Database Management Quizzes for Year 11 Computing Students

Question 1

Compare the advantages and drawbacks of centralized and decentralized database architectures. Explain the key considerations when selecting between them.

Accepted Answer

Centralized architectures offer better data integrity and security, while decentralized architectures provide improved performance and scalability.

Answer

Decentralized database architectures are inherently more efficient than centralized architectures.

Answer

Centralized architectures are always simpler to manage than decentralized architectures.

Question 2

Which data type is typically NOT supported in a relational database?

Accepted Answer

Array

Answer

Integer

Answer

Boolean

Answer

Date and Time

Question 3

In SQL, which join type is specifically designed to merge rows from multiple tables by comparing values in a shared column?

Accepted Answer

Inner Join

Answer

Outer Join

Answer

Cross Join

Answer

Self Join

Question 4

A database table stores customer information, including ID, name, and order dates. Which index would be most suitable to improve the performance of queries that search for customers by name?

Accepted Answer

Secondary index on the customer name column

Answer

Primary index on the customer ID column

Answer

Hash index on the order date column

Answer

No index is needed for this table

Question 5

How does a foreign key constraint contribute to maintaining referential integrity in a database?

Accepted Answer

It ensures that a field's value in one table matches a primary key value in another table, preventing orphaned records and preserving table relationships.

Answer

It prevents duplicate values within a field, ensuring data uniqueness and consistency.

Answer

It defines the data type and format of a field, ensuring data validation and accuracy.

Answer

It has no impact on data integrity and is only used for organizing data within a table.

Question 6

What is database auditing and why is it important for maintaining data integrity and safeguarding sensitive information?

Accepted Answer

Database auditing involves regularly reviewing database activity logs to identify any unauthorized access or suspicious activities that could potentially compromise data integrity and security.

Answer

Database auditing is only crucial for large databases containing sensitive data.

Answer

Database auditing can only be performed manually by database administrators.

Answer

Database auditing is not essential for ensuring data security, as its primary focus is detecting errors and inconsistencies.

Question 7

When using a cloud-based DBMS, which of the following is a potential drawback compared to an on-premises DBMS?

Accepted Answer

Loss of Control

Answer

Lower Costs

Answer

Increased Scalability

Answer

Enhanced Security Features

Question 8

Analyze the ethical and legal considerations that arise when using data mining techniques to extract knowledge from databases.

Accepted Answer

Acquiring explicit consent from individuals whose data is mined is a fundamental ethical requirement for data mining.

Answer

Data mining is exclusively used for commercial purposes; its application in research or for public benefit is legally prohibited.

Answer

Data mining techniques are free from ethical or legal concerns because they simply extract knowledge from databases.

Answer

Data mining techniques are not subject to regulatory oversight or legal frameworks.

Question 9

What is atomicity in database transactions? Explain its role in maintaining data integrity and provide an example to illustrate its importance.

Accepted Answer

Atomicity ensures that all actions within a transaction are executed as a single unit, either fully or not at all.

Answer

Atomicity allows multiple transactions to access the same data simultaneously, improving performance.

Answer

Atomicity is not crucial for data integrity, as data can be restored from backups if needed.

Answer

Atomicity is only applicable to complex transactions involving multiple tables.

Question 10

Which of the following is **not** an advantage of using an ACID-compliant database system?

Accepted Answer

Enhances database performance

Answer

Guarantees data consistency and integrity

Answer

Prevents data loss and corruption

Question 11

What is the primary purpose of a primary key in a database table?

Accepted Answer

To uniquely identify each row in the table

Answer

To store the most important information in the table

Answer

To establish relationships between tables

Answer

To enforce data integrity

Question 12

What is the difference between a SELECT statement and an UPDATE statement in SQL?

Accepted Answer

SELECT retrieves data, while UPDATE modifies data

Answer

UPDATE retrieves data, while SELECT modifies data

Answer

SELECT and UPDATE both retrieve data

Answer

SELECT and UPDATE both modify data

Question 13

What is the difference between a view and a table in a database?

Accepted Answer

A view is a virtual table that derives data from other tables, while a table stores actual data

Answer

A table is a virtual table that derives data from other tables, while a view stores actual data

Answer

Views and tables are the same thing

Answer

Views and tables cannot coexist in the same database

Question 14

Revised: What is the primary purpose of a primary key in a relational database?

Accepted Answer

To uniquely identify each row in a table

Answer

To store the most critical data

Answer

To link tables together

Answer

To ensure data integrity

Question 15

Revised: Which SQL command is primarily used to retrieve data from a database?

Accepted Answer

SELECT

Answer

INSERT

Answer

UPDATE

Answer

DELETE

Question 16

Revised: What is the key difference between a clustered index and a non-clustered index?

Accepted Answer

Clustered indexes physically store data in the same order as the index, while non-clustered indexes do not.

Answer

Non-clustered indexes physically store data in the same order as the index, while clustered indexes do not.

Answer

Clustered indexes are always faster than non-clustered indexes.

Answer

Non-clustered indexes are always faster than clustered indexes.

Question 17

Revised: What is the primary distinction between a logical data model and a physical data model?

Accepted Answer

A logical data model represents the business requirements, while a physical data model represents the actual implementation

Answer

A physical data model represents the business requirements, while a logical data model represents the actual implementation

Answer

They are essentially the same concept

Answer

There is no meaningful difference

Question 18

Which type of data model represents data as a collection of entities and the relationships between them?

Accepted Answer

Entity-relationship model

Answer

Hierarchical model

Answer

Relational model

Answer

Network model

Question 19

What is the primary purpose of using a primary key in a database table?

Accepted Answer

To identify each record uniquely

Answer

To store the most important data in a record

Answer

To establish relationships between tables

Answer

To enforce data integrity rules

Question 20

Which SQL statement is used to retrieve data from a database table?

Accepted Answer

SELECT

Answer

UPDATE

Answer

INSERT

Answer

DELETE

Question 21

Which of the following is NOT an advantage of using a database management system (DBMS)?

Accepted Answer

Increased data redundancy

Answer

Centralized data management

Answer

Enhanced data security

Answer

Reduced data inconsistency

Question 22

Which type of database index is used to speed up queries by creating a sorted copy of a table column?

Accepted Answer

Clustered index

Answer

Primary index

Answer

Unique index

Answer

Hash index

Question 23

How does a database schema differ from a database instance?

Accepted Answer

A schema is the logical structure of a database, while an instance is its physical implementation.

Answer

A schema is the data stored in a database, while an instance is the software that manages the data.

Answer

A schema is a collection of tables, while an instance is a single table.

Answer

There is no difference between a schema and an instance.

Question 24

Which of the following is NOT a component of a database management system (DBMS)?

Accepted Answer

Web browser

Answer

Data

Answer

Storage engine

Answer

Query processor

Question 25

What is the main purpose of data modeling in database design?

Accepted Answer

To define the logical structure of the database

Answer

To optimize query performance

Answer

To ensure data security

Answer

To store data efficiently

Question 26

What is the key difference between a SELECT statement and a DELETE statement in SQL?

Accepted Answer

SELECT retrieves data, DELETE modifies data

Answer

SELECT modifies data, DELETE retrieves data

Answer

Both statements retrieve data

Answer

Both statements modify data

Question 27

What is the primary function of a transaction log in a DBMS?

Accepted Answer

To record changes made to the database

Answer

To improve query performance

Answer

To back up the database regularly

Answer

To manage user access

Question 28

Which data type is used to store a value that can be either TRUE or FALSE?

Accepted Answer

Boolean

Answer

Integer

Answer

String

Answer

Float

Question 29

What is the main purpose of a primary key in a database table?

Accepted Answer

To uniquely identify each row in the table

Answer

To enforce relationships between tables

Answer

To optimize data storage

Answer

To store the most important data

Question 30

What is the term for the process of creating a structured representation of data for analysis and reporting purposes?

Accepted Answer

Data warehousing

Answer

Data mining

Answer

Data modeling

Answer

Database querying

Question 31

Which fundamental element of a relational database model stores data in rows and columns?

Accepted Answer

Table

Answer

Record

Answer

Attribute

Answer

Tuple

Question 32

What is the process called that involves creating a conceptual representation of data?

Accepted Answer

Data modeling

Answer

Data normalization

Answer

Data validation

Answer

Data manipulation

Question 33

Which data type is used to store text-based information in a database?

Accepted Answer

String

Answer

Integer

Answer

Boolean

Answer

Date

Question 34

Which SQL command allows users to retrieve specific columns from a table?

Accepted Answer

SELECT

Answer

WHERE

Answer

FROM

Answer

JOIN

Question 35

What measure is commonly used to ensure the accuracy and validity of data in a database?

Accepted Answer

Data validation

Answer

Data backup

Answer

Data encryption

Answer

Data replication

Question 36

What is the primary responsibility of a database management system (DBMS)?

Accepted Answer

Creating, managing, and manipulating databases

Answer

Executing queries

Answer

Enforcing security

Answer

Backing up data

Question 37

What is the main purpose of using keys and foreign keys in a database?

Accepted Answer

Enforce referential integrity

Answer

Speed up query execution

Answer

Reduce data redundancy

Answer

Control user access

Question 38

What is the process of improving database performance by optimizing queries called?

Accepted Answer

Database optimization

Answer

Data warehousing

Answer

Data mining

Answer

Data visualization

Question 39

The purpose of an entity-relationship diagram (ERD) is to represent:

Accepted Answer

The logical structure of data

Answer

The physical implementation of data

Answer

The database schema

Answer

Data manipulation commands

Question 40

Which data type should be used to store dates and times in a database?

Accepted Answer

DateTime

Answer

Integer

Answer

Float

Answer

String

Question 41

A SQL statement that retrieves specific columns from a database table is called a:

Accepted Answer

SELECT statement

Answer

INSERT statement

Answer

UPDATE statement

Answer

DELETE statement

Question 42

A view in a database is:

Accepted Answer

A virtual representation of data from one or more tables

Answer

A duplicate copy of data

Answer

A physical representation of data

Answer

A method to restrict user access to data

Question 43

Which of the following is not a fundamental component of a relational database management system (RDBMS)?

Accepted Answer

Classes

Answer

Data

Answer

Tables

Answer

Relationships

Question 44

Which data model depicts data as entities and the connections between them?

Accepted Answer

Entity-Relationship

Answer

Hierarchical

Answer

Network

Answer

Object-Oriented

Question 45

Which of the following serves as a unique identifier for each row in a database table?

Accepted Answer

A primary key

Answer

A foreign key

Answer

An index

Answer

A column constraint

Question 46

Which SQL command is utilized to retrieve data from a database?

Accepted Answer

SELECT

Answer

INSERT

Answer

UPDATE

Answer

DELETE

Question 47

What primary purpose does a foreign key serve in a database?

Accepted Answer

Enforcing referential integrity between tables

Answer

Establishing relationships between tables

Answer

Storing supplementary data about related records

Answer

Ensuring the uniqueness of data values

Question 48

Explain the fundamental distinction between a logical and a physical data model.

Accepted Answer

A logical model represents the organization of data for end-user use, while a physical model depicts how data is physically stored on the computer system.

Answer

A physical model represents the organization of data for end-user use, while a logical model depicts how data is physically stored on the computer system.

Answer

There exists no distinction between a logical and a physical data model.

Answer

A logical model is more detailed and elaborate compared to a physical model.

Question 49

Which of the following is NOT an advantage typically associated with the use of a database management system?

Accepted Answer

Slower data retrieval times

Answer

Improved data integrity

Answer

Reduced data duplication

Answer

Enhanced data security

Question 50

What is the primary role of a database schema?

Accepted Answer

Defining the structure, rules, and constraints of a database

Answer

Creating a visual representation of a database

Answer

Storing data within a database

Answer

Querying data from a database

Question 51

What is the purpose of the PRIMARY KEY constraint?

Accepted Answer

To ensure that each row in a table has a unique value in the specified column.

Answer

To specify the maximum value for a column.

Answer

To define a relationship between two tables.

Answer

To prevent null values from being inserted into a column.

Question 52

Which of the following SQL statements is used to retrieve data from a database?

Accepted Answer

SELECT

Answer

INSERT

Answer

UPDATE

Answer

DELETE

Question 53

What is the purpose of a data dictionary?

Accepted Answer

To store metadata about the database

Answer

To define the relationships between tables

Answer

To enforce data integrity

Answer

To optimize database performance

Question 54

What is the purpose of database auditing?

Accepted Answer

To track and monitor changes made to a database, including data modifications, schema changes, and user activities.

Answer

To create regular backups of the database to protect against data loss.

Answer

To remove unnecessary or obsolete data from the database to improve performance.

Question 55

Which data model represents data as a collection of objects with properties and relationships?

Accepted Answer

Object-oriented

Answer

Relational

Answer

Hierarchical

Answer

Network

Question 56

What is the purpose of normalization in database design?

Accepted Answer

To minimize data redundancy and inconsistencies

Answer

To improve query performance

Answer

To simplify data manipulation

Answer

To enhance data security

Question 57

Which SQL statement is used to retrieve data from a database table?

Accepted Answer

SELECT

Answer

INSERT

Answer

UPDATE

Answer

DELETE

Question 58

What is a primary key in a database table?

Accepted Answer

A column that uniquely identifies each row

Answer

A column that stores the most important information in a row

Answer

A column that is used to sort the rows

Answer

A column that is used to link the table to other tables

Question 59

What is the purpose of a database management system (DBMS)?

Accepted Answer

To create, maintain, and provide access to databases

Answer

To develop and execute SQL queries

Answer

To ensure data integrity and security

Answer

To design and implement database models

Question 60

What is the purpose of a foreign key in a database table?

Accepted Answer

To enforce referential integrity

Answer

To link a row in one table to a row in another table

Answer

To create a unique index on a column

Answer

To store additional information about a row

Question 61

In a database, which of the following options is not a recognized data type?

Accepted Answer

Operation

Answer

Integer

Answer

String

Answer

Boolean

Question 62

In a database table, what is the intended role of a primary key?

Accepted Answer

To establish a unique identifier for each row

Answer

To store the data of utmost importance

Answer

To facilitate connections between tables

Answer

To verify the correctness of the data

Question 63

Which of the following options represents a structured query language (SQL) command for data retrieval from a database?

Accepted Answer

SELECT

Answer

UPDATE

Answer

INSERT

Answer

DELETE

Question 64

When considering the benefits of a database management system (DBMS), which option does not represent a true advantage?

Accepted Answer

Promoting data redundancy

Answer

Preservation of data integrity

Answer

Ensuring data security

Answer

Maintaining data consistency