Exam practice

ICT (information and communication technology)

connects

browser (with a search engine in it)

programme (program)

software

✓ Correct.

✗ Incorrect. The receiver needs the internet to receive and read the email.

✓ Correct.

✓ Correct (with its Resize tool).

✓ Correct.

Information and communication technology (ICT) is the use of tools and technology, such as computers, mobile phones, the internet, radio and television, to create, store, display, send and exchange information and to communicate with others. “Information” is the facts we get about things and events; “communication” is the exchange of information between people; “technology” is the scientific way of working used to do jobs and make things.

• Communication: we can talk, see and send messages to relatives in Nepal or abroad at once, by mobile phone, video call and email, instead of waiting weeks for letters.
• Information: news from anywhere in the world reaches us almost at once through television, radio and the internet.
• Learning: students learn from e-books, online videos, virtual classes and radio and TV lessons, even at home.
• Work and money: offices keep records and accounts on computers; people pay bills, bank and shop online; forms are filled online.
• Health, travel and safety: doctors share reports online, tickets are booked online, and CCTV helps security.
• Entertainment: music, films and games on demand.

But there are new problems too: cybercrime, fraud, misuse of personal details, and spending too much time on screens.

The internet is a worldwide network that joins billions of computers and other devices, by wire and without wires, so that information can be shared and exchanged between them.
Tasks made possible by the internet:

1. searching for information on any subject with a search engine;
2. sending and receiving email, and messages with photos and videos;
3. video calls with people anywhere in the world;
4. reading news and e-books, and downloading textbooks;
5. online classes and learning videos;
6. online shopping, banking and paying bills;
7. filling in forms and applications online (admissions, jobs, passports);
8. social networking, sharing photos and keeping in touch with friends.

An e-book is a book in digital form, often a PDF file. We download it from a website (for example, Nepal’s textbooks from the CDC website, www.moecdc.gov.np), or find it with a search engine, and read it on a computer, a smartphone or an e-book reader with a reader app.
Advantages (any two):

1. It takes very little space: thousands of e-books fit on one computer or phone.
2. It is cheap or free, and can be downloaded at once from anywhere with the internet.
3. It doesn’t tear, fade or get lost, and saves paper.
4. Words can be searched and the text made bigger to read easily.

Advantages:

1. It is very fast: a message arrives in seconds.
2. Text, photos, sound, video and files can be sent, to many people at once, almost free.

Disadvantages:

1. Both the sender and the receiver need the internet.
2. Viruses and fake (spam) emails can come with it and harm the computer or trick the user.

A spreadsheet program is computer software used mainly for calculating and for making graphs and charts. Its data are kept in cells, arranged in columns (A, B, C…) and rows (1, 2, 3…). Microsoft Excel is an example.
Tasks:

1. entering and storing data in a table;
2. arranging data in alphabetical, ascending or descending order;
3. adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing with formulas;
4. finding totals (SUM) and averages quickly;
5. making charts and graphs (bar, line, pie) from the data;
6. keeping accounts, marks, bills and records, which update themselves when a number changes.

A computer virus is a harmful computer program that gets into a computer, usually without the user knowing, spreads to other computers, and damages files and programs or stops the computer working properly.
Ways to prevent it:

1. Install a good antivirus program and keep it updated.
2. Scan pen drives, memory cards and other portable media before opening them.
3. Keep the firewall switched on.
4. Don’t open emails or attachments from unknown senders, or spam.
5. Don’t visit unknown websites or download pirated software; get software from its maker or the official app store.
6. Use strong passwords.

• To keep our personal details, passwords and photos safe from people who could misuse them.
• To protect ourselves from cheating, theft, threats and strangers who mean harm.
• To respect other people’s privacy: not sharing their details or photos without permission, not making fake accounts in their names.
• To keep computers safe from viruses and hackers (not opening spam, not saving passwords on shared computers).
• Because breaking these rules can be a crime under the law, and can harm others.

If everyone follows the code of conduct, the internet stays safe and useful for all.

The devices used to create, store, display, send and exchange information are the tools of ICT. Examples: radio, television, newspaper, book, telephone, mobile phone (smartphone), computer and laptop, the internet, digital camera, scanner, printer, projector, CCTV and e-book readers. Radio, television and newspapers are one-way tools; telephones, mobiles and computers are two-way tools.

• We can talk to and see anyone, anywhere, at once, by phone, video call and email.
• Information on any subject is found in seconds with a search engine.
• Students can learn at home with e-books, online classes and educational videos.
• Many jobs are done quickly and correctly by computer: accounts with spreadsheets, letters and reports, photo editing and presentations.
• Services come home: online banking, bill payment, shopping, ticket booking and filling in forms, without traveling or queuing.
• News, weather warnings and health information reach people quickly, which saves time and even lives.

Put the headings in row 1, so S.N. is in column A, Name in B, English to Social in C to G, Total in H and Percentage in I. Aarati is in row 2. Five subjects of 100 marks make 500 full marks.

In H2 type =SUM(C2:G2), and in I2 type =H2/500*100. Then select H2 and I2 together and drag the fill handle down to row 6.

Check one by hand: Aarati, 55 + 45 + 70 + 56 + 72 = 298, and 298 ÷ 500 × 100 = 59.6 %.