UGC NET Questions (Paper – 1)

A scanner is designed to capture images or printed text and translate them into digital data that a computer can store and process. It uses optical sensors to read the physical document and convert it into a bitmap or similar format. This process is central to digitising paper records and images. Hence, the device described in the stem is a scanner.

Option A:
Option A is correct because standard ICT classifications list scanners as input devices that bring external visual information into the computer system. They play an important role in document management and optical character recognition tasks.

Option B:
Option B, printer, is an output device that produces hard copies of digital documents rather than capturing physical documents into the computer. Its direction of information flow is opposite to what is described.

Option C:
Option C, speaker, outputs audio signals from the computer to the user and therefore cannot be used to input printed text or images.

Option D:
Option D, plotter, produces large-scale drawings or graphics on paper and is considered a specialised output device, not an input device.

A scanner captures information from physical documents and transmits it to the computer as digital data. This process feeds information into the system rather than sending results out to the user. In classification of hardware, such devices are grouped as input devices. Hence, the blank must be filled with input.

Option A:
Option A is correct because input devices are defined as hardware components used to enter data and instructions into a computer, and a scanner clearly performs this role by digitising paper content.

Option B:
Option B, output, devices such as monitors and printers present processed information to the user and do not capture external data.

Option C:
Option C, storage, devices primarily hold data over time and are not directly involved in acquiring it from outside sources.

Option D:
Option D, processing, refers to components like the CPU that manipulate data but do not acquire it from the external environment.