Computer Systems Quizzes: Test Your Knowledge

Question 1

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

Accepted Answer

Manages system resources and provides services to applications

Answer

Offers a graphical interface for user interaction

Answer

Executes user programs and applications

Answer

Stores and organizes user information

Question 2

In a large network environment, such as a university campus, which network topology would be most suitable for high bandwidth and multiple interconnected devices?

Accepted Answer

Hierarchical Topology

Answer

Bus Topology

Answer

Star Topology

Answer

Ring Topology

Question 3

Explain how firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and encryption techniques are used to protect computer systems from security threats.

Accepted Answer

Firewalls monitor incoming and outgoing network traffic, allowing only authorized traffic to pass through.

Accepted Answer

Intrusion detection systems analyze network traffic for suspicious patterns and notify administrators of potential security incidents.

Accepted Answer

Encryption techniques scramble data into an unreadable format, making it inaccessible to unauthorized parties.

Answer

Computer systems inherently possess robust security measures, rendering additional protection unnecessary.

Question 4

Which of the following is NOT considered a primary component of a computer system?

Accepted Answer

Users

Answer

Hardware

Answer

Software

Answer

Network

Question 5

Which type of memory is temporary and loses its contents when the computer is powered down?

Accepted Answer

RAM

Answer

ROM

Answer

Flash

Answer

Cache

Question 6

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

Accepted Answer

Central Processing Unit (CPU)

Answer

Hard drive

Answer

Motherboard

Answer

Graphics card

Question 7

Which type of network interconnects computers within a limited physical space, such as a building or office?

Accepted Answer

Local Area Network (LAN)

Answer

Wide Area Network (WAN)

Answer

Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)

Answer

Virtual Private Network (VPN)

Question 8

Which component of a computer system is primarily responsible for storing and retrieving data?

Accepted Answer

Hard drive

Answer

Processor

Answer

Memory

Answer

Sound card

Question 9

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

Accepted Answer

Monitor

Answer

Keyboard

Answer

Mouse

Answer

Scanner

Question 10

Which computer architecture employs multiple processors to enhance processing power and efficiency?

Accepted Answer

Parallel architecture

Answer

Von Neumann architecture

Answer

Harvard architecture

Answer

RISC architecture

Question 11

Which type of network is commonly utilized to connect devices in a home or small office environment?

Accepted Answer

Local Area Network (LAN)

Answer

Wide Area Network (WAN)

Answer

Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)

Answer

Virtual Private Network (VPN)

Question 12

In computer programming, the role of a compiler is to:

Accepted Answer

Convert high-level code into machine code

Answer

Execute programs

Answer

Store data

Answer

Manage input and output devices

Question 13

In a client-server computing model, a server primarily functions to:

Accepted Answer

Provide services to clients

Answer

Consume services from clients

Answer

Execute client requests

Answer

Store and manage data

Question 14

A Database Management System (DBMS) is primarily responsible for:

Accepted Answer

Storing and managing data

Answer

Displaying data in a user-friendly interface

Answer

Analyzing and processing data

Answer

Creating applications

Question 15

The primary purpose of a firewall in a computer network is to:

Accepted Answer

Monitor and control incoming and outgoing network traffic

Answer

Encrypt data transmissions

Answer

Provide remote access to a network

Answer

Detect and remove malware

Question 16

What is the primary function of an operating system?

Accepted Answer

To manage the hardware and software resources of a computer

Answer

To perform user tasks and applications

Answer

To store and retrieve data

Answer

To provide a user interface

Question 17

What is the key difference between hardware and software?

Accepted Answer

Hardware is tangible, whereas software is intangible

Answer

Hardware executes instructions, whereas software stores data

Answer

Hardware connects to the internet, whereas software performs computations

Answer

Hardware controls the computer, whereas software communicates

Question 18

What is the main purpose of a central processing unit (CPU)?

Accepted Answer

Executing instructions and performing calculations

Answer

Storing data and information

Answer

Transmitting data over a network

Answer

Providing power to the computer

Question 19

What is the main function of a compiler?

Accepted Answer

Translating high-level programming language into machine code

Answer

Interpreting and executing code directly

Answer

Organizing and storing data in a database

Answer

Connecting to a network

Question 20

What is the primary purpose of a firewall?

Accepted Answer

To protect a computer from unauthorized access and cyber threats

Answer

To store and manage files

Answer

To run applications and perform tasks

Answer

To connect to the internet

Question 21

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

Accepted Answer

Random access memory (RAM)

Answer

Hard disk drive (HDD)

Answer

Solid-state drive (SSD)

Answer

Read-only memory (ROM)

Question 22

What is the main purpose of a graphics card?

Accepted Answer

Processing and displaying images, videos, and graphics

Answer

Storing data and information

Answer

Connecting to the internet

Answer

Providing power to the computer

Question 23

Which of the following is NOT considered a fundamental component of a computer system?

Accepted Answer

User account

Answer

Hardware

Answer

Software

Answer

Network

Question 24

Which type of software is primarily responsible for managing the computer's hardware and software resources?

Accepted Answer

System software

Answer

Application software

Answer

Utility software

Answer

Firmware

Question 25

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

Accepted Answer

To facilitate the computer's connection to a network

Answer

To store data

Answer

To process data

Answer

To provide power to the computer

Question 26

What key distinction separates a von Neumann architecture from a Harvard architecture computer system?

Accepted Answer

Harvard systems have separate data and instruction memory, while von Neumann systems have shared memory.

Answer

Von Neumann systems have separate data and instruction memory, while Harvard systems have shared memory.

Answer

Von Neumann systems are generally faster than Harvard systems.

Answer

Harvard systems are more energy-efficient than von Neumann systems.

Question 27

What is the primary reason for using a graphical user interface (GUI) in a computer system?

Accepted Answer

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

Answer

To store user data

Answer

To process complex computations

Answer

To connect the computer to a network

Question 28

Which layer is NOT part of the widely recognised TCP/IP networking model?

Accepted Answer

User Interface Layer

Answer

Network Access Layer

Answer

Data Link Layer

Answer

Transport Layer

Question 29

What is the primary function of a file system within a computer system?

Accepted Answer

To organise and manage files stored on a storage device

Answer

To perform data processing tasks

Answer

To facilitate network connectivity

Answer

To provide a graphical user interface

Question 30

What is a key advantage of utilising a virtual private network (VPN)?

Accepted Answer

Providing secure and private access to a network

Answer

Enhancing network performance

Answer

Reducing network expenses

Answer

Allowing simultaneous connections to multiple networks

Question 31

Which of the following is not considered a type of computer system?

Accepted Answer

Tablet

Answer

Desktop

Answer

Laptop

Answer

Mainframe

Question 32

Which component of a computer is primarily responsible for processing data?

Accepted Answer

Central Processing Unit (CPU)

Answer

Motherboard

Answer

Random Access Memory (RAM)

Answer

Hard Disk Drive (HDD)

Question 33

Which type of software provides fundamental instructions for the computer's hardware to function?

Accepted Answer

Operating system

Answer

Application software

Answer

Middleware

Answer

Utility software

Question 34

Which computer architecture utilizes multiple processors to execute instructions concurrently?

Accepted Answer

Multi-core architecture

Answer

Von Neumann architecture

Answer

Harvard architecture

Answer

Distributed architecture

Question 35

Which component is NOT part of a computer system?

Accepted Answer

Electricity

Answer

Hardware

Answer

Software

Answer

Data

Question 36

What is the primary role of an operating system?

Accepted Answer

Managing hardware and software resources

Answer

Providing a user interface

Answer

Running applications

Answer

Protecting the system from vulnerabilities

Question 37

Which network topology involves a central connection point to which all other devices are connected?

Accepted Answer

Star topology

Answer

Bus topology

Answer

Ring topology

Answer

Mesh topology

Question 38

What is the fundamental difference between a compiler and an interpreter in program execution?

Accepted Answer

A compiler translates the entire program before execution, while an interpreter executes the program line by line.

Answer

An interpreter translates the entire program before execution, while a compiler executes the program line by line.

Answer

A compiler executes the program line by line, while an interpreter translates the entire program before execution.

Answer

There is no difference between a compiler and an interpreter.

Question 39

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

Accepted Answer

Storing frequently accessed data for faster retrieval

Answer

Storing data that is not currently being used

Answer

Storing large amounts of data

Answer

Providing backup for the main memory

Question 40

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

Accepted Answer

Protecting the network from unauthorized access and malicious threats

Answer

Improving the performance and speed of the network

Answer

Managing traffic flow and network congestion

Answer

Storing data and providing backup for the network

Question 41

Which of the following is NOT a key characteristic of cloud computing?

Accepted Answer

Physical ownership of computing resources

Answer

Scalability and flexibility

Answer

Centralized control and management

Answer

Reliability and high availability

Question 42

What is the fundamental difference between a physical server and a virtual server?

Accepted Answer

A physical server is tangible hardware, while a virtual server is software-based.

Answer

A virtual server is tangible hardware, while a physical server is software-based.

Answer

There is no difference between a physical server and a virtual server.

Answer

A physical server is used for general-purpose computing, while a virtual server is used for specific applications.

Question 43

What is the primary role of the operating system in a computer system?

Accepted Answer

To perform all of these functions

Answer

To manage hardware resources

Answer

To provide a user interface

Answer

To run application software

Question 44

Which of the following is **not** a fundamental component of a computer system?

Accepted Answer

User

Answer

Hardware

Answer

Software

Answer

Network

Question 45

Which type of memory is volatile, meaning it loses its content when the computer is turned off?

Accepted Answer

RAM

Answer

ROM

Answer

Cache

Answer

EPROM

Question 46

What is the primary responsibility of an operating system?

Accepted Answer

Managing hardware and software resources

Answer

Storing user data

Answer

Running application programs

Answer

Connecting to the internet

Question 47

What is the primary purpose of a firewall?

Accepted Answer

Preventing unauthorized access to a network

Answer

Storing files

Answer

Transferring data

Answer

Running applications

Question 48

Which characteristic is commonly associated with RISC processors?

Accepted Answer

Few, simple instructions

Answer

Many, complex instructions

Answer

High clock speed

Answer

Large cache size

Question 49

What is the main function of a BIOS in a computer system?

Accepted Answer

Initializing hardware during boot-up

Answer

Storing user data

Answer

Running application programs

Answer

Connecting to the internet

Question 50

Which of the following is **not** an advantage of cloud computing?

Accepted Answer

Loss of control

Answer

Cost savings

Answer

Scalability

Answer

Reliability

Question 51

What is the primary function of an operating system?

Accepted Answer

To manage hardware and software resources

Answer

To provide a user interface

Answer

To run applications

Answer

To protect the system from malware

Question 52

What is the purpose of a firewall?

Accepted Answer

To prevent unauthorized access to a network

Answer

To detect and block malware

Answer

To optimize network performance

Answer

To provide secure remote access

Question 53

Which category of software acts as a bridge between the user and the computer hardware?

Accepted Answer

Operating system

Answer

Application software

Answer

Firmware

Answer

Utility software

Question 54

What type of connection provides a logical link between multiple computers?

Accepted Answer

Network

Answer

Bus

Answer

Register

Answer

Cache

Question 55

Which component is responsible for executing commands and performing calculations within a computer system?

Accepted Answer

Processor

Answer

Motherboard

Answer

Graphics card

Answer

Power supply

Question 56

What advantage does utilizing a cloud computing service offer?

Accepted Answer

Reduced hardware costs

Answer

Enhanced security

Answer

Limited scalability

Answer

Complex maintenance

Question 57

Which of the following is NOT a device used for data storage?

Accepted Answer

Motherboard

Answer

Hard disk drive

Answer

Solid-state drive

Answer

Optical disc drive

Question 58

Which of the following is NOT considered a core component of a computer system?

Accepted Answer

Data

Answer

Hardware

Answer

Software

Answer

Network

Question 59

What is the primary function of an operating system?

Accepted Answer

To manage hardware resources and provide a user interface

Answer

To run application software and store data

Answer

To connect to networks and transfer data

Answer

To perform complex scientific computations

Question 60

What is the key difference between a LAN and a WAN?

Accepted Answer

LANs are typically smaller in size and operate within a limited geographical area, while WANs span larger distances and connect networks across different locations.

Answer

LANs are faster than WANs due to the shorter distances involved in data transmission.

Answer

LANs are more secure than WANs because they are isolated from external networks.

Answer

LANs and WANs use different types of networking technologies.

Question 61

What is the primary purpose of a cache memory?

Accepted Answer

To store frequently used data and instructions in order to improve performance by reducing the need to access slower main memory.

Answer

To store temporary data during the execution of a program.

Answer

To provide error correction for data stored in main memory.

Answer

To act as a buffer between the CPU and main memory.

Question 62

Which of the following is a primary function of a word processor?

Accepted Answer

Creating, editing, and formatting text-based documents.

Answer

Performing mathematical calculations.

Answer

Managing and analysing data.

Answer

Creating presentations.

Question 63

What is the purpose of a compiler in software development?

Accepted Answer

To translate high-level source code into machine code that can be directly executed by the computer.

Answer

To interpret high-level source code and execute it line by line.

Answer

To debug and fix errors in source code.

Answer

To create documentation for software programs.

Question 64

What is a potential drawback of using a hierarchical file system?

Accepted Answer

Challenging file recovery

Answer

Simplified navigation

Answer

Efficient storage utilization

Answer

Support for extensive file names