Computer Systems questions

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Computer Systems question collection

Review Computer Systems questions for Computer Science, with correct answers shown and coverage across CPU components and fetch-execute cycle; memory and storage; hardware and software.

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Question 1

What is the part of a computer that carries out instructions?
  1. CPU
  2. SSD
  3. GPU
  4. Router

Question 2

Which component only stores data temporarily?
  1. RAM
  2. ROM
  3. SSD
  4. HDD

Question 3

Which type of storage keeps data when power is off?
  1. Secondary storage
  2. RAM
  3. Registers
  4. Cache

Question 4

What does volatile memory do when power is off?
  1. Loses data
  2. Encrypts data
  3. Backs up data
  4. Duplicates data

Question 5

What does OS stand for?
  1. Operating System
  2. Optical Storage
  3. Online Service
  4. Output Signal

Question 6

Which is an operating system?
  1. Windows
  2. Word
  3. Excel
  4. PowerPoint

Question 7

What does a device driver do?
  1. Enables OS to talk to hardware
  2. Stores user passwords
  3. Deletes temporary files
  4. Speeds up internet

Question 8

Which is an input device?
  1. Keyboard
  2. Monitor
  3. Printer
  4. Speaker

Question 9

Which is an output device?
  1. Monitor
  2. Scanner
  3. Mouse
  4. Microphone

Question 10

Which storage type contains startup firmware such as BIOS?
  1. ROM
  2. RAM
  3. Cache
  4. SSD

Question 11

What is cache memory used for?
  1. Storing frequently used data for quick CPU access
  2. Long-term file storage
  3. Connecting to a network
  4. Displaying graphics output

Question 12

What does GPU mainly do?
  1. Processes graphics
  2. Stores files long-term
  3. Routes internet traffic
  4. Prints documents

Question 13

What is BIOS mainly used for?
  1. Start hardware checks at boot
  2. Run Python scripts
  3. Edit photos
  4. Host websites

Question 14

What are multi-core CPUs useful for?
  1. Handling tasks at the same time
  2. Storing more files
  3. Replacing RAM
  4. Cooling the system

Question 15

What unit is CPU clock speed often measured in?
  1. GHz
  2. MB
  3. DPI
  4. RPM

Question 16

What is secondary storage used for?
  1. Long-term data storage
  2. Immediate CPU calculations
  3. Showing graphics
  4. Typing input

Question 17

Compared with an HDD, what is usually true of an SSD?
  1. It is usually faster
  2. It is usually louder
  3. It has moving parts
  4. It is usually slower

Question 18

What is the main role of a motherboard in a computer?
  1. To connect components so they can communicate
  2. To store files permanently
  3. To render 3D graphics directly
  4. To provide internet access by itself

Question 19

What does GUI stand for?
  1. Graphical User Interface
  2. General User Internet
  3. Graphic Utility Input
  4. Global Usage Interface

Question 20

What does CLI stand for?
  1. Command Line Interface
  2. Computer Link Interface
  3. Code Level Interpreter
  4. Central Login Input

Question 21

What does CPU stand for?
  1. Central Processing Unit
  2. Central Program Unit
  3. Computer Processing Utility
  4. Core Processing Unit

Question 22

Which CPU part controls instruction flow?
  1. Control Unit
  2. Arithmetic Logic Unit
  3. Cache
  4. Register file

Question 23

Which CPU part performs calculations and logic tests?
  1. ALU
  2. Control Unit
  3. ROM
  4. Bus

Question 24

How is cache best described?
  1. Small, fast memory near the CPU
  2. Long-term file storage
  3. Read-only startup memory
  4. A network buffer

Question 25

What are CPU registers?
  1. Small, ultra-fast storage inside the CPU
  2. Large external storage drives
  3. Main memory chips on the motherboard
  4. Cloud storage locations

Question 26

What unit is CPU clock speed usually measured in?
  1. GHz
  2. GB
  3. ms
  4. dpi

Question 27

What does clock speed measure?
  1. Cycles per second
  2. Programs installed
  3. Bytes in RAM
  4. Cores on a chip

Question 28

What is a CPU core?
  1. An independent processing unit
  2. A type of cache memory
  3. A motherboard socket
  4. A file compression method

Question 29

What is an advantage of a dual-core processor compared with a single-core processor?
  1. It can process multiple tasks more effectively at the same time
  2. It automatically doubles clock speed
  3. It removes the need for RAM
  4. It permanently stores more files

Question 30

What does FDE stand for?
  1. Fetch, Decode, Execute
  2. Fetch, Delete, Execute
  3. Find, Decode, Execute
  4. Fetch, Decode, Exit

Question 31

What is RAM?
  1. Volatile memory
  2. Optical storage
  3. Non-volatile firmware memory
  4. External backup media

Question 32

What is ROM?
  1. Non-volatile memory
  2. Temporary memory only
  3. A type of CPU cache
  4. A cloud storage service

Question 33

What does virtual memory use?
  1. Secondary storage as extra RAM
  2. ROM as extra cache
  3. GPU memory as hard drive space
  4. Cloud storage as BIOS memory

Question 34

Compared with an HDD, what is usually true of an SSD?
  1. Faster
  2. Slower
  3. More fragile to shock
  4. Louder in operation

Question 35

Which is optical storage?
  1. DVD
  2. SSD
  3. USB flash drive
  4. Magnetic tape

Question 36

Which is magnetic storage?
  1. Hard disk drive
  2. DVD-ROM
  3. SD card
  4. Blu-ray disc

Question 37

Which is solid-state storage?
  1. USB flash drive
  2. CD-ROM
  3. Hard disk drive
  4. Magnetic tape reel

Question 38

What is an embedded system?
  1. A computer built into a larger device
  2. A desktop with two monitors
  3. Any server on a network
  4. A cloud-only application

Question 39

Why is secondary storage needed?
  1. Secondary storage is required to store data long-term
  2. Secondary storage increases CPU clock speed
  3. RAM cannot hold program instructions
  4. Secondary storage is required to display graphics

Question 40

Which is utility software?
  1. Antivirus
  2. Spreadsheet
  3. Web browser quiz
  4. Presentation editor

Question 41

What does POST do when a computer starts?
  1. Checks hardware is working
  2. Formats the hard drive
  3. Installs new drivers
  4. Connects to cloud storage

Question 42

What does a firewall do?
  1. Filters network traffic for security
  2. Stores long-term user files
  3. Increases CPU clock speed
  4. Renders graphics on screen

Question 43

What is an interrupt?
  1. A signal that pauses current processing for urgent handling
  2. A permanent CPU shutdown command
  3. A method for storing files long-term
  4. A type of ROM chip

Question 44

What problem can virtual memory help with?
  1. Running out of RAM
  2. Low internet bandwidth
  3. A dead CMOS battery
  4. Insufficient CPU cores

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Review Computer Systems questions for Computer Science, with correct answers shown and coverage across CPU components and fetch-execute cycle; memory and storage; hardware and software.

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