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💻 How Computers Work

Years 6 to 10 · Read up first

10 questions. Get 8 right to earn 10 minutes. All 10 right = +5 bonus. They start easy and get harder as you go, so treat the first few as a warm-up. Every one you miss comes back with the answer and why.

1. What is a 'folder' (or directory) used for?

Connecting to WiFiDeleting old files automaticallyMaking a computer run fasterOrganising files into groups

2. What is a 'file'?

A named collection of data stored on a computer, like a document or a photoA passwordA physical part of a computerA type of internet connection

3. What is a 'variable' in programming?

A permanent, unchangeable settingA type of computer virusA physical part of the hardwareA named place to store a value that a program can use and change

4. What does 'software' mean?

A folder used only for photosA type of network cableThe physical parts of a computerThe programs and instructions that tell hardware what to do

5. What is an IP address?

A password used to unlock a computerA type of computer virusA number that identifies a device on a network so data knows where to goThe name of a website

6. Why is a network of just two directly connected computers still called a network?

A network simply means devices connected together to share data, regardless of how manyA network needs at least ten connected devices to countOnly wireless connections between computers count as a networkTwo computers connected together is called a server instead

7. Why does visiting a website usually involve both DNS and a server working together?

They do the same job, so only one of them is actually neededThe server looks up the address, and DNS displays the pageDNS stores the whole website, and the server is only used for imagesDNS finds the correct IP address for the website's name, then the browser talks to the server at that address

8. Why does a computer use binary (0s and 1s) instead of, say, ten digits like we do?

Its electronic circuits are simplest to build and control with two clear states, like on and offComputers are physically unable to count past oneBinary is easier for people to readBinary uses less electricity than any other number system

9. At a basic level, what is a large language model (the kind of AI behind many chatbots) actually doing when it answers a question?

Connecting directly to a person's brain to read their thoughtsRunning a fixed list of pre-written answers written by a personLooking up the exact correct answer in a single trusted encyclopediaPredicting the most likely next words, based on patterns learned from huge amounts of text

10. Why might two websites with completely different addresses (URLs) actually be running on the same physical server?

A single server can host many separate websites at once, each identified by its own domain nameEvery website must have its own dedicated physical server, with no exceptionsServers can only ever host one website for their entire lifetimeDomain names and physical servers are always matched one to one

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