Computer Essentials (CST8118)/ CST 8118: Final Exam Qbank | Answered Latest Updated 2025/26 | Algonquin College.

CST8118 – Final Exam: Complete MCQ Collection
Prepared by:
Program: Computer Programming, Algonquin College
Date: April 2025


Table of Contents
 Part 1: Excel Basics & Functions (Q1–Q60)
 Part 2: IEEE 754 & Binary Concepts (Q61–Q100)
 Part 3: Excel Visualizations & E-Waste (Q101–Q120)
 Part 4: Disk Partitioning (Q121–Q140)
 Part 5: Logic, Text, Date & Lookup Functions (Q141–Q180)
 Part 6: Computer Essentials: Hardware, Storage, Backup, Security & Maintenance (Q181–Q240)



Note: All questions are provided with clearly indicated answers in the format:
Correct Answer: B. Workbook

,1. In Microsoft Excel, each individual file you work in is commonly referred to as:
A. Worksheet
B. Workbook
C. Presentation
D. Database
Correct Answer: B. Workbook



2. Which of the following is a basic data type in Microsoft Excel?
A. Boolean
B. Formula
C. Text
D. All of the above
Correct Answer: D. All of the above



3. What is the primary purpose of the Ribbon in Excel?
A. To store file backups
B. To display advanced error messages
C. To group related commands and tools by tabs
D. To show the clipboard history
Correct Answer: C. To group related commands and tools by tabs



4. When you type a formula in a cell, it must begin with which symbol for Excel to recognize it as a formula?
A. #
B. =
C. @
D. ?
Correct Answer: B. =



5. IEEE-754 Double Precision, as used by Excel, generally offers how many significant digits of precision?
A. 5 significant digits
B. 10 significant digits
C. 15 significant digits
D. 20 significant digits
Correct Answer: C. 15 significant digits



6. Which of the following features in Excel highlights cells automatically based on a condition you specify (e.g., values
greater than a certain threshold)?
A. Cell validation
B. AutoSum
C. Conditional Formatting

,D. Autofill
Correct Answer: C. Conditional Formatting



7. To copy a formula or fill a series of values down a column quickly, you can use:
A. AutoSum
B. Freeze Panes
C. Autofill (dragging the fill handle)
D. PivotTables
Correct Answer: C. Autofill (dragging the fill handle)



8. In Excel, which type of chart is best suited to compare proportions of a whole, often expressed as percentages?
A. Column Chart
B. Scatter Plot
C. Histogram
D. Pie Chart
Correct Answer: D. Pie Chart



9. A histogram in Excel differs from a regular bar chart because:
A. It plots categories on the vertical axis only
B. It aggregates numeric data into bins or ranges
C. It always uses percentages for values
D. It only displays negative numbers
Correct Answer: B. It aggregates numeric data into bins or ranges



10. A scatter plot in Excel is most helpful for:
A. Showing proportions in a circle
B. Tracking daily expenses in a bar format
C. Visualizing the relationship between two numeric variables
D. Displaying data with only one variable
Correct Answer: C. Visualizing the relationship between two numeric variables



11. If you have data on monthly sales by region and you want to quickly compare them as vertical bars, you might
create:
A. A Pie Chart
B. A Column or Bar Chart
C. A Scatter Plot
D. A Sunburst Chart
Correct Answer: B. A Column or Bar Chart

, 12. To insert a chart in Excel, you generally start by:
A. Using “File > Save As”
B. Selecting the data to visualize, then going to the Insert tab
C. Pressing Ctrl + F
D. Creating a pivot table first
Correct Answer: B. Selecting the data to visualize, then going to the Insert tab



13. To add or remove chart elements (titles, legend, axes, etc.) most efficiently:
A. Use the “Chart Design” or “Chart Format” tabs that appear when the chart is selected
B. Double-click anywhere in Excel’s background
C. Use AutoSum on the chart
D. There is no way to add or remove elements after the chart is made
Correct Answer: A. Use the “Chart Design” or “Chart Format” tabs that appear when the chart is selected


14. Which of the following best describes why data visualizations are helpful?
A. They replace the need for any raw data
B. They always provide 3D animations
C. They translate data into a more intuitive, visual format to reveal trends and insights
D. They automatically correct errors in the underlying data
Correct Answer: C. They translate data into a more intuitive, visual format to reveal trends and insights


15. Which function in Excel reverses a logical value (turns TRUE to FALSE, FALSE to TRUE)?
A. AND()
B. OR()
C. NOT()
D. IFS()
Correct Answer: C. NOT()


16. The IF() function has which basic syntax?
A. =IF(logical_test, value_if_true, value_if_false)
B. =IF(expression, expression2, expression3, expression4)
C. =IF(AND(), OR(), NOT())
D. =IF([Cell Range], “Yes”, “No”)
Correct Answer: A. =IF(logical_test, value_if_true, value_if_false)


17. Which of the following text functions changes a string like "eXample" to "EXAMPLE"?
A. LOWER()
B. UPPER()
C. PROPER()
D. CONCAT()
Correct Answer: B. UPPER()