CIE IGCSE COMPUTER SCIENCE
SOFTWARE EXAM QUESTIONS WITH
CORRECT ANSWERS
Software - Answer-The instructions that tell the computer what actions to carry out.
Application software - Answer-Software that performs a specific task. For example word
processors, email programs, computer games or social media apps.
System software - Answer-Software that enables the computer to work properly. For
example starting up the computer, loading and running applications, control the flow of
data to and from input and output devices or organising memory and storage.
Programmer - Answer-A person who uses a programming language to write code to
make software. Usually a high-level language is used.
Operating System - Answer-A collection of most of the system software as one large
file. These files are loaded into RAM as soon as the computer starts. These files stay in
RAM carrying out important functions until the computer is switched off.
Booting up - Answer-When you switch a computer on, the first action is to load the
operating system from storage (hard drive) into RAM.
ROM BIOS - Answer-The Basic Input Output System contains the files needed to start
up a computer system. These files are non-volatile and are permanently stored on the
Read Only Memory chip.
Operating System Functions - Answer-Control the hardware, the user interface, load &
run applications and locate & fix errors.
Control the hardware - Answer-An operating system function that allows the CPU to
communicate with different computer components. Allows the CPU to send digital data
to and from peripherals.
The user interface - Answer-What the person using the computer experiences (screen
display, sounds, vibrations etc.). Usually a Graphical User Interface (GUI) but
occasionally a Command Line Interface (CLI).
Load and run applications - Answer-With the interface, the user can select which
application they want to use.
Errors and problems - Answer-A computer system is complex and many things can go
wrong. For example hardware might not work properly, applications may contain bugs
SOFTWARE EXAM QUESTIONS WITH
CORRECT ANSWERS
Software - Answer-The instructions that tell the computer what actions to carry out.
Application software - Answer-Software that performs a specific task. For example word
processors, email programs, computer games or social media apps.
System software - Answer-Software that enables the computer to work properly. For
example starting up the computer, loading and running applications, control the flow of
data to and from input and output devices or organising memory and storage.
Programmer - Answer-A person who uses a programming language to write code to
make software. Usually a high-level language is used.
Operating System - Answer-A collection of most of the system software as one large
file. These files are loaded into RAM as soon as the computer starts. These files stay in
RAM carrying out important functions until the computer is switched off.
Booting up - Answer-When you switch a computer on, the first action is to load the
operating system from storage (hard drive) into RAM.
ROM BIOS - Answer-The Basic Input Output System contains the files needed to start
up a computer system. These files are non-volatile and are permanently stored on the
Read Only Memory chip.
Operating System Functions - Answer-Control the hardware, the user interface, load &
run applications and locate & fix errors.
Control the hardware - Answer-An operating system function that allows the CPU to
communicate with different computer components. Allows the CPU to send digital data
to and from peripherals.
The user interface - Answer-What the person using the computer experiences (screen
display, sounds, vibrations etc.). Usually a Graphical User Interface (GUI) but
occasionally a Command Line Interface (CLI).
Load and run applications - Answer-With the interface, the user can select which
application they want to use.
Errors and problems - Answer-A computer system is complex and many things can go
wrong. For example hardware might not work properly, applications may contain bugs
