Test your computer fundamentals with these 20 questions covering hardware and software, input and output devices, Windows basics, the internet, and common full forms. Answer each one, then check the answer key at the end to score yourself and see which topics need revision. This quiz is a quick, honest check of the basics that come up in CCC, government exams, and job interviews, exactly the knowledge every computer user should have.
If your learn app renders quizzes interactively, load these as quiz questions with the correct option marked. The plain version below works as a self-check article too.
Questions
1. What does CPU stand for? a) Central Processing Unit b) Computer Personal Unit c) Central Print Unit d) Control Program Unit
2. Which of these is an input device? a) Monitor b) Printer c) Keyboard d) Speaker
3. Which of these is an output device? a) Mouse b) Scanner c) Microphone d) Printer
4. Hardware is… a) A program b) The physical parts of a computer c) An internet site d) A file
5. Windows is an example of… a) Hardware b) An input device c) An operating system d) A web browser
6. RAM is a type of… a) Storage disk b) Memory c) Processor d) Monitor
7. Which key combination copies text? a) Ctrl+V b) Ctrl+C c) Ctrl+Z d) Ctrl+P
8. What does a folder do? a) Deletes files b) Prints files c) Groups related files d) Opens the internet
9. Which is an example of application software? a) Windows b) A printer driver c) MS Word d) RAM
10. The full form of USB is… a) Universal Serial Bus b) United System Board c) Universal System Bus d) Ultra Speed Bus
11. To find files in Windows you use… a) Recycle Bin b) File Explorer c) Task Manager d) Control Panel
12. Which stores data even when the power is off? a) RAM b) CPU c) Hard disk / SSD d) Cache
13. What does HTTP relate to? a) Printing b) The internet/web c) Typing d) Storage
14. A touchscreen is… a) Only an input device b) Only an output device c) Both input and output d) Neither
15. Which shortcut saves your work? a) Ctrl+S b) Ctrl+A c) Ctrl+X d) Ctrl+F
16. The "brain" of the computer is the… a) Monitor b) Keyboard c) CPU d) Printer
17. What does OS stand for? a) Open Software b) Operating System c) Online Service d) Output System
18. Deleted files in Windows first go to the… a) Documents folder b) Recycle Bin c) Downloads d) Desktop
19. Which is a web browser? a) MS Excel b) Google Chrome c) Windows d) Tally
20. The full form of PDF is… a) Personal Data File b) Portable Document Format c) Printed Document File d) Public Data Format
Answer key
| Q | Ans | Q | Ans | Q | Ans | Q | Ans |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | a | 6 | b | 11 | b | 16 | c |
| 2 | c | 7 | b | 12 | c | 17 | b |
| 3 | d | 8 | c | 13 | b | 18 | b |
| 4 | b | 9 | c | 14 | c | 19 | b |
| 5 | c | 10 | a | 15 | a | 20 | b |
How did you score
- 17–20: Excellent, your computer basics are solid. Move on to MS Office and typing.
- 12–16: Good, but revise the topics you missed, especially hardware/software and full forms.
- Below 12: Go back through the computer basics lessons, then retake this quiz.
What to revise next
- Missed hardware/software questions? Revisit the hardware and software lesson.
- Missed device questions? Revisit input and output devices.
- Missed Windows questions? Revisit Windows 11 basics and file management.
- Missed full forms? Download and revise the computer full forms PDF.
Key takeaways
- CPU is the brain; RAM is memory; hard disk/SSD is storage.
- Windows and OS are software; the keyboard and monitor are hardware.
- Ctrl+C copies, Ctrl+S saves; deleted files go to the Recycle Bin.
- Full forms (USB, HTTP, PDF, OS) are common exam and interview questions.
Practice task
Retake this quiz after revising anything you missed, aiming for 17+ correct. Then try explaining three of the answers out loud in your own words, if you can, you truly understand them.
Want to master computer basics with a trainer and a certificate? Join the Basic Computer Course (BCC) at HCI.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a computer basics quiz cover?
Hardware and software, input and output devices, Windows basics, the internet, and common full forms like CPU, USB and PDF, the fundamentals every computer user should know.
What is a good score on a computer basics quiz?
17 out of 20 or more shows solid basics. Below 12 means it's worth revising hardware/software, devices and full forms before retaking it.
Is this quiz useful for CCC or government exams?
Yes. The topics, hardware, software, OS, internet and full forms, are exactly the kind of fundamentals asked in CCC and many government computer sections.
What is the difference between RAM and a hard disk?
RAM is temporary memory used while working and clears when power is off. A hard disk (or SSD) is storage that keeps data even when the computer is switched off.
Is a touchscreen an input or output device?
Both. You give input by tapping it, and it shows output on the display, so it's an input/output device.