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Quiz about Lets Talk QWERTY
Quiz about Lets Talk QWERTY

Let's Talk QWERTY Trivia Quiz


Do you use a keyboard most every day? Here are just a few questions on the keyboard and the QWERTY layout (U.S).

A multiple-choice quiz by mlcmlc. Estimated time: 3 mins.
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Author
mlcmlc
Time
3 mins
Type
Multiple Choice
Quiz #
390,026
Updated
Dec 03 21
# Qns
10
Difficulty
Easy
Avg Score
8 / 10
Plays
881
Awards
Top 35% Quiz
Last 3 plays: Flukey (9/10), Guest 50 (6/10), Johnmcmanners (10/10).
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Question 1 of 10
1. The QWERTY keyboard has basically been in use since the late 1870s. How could you tell that the keyboard in front of you uses the QWERTY layout? Hint


Question 2 of 10
2. Though many other keyboard layouts have been developed, QWERTY continues to be the most popular. Which of the layouts below was developed and proposed during the 1930s? Hint


Question 3 of 10
3. One of the first keys added to early computer keyboards can now usually be found on the top left of the keyboard. Which of these keys sends ASCII code 27 (often used to stop processing)? Hint


Question 4 of 10
4. Prior to graphical user interfaces and scroll bars, there was often a need to pause a display. What prompt did the user see? Hint


Question 5 of 10
5. The Backspace and Delete keys operate identically.


Question 6 of 10
6. When typing on a keyboard, most of the keys on the keyboard represent two symbols. The use of the Shift key allows the typist to display an alternate symbol. What is the name for these type of keys, which do nothing when used by themselves, but change the behavior of other keys? Hint


Question 7 of 10
7. These keys were originally programmed to always send the same signal/code. However, which of these set of keys can now have a different instruction set for every operating system and/or application? Hint


Question 8 of 10
8. There are many workers today who sit at the computer all day, just typing away. The use of the keyboard, if not properly situated for the individual user can cause what type of injury? Hint


Question 9 of 10
9. While not universal, many keyboards have keys that also have associated LED lights. Which keys also enable lights? Hint


Question 10 of 10
10. QWERTY keyboards are available for many languages.



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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
1. The QWERTY keyboard has basically been in use since the late 1870s. How could you tell that the keyboard in front of you uses the QWERTY layout?

Answer: The first 6 letter keys on the top row spell QWERTY

Christopher Latham Sholes (1819-1890) is credited with the development of the first commercially successful typewriter which was sold to E. Remington and Sons in 1873. The QWERTY layout was first produced on a Remington No. 1 in 1873. The Remington No. 2 (1878) also used a QWERTY layout, but it had the ability to print both upper and lower case letters using a shift key.

There are many theories about how the layout came to be, but my favorite is that Remington wanted the top row to spell "type writer".
2. Though many other keyboard layouts have been developed, QWERTY continues to be the most popular. Which of the layouts below was developed and proposed during the 1930s?

Answer: Dvorak

The Dvorak Simplified Keyboard is only one of the many different layouts that have been developed through the years. Dvorak's system was tested against the QWERTY layout, but even today folks don't agree on the results.

Many operating systems now provide the option of configuring your system to utilize the Dvorak layout. This is between you and your keyboard, try it out if you're interested.
3. One of the first keys added to early computer keyboards can now usually be found on the top left of the keyboard. Which of these keys sends ASCII code 27 (often used to stop processing)?

Answer: Esc

Bob Bemer (1920-2004) is credited with the additon of the Esc (or ESCape) character/key in 1960. The key would allow programmers to switch between code types when working on multiple platforms.

As time passed, programmers began to integrate the key as a signal to "stop". Many operating systems respond to the key alone or in combination with other keys.
4. Prior to graphical user interfaces and scroll bars, there was often a need to pause a display. What prompt did the user see?

Answer: Press any key to continue...

Before graphical user interfaces, the text on the monitor would continue scrolling until the executing program paused. The DOS prompt "pause" displayed "Press any key to continue..." until the user pressed the appropriate key.

For some this was intuitive, but for others problematical. Firstly, all keys didn't resume operation (e.g., Shift, Lock, etc.). Secondly, some folks thought there should actually be a key labeled "any".
5. The Backspace and Delete keys operate identically.

Answer: False

Well, they do both erase text, but each in its own way. The Backspace key moves the cursor back one position and deletes the character in that position. The Delete (or Del) key eliminates the character at the current position.
6. When typing on a keyboard, most of the keys on the keyboard represent two symbols. The use of the Shift key allows the typist to display an alternate symbol. What is the name for these type of keys, which do nothing when used by themselves, but change the behavior of other keys?

Answer: modifier keys

There are many options here depending on the type of system/keyboard that you've purchased, but the most common of the modifier keys are Shift, Ctrl, Alt. Some keyboards also have a MS Windows logo key, and an Apple Macintosh keyboard would have an Option key.
7. These keys were originally programmed to always send the same signal/code. However, which of these set of keys can now have a different instruction set for every operating system and/or application?

Answer: function keys

The function keys first appeared on calculators. Many of these calculators were early desktop computers perhaps with a BASIC compiler and CRT (cathode ray tube or monitor).

As function keys became more popular, there was no consistency on how they were implemented and every programmer of every application had their own ideas. In 1987 IBM published a Common User Access (CUA) for DOS applications. This strongly influenced the design of keyboard shortcuts and function key uses. For example, F1 is almost always the "help" key.
8. There are many workers today who sit at the computer all day, just typing away. The use of the keyboard, if not properly situated for the individual user can cause what type of injury?

Answer: repetitive strain

Important Note: it's strongly recommended that a person not sit in the same position all day. It's important to get up and move around, and do some light exercise. If you're experiencing any strain, it might be a matter of ergonomics, or designing the people space for work with the computer, influenced by the height of the monitor, seat, keyboard table, etc.
9. While not universal, many keyboards have keys that also have associated LED lights. Which keys also enable lights?

Answer: Num Lock, Caps Lock, Scroll Lock

The light is an indication of whether the lock function is on (light on), or off for each of the functions.

While on, the Caps Lock key ENABLES TYPING IN ALL CAPITAL LETTERS. The Num Lock key enables the number pad keys to produce numbers when pressed rather than be used as directional arrows. The Scroll Lock should stop the scrolling of text or might halt a program's operation (I've only ever used this in MS Excel. When off, the use of the arrow keys causes the currently selected cell to change. When on, it causes the whole screen to move, but does not change the selected cell.)
10. QWERTY keyboards are available for many languages.

Answer: True

QWERTY keyboards have many modifications implemented to aid local users, no matter where they are. Different alphabets, extra characters, accent marks, and additional functions have been added.
Source: Author mlcmlc

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor rossian before going online.
Any errors found in FunTrivia content are routinely corrected through our feedback system.
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This quiz is part of series this author's Adventures in Authoring #2:

Progressing through the Adventures in Authoring challenge gives the opportunity to write all kinds of quizzes. Here are some of the quizzes I created during the challenge.

  1. These Ten Tall Towers Average
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  3. Word Play Easier
  4. What's on Your Key Chain? Very Easy
  5. Let's Talk QWERTY Easier

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