School Of Computing Community Day Quiz

1. What was the name of Apple's first handheld computer?

IPod

Nano

Newton

IPhone

Pip

The correct answer is Newton. The Newton was Apple's first handheld computer, released in 1993. It was a personal digital assistant (PDA) that featured a touch screen, handwriting recognition, and various built-in applications. Despite its innovative features, the Newton was not commercially successful and was discontinued in 1998.

Explanation

The correct answer is Newton. The Newton was Apple's first handheld computer, released in 1993. It was a personal digital assistant (PDA) that featured a touch screen, handwriting recognition, and various built-in applications. Despite its innovative features, the Newton was not commercially successful and was discontinued in 1998.

2. The 1980's saw the dawn of home computing but which of these world changing products came first?

Commodore 64

MS-DOS

MS-DOS came before the Commodore 64 in the 1980s. MS-DOS, which stands for Microsoft Disk Operating System, was a widely used operating system for IBM-compatible personal computers. It was first released in 1981 and played a significant role in the development of the PC industry. The Commodore 64, on the other hand, was a popular home computer released in 1982. While both products were influential in the world of computing, MS-DOS came first in terms of release date.

Explanation

MS-DOS came before the Commodore 64 in the 1980s. MS-DOS, which stands for Microsoft Disk Operating System, was a widely used operating system for IBM-compatible personal computers. It was first released in 1981 and played a significant role in the development of the PC industry. The Commodore 64, on the other hand, was a popular home computer released in 1982. While both products were influential in the world of computing, MS-DOS came first in terms of release date.

3. Which of these movies was not released in 1965?

Thunderball

The Ipcress File

Dr Who and the Daleks

Doctor Zhivago

Alfie

Alfie was not released in 1965.

Explanation

Alfie was not released in 1965.

4. The world's number one smartphone operating system but how did Google select its name?

They polled their employees for an innovative name for the new OS

It was already branded when the bought it

It was the original name of their search engine so they resurrected it

They wanted something beginning with A to rival Apple

The owners named it as an homage to Fritz Lang's Metropolis

The explanation for the given answer is that Google selected the name for its smartphone operating system because it was already branded when they bought it. This suggests that the operating system already had a name associated with it before Google acquired it, and they decided to keep that name rather than rebranding it.

Explanation

The explanation for the given answer is that Google selected the name for its smartphone operating system because it was already branded when they bought it. This suggests that the operating system already had a name associated with it before Google acquired it, and they decided to keep that name rather than rebranding it.

5. Which of the following is not a computer programming language?

Oak

Lisp

Miranda

BREW

Wizard

The programming languages Oak, Lisp, Miranda, and BREW are all well-known programming languages used in software development. However, "Wizard" is not recognized as a computer programming language. It is likely a term or name that is not associated with programming languages.

Explanation

The programming languages Oak, Lisp, Miranda, and BREW are all well-known programming languages used in software development. However, "Wizard" is not recognized as a computer programming language. It is likely a term or name that is not associated with programming languages.

6. Which of the following was not a hit single in 1965?

It's Not Unusual - Tom Jones

Crying in the Chapel - Elvis Presley

Oh Pretty Woman - Roy Orbison

I Got You Babe - Sonny and Cher

Help! - The Beatles

"Oh Pretty Woman - Roy Orbison" was not a hit single in 1965. The other options, "It's Not Unusual - Tom Jones," "Crying in the Chapel - Elvis Presley," "I Got You Babe - Sonny and Cher," and "Help! - The Beatles," were all hit singles in 1965.

Explanation

"Oh Pretty Woman - Roy Orbison" was not a hit single in 1965. The other options, "It's Not Unusual - Tom Jones," "Crying in the Chapel - Elvis Presley," "I Got You Babe - Sonny and Cher," and "Help! - The Beatles," were all hit singles in 1965.

7. Love it or hate it, MS Word has become the de facto word processor of many; but when was the first version launched?

1987

1988

1989

1990

1991

The correct answer is 1989. MS Word, the popular word processor, was first launched in 1989. It quickly gained popularity and became the de facto word processor for many users.

Explanation

The correct answer is 1989. MS Word, the popular word processor, was first launched in 1989. It quickly gained popularity and became the de facto word processor for many users.

8. It changed the way we connect devices together, but when was USB invented?

2000

2002

1998

1996

1994

USB (Universal Serial Bus) was invented in 1994. It revolutionized the way devices connect to computers by providing a standardized interface for transferring data and power. USB replaced a variety of older ports and connectors, making it easier for users to connect devices such as printers, keyboards, and cameras to their computers. The invention of USB has had a significant impact on the technology industry, enabling faster and more efficient data transfer between devices.

Explanation

USB (Universal Serial Bus) was invented in 1994. It revolutionized the way devices connect to computers by providing a standardized interface for transferring data and power. USB replaced a variety of older ports and connectors, making it easier for users to connect devices such as printers, keyboards, and cameras to their computers. The invention of USB has had a significant impact on the technology industry, enabling faster and more efficient data transfer between devices.

9. Algorithmic problems are common challenges we set our students to develop their problem solving skills. One of the most famous of these is the Fibonacci Sequence. What did Leonardo use as his exemplar in his original publication?

The spread of the plague in Florence

The compositions of Guido da Arezzo

The population growth of rabbits

Grain lost to rodents in Venice storehouses

The projected final angle of lean for The Tower of Pisa

In his original publication, Leonardo used the population growth of rabbits as his exemplar for the Fibonacci Sequence. The Fibonacci Sequence is a mathematical sequence in which each number is the sum of the two preceding ones, starting from 0 and 1. This sequence can be observed in the population growth of rabbits, where each generation of rabbits produces a number of offspring that follows the Fibonacci Sequence.

Explanation

In his original publication, Leonardo used the population growth of rabbits as his exemplar for the Fibonacci Sequence. The Fibonacci Sequence is a mathematical sequence in which each number is the sum of the two preceding ones, starting from 0 and 1. This sequence can be observed in the population growth of rabbits, where each generation of rabbits produces a number of offspring that follows the Fibonacci Sequence.

10. An indispensable driver aid or a master of misdirection; when was the last time you traveled in a car with a road atlas wedged behind the driver's seat...but who was the first car company to sell a car with built-in SatNav?

Mercedes

Ford

Chrysler

Mazda

Citroën

Mazda was the first car company to sell a car with built-in SatNav.

Explanation

Mazda was the first car company to sell a car with built-in SatNav.

11. In what year was the first SMS text message sent?

1990

1991

1992

1993

1989

In 1992, the first SMS text message was sent. This marked the beginning of a new era in communication, allowing people to send short messages through mobile devices. The development of SMS technology revolutionized the way people communicate, leading to the widespread use of text messaging as a convenient and quick method of communication.

Explanation

In 1992, the first SMS text message was sent. This marked the beginning of a new era in communication, allowing people to send short messages through mobile devices. The development of SMS technology revolutionized the way people communicate, leading to the widespread use of text messaging as a convenient and quick method of communication.

12. Long before we were Quaking to our Doom computer games were a more gentle pastime; and the one that truly changed the world was Pong but when was it launched?

1970

1971

1972

1973

1974

Pong, the game that truly changed the world, was launched in 1972. This game revolutionized the gaming industry and paved the way for future developments in the field. Its simple yet addictive gameplay captured the attention of millions and marked the beginning of a new era in computer gaming.

Explanation

Pong, the game that truly changed the world, was launched in 1972. This game revolutionized the gaming industry and paved the way for future developments in the field. Its simple yet addictive gameplay captured the attention of millions and marked the beginning of a new era in computer gaming.

13. We all know the name of the world's number one search engine but they were not always at the top of the list; below is a list of alternatives many of which predate Google but which are still around today?

Lycos

Alta Vista

AOLSearch

Webcrawler

Ask Jeeves

The answer includes the search engines that were mentioned in the list and are still in operation today. Lycos, AOLSearch, Webcrawler, and Ask Jeeves are all alternatives to Google that have been around for a long time and continue to provide search services to users.

Explanation

The answer includes the search engines that were mentioned in the list and are still in operation today. Lycos, AOLSearch, Webcrawler, and Ask Jeeves are all alternatives to Google that have been around for a long time and continue to provide search services to users.

Submit

14. Every first year computing student learns at least one sorting algorithm but can you sort the wheat from the chaff? Which of the following are sorting algorithms?

Selection sort

All sort

Gnome sort

Insertion sort

Bubble sort

The given answer is correct. Selection sort, Gnome sort, Insertion sort, and Bubble sort are all examples of sorting algorithms. These algorithms are used to arrange elements in a specific order, such as ascending or descending. Each algorithm follows a different approach to sorting, but they all aim to organize the elements efficiently and accurately. These sorting algorithms are commonly taught to first-year computing students as they form the foundation of understanding sorting techniques and algorithms.

Explanation

The given answer is correct. Selection sort, Gnome sort, Insertion sort, and Bubble sort are all examples of sorting algorithms. These algorithms are used to arrange elements in a specific order, such as ascending or descending. Each algorithm follows a different approach to sorting, but they all aim to organize the elements efficiently and accurately. These sorting algorithms are commonly taught to first-year computing students as they form the foundation of understanding sorting techniques and algorithms.

Submit

15. Which of the following celebrities were born in 1965?