CompTIA A+ Essentials: IT Hardware and Safety Terminology Quiz

Information Technology

Computer Hardware

CompTIA A+

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| Attempts: 11 | Questions: 20 | Updated: Aug 4, 2025

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1. What does ESD stand for?

Electrostatic Discharge. Passage of static electrical charge from one item to another. Avoid by keeping you and the... Electrostatic Discharge. Passage of static electrical charge from one item to another. Avoid by keeping you and the parts of the PC at the same electrical potential. Most prevalent in dry, cool environments. Can use anti-static wrist strap and mats to help. CPU and RAM are very sensitive to ESD.

Elastic Software Development

Electronic Software Distribution

External System Driver

ESD stands for Electrostatic Discharge, which is the passage of static electrical charge from one item to another. It is important to avoid ESD by keeping you and the parts of the PC at the same electrical potential to prevent damage, especially to sensitive components like the CPU and RAM.

Explanation

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About This Quiz

Explore key concepts in IT safety and basic hardware as per CompTIA A+ standards. This educational resource is designed to enhance your understanding of essential IT practices, preparing you for CompTIA A+ certification and boosting your technical skills in a professional setting.

2. What's your name?

We’ll put your name on your report, certificate, and leaderboard.

2. What does EMI stand for?

Electromagnetic Interference. Magnetic field interfering with electronics. Can cause permanent damage to some components and erase data... Electromagnetic Interference. Magnetic field interfering with electronics. Can cause permanent damage to some components and erase data on some storage devices. Keep magnets away from computer equipment, such as floppy disks, hard drives, flash drive, and CRT (tube) monitors.

Electronic Manufacturing Industry

Energy Management and Integration

Emergency Medical Information

EMI refers to Electromagnetic Interference, which can cause damage to electronic components and data loss.

Explanation

EMI refers to Electromagnetic Interference, which can cause damage to electronic components and data loss.

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3. What does RFI stand for?

Remote Frequency Indicator

Rapid Field Integration

Random File Inquiry

Radio Frequency Interference. Most devices are shielded to prevent RFI. A few devices, particularly speakers, are most susceptible.... Radio Frequency Interference. Most devices are shielded to prevent RFI. A few devices, particularly speakers, are most susceptible. These devices can be tuned to avoid the same frequencies.

RFI stands for Radio Frequency Interference, which is a type of electromagnetic interference that can disrupt the operation of electronic devices. Most devices are shielded to prevent RFI, with speakers being particularly susceptible. Tuning devices to avoid certain frequencies can help mitigate RFI issues.

Explanation

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4. What are connectors, plugs, ports, and jacks used for?

Connector- port, plug, jackPort- plug does into itJack- alternative to port, plug goes into it

A. Connectors are used to store data, ports are used for charging devices, and jacks are used for holding cables.

C. Connectors are used for network connections, ports are used for video output, and jacks are used for connecting peripherals.

B. Connectors are used for audio output, ports are used for power input, and jacks are used for transferring files.

Connectors, plugs, ports, and jacks are all components used in connecting various devices and peripherals. Connectors facilitate the physical connection between devices, ports are specifically designated points where plugs are inserted, and jacks provide an alternative to ports for plug insertion. The incorrect answers provide different and misleading functions for these components, demonstrating a lack of understanding of their actual purposes.

Explanation

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5. What are Mini-Din Connectors commonly used for?

Video output connections

Audio input connections

Also called PS/2 and DIN-6. Most commonly used for keyboards and mice. Modern systems have replaced mini-DIN connections with USB.

Power supply connections

Mini-Din Connectors, also known as PS/2 and DIN-6, are primarily used for keyboards and mice. These connections have been largely replaced by USB in modern systems for increased compatibility and functionality.

Explanation

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6. What devices are USB connectors commonly used with?

Used with mice, keyboards, scanners, cameras, and printers. Come in three sizes: A (on computer), B (are for other end... Used with mice, keyboards, scanners, cameras, and printers. Come in three sizes: A (on computer), B (are for other end of the USB connector), and mini-B (used for small devices such as cameras). Are hot-swappable and get electrical power through the USB connection.

Compatible only with gaming consoles.

Primarily utilized for connecting external monitors.

Exclusively used for charging smartphones and tablets.

USB connectors are versatile and can be used with various devices like mice, keyboards, scanners, cameras, and printers. They come in different sizes and are not exclusive to a single type of device.

Explanation

USB connectors are versatile and can be used with various devices like mice, keyboards, scanners, cameras, and printers. They come in different sizes and are not exclusive to a single type of device.

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7. What are FireWire Connectors?

USB Connectors

VGA Connectors

HDMI Connectors

Also known as IEEE 1394. 6-wire or 9-wire connector. Moves data at incredibly fast speeds. Are hot-swappable.

FireWire connectors are different from USB, HDMI, and VGA connectors, offering fast data transfer speeds and hot-swappable functionality.

Explanation

FireWire connectors are different from USB, HDMI, and VGA connectors, offering fast data transfer speeds and hot-swappable functionality.

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8. What are DB Connectors?

Known as HDMI connectors. Used mainly for audio output devices.

Known as RJ45 connectors. Typically used for connecting telephones or networking devices.

Known as USB connectors. Used for connecting various peripheral devices including keyboards and mice.

Known as D-sub or D-subminiature or D-shell connectors. Used for almost every peripheral with exception of keyboards. Slight D-shape. Can... Known as D-sub or D-subminiature or D-shell connectors. Used for almost every peripheral with exception of keyboards. Slight D-shape. Can have from 9 to 37 pins, although rarely more than 25. Now, mostly used for video.

DB connectors, also known as D-sub or D-subminiature or D-shell connectors, are distinct due to their slight D-shape and can have varying numbers of pins. While they are used for almost every peripheral device, keyboards are an exception. They were originally used for video display connections but have now been mostly replaced by more modern connectors.

Explanation

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9. What are RJ Connectors typically used for?

RJ 11 used to connect phone jack for modems to connect PC to a network. RJ-45 jack is used... RJ 11 used to connect phone jack for modems to connect PC to a network. RJ-45 jack is used for network connections. Note that modern PCs have built in network connections; however this used to only come on expansion cards called network interface cards (NIC)- term still used today.

Charging mobile devices

Connecting printers to PCs

Connecting speakers to audio systems

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10. What devices connect to audio jacks?

Printers and scanners

Speakers and monitors connect to audio jacks. Most common kind is 1/8-inch connector, also called mini-audio connector. Most computers... Speakers and monitors connect to audio jacks. Most common kind is 1/8-inch connector, also called mini-audio connector. Most computers have two miniature audio jacks: one for speakers and one for microphone. Color scheme is complex, but green is main one for speakers. The new, Sony/Philips Digital Interface Format (S/PDIF) replaces all mini-audio connections.

Keyboards and mice

Cameras and smartphones

Speakers and monitors typically connect to audio jacks for sound output, while printers, scanners, keyboards, mice, cameras, and smartphones do not require audio jacks for their functionality.

Explanation

Speakers and monitors typically connect to audio jacks for sound output, while printers, scanners, keyboards, mice, cameras, and smartphones do not require audio jacks for their functionality.

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11. What type of connector is commonly used for keyboards?

Mini-DIN or USB. Port colored purple.

RJ45

VGA

HDMI

Keyboards are typically connected using either a Mini-DIN or USB connector. The Mini-DIN connector is often colored purple for easy identification.

Explanation

Keyboards are typically connected using either a Mini-DIN or USB connector. The Mini-DIN connector is often colored purple for easy identification.

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12. What type of connector is typically used for monitors?

Audio Jack

Connects to video connector, with old 15-pin female DB Video Graphics Array (VGA) or unique digital visual interface (DVI). VGA... Connects to video connector, with old 15-pin female DB Video Graphics Array (VGA) or unique digital visual interface (DVI). VGA are blue; DVI are white. New connector is High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI).

USB

Ethernet

Monitors are typically connected using video connectors such as VGA, DVI, or HDMI, not through USB, Ethernet, or an audio jack.

Explanation

Monitors are typically connected using video connectors such as VGA, DVI, or HDMI, not through USB, Ethernet, or an audio jack.

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13. What type of connector is typically used for a mouse?

Ethernet connector

VGA connector

HDMI connector

Uses either USB or a light-green mini-DIN connector.

A mouse typically uses either a USB or a light-green mini-DIN connector for connection to a computer.

Explanation

A mouse typically uses either a USB or a light-green mini-DIN connector for connection to a computer.

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14. What type of connector is typically used for printers?

HDMI port

Old: parallel port (25-pin female DB) that's usually colored fuchsia; most printers now come with USB, Ethernet, and Wi-Fi ... Old: parallel port (25-pin female DB) that's usually colored fuchsia; most printers now come with USB, Ethernet, and Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n connectivity options.

VGA port

Thunderbolt port

Printers typically use a variety of connectors for connectivity, with the old standard being the parallel port. While HDMI, VGA, and Thunderbolt ports are commonly used for video and data transmission, they are not typically used for printer connectivity.

Explanation

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15. What devices can connect via eSATA?

ESATA is only used for connecting smartphones to computers.

ESATA is a type of wireless internet connection.

Some external hard drives and optical dives can connect via eSATA.

All printers are compatible with eSATA.

eSATA is a type of connection primarily used for connecting external storage devices like hard drives and optical drives to a computer.

Explanation

eSATA is a type of connection primarily used for connecting external storage devices like hard drives and optical drives to a computer.

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16. What does CPU stand for?

Computer power unit

Critical processing unit

Central processing unit. Also called microprocessor. Performs all calculations in PC. Require cooling fans (blows heat out) and heat sinks... Central processing unit. Also called microprocessor. Performs all calculations in PC. Require cooling fans (blows heat out) and heat sinks (draws heat away). Two most common: AMD and Intel. Different CPUs come in variety of packages and are designed to fit into particular connections called sockets.

Central programming unit

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17. What does RAM stand for?

Randomly accessed memory. Utilized for long-term storage of files.

Rapid application module. Responsible for network connectivity and data transfer.

Read and manipulate memory. Used for graphics processing by the CPU.

Random access memory. Stores programs and data currently being used by the CPU. Average PC will have from 1 to... Random access memory. Stores programs and data currently being used by the CPU. Average PC will have from 1 to 4 GB of RAM. Each piece of RAM is called a stick. Common stick in PCs is dual inline memory module (DIMM).

RAM stands for Random Access Memory, which is used for storing programs and data currently being used by the CPU. It is different from long-term storage such as hard drives or SSDs.

Explanation

RAM stands for Random Access Memory, which is used for storing programs and data currently being used by the CPU. It is different from long-term storage such as hard drives or SSDs.

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18. What is the function of a motherboard?

The motherboard controls the power supply to the computer.

The motherboard is responsible for running software programs.

The motherboard connects directly to the monitor for display purposes.

Everything connects to motherboard, either directly or indirectly.

The motherboard acts as a central hub for all components in a computer, facilitating communication and data transfer between various parts.

Explanation

The motherboard acts as a central hub for all components in a computer, facilitating communication and data transfer between various parts.

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19. What is the main function of a hard drive in a computer system?

Stores programs and data that are not currently being used by the CPU. Most PCs have storage capacity of... Stores programs and data that are not currently being used by the CPU. Most PCs have storage capacity of hundreds of gigabytes to terabytes. Two most common: Parallel Advanced Technology Attachment (PATA) and more modern Serial Advanced Technology Attachment (SATA).

Controls the flow of data between the CPU and other hardware components.

Provides temporary storage for data currently being used by the CPU.

Helps the CPU perform calculations and execute programs.

The main function of a hard drive is to store programs and data that are not currently being used by the CPU. It does not assist the CPU in calculations or program execution, control data flow between the CPU and other hardware components, or provide temporary storage for data currently being used by the CPU.

Explanation

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20. What type of connections are used with an optical drive?

Use HDMI connections for audio output and video playback.

Use Ethernet connections for high-speed data transfer.

Use same PATA or SATA connections used with hard drive. CDs store around 700 MB come in three varieties: CD-ROM... Use same PATA or SATA connections used with hard drive. CDs store around 700 MB come in three varieties: CD-ROM (read only memory), CD-R (recordable, you can change data once), and CD-RW (rewritable). DVDs store more than 4 GB, and come in similar varieties.

Use USB connections for optimal performance.

An optical drive typically uses PATA or SATA connections similar to those used with a hard drive for data transfer and functionality.

Explanation

An optical drive typically uses PATA or SATA connections similar to those used with a hard drive for data transfer and functionality.

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