Grade 10 CAT Theory Practice Paper
SUBJECT: Computer Applications Technology MARKS: 100 Marks
GRADE: Grade 10 TIME: 2 Hours
ASSESSMENT: All-Year Theory Practice Paper
SECTION A: OBJECTIVE QUESTIONS [40 MARKS]
QUESTION 1: MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS [10 MARKS]
Various options are provided as possible answers to the following questions. Choose the correct answer and write
down ONLY the letter (A–D) next to the question number in your answer space.
1.1 Which component of the Input-Processing-Output (IPO) model temporarily holds active program
instructions and data currently required by the CPU during execution? (1)
A. Solid-State Drive (SSD)
B. Read-Only Memory (ROM)
C. Random Access Memory (RAM)
D. Hard Disk Drive (HDD)
Answer: _________________
1.2 Which hardware device connects a Local Area Network (LAN) to the Internet and directs data traffic
securely using IP addresses? (1)
A. Network Interface Card (NIC)
B. Switch
C. Router
D. Optical Character Reader (OCR)
Answer: _________________
1.3 Which software licensing model allows users to download and test software for free during an initial trial
period, after which payment is required to continue using it? (1)
A. Open Source Software
B. Freeware
C. Shareware
D. Proprietary Software
Answer: _________________
1.4 Which file extension represents an archived or compressed file container used to reduce file size for
storage or email transmission? (1)
A. .docx
B. .xlsx
C. .pdf
D. .zip
Answer: _________________
Grade 10 CAT Theory Practice Paper | Page 1 of 9
, Grade 10 CAT Theory Practice Paper
1.5 A teacher wants to send a circular email to 50 parents without exposing their individual email addresses
to one another. Which field should be used? (1)
A. To
B. Cc (Carbon Copy)
C. Bcc (Blind Carbon Copy)
D. Subject
Answer: _________________
1.6 Which term refers to the scientific field of designing tools, furniture, and workspaces to fit the human
body, thereby preventing physical health injuries? (1)
A. Ecology
B. Ergonomics
C. Economics
D. End-User Computing
Answer: _________________
1.7 Which self-replicating malware program spreads independently across computer networks without
attaching itself to a host file or needing human intervention? (1)
A. Macro Virus
B. Trojan Horse
C. Worm
D. Keylogger
Answer: _________________
1.8 Which search engine operator is used to restrict search results strictly to a specific domain, such as
`site:gov.za`? (1)
A. minus (-) operator
B. OR operator
C. site: operator
D. filetype: operator
Answer: _________________
1.9 Which utility software tool removes unnecessary temporary files, cached web pages, and empty system
files to free up local disk space? (1)
A. Disk Defragmenter
B. Disk Cleanup
C. Task Manager
D. Device Manager
Answer: _________________
1.10 Which of the following is a major performance advantage of a Solid-State Drive (SSD) over a traditional
mechanical Hard Disk Drive (HDD)? (1)
A. SSD uses optical laser technology to read binary tracks
B. SSD has no moving parts, making it significantly faster, quieter, and more durable
C. SSD is significantly cheaper per gigabyte than mechanical drives
D. SSD requires continuous electrical power to retain its data
Answer: _________________
Grade 10 CAT Theory Practice Paper | Page 2 of 9
SUBJECT: Computer Applications Technology MARKS: 100 Marks
GRADE: Grade 10 TIME: 2 Hours
ASSESSMENT: All-Year Theory Practice Paper
SECTION A: OBJECTIVE QUESTIONS [40 MARKS]
QUESTION 1: MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS [10 MARKS]
Various options are provided as possible answers to the following questions. Choose the correct answer and write
down ONLY the letter (A–D) next to the question number in your answer space.
1.1 Which component of the Input-Processing-Output (IPO) model temporarily holds active program
instructions and data currently required by the CPU during execution? (1)
A. Solid-State Drive (SSD)
B. Read-Only Memory (ROM)
C. Random Access Memory (RAM)
D. Hard Disk Drive (HDD)
Answer: _________________
1.2 Which hardware device connects a Local Area Network (LAN) to the Internet and directs data traffic
securely using IP addresses? (1)
A. Network Interface Card (NIC)
B. Switch
C. Router
D. Optical Character Reader (OCR)
Answer: _________________
1.3 Which software licensing model allows users to download and test software for free during an initial trial
period, after which payment is required to continue using it? (1)
A. Open Source Software
B. Freeware
C. Shareware
D. Proprietary Software
Answer: _________________
1.4 Which file extension represents an archived or compressed file container used to reduce file size for
storage or email transmission? (1)
A. .docx
B. .xlsx
C. .pdf
D. .zip
Answer: _________________
Grade 10 CAT Theory Practice Paper | Page 1 of 9
, Grade 10 CAT Theory Practice Paper
1.5 A teacher wants to send a circular email to 50 parents without exposing their individual email addresses
to one another. Which field should be used? (1)
A. To
B. Cc (Carbon Copy)
C. Bcc (Blind Carbon Copy)
D. Subject
Answer: _________________
1.6 Which term refers to the scientific field of designing tools, furniture, and workspaces to fit the human
body, thereby preventing physical health injuries? (1)
A. Ecology
B. Ergonomics
C. Economics
D. End-User Computing
Answer: _________________
1.7 Which self-replicating malware program spreads independently across computer networks without
attaching itself to a host file or needing human intervention? (1)
A. Macro Virus
B. Trojan Horse
C. Worm
D. Keylogger
Answer: _________________
1.8 Which search engine operator is used to restrict search results strictly to a specific domain, such as
`site:gov.za`? (1)
A. minus (-) operator
B. OR operator
C. site: operator
D. filetype: operator
Answer: _________________
1.9 Which utility software tool removes unnecessary temporary files, cached web pages, and empty system
files to free up local disk space? (1)
A. Disk Defragmenter
B. Disk Cleanup
C. Task Manager
D. Device Manager
Answer: _________________
1.10 Which of the following is a major performance advantage of a Solid-State Drive (SSD) over a traditional
mechanical Hard Disk Drive (HDD)? (1)
A. SSD uses optical laser technology to read binary tracks
B. SSD has no moving parts, making it significantly faster, quieter, and more durable
C. SSD is significantly cheaper per gigabyte than mechanical drives
D. SSD requires continuous electrical power to retain its data
Answer: _________________
Grade 10 CAT Theory Practice Paper | Page 2 of 9
