Free Practice Questions for WGU Introduction-to-IT Exam

•Verified Answer: A component of IT infrastructure is networks.

•Explanation: Networks play a crucial role in connecting various elements of an IT system, enabling communication and data exchange.

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Therefore, the correct answer is A. Networks.

The system unit refers to the main computer case and the internal components housed inside it. In Information Technology hardware terminology, the system unit contains the core electronic parts required for processing and storage, including the motherboard, CPU, RAM, storage drives, power supply, and expansion cards. The motherboard is a central internal component of the system unit because it is the main circuit board that holds and connects major hardware parts through sockets, slots, and buses. By contrast, a keyboard is an external input peripheral, a monitor is an external output display device, and a printer is an external output peripheral used for hard-copy printing. While these peripherals are essential for user interaction, they are not considered part of the system unit itself. Understanding this distinction is important for tasks such as hardware troubleshooting, upgrades, and system assembly, where internal components are serviced within the system unit enclosure. Therefore, the component that is part of the system unit is the motherboard.

The user interface dictates how the operating system is perceived because it is the part of the system that users directly interact with. In Information Technology, the user interface can be graphical, such as windows, icons, menus, and pointers, or command-line, where users type commands. This interface shapes the user experience by controlling how tasks are performed, how information is displayed, and how users navigate files, settings, and applications. While the kernel performs critical background functions such as memory management, process scheduling, and hardware control, most users do not interact with it directly. The file manager is an important utility for handling files and folders, but it is a subset of the overall user interface experience. Drivers are also mostly invisible to users and operate behind the scenes to enable hardware devices to work correctly. Because the user interface is the visible layer through which the operating system communicates with the user, it most strongly determines how the operating system is perceived. Therefore, the correct answer is user interface.

System software is the category that allows other software to interface with computer hardware. In Information Technology, system software includes the operating system, device drivers, and utility programs that manage hardware resources and provide a platform for applications. Applications such as word processors and web browsers do not communicate directly with hardware like the CPU, memory, storage devices, or printers. Instead, they use services provided by the operating system and drivers. The operating system manages processes, memory, and input and output operations, while device drivers translate general commands into device-specific instructions for hardware components. This layered design improves reliability and security by controlling access to hardware and standardizing how applications request resources. Productivity software refers to applications that help users perform tasks, and collaboration software supports communication and teamwork, but neither category provides the core hardware interface. Shareware is a distribution and licensing model, not a hardware interface layer. Therefore, the correct category is system software.

An input device is any hardware device that sends data to a computer, allowing you to interact with and control it. Input devices enable users to input information into the computer system. Let’s break down the options:

•Flash Drive (A): A flash drive (also known as a USB drive or thumb drive) is a storage device, not an input device. It allows you to store and transfer data but does not directly input data into the computer.

•CD (B): A CD (compact disc) is also a storage medium, typically used for storing audio, video, or software files. Like a flash drive, it is not an input device.

•Scanner ©: A scanner is a classic example of an input device. It captures physical documents, images, or text and converts them into digital data that the computer can process. Scanners are commonly used for tasks like digitizing photos, creating PDFs, or scanning documents.

•Printer (D): A printer is an output device, not an input device. It produces hard copies (printed documents) based on digital data received from the computer.

In summary, the correct answer is C. Scanner, as it directly inputs data into the computer system.

Hierarchical databases use a parent-child relationship model. In this type of database, data is organized into a tree-like structure that implies a single-parent for each record. This model allows the representation of data in a hierarchy which is very much like a family tree. Each parent can have multiple children, but each child has only one parent (also known as a one-to-many relationship).

The hierarchical database model was one of the first database models, historically used with mainframe computers. In this model, records contain information about their groups of parent/child relationships, similar to a family tree. If we consider a database of employees, each department would be a parent node, and each employee within that department would be a child node of the department.

1.Smaller Screens:

oVerified Answer: Handheld computers (such as smartphones and tablets) have smaller displays compared to desktop computers.

oExplanation: Handheld screens are typically around 3-5 diagonal inches for phones and up to 9-12 inches for tablets. In contrast, desktop screens range from 20-30 inches diagonally.

oReferences: 1

2.Processing Power and Customizability:

oVerified Answer: Desktop computers usually have more processing power, memory, and storage capacity than handheld devices.

oExplanation: Desktops are ideal for resource-intensive tasks like video editing, gaming, and software development. Handheld devices, while becoming more powerful, are still constrained by size and battery life considerations.

In the DIKW hierarchy, wisdom is the level that reflects judgment about what should be done in a specific situation. The package instruction, bake for 18 minutes at 400°F, is information because it is organized and contextualized guidance. The statement, “The pizza looks done after 16 minutes, so it should be taken out,” goes beyond repeating the instruction. It uses observation and judgment to decide the best action in context. This is characteristic of wisdom because it applies experience and situational awareness to choose an appropriate decision, even when it differs from the standard guideline. Knowledge would involve understanding how cooking time can vary based on oven performance, pizza thickness, and placement in the oven, and being able to apply techniques to manage those variables. Wisdom is the decision to act correctly in the moment, balancing the instructions with real evidence, such as doneness appearance, smell, or risk of burning. Therefore, this statement fits wisdom because it selects the right action based on contextual judgment.

1.Providing Valuable Ethical Guidelines to IT Professionals:

oProfessional associations establish codes of ethics and codes of conduct that outline expected behavior for IT professionals.

oThese guidelines address ethical considerations related to privacy, security, honesty, and professional responsibility.

oBy adhering to these standards, IT professionals contribute to the well-being of society and uphold the public good1.

2.Engaging in the Development and Adoption of Industry-Leading Practices:

oAssociations collaborate with industry experts to develop globally-accepted best practices.

oThey promote ethical behavior by disseminating these practices through seminars, conferences, and certification courses.

oBy following these standards, IT professionals ensure the integrity and trustworthiness of their work2.

References

•ACM Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct: The ACM (Association for Computing Machinery) provides a comprehensive code of ethics for computing professionals.

•Chapter 8: The Making of a Profession: Values, Ethics, and Conducts: This chapter discusses the role of professional associations in establishing ethical guidelines.

•Code of Professional Ethics | IS/IT Certifications | ISACA: ISACA (Information Systems Audit and Control Association) emphasizes compliance and governance in IT ethics3.

•Ethics and the IT Professional | EDUCAUSE Review: Various associations, including AITP (Association of Information Technology Professionals), contribute to ethical guidance