The key ideas of this chapter, answered through the six guiding questions. Read them with your textbook.
🧠 Concept map: Parts of a computer
1What am I looking at?
Answer: The main parts of a computer and what each does.
2What are its main parts or ideas?
Answer: Monitor, CPU (cabinet), keyboard, mouse, speakers, printer; input, processing, output and storage.
3How does it work?
Answer: You give input (keyboard, mouse), the CPU processes it, and output appears on the monitor or printer.
4Why is it important?
Answer: Computers help us learn, work, play and communicate.
5What happens if something changes?
Answer: Without the CPU nothing can be processed — it is the brain of the computer.
6What should I remember for the exam?
Answer: Name parts and classify devices as input or output.
📗 Full lesson: Parts of a computer and what they do
This topic comes from GayaGnan's India-wide K–12 catalog. It is not copied from, or an official chapter of, any board's textbook: check your board's syllabus for the exact chapter and depth. Open as its own page →
🖼️ 2D concept map
Tap a word to see what it means.
Exploded view of a computer with parts that light up by type
Classify devices as input, output, processing or storage
Explain hardware and software with examples
Before you start: Knowing common devices.
📖 Explanation
A computer has hardware (parts we can touch) and software (programs that tell it what to do).
Input devices send information to the computer: keyboard, mouse, microphone, scanner, camera. The CPU (central processing unit) processes data, like the brain. Output devices show results: monitor, printer, speakers. Storage keeps data: hard disk, SSD, pen drive.
Software includes the operating system (Windows, Linux, Android) and application software (paint programs, word processors, games).
🇮🇳 Example from India
In a computer lab under a state ICT@School programme, students type a story (input), the CPU processes it, and the printer prints it (output).
⚠️ Common mistake
✗ The monitor is the computer ✓ The monitor only shows output; processing happens in the CPU inside the cabinet or laptop body.
🧪 Try this activity
Sort picture cards of computer parts into input, output, processing and storage boxes.
✍️ Question bank with answers
Tap an option to check multiple-choice answers. Open “Answer” or “Marking points” for the others.
Multiple choice1 mark · easy
Which is an input device?
Answer
B. keyboard
We type data into the computer.
Multiple choice1 mark · easy
The brain of the computer is the
Answer
B. CPU
It processes data.
Multiple choice1 mark · easy
Which is software?
Answer
A. a paint program
Programs are software.
Very short answer1 mark · easy
Name one storage device.
Answer
pen drive, hard disk or memory card
Very short answer1 mark · easy
Name one output device.
Answer
monitor, printer or speakers
Short answer2 marks · medium
Differentiate hardware and software with one example each.
Marking points
Hardware can be touched, e.g. keyboard
Software are programs, e.g. a paint app
Long answer4 marks · hard
Explain the input–process–output cycle with the example of printing a drawing.
Marking points
Input: draw with the mouse
Process: CPU handles the drawing
Output: printer prints it
Storage: save the file
Application2 marks · medium
The printer is not printing. Name two things you can check.
Answer
Is it switched on and connected?
Does it have paper and ink?
Diagram / label2 marks · medium
Draw a computer system and label input, output and processing devices.
Answer
Keyboard and mouse as input
Monitor and printer as output
CPU as processing
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