Computer Systems Quiz: Test Your Knowledge of Computer Parts

Question 1

Which of the following is **NOT** a device used to store data?

Accepted Answer

Printer

Answer

Hard disk drive

Answer

Solid-state drive

Answer

USB flash drive

Question 2

Which concept is not crucial for grasping the fundamentals of computer programming?

Accepted Answer

Recursion

Answer

Variables

Answer

Data Types

Answer

Control Structures

Question 3

To troubleshoot a computer problem, what are the key steps you should follow?

Accepted Answer

Identify the issue, gather data, make a guess, test it, and fix it.

Answer

Restart the computer, check connections, use a diagnostic tool, and reinstall the operating system.

Answer

Contact the manufacturer, look for help online, and seek professional assistance.

Answer

Ignore the problem and hope it disappears.

Question 4

Which of the following is NOT a type of computer software?

Accepted Answer

Hardware

Answer

System software

Answer

Application software

Answer

Utility software

Question 5

Which of the following is NOT a method used to encode data on a computer?

Accepted Answer

Morse Code

Answer

Binary

Answer

ASCII

Answer

Unicode

Question 6

Which invention or development had the greatest influence on the evolution of computers?

Accepted Answer

Microchip

Answer

Internet

Answer

Personal computer

Answer

Cloud computing

Question 7

What is the primary role of an operating system (OS) in a computer?

Accepted Answer

Managing hardware and software

Answer

Storing files and programs

Answer

Running applications

Answer

Connecting to the internet

Question 8

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

Accepted Answer

Executing instructions

Answer

Storing data

Answer

Displaying information on the screen

Answer

Connecting to the internet

Question 9

In computer networks, what is the primary purpose of communication protocols?

Accepted Answer

To enable communication between different devices

Answer

To protect data during transmission

Answer

To speed up data transfer

Answer

To store data on network devices

Question 10

In modern computers, what is the primary advantage of parallel processing over the older serial processing approach?

Accepted Answer

Quicker processing and better efficiency

Answer

Lower energy consumption

Answer

More storage capacity

Answer

Enhanced graphics capabilities

Question 11

How does a computer temporarily store data while it is being processed?

Accepted Answer

In memory

Answer

In the CPU

Answer

On the hard drive

Answer

On a USB drive

Question 12

Compare and contrast ROM, RAM, and cache memory, highlighting their key differences, advantages, and disadvantages.

Accepted Answer

ROM (Read-Only Memory): Permanent, unchangeable memory that stores essential startup instructions.

Accepted Answer

RAM (Random Access Memory): Temporary, read-write memory that holds data and instructions currently in use.

Accepted Answer

Cache Memory: Small, high-speed memory that stores frequently accessed data from RAM, enhancing performance.

Question 13

What is the primary function of the CPU?

Accepted Answer

Processing data

Answer

Storing data

Answer

Displaying data

Answer

Receiving data

Question 14

Which type of memory stores data temporarily and is faster, but generally more expensive than secondary memory?

Accepted Answer

Random Access Memory (RAM)

Answer

Read-Only Memory (ROM)

Answer

Hard Disk Drive (HDD)

Answer

Solid State Drive (SSD)

Question 15

What is the purpose of a storage device in a computer system?

Accepted Answer

To store data permanently

Answer

To temporarily process data

Answer

To display data on a screen

Answer

To receive input from users

Question 16

Which of the following is an example of a software program?

Accepted Answer

Operating System (OS)

Answer

Central Processing Unit (CPU)

Answer

Hard Drive

Answer

Monitor

Question 17

What is the main responsibility of an operating system?

Accepted Answer

Managing computer resources and coordinating hardware and software

Answer

Creating documents and presentations

Answer

Playing games and entertainment applications

Answer

Browsing the internet and accessing websites

Question 18

Which of the following is a type of input device used to enter data and commands?

Accepted Answer

Keyboard

Answer

Printer

Answer

Monitor

Answer

Speaker

Question 19

What is the primary purpose of a computer network?

Accepted Answer

Connecting multiple computers and devices to share resources and information

Answer

Storing large amounts of data

Answer

Processing complex calculations

Answer

Displaying high-quality graphics

Question 20

Which of the following poses a potential security risk to computers and data?

Accepted Answer

Malware (e.g., viruses, spyware)

Answer

Hardware malfunctions

Answer

Software bugs

Answer

Power outages

Question 21

The component that acts like the brain of the computer, processing data and executing instructions, is called the:

Accepted Answer

CPU

Answer

Memory

Answer

Storage

Answer

Keyboard

Question 22

RAM (Random Access Memory) is a type of memory that:

Accepted Answer

Temporarily stores data and programs that the computer is currently using

Answer

Permanently stores data and programs that cannot be changed

Answer

Stores the operating system and essential programs

Answer

Stores files and folders that you create

Question 23

Which of the following is NOT a type of storage device used to store data in a computer?

Accepted Answer

Printer

Answer

Hard disk drive

Answer

USB flash drive

Answer

CD-ROM

Question 24

The software that manages the computer's resources and provides a user interface is called the:

Accepted Answer

Operating system

Answer

Application software

Answer

Utility software

Answer

Firmware

Question 25

Data in a computer is stored and processed in the form of:

Accepted Answer

Binary digits (bits)

Answer

Text characters

Answer

Images

Answer

Sounds

Question 26

A device that allows a computer to connect to a network is called a:

Accepted Answer

Network interface card (NIC)

Answer

Modem

Answer

Router

Answer

Firewall

Question 27

Unlike a virus, a worm:

Accepted Answer

Can spread without attaching itself to a host file

Answer

Cannot spread without attaching itself to a host file

Answer

Is always harmless, while a virus is always malicious

Answer

Is always malicious, while a virus is not always harmful

Question 28

Which of the following is NOT a good practice for protecting your computer from online threats?

Accepted Answer

Using weak passwords

Answer

Installing an antivirus program

Answer

Being cautious when opening emails and attachments

Answer

Updating your software regularly

Question 29

Which component of a computer system is known as the brain of the computer and carries out instructions?

Accepted Answer

CPU

Answer

Memory

Answer

Storage

Answer

Input device

Question 30

What is the primary purpose of memory in a computer system?

Accepted Answer

To temporarily store data and instructions needed by the CPU

Answer

To permanently store data and files

Answer

To process data and perform calculations

Answer

To provide a way for users to input data

Question 31

Which of the following is an example of a storage device used to store data permanently?

Accepted Answer

Hard disk drive

Answer

RAM

Answer

Keyboard

Answer

Printer

Question 32

What is the key distinction between RAM and ROM?

Accepted Answer

RAM is volatile (loses data when power is off) while ROM is non-volatile (retains data even without power)

Answer

ROM is volatile (loses data when power is off) while RAM is non-volatile (retains data even without power)

Answer

RAM is faster than ROM

Answer

ROM is faster than RAM

Question 33

Which of the following is NOT a type of input device used to provide data to the computer?

Accepted Answer

Printer

Answer

Keyboard

Answer

Mouse

Answer

Microphone

Question 34

What is the main function of an operating system in a computer?

Accepted Answer

To manage and control the hardware and software resources of the computer

Answer

To provide a user-friendly interface for interacting with the computer

Answer

To store data and instructions

Answer

To process data and perform calculations

Question 35

Which number system uses only 0s and 1s?

Accepted Answer

Binary

Answer

Decimal

Answer

Octal

Answer

Hexadecimal

Question 36

What is the base of the hexadecimal number system?

Accepted Answer

16

Answer

2

Answer

8

Answer

10

Question 37

Which logic gate is used to implement the logical 'AND' function?

Accepted Answer

AND gate

Answer

OR gate

Answer

NOT gate

Answer

NAND gate

Question 38

What is the primary function of a compiler in computer science?

Accepted Answer

To translate high-level programming language code into machine code that the computer can understand

Answer

To execute machine code

Answer

To interpret high-level programming language code directly

Answer

To store data and instructions

Question 39

What is the central processing unit (CPU) of a computer responsible for?

Accepted Answer

Executing instructions and performing calculations

Answer

Storing data permanently

Answer

Connecting different components

Answer

Providing power to the system

Question 40

Which type of storage device retains data even when the computer is turned off?

Accepted Answer

Hard disk drive

Answer

RAM (Random Access Memory)

Answer

Cache memory

Answer

Optical disc

Question 41

What is the initial step in the instruction cycle of a CPU?

Accepted Answer

Fetching (retrieving instructions from memory)

Answer

Decoding (interpreting the instructions)

Answer

Executing (carrying out the instructions)

Answer

Writing back (storing the results)

Question 42

What is the primary purpose of a data bus in a computer system?

Accepted Answer

To transfer data between different components

Answer

To store data for long-term use

Answer

To process data and perform calculations

Answer

To provide power to the system

Question 43

Which of the following is NOT a key component of a computer network?

Accepted Answer

Printer

Answer

Server

Answer

Router

Answer

Client

Question 44

What is the primary responsibility of an operating system (OS)?

Accepted Answer

Managing computer resources and providing services to applications

Answer

Storing and organizing user data

Answer

Running specific software programs

Answer

Protecting the computer from viruses and malware

Question 45

What type of software is designed for specific tasks, like creating documents or editing images?

Accepted Answer

Application software

Answer

System software

Answer

Middleware

Answer

Firmware

Question 46

Which of the following is an example of a malicious software program?

Accepted Answer

Trojan horse

Answer

Word processor

Answer

Spreadsheet

Answer

Web browser

Question 47

What is the primary purpose of encryption?

Accepted Answer

To protect sensitive data by converting it into a secret code

Answer

To reduce the size of files for storage

Answer

To search for specific information on a computer

Answer

To create backups of important data

Question 48

Which part of a computer system processes data and follows instructions?

Accepted Answer

CPU

Answer

Storage

Answer

Memory

Question 49

Which component of a computer system is responsible for executing the instructions of a program stored in memory?

Accepted Answer

CPU

Answer

Memory

Answer

Storage

Answer

Bus

Question 50

Which component is NOT essential to a computer system?

Accepted Answer

Monitor

Answer

Processor

Answer

Memory

Answer

Hard drive

Question 51

The central processing unit (CPU) is responsible for which task in a computer system?

Accepted Answer

Processing data and instructions

Answer

Storing data and instructions

Answer

Connecting to a network

Answer

Providing power to the computer

Question 52

Which of the following is NOT a type of storage device?

Accepted Answer

Random access memory (RAM)

Answer

Hard disk drive

Answer

Solid-state drive (SSD)

Answer

Compact disc (CD)

Question 53

How does data move between the CPU and memory?

Accepted Answer

Through a bus

Answer

Over the internet

Answer

Using a power supply

Answer

Through the keyboard

Question 54

Which of the following best describes the primary role of an operating system in a computer?

Accepted Answer

Managing the computer's resources

Answer

Providing a way for users to interact with the computer

Answer

Running application software

Answer

Storing files and data

Question 55

What is the primary purpose of a network card in a computer?

Accepted Answer

To connect to other computers and devices over a network

Answer

To store data

Answer

To process data

Answer

To provide power to the computer

Question 56

Which of the following number systems is based on two digits (0 and 1)?

Accepted Answer

Binary

Answer

Octal

Answer

Decimal

Answer

Hexadecimal

Question 57

What is the key difference between software and hardware?

Accepted Answer

Software is intangible, while hardware is tangible

Answer

Hardware is intangible, while software is tangible

Answer

Software runs hardware

Answer

Hardware runs software

Question 58

Which of the following is NOT a type of computer virus?

Accepted Answer

Phishing email

Answer

Worm

Answer

Trojan

Answer

Malware

Question 59

What is the primary purpose of a firewall in a computer system?

Accepted Answer

To prevent unauthorized access from outside sources

Answer

To store data

Answer

To run application software

Answer

To provide power to the computer

Question 60

How does a computer retrieve data from its memory?

Accepted Answer

The CPU uses specific memory addresses to directly access the data.

Answer

The data is first copied from memory to the hard drive before the CPU can access it.

Answer

The operating system translates memory addresses into physical locations on the hard drive where the data is stored.

Question 61

What is the primary purpose of input and output devices in a computer system?

Accepted Answer

Receive input and display information

Answer

Receive input and store information

Answer

Display information and store data

Answer

Process information and store data

Question 62

Which part of a computer is responsible for running programs and processing data?

Accepted Answer

CPU (Central Processing Unit)

Answer

RAM (Random Access Memory)

Answer

Hard Disk Drive

Answer

Keyboard

Question 63

Which type of computer memory temporarily stores data and programs being used by the CPU?

Accepted Answer

RAM (Random Access Memory)

Answer

ROM (Read-Only Memory)

Answer

Hard Drive

Answer

Solid-State Drive

Question 64

Which storage device permanently stores your computer's operating system, applications, and files?

Accepted Answer

Hard Disk Drive

Answer

USB Drive

Answer

DVD-ROM

Answer

Cloud Storage