Grade 11 · CAPS

Grade 11 Systems Technologies: Hardware

Computer Applications Technology practice questions and a worked example

Grade 11 CAT hardware questions push further than Grade 10 -- reading a full laptop advertisement and explaining what each specification means (processor, RAM function, SSD vs HDD, integrated graphics, accessibility input devices). Practice questions here are drawn from a real November exemplar paper's advert-based question block.

Worked example

Study the advertisement below before answering the questions that follow. NOTEBOOK G74SX - Core i5 - 17.3" full HD 1920 x 1080 LED display - 8 GB DDR3 RAM - 750 GB HDD + 160 GB SSD - Integrated Intel HD3000 graphics - Blu-ray writer - Backlit keyboard - Wireless LAN and Bluetooth - Windows 10 - Microsoft Security Essentials 4.3 Explain TWO functions of RAM in a computer.

Answer & explanation

(Temporarily) holds/stores the data and program/instructions the computer/CPU is working with at a given moment.
1. RAM (Random Access Memory) temporarily stores data and instructions that the CPU needs while performing tasks. This allows the CPU to access information quickly without retrieving it from slower storage like a hard drive. 2. RAM enables multitasking by holding data for multiple programs simultaneously, allowing the CPU to switch between tasks efficiently. This is why having more RAM can improve a computer's performance when running several applications at once.

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Systems Technologies: Hardware

Question 1 of 3

1.2 New technology makes it possible for the police and licence department to import people's fingerprints electronically into the system. This method is known as ... input.
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More practice questions

Explore additional Grade 11 Systems Technologies: Hardware questions.

  • 2
    2.2 The specification in which the brightness of a data projector is measured
  • 3
    2.3 A type of printer that can be used to make real, physical objects
  • 4
    2.4 The specification in which the resolution of a printer is measured
  • 5
    2.5 The specification in which the speed of a printer is measured

Common mistakes

  • Describing RAM and storage as 'the same thing' -- RAM is temporary working memory, storage (HDD/SSD) keeps files permanently. Learners also often give a brand-name answer (e.g. 'Windows') where the question is actually asking for a general term (e.g. 'operating system').

More Grade 11 Computer Applications Technology topics

Systems Technologies: Hardware in other grades

Aligned to CAPS Grade 11 Computer Applications Technology — Systems Technologies: Hardware. Curriculum source: CAPS for the FET Phase, Department of Basic Education.

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