comprise about 50 percent of the U.S workforce, and about 50 percent of STEM
field employees also are women.
LO: 1.1.1
Difficulty: Difficult
3. Why was Xerox’s Alto computer considered revolutionary?
A. It included a screen with elements, such as folders and buttons, which were controllable with
a mouse.*
B. It was the first microcomputer that was usable and affordable to average consumers.
C. It introduced the floppy disk, which provided the means to easily store and move data.
For more free, peer-reviewed, openly licensed resources visit OpenStax.org.
2 11/20/23
,OpenStax Workplace Software and Skills Test Bank
Chapter 1: Technology in Everyday Life and Business
D. It was the first computer that offered applications for use in fields other than science and
engineering.
LO: 1.1.1
Difficulty: Moderate
4. Before the late 1990s and early 2000s, many people did not see the value of owning a
personal computer for home use. What changed their minds?
A. expansion of the internet, improved interfaces, and customizable features*
B. lower costs and smaller computer sizes
C. better laptops that could be easily moved between home and the office
D. the ability to use video features like Zoom to communicate
LO: 1.1.2
Difficulty: Easy
5. Why is an operating system one of the most important components of a computing device?
A. It allows data to be stored and easily moved from one computing device to another.
B. It enables computing devices to operate with a single processing unit, making them smaller
and more user-friendly.
C. It creates customizable features for users, such as color schemes.
D. It handles the interactions between the hardware and software components of a computing
device.*
LO: 1.1.4
Difficulty: Moderate
6. How is robotics distinguished from automation?
A. Robotics is the process of using computers or machines to complete tasks that humans can
do, while automation refers to machines that can be programmed to complete tasks that
humans cannot do.
B. Robotics includes machines that can be programmed to complete tasks that humans cannot
do, while automation is the process of using computers or machines to complete tasks that
humans can do.*
C. Robotics can be both a technical and mechanical process, while automation is strictly a
mechanical process.
D. Robotics is generally limited to manufacturing processes, while automation can be used in all
industries.
LO: 1.1.4
Difficulty: Easy
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3 11/20/23
,OpenStax Workplace Software and Skills Test Bank
Chapter 1: Technology in Everyday Life and Business
7. In the workplace, which essential skills cannot be replicated by technology?
A. communication, microprocessing, and creative problem solving
B. communication, fostering cross-functional collaborations, and autonomous decision making
C. communication, data analysis, and creative problem solving
D. communication, fostering cross-functional collaborations, and creative problem solving*
LO: 1.1.5
Difficulty: Easy
8. When you turned on your computer this morning, you couldn’t run any of your programs.
Which part of your computer may have stopped working?
A. random access memory (RAM)
B. CPU’s microprocessor
C. motherboard*
D. information processing cycle
LO: 1.2.1
Difficulty: Difficult
9. What sequence of events is included in the information processing cycle?
A. input, programming, microprocessing, and output
B. input, data analysis, programming, and output
C. input, processing, storage, and output*
D. input, logic compilations, processing, and output
LO: 1.2.2
Difficulty: Easy
10. Your computer is taking longer than usual to retrieve information. Which part of your
computer likely is not working properly?
A. motherboard
B. hard disk
C. information processing cycle
D. cache*
LO: 1.2.2
Difficulty: Difficult
11. What is the difference between HTTPS and HTTP?
A. HTTPS has more RAM, which makes it faster and more efficient than HTTP.
B. HTTPS is more secure than HTTP because the protocol includes a “pass” safety inspector that
protects users’ information.*
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4 11/20/23
,OpenStax Workplace Software and Skills Test Bank
Chapter 1: Technology in Everyday Life and Business
C. HTTPS operates on wide area networks (WANs), while HTTP is limited to personal area
networks (PANs).
D. HTTPS includes a secure connection for transferring files, while HTTP is limited to general
internet usage.
LO: 1.2.3
Difficulty: Moderate
12. What tools developed in 1990 led to the birth of the World Wide Web, giving average
people access to the internet?
A. internet protocol address (IP address), hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP), and the uniform
resource locator (URL)
B. domain name system (DNS), hypertext markup language (HTML), and the uniform resource
locator (URL)
C. hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP), domain name system (DNS), and virtual private network
(VPN)
D. hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP), hypertext markup language (HTML), and the uniform
resource locator (URL)*
LO: 1.3.1
Difficulty: Easy
13. What should you do to search the internet for an exact word or phrase?
A. Enclose the word or phrase in quotation marks.*
B. Use the tilde (~) symbol in front of the word or phrase.
C. Include “+” in front of the word or phrase.
D. Focus on base or root words, such as “run” instead of “running.”
LO: 1.3.2
Difficulty: Moderate
14. When conducting research on the internet, why is triangulation a good practice?
A. Triangulation provides hyperlinks that help locate a wider variety of research sources.
B. Triangulation enables users to find peer-reviewed research sources that are free.
C. Triangulation helps verify the credibility of research sources.*
D. Triangulation narrows search results to the most relevant research sources.
LO: 1.3.3
Difficulty: Difficult
15. You have decided to use a web-based application in your small business. How will this
benefit your operations?
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5 11/20/23
,OpenStax Workplace Software and Skills Test Bank
Chapter 1: Technology in Everyday Life and Business
A. This will allow everyone in your office to share the application with the purchase of just one
license.
B. This will allow everyone in your office to install the program directly on their computers.
C. This will allow your business to save money by avoiding subscription fees.
D. This will allow you and your employees to collaborate seamlessly in real time.*
LO: 1.3.3
Difficulty: Difficult
16. Your company installed firewalls in its computer system. How will this improve your
company’s computer security?
A. The firewall establishes encryption to decipher a computer system’s information.
B. The firewall establishes a link between an employee’s personal computer and an
organization’s intranet.
C. The firewall establishes two-factor authentication to access a computer system.
D. The firewall establishes a barrier between a network that is secure and one that is not
secure.*
LO: 1.4.1
Difficulty: Difficult
17. Multiple employees in your company received an email from the home office requesting
sensitive information. The email appeared to be legitimate, but it was actually fake. What
type of security threat was this email?
A. malware
B. phishing*
C. triangulation
D. encryption
LO: 1.4.2
Difficulty: Moderate
18. What are biometrics?
A. an individual’s unique physical markers, such as fingerprints, used to gain access to a
computer system*
B. small data files deposited on user hard disks from websites
C. attempts to use an individual’s personal data to hack into a computer system
D. tools to rewrite readable computer information into a code that can only be deciphered by
using a key to the code
LO: 1.4.3
Difficulty: Easy
For more free, peer-reviewed, openly licensed resources visit OpenStax.org.
6 11/20/23
,OpenStax Workplace Software and Skills Test Bank
Chapter 1: Technology in Everyday Life and Business
19. Which of the following is a tip for creating a strong password?
A. Use a combination of letters and numbers with at least six characters.
B. Include complete words as part of the password.
C. Use only lowercase letters.
D. Include special symbols, such as an exclamation point, instead of letters or numbers.*
LO: 1.4.3
Difficulty: Easy
20. To protect the privacy of its employees, your company is removing personally identifiable
information from the company’s computer data. What process is the company using?
A. phishing
B. data masking*
C. encryption
D. data erasure
LO: 1.4.4
Difficulty: Moderate
True/False
21. True or false? Technology has changed all industries, including industries like farming that
traditionally have been considered nontechnical.
Answer: True
LO: 1.1.3
Difficulty: Easy
22. True or false? The concept of a mobile phone is older than many people think, dating back
to the 1920s.
Answer: False
Mobile phones actually date back to the early 1900s, and a patent for a wireless phone in
Kentucky was issued in 1908.
LO: 1.1.4
Difficulty: Easy
23. True or false? The original purpose of social media was to connect friends and families, and
this goal has been accomplished as more than 60 percent of the global population uses
social media.
Answer: False
For more free, peer-reviewed, openly licensed resources visit OpenStax.org.
7 11/20/23
,OpenStax Workplace Software and Skills Test Bank
Chapter 1: Technology in Everyday Life and Business
While it is true that social media sites originated to connect friends and family, only 40 percent,
not 60 percent, of the global population uses social media.
LO: 1.3.3
Difficulty: Moderate
24. True or false? With the Internet of Things (IoT), it is possible to transfer information
between any two entities, even my cell phone and my dishwasher.
Answer: True
LO: 1.3.5
Difficulty: Difficult
Identification
A. Encryption
B. Two-factor authentication
C. Antivirus/antimalware software
D. Cloud-based intranet
25. This prevents unauthorized attempts to gain access to a computer system.
Answer: C. Antivirus/antimalware software
LO: 1.3.4
Difficulty: Moderate
26. This requires two pieces of identification to access a computer system.
Answer: B. Two-factor authentication
LO: 1.3.4
Difficulty: Easy
27. This requires a username and password to access a private computer system.
Answer: D. Cloud-based intranet
LO: 1.3.4
Difficulty: Moderate
28. This requires a key to the code to decipher a computer system’s information.
Answer: A. Encryption
LO: 1.3.4
Difficulty: Moderate
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8 11/20/23
,OpenStax Workplace Software and Skills Test Bank
Chapter 1: Technology in Everyday Life and Business
Fill in the Blank
29. Herman Hollerith relied on the punch card system to advance number calculations used for
the ________.
Answer: 1880 U.S. census
LO: 1.1.1
Difficulty: Easy
30. ________ refers to computer programs that convert data into actions and processes.
Answer: Software
LO: 1.2.1
Difficulty: Easy
31. I want visitors to my website to be able to easily visit other websites that contain related
information. The most efficient way to enable users to do this is by inserting ________ on
my web pages.
Answer: hyperlinks
LO: 1.3.1
Difficulty: Difficult
32. To protect the security of a company’s computer system, employees should use a(n)
________ to gain access to an organization’s intranet when they are working off-site.
Answer: virtual private network (VPN)
LO: 1.3.4
Difficulty: Moderate
Short Answer Questions
33. Who was Grace Hopper and what was her contribution to computing?
Sample Answer: Grace Hopper was a mathematician and admiral in the U.S. Navy. She was one
of the first women to earn a doctorate from Yale University, and she became a pioneer in the
military and the field of computer science by working in a male-dominated field. She made
computer coding easier to learn and write by creating a programming language based on the
English language, using words instead of symbols. This programming language later became
COBOL, which is still used today.
LO: 1.1.1
Difficulty: Easy
For more free, peer-reviewed, openly licensed resources visit OpenStax.org.
9 11/20/23
, OpenStax Workplace Software and Skills Test Bank
Chapter 1: Technology in Everyday Life and Business
34. Why did the development of the microcomputer change the face of the computer
industry?
Sample Answer: Before the microcomputer was developed, computers were heavy and
expensive. Typically, only large corporations and research institutions had the resources
needed to purchase and store computers, which cost $3,200 in 1964 or almost $30,000 in
today’s dollars. The microcomputer, which was marketed in 1971, was a personal computer. By
the 1980s, its smaller size and less costly price tag made computers useful and affordable for
smaller businesses and organizations, as well as individuals.
LO: 1.1.1
Difficulty: Easy
35. As a computer salesperson, you hope to convince Micah and Aliza, the owners of a family
farm, that they can benefit by using computer technology in farming. What information will
you share with Micah and Aliza to encourage them to purchase a computer?
Sample Answer: Even though farms have traditionally been regarded as nontechnical
operations, computers can benefit farmers and help them succeed. For example, computers
can monitor field conditions, providing information such as the moisture levels of soil. This
helps farmers determine when they need to irrigate their fields, and computers can be used to
control irrigation. Farmers also use computers for other activities, such as maintaining
accounting and financial records and inventories of farm equipment and supplies.
LO: 1.1.3
Difficulty: Difficult
36. Describe a smart space work environment.
Sample Answer: In a smart space office, computers handle tasks, maintain records, and send
reminders. For example, the lights throughout the building may automatically turn on when
anyone enters a room and turn off when the last person leaves the room. When employees
work with customers, they may input customer information into a computer system, which
automatically generates and sends invoices as needed. If customers do not pay those invoices
by the due dates, the system may automatically contact customers to remind them that their
bill is due. Meetings and appointments may be tracked on a calendar, which sends reminders
each morning of the schedule for that day. Employees may have the ability to share files,
conduct videochats, and e-sign documents without ever leaving their desks. In smart space
work environments, employees are connected via the internet, which makes work easier and
more efficient.
LO: 1.1.4
Difficulty: Moderate
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10 11/20/23
