Unit 2 Fundamentals of Computer Systems

• Computing
• Further Education (Key Stage 5)

Unit 2 

Fundamentals

 of Computer Systems

Revision quiz

Which type of computer system is designed to provide services to multiple users simultaneously?

1. Mobile device
2. Personal compute
3. Server
4. Multi-functional device

Which internal component is primarily responsible for executing program instructions?

1. RAM
2. CPU
3. Hard disk drive
4. Power supply

Which factor most directly affects CPU performance?

1. Screen size
2. Clock speed
3. Case colour
4. Case colour

Which device is an example of an input device?

1. Monitor
2. Printer
3. Keyboard
4. Speaker

Which storage device provides non-volatile storage?

1. RAM
2. Cache
3. SSD
4. Register

What is a key factor when choosing hardware for accessibility?

1. Clock speed
2. Cost
3. Ease of use
4. Storage capacity

What does RAID primarily provide in data storage systems?

1. Increased screen resolution
2. Improved graphics processing
3. Data redundancy and fault tolerance
4. Faster internet access

What is the main purpose of NAS?

1. Graphics rendering
2. Centralised network storage
3. CPU cooling
4. Power management

Which operating system type is designed to respond within strict time constraints?

1. Multi-user OS
2. Single-user OS
3. Real-time OS
4. Batch OS

Which kernel function manages running multiple programs at the same time?

1. File systems
2. Multitasking
3. Disk access
4. Interrupt handling

Which component of an OS manages communication with hardware devices?

1. Kernel mode
2. File manager
3. Device drivers
4. User interface

Which user interface relies on typed commands?

1. Graphical
2. Menu-based
3. Command-line
4. Touch-based

What is a key factor affecting operating system choice?

1. Font style
2. Hardware compatibility
3. Screen resolution
4. Wallpaper design

Which is an example of utility software?

1. Spreadsheet application
2. Web browser
3. Disk defragmenter
4. Word processor

What is a benefit of open-source software?

1. Higher cost
2. Restricted modification
3. Community-driven development
4. Limited access to source code

Which hardware component is commonly used to collect data automatically?

1. Sensor
2. Printer
3. Monitor
4. Speaker

Which software process checks data accuracy before processing?

1. Aggregation
2. Validation
3. Reporting
4. Sorting

Which data processing function organises data into a specific order?

1. Conversion
2. Reporting
3. Sorting
4. Analysis

Which impact of storing data across multiple systems affects protection against threats?

1. Cost
2. Productivity
3. Security
4. Accessibility

What is the primary purpose of backups?

1. Speed up processing
2. Reduce file size
3. Recover lost data
4. Improve graphics

Which architecture uses a single memory for data and instructions?

1. Harvard
2. Cluster
3. Von Neumann
4. NUMA

What is a key feature of Harvard architecture?

1. Shared memory bus
2. Separate instruction and data memory
3. Single processor core
4. No cache memory

What is cluster computing primarily used for?

1. Mobile apps
2. High availability and performance
3. Single-user systems
4. Embedded systems

What does pipelining improve?

1. Storage capacity
2. Execution speed
3. Power usage
4. Screen refresh rate

What is the purpose of cache memory?

1. Long-term storage
2. Store operating systems
3. Reduce access time to frequently used data
4. Backup files

Which register stores the address of the next instruction?

1. MAR
2. MDR
3. Program Counter
4. Accumulator

Which register temporarily holds data being transferred to or from memory?

1. MAR
2. MDR
3. IR
4. PC

How many bits are in a byte?

1. 4
2. 6
3. 8
4. 16

What is BCD primarily used for?

1. Graphics processing
2. Representing decimal digits in binary
3. Compression
4. Encryption

What does ASCII represent?

1. Images
2. Sound
3. Characters
4. Video

Which character set supports a wide range of global languages?

1. ASCII
2. ANSI
3. Unicode
4. BCD

Increasing image resolution mainly affects which factor?

1. Colour depth
2. File size
3. Encryption strength
4. CPU speed

What does lossy compression do?

1. Preserves all data
2. Removes some data permanently
3. Increases file size
4. Improves quality

Which data structure follows a Last In, First Out (LIFO) principle?

1. Queue
2. Stack
3. Array
4. List

Which data structure follows First In, First Out (FIFO)?

1. Stack
2. Array
3. Queue
4. List

What is a two-dimensional array commonly used to represent?

1. Single values
2. Lists
3. Tables or matrices
4. Stacks

Row-major order stores data how?

1. Column by column
2. Randomly
3. Row by row
4. Diagonally

Which communication type allows data flow in both directions at the same time?

1. Simplex
2. Half-duplex
3. Full-duplex
4. Multi-drop

Which transmission method sends data one bit at a time?

1. Parallel
2. Serial
3. Packet
4. Duplex

What is packet switching used for?

1. Storing data
2. Encrypting data
3. Sending data across networks
4. Compressing files

Which encryption uses a single shared key?

1. Public key
2. Asymmetric
3. Symmetric
4. Hashing

Which cipher shifts letters by a fixed number?

1. Vigenère
2. Caesar
3. RSA
4. AES

Which error detection method uses a calculated value added to data?

1. Parity
2. Checksum
3. ARQ
4. FEC

What does ARQ do when an error is detected?

1. Ignores the error
2. Corrects data automatically
3. Requests retransmission
4. Encrypts the data

Which Boolean operator returns TRUE only if both inputs are TRUE?

1. OR
2. NOT
3. AND
4. XOR

Which logic gate inverts an input?

1. AND
2. OR
3. XOR
4. NOT

What is the main purpose of a flowchart?

1. Store data
2. Represent program logic visually
3. Encrypt information
4. Improve performance

Which symbol in a flowchart represents a decision?

1. Oval
2. Rectangle
3. Diamond
4. Parallelogram

What do system diagrams help to show?

1. File sizes
2. Data flow between components
3. Encryption strength
4. Memory addresses