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Tamil Nadu (TNBSE)Class 6 Science★ 3-6 marks in the TN Class 6 Term 3 exam through book-back MCQs and short answers on hardware and software

Hardware and Software

Samacheer Kalvi (TN State Board) Class 6 Science — Term 3 Chapter 6, Hardware and Software. The difference between hardware and software, system and application software, operating systems, and free/open-source versus paid/proprietary software, with the actual book-back questions, common mistakes and quick revision.

⏱ 13 min readEasy difficulty✓ Free · NCERT-aligned

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Key points, glossary and the questions most likely to show up.

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By the end of this chapter you'll be able to…

1Differentiate hardware and software
2Name the two types of software
3Identify the operating system as system software
4Distinguish free/open-source and paid software
5Give examples of each type

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Why this chapter matters

Hardware and Software completes digital literacy — knowing what a computer is made of and what runs it. The hardware/software difference, operating systems and free vs paid software are directly tested book-back content in the TN Class 6 Term 3 exam.

Before you start — revise these

A 5-minute refresher here will save you 30 minutes of confusion below.

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Term 2 — Parts of Computer

Computer parts.

Hardware and Software — Class 6 Science (Samacheer Kalvi)

TN State Board (Samacheer Kalvi) Class 6 Science, Term 3 — Chapter 6 (Computer Science). What runs a computer.

1. About this chapter

This chapter covers hardware and software, the types of software (system and application), the operating system, and free/open-source versus paid/proprietary software.

2. Hardware and software

Hardware is the physical, touchable parts of a computer — the CPU, RAM, motherboard, and input/output devices. Hardware is lifeless without software.
Software is the set of programmed and coded applications (instructions) that process the user's input. Software is divided into two types.

3. Types of software

System software is developed to control the operations of the computer — the operating system is the main system software. Android is an operating system.
Application software does specific user tasks (like a paint or word program).

4. Free vs paid software

Free and open-source software (FOSS) is available at no cost and can be shared and customised — examples are LINUX and GeoGebra.
Paid and proprietary software must be bought — examples are Windows, Mac OS and Adobe Photoshop.

5. Worked examples

Example 1. Which is NOT a part found inside the CPU — the ALU or the mouse? The mouse (it is an external input device).

Example 2. Is LINUX free or paid software? Free and open-source.

Example 3. Name a paid, proprietary software. Adobe Photoshop (also Windows, Mac OS).

6. Book-back questions (Samacheer Kalvi)

I. Choose the correct answer

The part NOT found inside the CPU is the — (a) ALU / (b) mouse. Ans: (b) mouse.
LINUX is a — (a) free and open-source software / (b) paid software. Ans: (a) free and open-source software.
A paid and proprietary software is — (a) LINUX / (b) Adobe Photoshop (also Windows, Mac OS). Ans: (b) all of these — Windows, Mac OS, Adobe Photoshop.
An operating system among these is — (a) Android / (b) Photoshop. Ans: (a) Android.
Free and open-source software is — (a) costly / (b) available at no cost. Ans: (b) available at no cost.

II. Fill in the blanks 6. Hardware is lifeless without software on a computer. 7. Software are the programmed and coded applications. 8. Software is divided into two types. 9. System software is developed to control the operations of the computer.

III. True or False 10. Hardware is the physical part of a computer. — True. 11. LINUX is a paid software. — False (it is free and open-source). 12. The operating system is a kind of system software. — True.

7. Common mistakes

Mistake: Calling the mouse a part inside the CPU. Fix: The mouse is an external input device, not a CPU part.
Mistake: Thinking LINUX is paid software. Fix: LINUX is free and open-source; Windows and Mac OS are paid.
Mistake: Mixing up system and application software. Fix: System software (OS) runs the computer; application software does user tasks.

8. Quick revision

Term 3 · Ch 6 · hardware and software.
Hardware = physical parts (lifeless without software); software = coded instructions, two types.
System software (operating system, e.g. Android) controls operations; application software does user tasks.
Free/open-source (LINUX, GeoGebra) is free; paid/proprietary (Windows, Mac OS, Adobe Photoshop) must be bought.

Key formulas & results

Everything you need to memorise, in one card. Screenshot this for revision.

Hardware

physical parts (CPU, RAM, devices); lifeless without software

Touchable.

Software

coded applications; two types (system, application)

Instructions.

System software

operating system controls operations (e.g. Android)

Runs the computer.

Free vs paid

FOSS: LINUX, GeoGebra; paid: Windows, Mac OS, Adobe Photoshop

Cost difference.

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Common mistakes & fixes

These are the exact errors that cost students marks in board exams. Read them once, save yourself the trouble.

WATCH OUT

✗ Calling the mouse a part inside the CPU

✓ The mouse is an external input device, not a CPU part.

WATCH OUT

✗ Thinking LINUX is paid software

✓ LINUX is free and open-source; Windows and Mac OS are paid.

WATCH OUT

✗ Mixing up system and application software

✓ System software (OS) runs the computer; application software does user tasks.

NCERT exercises (with solutions)

Every NCERT exercise from this chapter — what it covers and how many questions to expect.

Choose the correct answer

Book-back MCQs on the CPU, LINUX, proprietary software, the operating system and FOSS.

Questions

Fill in the blanks

Hardware, software, two types and system software.

Questions

True or False

Hardware, LINUX and the operating system.

Questions

Practice problems

Try each one yourself before tapping "Show solution". Active recall > rereading.

Q1EASY· MCQ

The part NOT found inside the CPU is the ____ (ALU / mouse).

▶ Show solution

mouse.

Q2EASY· MCQ

LINUX is a ____ software.

▶ Show solution

free and open-source.

Q3EASY· MCQ

An operating system among these is ____ (Android / Photoshop).

▶ Show solution

Android.

Q4EASY· Fill in the blanks

____ is lifeless without software on a computer.

▶ Show solution

Hardware.

Q5EASY· Fill in the blanks

Software is divided into ____ types.

▶ Show solution

two.

Q6EASY· True or False

The operating system is a kind of system software. (True/False)

▶ Show solution

True.

5-minute revision

The whole chapter, distilled. Read this the night before the exam.

•Term 3 Chapter 6 of Samacheer Kalvi Class 6 Science (Computer Science).
•Hardware is the physical, touchable part of a computer and is lifeless without software.
•Software is the coded applications that process input; it has two types.
•System software (the operating system, like Android) controls the computer's operations; application software does user tasks.
•Free and open-source software (LINUX, GeoGebra) is available at no cost.
•Paid and proprietary software (Windows, Mac OS, Adobe Photoshop) must be bought.

Tamil Nadu (TNBSE) marks blueprint

Where the marks come from in this chapter — so you can plan your prep.

Typical chapter weightage: 3-6 marks across book-back MCQ and short answers

Question type	Marks each	Typical count	What it tests
MCQ / Fill / T-F	1	5-7	Hardware, software, OS
Short Answer	2	1	Software types, free vs paid

Prep strategy

Separate hardware and software
Name the two software types
Identify the OS as system software
List free and paid examples

Where this shows up in the real world

This chapter isn't just an exam topic — it lives in the world around you.

Computing

Every computer needs both hardware and software.

Choosing software

Knowing free vs paid helps make smart choices.

Careers

Hardware and software are the basis of IT work.

Exam strategy

Battle-tested tips from teachers and toppers for this chapter.

Separate hardware and software clearly
Name the two software types
Quote the OS as system software
List free and paid examples

Going beyond the textbook

For olympiad aspirants and curious learners — topics that build on this chapter.

List five hardware parts and five software programs you use.
Explain why a computer needs an operating system.

Where else this chapter is tested

CBSE board isn't the only one — other exams test this chapter too.

TN Class 6 Term 3 ExamMedium

Computer / ICT testsMedium

School unit testsHigh

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Questions students ask

The real ones — pulled from the Q&A community and tutor sessions.

Hardware is the physical part of a computer that you can touch, like the CPU, keyboard and monitor, while software is the set of coded instructions and programs that tell the hardware what to do.

Free and open-source software, like LINUX, is available at no cost and can be shared and modified, while proprietary software, like Windows or Adobe Photoshop, must be purchased and cannot be freely copied or changed.

Practice more, ask doubts, find a tutor

Tamil Nadu (TNBSE) Class 6 mock tests

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Science flashcards

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