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
🎲 Practice more
A new set of questions every time you press the button. Tap an option to check it and see why. Maths, science, computer and commerce sets get fresh numbers and pictures on every try.
