Computer Hardware: A Comprehensive Guide for Sixth Form Students

Question 1

Which output device is primarily used to produce hard copies of data?

Accepted Answer

Printer

Answer

Keyboard

Answer

Monitor

Answer

Scanner

Question 2

What is the primary purpose of a network interface card (NIC) in a computer system?

Accepted Answer

Connecting the computer to a network

Answer

Controlling the flow of data within the computer

Answer

Storing data and programs

Answer

Processing instructions

Question 3

What is the primary purpose of storage devices like hard disk drives and solid-state drives?

Accepted Answer

To store data permanently for future access

Answer

To provide temporary data storage

Answer

To process data and instructions

Answer

To receive input from the user

Question 4

Which type of interface is commonly used to connect a monitor to a computer?

Accepted Answer

HDMI

Answer

USB

Answer

Ethernet

Answer

Bluetooth

Question 5

What is the primary function of a motherboard in a computer system?

Accepted Answer

To connect different hardware components

Answer

To store the operating system

Answer

To process data and instructions

Answer

To display output to the user

Question 6

Which type of software is responsible for managing and allocating computer hardware resources?

Accepted Answer

Operating system

Answer

Application software

Answer

Firmware

Answer

Device drivers

Question 7

How do files and folders differ in their functionality within a computer system?

Accepted Answer

Files store data, while folders organize files.

Answer

Folders store data, while files organize folders.

Answer

Files and folders are interchangeable and serve the same purpose.

Answer

Folders store data, while files organize folders.

Question 8

Which characteristic is unique to a parallel bus?

Accepted Answer

Data transmission occurs multiple bits simultaneously

Answer

Data transmission occurs one bit at a time

Answer

It operates slower than a serial bus

Answer

It is more cost-effective than a serial bus

Question 9

What key advantage do solid-state drives (SSDs) have over hard disk drives (HDDs)?

Accepted Answer

Faster data transfer speeds

Answer

Lower noise levels

Answer

Greater storage capacity

Answer

Lower cost

Question 10

How does the memory hierarchy, including cache memory, RAM, and secondary storage, enhance computer system performance?

Accepted Answer

Faster access to frequently used data, reducing latency

Answer

Elimination of virtual memory, improving memory management

Answer

Increased system cost due to multiple memory types

Question 11

What is the main role of the motherboard in a computer system?

Accepted Answer

Connecting components

Answer

Processing data

Answer

Storing data

Answer

Regulating voltage

Question 12

Which of the following storage devices offers the fastest data retrieval speed?

Accepted Answer

Solid-State Drive (SSD)

Answer

Hard Disk Drive (HDD)

Answer

Optical Disc Drive (ODD)

Answer

Magnetic Tape Drive (MTD)

Question 13

Which input device allows users to capture images and convert them into digital format?

Accepted Answer

Scanner

Answer

Keyboard

Answer

Mouse

Answer

Microphone

Question 14

Which type of storage interface is designed to facilitate high-speed data transfer between devices?

Accepted Answer

Peripheral Component Interconnect Express (PCIe)

Answer

Serial ATA (SATA)

Answer

Universal Serial Bus (USB)

Answer

FireWire

Question 15

Which of the following is a key characteristic of a multi-core processor?

Accepted Answer

Multiple independent processing units integrated on a single chip

Answer

Higher clock speeds compared to single-core processors

Answer

Lower power consumption than single-core processors

Answer

Always has an even number of cores

Question 16

Which of the following storage devices utilizes solid-state technology?

Accepted Answer

Solid-State Drive (SSD)

Answer

Hard Disk Drive (HDD)

Answer

Optical Disc Drive (ODD)

Answer

Magnetic Tape Drive (MTD)

Question 17

Which type of processor is specifically designed to manage large-scale parallel tasks, like those found in video editing and scientific computing?

Accepted Answer

GPU

Answer

RISC

Answer

CISC

Answer

DSP

Question 18

Which type of memory is temporary and loses its contents when the computer is switched off?

Accepted Answer

Random Access Memory (RAM)

Answer

Read-Only Memory (ROM)

Answer

Flash Memory

Answer

Solid-State Drive (SSD)

Question 19

Which storage device utilizes spinning disks to store data and is non-volatile?

Accepted Answer

Hard Disk Drive (HDD)

Answer

Solid-State Drive (SSD)

Answer

Optical Drive

Answer

USB Flash Drive

Question 20

Which input device is specifically designed for entering text and numbers?

Accepted Answer

Keyboard

Answer

Mouse

Answer

Scanner

Answer

Webcam

Question 21

Which output device is primarily used to display visual information on a computer screen?

Accepted Answer

Monitor

Answer

Printer

Answer

Speaker

Answer

Plotter

Question 22

Which motherboard form factor is commonly used in smaller and portable devices?

Accepted Answer

mini-ITX

Answer

ATX

Answer

microATX

Answer

E-ATX

Question 23

Which cooling system employs a liquid to dissipate heat from the CPU?

Accepted Answer

Liquid Cooler

Answer

Air Cooler

Answer

Passive Cooler

Answer

Heat Sink

Question 24

Which BIOS mode offers a more user-friendly interface and advanced features?

Accepted Answer

UEFI

Answer

Legacy BIOS

Answer

Legacy Option ROM

Answer

Open Firmware

Question 25

In computer systems, which expansion slot is commonly used for connecting high-performance graphics cards?

Accepted Answer

PCI Express

Answer

PCI

Answer

AGP

Answer

ISA

Question 26

Which of the following is NOT considered a primary function of a processor?

Accepted Answer

Storing data permanently

Answer

Executing instructions

Answer

Performing mathematical calculations

Answer

Controlling the flow of data and instructions

Question 27

The primary purpose of cache memory is to:

Accepted Answer

Store frequently accessed data for faster retrieval

Answer

Replace the need for a hard disk drive

Answer

Store the operating system permanently

Answer

Provide a graphical user interface

Question 28

An expansion card is primarily used to:

Accepted Answer

Add or enhance capabilities of a computer by connecting additional hardware components

Answer

Replace a faulty component on the motherboard

Answer

Connect peripheral devices like printers or external storage

Answer

Provide a graphical user interface

Question 29

Which of the following is considered an input device?

Accepted Answer

Keyboard

Answer

Monitor

Answer

Printer

Answer

Speakers

Question 30

The motherboard primarily serves to:

Accepted Answer

Connect all hardware components and facilitate communication between them

Answer

Store the operating system and user data

Answer

Process data and perform calculations

Answer

Provide a graphical interface for user interaction

Question 31

The BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) primarily serves to:

Accepted Answer

Initialize and configure hardware components during the boot process

Answer

Load and run the operating system

Answer

Provide a graphical user interface for user interaction

Answer

Store user data and preferences

Question 32

Explain the role of firmware, such as BIOS and UEFI, in the boot process of a computer system.

Accepted Answer

Firmware is a type of software that loads the operating system and initializes hardware components during the boot process.

Answer

Firmware is a physical hardware device that is responsible for the boot process.

Answer

Firmware is only used in personal computers and not in servers or other types of computer systems.

Question 33

What is the main purpose of an input device in a computer system?

Accepted Answer

Transforming user actions into digital signals

Answer

Receiving data from the computer

Answer

Storing data for long-term use

Answer

Showing information to the user

Question 34

What type of memory is volatile, meaning it loses its stored data when the computer is powered off?

Accepted Answer

RAM

Answer

ROM

Answer

Hard disk drive

Answer

Solid-state drive

Question 35

Among the listed storage devices, which one typically offers the fastest data access speeds?

Accepted Answer

Solid-state drive

Answer

Hard disk drive

Answer

USB flash drive

Answer

Optical disc drive

Question 36

Which of these network topologies involves connecting all devices to a central hub or switch?

Accepted Answer

Star topology

Answer

Bus topology

Answer

Ring topology

Answer

Mesh topology

Question 37

What is the primary purpose of RAM (Random Access Memory) in a computer system?

Accepted Answer

To store data and instructions that are currently being processed by the CPU

Answer

To connect external devices

Answer

To store long-term data

Answer

To store operating system files

Question 38

Which of the following storage devices offers the fastest data access?

Accepted Answer

Solid-State Drive (SSD)

Answer

Optical drive

Answer

Hard Disk Drive (HDD)

Answer

Floppy disk

Question 39

What is the primary function of an expansion card in a computer system?

Accepted Answer

To add additional functionality or capabilities to the computer

Answer

To connect external devices

Answer

To control the flow of data

Answer

To store operating system files

Question 40

Which of the following is an example of an input device?

Accepted Answer

Keyboard

Answer

Printer

Answer

Monitor

Answer

Speakers

Question 41

Which component of a computer system is responsible for executing instructions and performing calculations?

Accepted Answer

Central Processing Unit (CPU)

Answer

Graphics Processing Unit (GPU)

Answer

Hard Disk Drive (HDD)

Answer

Random Access Memory (RAM)

Question 42

What is the purpose of a heatsink in a computer system?

Accepted Answer

To dissipate heat from components and prevent overheating

Answer

To connect devices

Answer

To process instructions

Answer

To store data

Question 43

What is the primary interface used to connect external devices like graphics cards to a computer's motherboard?

Accepted Answer

Expansion slot (e.g., PCI Express)

Answer

USB port

Answer

Serial port

Answer

Parallel port