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🇵🇰 CSS General Science and Ability · subject
CSS General Science and Ability Information Technology Syllabus
The Information Technology syllabus for CSS General Science and Ability in full: 4 chapters and 11 topics, every one listed below, plus 60 Information Technology flashcards with answers.
Information Technology syllabus: all 4 chapters
Expand any chapter to see its topics and sub-topics.
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Computer Fundamentals
3 topics- Input, Output and Processing
- Data Storage and Memory
- Software and Business Applications
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Networking and the Internet
3 topics- Computer Networks
- Internet Standards and Protocols
- Social Media and Cyber Issues
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Emerging Technologies
2 topics- Artificial Intelligence
- Robotics and Automation
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Telecommunications
3 topics- Wireless and Mobile Communication
- Satellite and GPS
- Fiber Optic Communication
CSS General Science and Ability Information Technology flashcards — 60 questions with answers
In the basic computer model, what are the three fundamental operations performed on data?
Input (entering data), Processing (manipulating data in the CPU), and Output (presenting results). Storage is often added as a fourth function.
What are the two main components of the CPU and what does each do?
The Control Unit (CU), which directs and coordinates operations and fetches/decodes instructions, and the Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU), which performs arithmetic and logical operations.
Differentiate between an input device and an output device, with two examples of each.
Input devices feed data into the computer (e.g., keyboard, mouse, scanner); output devices present processed results to the user (e.g., monitor, printer, speakers).
What is the machine cycle (instruction cycle) of a CPU?
The four steps a CPU repeats: Fetch (get instruction), Decode (interpret it), Execute (carry it out), and Store (write the result back). Sometimes summarized as Fetch-Decode-Execute.
What is the difference between an impact and a non-impact printer? Give one example of each.
Impact printers strike an inked ribbon against paper (e.g., dot-matrix printer); non-impact printers form characters without striking the paper (e.g., inkjet, laser printer).
Which devices can act as both input and output devices? Give two examples.
Touchscreen, modem, network card, and hard disk drive all serve both functions (a touchscreen displays output and receives touch input).
What does the term 'bit' stand for and how many bits are in a byte?
Bit stands for 'binary digit' (a 0 or 1). One byte equals 8 bits.
Order these storage units from smallest to largest: Terabyte, Kilobyte, Megabyte, Gigabyte, Byte.
Byte < Kilobyte (KB) < Megabyte (MB) < Gigabyte (GB) < Terabyte (TB), with each step roughly 1,024 times larger than the previous.
What is the key difference between RAM and ROM?
RAM (Random Access Memory) is volatile, read/write, temporary working memory that loses data when power is off. ROM (Read-Only Memory) is non-volatile, retaining permanent data (like firmware) even without power.
Differentiate between primary (main) memory and secondary (auxiliary) memory.
Primary memory (RAM, ROM, cache) is directly accessed by the CPU, fast, and mostly volatile. Secondary memory (HDD, SSD, USB) is non-volatile, slower, larger, and used for long-term storage.
What is cache memory and why is it used?
Cache is a small, very fast memory between the CPU and RAM that stores frequently used instructions and data, reducing the time the CPU waits for slower main memory.
What is the main difference between an SSD and an HDD?
An SSD (Solid State Drive) stores data on flash memory chips with no moving parts, making it faster and more durable; an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) uses spinning magnetic platters and read/write heads, making it cheaper per GB but slower.
Distinguish between volatile and non-volatile memory.
Volatile memory loses its contents when power is removed (e.g., RAM). Non-volatile memory retains contents without power (e.g., ROM, flash, hard disks).
What is virtual memory?
A memory management technique where part of the secondary storage (disk) is used as an extension of RAM, allowing the system to run programs larger than the available physical RAM by swapping data in and out (paging).
Name the memory hierarchy from fastest/smallest to slowest/largest.
Registers, Cache (L1, L2, L3), Main memory (RAM), Secondary storage (SSD/HDD), Tertiary/Backup storage (tape, optical). Speed and cost decrease while capacity increases down the hierarchy.
What is the difference between system software and application software?
System software manages and runs the computer hardware and provides a platform (e.g., operating systems, device drivers, utilities). Application software performs specific user tasks (e.g., word processors, spreadsheets, browsers).
What is an operating system and name three of its core functions?
An OS is system software that manages hardware and software resources. Core functions include process/CPU management, memory management, file management, device management, and providing a user interface.
Differentiate between a compiler and an interpreter.
A compiler translates an entire source program into machine code at once before execution (faster execution). An interpreter translates and executes the program line by line (easier debugging, slower).
Name four common business application software categories and a typical use of each.
Word processing (documents), Spreadsheets (calculations/analysis), Database management (storing/querying data), and Presentation software (slideshows). ERP and CRM are also key business applications.
What do ERP and CRM stand for in business computing?
ERP = Enterprise Resource Planning (integrates core processes like finance, HR, supply chain). CRM = Customer Relationship Management (manages a company's interactions with customers and sales).
Show the other 40 Information Technology flashcards
What is open-source software? Give one example.
Software whose source code is freely available for anyone to view, modify, and redistribute, usually free of cost. Examples: Linux, Mozilla Firefox, LibreOffice, Apache.
What is firmware?
Permanent software programmed into a hardware device's read-only memory (ROM/flash) that provides low-level control for the device's specific functions (e.g., BIOS, device controllers).
Define a computer network and state its primary purpose.
A computer network is two or more interconnected computing devices that can share resources and exchange data. Its purpose is resource sharing, communication, and centralized data access.
Compare LAN, MAN, and WAN by geographic coverage.
LAN (Local Area Network) covers a small area like a building. MAN (Metropolitan Area Network) covers a city. WAN (Wide Area Network) covers large regions or countries; the Internet is the largest WAN.
Name four common network topologies.
Bus, Star, Ring, Mesh (and Tree/Hybrid). Star is most common in LANs, connecting all nodes to a central switch/hub.
What is the difference between a hub, a switch, and a router?
A hub broadcasts data to all ports. A switch forwards data only to the intended device using MAC addresses. A router connects different networks and forwards data between them using IP addresses.
Differentiate between client-server and peer-to-peer (P2P) network models.
In client-server, dedicated servers provide resources/services to client machines (centralized). In peer-to-peer, each computer acts as both client and server, sharing resources directly without a central server.
What is bandwidth in networking?
Bandwidth is the maximum rate of data transfer across a network connection over a given time, usually measured in bits per second (bps), Mbps, or Gbps.
What is the difference between the Internet and the World Wide Web (WWW)?
The Internet is the global network of interconnected computers (the infrastructure). The WWW is a service that runs on the Internet — a system of interlinked hypertext documents accessed via browsers using HTTP.
What does TCP/IP stand for and what is its role?
Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol — the fundamental suite of communication protocols that governs how data is packetized, addressed, transmitted, routed, and received across the Internet.
What is the role of TCP versus IP in the TCP/IP suite?
IP handles addressing and routing of packets to the correct destination. TCP ensures reliable, ordered, error-checked delivery of the data by breaking it into packets and reassembling them.
What is the difference between HTTP and HTTPS?
HTTP (HyperText Transfer Protocol) transfers web pages in plain text. HTTPS is HTTP secured with SSL/TLS encryption, protecting data in transit (used for secure sites).
What is DNS and what does it do?
The Domain Name System translates human-readable domain names (e.g., www.example.com) into numerical IP addresses that computers use to locate each other on the network.
What is an IP address, and how do IPv4 and IPv6 differ?
An IP address uniquely identifies a device on a network. IPv4 is 32-bit (about 4.3 billion addresses, written as four numbers like 192.168.1.1); IPv6 is 128-bit, providing a vastly larger address space.
Name the protocols used for sending and receiving email.
SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) sends email. POP3 (Post Office Protocol) and IMAP (Internet Message Access Protocol) retrieve/receive email; IMAP keeps mail on the server, POP3 typically downloads it.
What does FTP stand for and what is it used for?
File Transfer Protocol — a standard protocol used to transfer files between a client and server over a network.
What is social media? Give two examples of platforms.
Web-based and mobile applications that let users create, share, and interact with content and connect in virtual communities. Examples: Facebook, Twitter/X, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok.
What is cyberbullying?
The use of digital technologies (social media, messaging, email) to harass, threaten, embarrass, or target another person repeatedly and deliberately.
What is phishing?
A cyber-fraud technique where attackers send fake but legitimate-looking messages (often emails) to trick users into revealing sensitive information like passwords or bank details, or installing malware.
Differentiate between a virus, a worm, and a Trojan horse.
A virus attaches to a host file and spreads when run. A worm self-replicates and spreads across networks without a host. A Trojan horse disguises itself as legitimate software to gain access, but does not self-replicate.
What is a firewall in cybersecurity?
A hardware or software security system that monitors and controls incoming and outgoing network traffic based on predefined rules, acting as a barrier between a trusted network and untrusted networks.
What is the difference between authentication and encryption?
Authentication verifies the identity of a user or system (proving who you are). Encryption converts data into an unreadable coded form to protect confidentiality during storage or transmission.
What is a DDoS attack?
A Distributed Denial of Service attack floods a server, service, or network with overwhelming traffic from many compromised systems (a botnet), making it unavailable to legitimate users.
Define Artificial Intelligence (AI).
The branch of computer science concerned with building machines and software that can perform tasks normally requiring human intelligence, such as learning, reasoning, problem-solving, perception, and language understanding.
What is the difference between Machine Learning and Deep Learning?
Machine Learning is a subset of AI where systems learn patterns from data to make predictions. Deep Learning is a subset of ML that uses multi-layered artificial neural networks to learn from large amounts of data.
Differentiate between Narrow (Weak) AI and General (Strong) AI.
Narrow AI is designed for a specific task (e.g., voice assistants, chess engines) and is the only type currently in use. General AI would match or exceed human intelligence across any task, and remains theoretical.
What is the Turing Test?
A test proposed by Alan Turing to judge a machine's intelligence: if a human evaluator cannot reliably tell whether they are conversing with a machine or a human, the machine is said to exhibit intelligent behavior.
What is a neural network in AI?
A computing model inspired by the human brain, made of interconnected nodes (neurons) organized in layers, that processes input data through weighted connections to recognize patterns and make decisions.
Define robotics and state what a robot is.
Robotics is the interdisciplinary field of designing, building, and operating robots. A robot is a programmable machine capable of carrying out a series of actions automatically, often sensing and interacting with its environment.
What are the three core components/abilities of a typical robot?
Sensors (to perceive the environment), actuators/effectors (to move and act), and a control system/processor (to make decisions). Power supply and a programmable controller are also essential.
What is the difference between automation and robotics?
Automation is the use of technology to perform tasks with minimal human intervention (may be purely software). Robotics specifically involves physical, programmable machines (robots); not all automation uses robots and not all robots are fully automated.
What does GSM stand for and what generation of mobile technology is it associated with?
Global System for Mobile Communications — the standard for 2G (second-generation) digital cellular networks, widely used for voice calls and SMS.
Compare the key advancement of each mobile generation from 1G to 5G.
1G: analog voice; 2G: digital voice + SMS; 3G: mobile internet/data; 4G (LTE): high-speed broadband, video; 5G: very high speed, ultra-low latency, massive device connectivity (IoT).
What is the difference between Wi-Fi and Bluetooth?
Wi-Fi provides high-speed wireless internet/network access over a larger range (tens of meters). Bluetooth is a short-range (about 10 m) technology for connecting personal devices and transferring small amounts of data with low power.
What does a GPS system consist of, and how many satellites are needed for a position fix?
GPS (Global Positioning System) consists of a constellation of satellites, ground control stations, and user receivers. A receiver needs signals from at least 4 satellites to determine a 3D position (latitude, longitude, altitude) and time.
How does GPS determine a receiver's location?
By trilateration: the receiver calculates its distance from multiple satellites using the time it takes signals to arrive, then computes the point where those distance spheres intersect.
What is a geostationary satellite and at what altitude does it orbit?
A satellite that orbits Earth at about 35,786 km above the equator with an orbital period equal to Earth's rotation (24 hours), so it appears stationary over a fixed point — ideal for communication and weather satellites.
Differentiate between LEO, MEO, and GEO satellite orbits.
LEO (Low Earth Orbit, ~160–2,000 km) for imaging and some comms; MEO (Medium Earth Orbit, ~2,000–35,786 km) used by GPS; GEO (Geostationary Orbit, ~35,786 km) for communication and broadcasting satellites.
What is the basic principle behind fiber optic communication?
Fiber optic communication transmits data as pulses of light through thin glass or plastic fibers, relying on total internal reflection to keep the light confined within the fiber core over long distances.
State two major advantages of fiber optic cables over copper cables.
Higher bandwidth and faster data speeds over longer distances with lower signal loss; immunity to electromagnetic interference; greater security; and lighter weight compared to copper.
CSS General Science and Ability Information Technology FAQ
What is in the CSS General Science and Ability Information Technology syllabus?
CSS General Science and Ability Information Technology is split into 4 chapters: Computer Fundamentals, Networking and the Internet, Emerging Technologies and Telecommunications. Together they contain 11 topics.
How many chapters are in CSS General Science and Ability Information Technology?
4 chapters, containing 11 topics. The largest chapter is Computer Fundamentals, with 3 topics.
Are there flashcards for CSS General Science and Ability Information Technology?
Yes — a 60-card Information Technology deck, printed in full in the flashcards section of this page and available in the Examius app with spaced repetition. The free plan covers one exam of your choice, including its flashcards; Examius Pro, a one-time purchase, unlocks every other exam and deck.