WAEC Computer Studies 2018 past questions
Ten questions from the 2018 WAEC Computer Studies paper, with answers and explanations. We hold 48 questions from this paper, and the Skolra app has all of them.
WAEC Computer Studies 2018 questions and answers
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1.The most important system software in a computer system is the?
- AUtility program
- BOperating systemCorrect
- CCompiler
- DDevice driver
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Answer: B
The operating system is correct. It is the most important system software because it is the master program that manages all the computer's hardware resources (processor, memory, storage, input/output devices) and provides the platform on which every other program, including application software, runs. Without it, the computer cannot even start up or let a user interact with it — this is why it is loaded first (booted) before anything else can work.
- A
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2.Data can be defined as?
- ARaw facts and figures that have not yet been processed into a meaningful formCorrect
- BProcessed facts that have been given meaning and context
- CA set of instructions that directs a computer to carry out a task
- DAn organized collection of related facts stored for easy retrieval
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Answer: A
Data refers to raw facts and figures that have not yet been processed into a meaningful form. On their own, data items (numbers, words, symbols) do not tell us much until they are organised or processed.
So the correct definition is that data is raw, unprocessed facts and figures.
- A
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3.The MS-Windows shortcut keys to initiate warm booting is?
- AAlt + Shift + Escape
- BCtrl + Alt + DeleteCorrect
- CCtrl + Alt + Escape
- DCtrl + Shift + Delete
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Answer: B
Ctrl + Alt + Delete is correct. This is the well-known "three-finger salute" used on MS-Windows systems to initiate a warm boot — restarting the computer through software without switching off the power supply, unlike a cold boot which starts the system from a powered-off state.
- A
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4.Which of the following output devices was common among the computing devices of the 19th century?
- APrinterCorrect
- BVisual Display Unit
- CSpeaker
- DPlotter
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Answer: A
The printer is the correct answer. Computing devices of the 19th century — such as Charles Babbage's Difference Engine and Analytical Engine — were mechanical calculating machines built long before electronic screens existed. The only practical way such a machine could present its results was by printing them onto paper (or stamping them onto metal plates), so a printing mechanism was built directly into these early designs as the standard output device.
- A
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5.The number 28 in binary is?
- A00111
- B11010
- C11100Correct
- D11101
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Answer: C
To convert 28 from denary (base 10) to binary (base 2), divide repeatedly by 2 and read the remainders from the bottom upward.
28 ÷ 2 = 14 remainder 0
14 ÷ 2 = 7 remainder 0
7 ÷ 2 = 3 remainder 1
3 ÷ 2 = 1 remainder 1
1 ÷ 2 = 0 remainder 1Reading the remainders from the last one obtained to the first gives 11100, which is correct. You can check it: 16 + 8 + 4 + 0 + 0 = 28.
- A
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6.The ASCII chart control characters using numeric codes ranging from?
- A0 to 127
- B32 to 127
- C0 to 31Correct
- D128 to 255
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Answer: C
Correct answer: 0 to 31.
So when a WAEC question asks where the control characters sit on the ASCII chart, the answer a student should give is 0 to 31.
- A
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7.The system unit houses the following components except?
- APower supply unit
- BKeyboardCorrect
- CHard disk drive
- DMotherboard
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Answer: B
The system unit is the case (tower or desktop box) that holds the computer's internal working parts. It houses the motherboard, the power supply unit, the hard disk drive, the processor, RAM and expansion cards.
- A
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8.The largest computer system in terms of processing power is A?
- ASupercomputerCorrect
- BMainframe computer
- CMicrocomputer
- DMinicomputer
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Answer: A
Supercomputer is correct. In Computer Studies, computers are classified by processing power and capacity, from the most powerful down to the least powerful, as follows:
Supercomputer → Mainframe computer → Minicomputer → Microcomputer
- A
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9.Which of the following charts does not display the Xand Y axes?
- ABar chart
- BPie chartCorrect
- CHistogram
- DLine chart
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Answer: B
Pie chart is correct. A pie chart shows data as slices of a circle, where each slice's size represents its share (often in percentage) of the whole. It has no X-axis or Y-axis at all — there is nothing to plot along two perpendicular lines because the chart is not based on coordinates, just proportions of a single total.
- A
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10.Which of the following components are data communication equipment? I. Scanner ll. Hub lIl. Modem
- AI, II and III
- BI and II only
- CI and III only
- DII and III onlyCorrect
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Answer: D
Data communication equipment are devices that help transmit or manage the flow of data between computers or across a network.
- A
The questions come from past JAMB, WAEC and NECO papers. We use software to help write the answer options and explanations, and every answer is checked twice before it goes on the site. How we check
Spotted a wrong answer? Tell us from the app or on the contact page and we check it.
Practise all 48 questions we hold from the 2018 paper, on a timed CBT screen
Every question has the answer and an explanation, in the Skolra app.