A word processor is application software for creating and editing text. It is how letters, essays and reports are prepared on a computer.
The idea
You type into a document, then edit. Editing includes deleting, inserting, copying and moving text. Formatting changes how the text looks: font, size, bold, italic, underline, alignment and spacing. Formatting does not change the words. Editing does. Saving stores the file on a disk so it is still there after the program closes. Save often, and use a name you will recognise later.
A word processor also checks spelling, counts words, and can add a header, a page number or a table. Those tools help, but they do not understand the essay. A spelling check will accept a real word in the wrong place. Proofread on paper or on screen after the check. When a question says "state the feature", name the feature and the job, for example "bold makes a heading stand out".
What earns the marks
Editing and formatting are different marks. Changing "their" to "there" is editing. Making a title bold is formatting. "Save" and "Save As" are different: Save stores back to the same file, Save As makes a copy under a new name or in a new place. Do not say the computer corrects your grammar by itself.
Practice questions
These are practice questions in the style of the paper, with a model answer and a mark scheme. They are not a promise of what your paper will ask.
1Question 1
4 marks
(a) What is a word processor? (2 marks)
(b) Distinguish between editing and formatting. (2 marks)
Model answer
(a) A word processor is application software used to create, edit and print text documents.
(b) Editing changes the words. Formatting changes the appearance, such as bold or alignment, without changing the words.
Mark scheme
Application software, or a program1 mark
Used to create or edit text documents1 mark
Editing changes the content or the words1 mark
Formatting changes appearance and not the words1 mark
2Question 2
2 marks
State two reasons for saving a document while you are still working on it. (2 marks)
Model answer
A power cut would not wipe out the whole piece of work. You can also come back to the same file later.
Mark scheme
Protects against loss if the program closes or power fails1 mark
Lets you continue later, or keep a copy1 mark
3Question 3
2 marks
A pupil wants the title of a letter to stand out, and also wants the date moved from the end of the letter to the top. Which task is formatting and which is editing? (2 marks)
Model answer
Making the title stand out, for example by using bold, is formatting. Moving the date is editing, because the content is being rearranged.
Mark scheme
Making the title stand out is formatting1 mark
Moving the date is editing1 mark
Practise ICT with Kevin
More questions on this topic are inside GLearn, marked as you answer, with the reason written out. The first ones need no account.
What is the difference between editing and formatting?+
Editing changes the words or their order. Formatting changes how they look, for example bold, font size or alignment. A spelling correction is editing. Centring a heading is formatting.
What is the difference between Save and Save As?+
Save writes the document back to the file you already opened. Save As creates a new file, so you can keep a copy under another name or in another folder. Use Save As when you do not want to overwrite the original. All BECE ICT past questions