A coworker tells you that you need to extract a file on your computer.
What do they mean by “extract”?
A The file needs to be copied to the cloud backup drive
B The file is a virus that must be removed
C The file is on a CD that needs to be removed from the CD drive
D You have to email the file to someone else
E It’s a compressed file that must be unzipped
The correct answer and explanation is :
Correct Answer: E — It’s a compressed file that must be unzipped.
Explanation:
When a coworker tells you that you need to “extract” a file on your computer, they are referring to the process of unpacking or decompressing a file that has been compressed, often to reduce its size or bundle multiple files together. Compressed files are typically in formats like .zip, .rar, .7z, or .tar.gz. These formats use software to reduce the file size for easier storage, faster downloads, or convenient file sharing.
“Extracting” is the process of restoring the compressed file(s) to their original state so they can be used. For example, a .zip file might contain several documents, images, or folders bundled together. You need to “extract” it to access the individual files inside.
Most operating systems, including Windows and macOS, have built-in tools to handle basic extraction of .zip files. More advanced compression formats like .rar or .7z may require third-party tools such as WinRAR, 7-Zip, or The Unarchiver.
Here’s a simple example:
- Your coworker emails you a file called
project_files.zip. - This file contains multiple documents and spreadsheets.
- You can’t use the files directly from the
.zip; you must extract them. - You right-click the file and choose “Extract All” or use software like 7-Zip.
- After extraction, a new folder appears with the usable files inside.
None of the other options describe what “extract” typically means in computing:
- A is about copying, not extracting.
- B refers to virus removal.
- C is about ejecting physical media.
- D is about emailing, not file decompression.
So, the correct interpretation of “extract” in this context is: unzipping a compressed file.