Computer Hardware: Interactive Learning Quizzes for Year 12 ICT

Question 1

Identify the primary storage device in a computer system.

Accepted Answer

Random access memory

Answer

Hard disk drive

Answer

Central processing unit

Answer

Read-only memory

Question 2

Describe the primary function of the arithmetic logic unit (ALU).

Accepted Answer

Executes mathematical and logical operations

Answer

Stores data and instructions

Answer

Directs the flow of data and instructions

Answer

Connects input and output devices

Question 3

What is the purpose of the instruction register (IR) in the CPU?

Accepted Answer

Stores the next instruction to be executed

Answer

Holds the result of the previous instruction

Answer

Decodes instructions and generates control signals

Answer

Communicates with input and output devices

Question 4

Classify the following device as an input device:

Accepted Answer

Keyboard

Answer

Monitor

Answer

Printer

Answer

Hard drive

Question 5

Explain the key difference between a 32-bit and a 64-bit processor.

Accepted Answer

Amount of data processed simultaneously

Answer

Speed of operation

Answer

Memory access capacity

Answer

Type of operating system compatibility

Question 6

Identify a characteristic of secondary storage devices.

Accepted Answer

Hard disk drive

Answer

RAM

Answer

ROM

Answer

Cache memory

Question 7

Which of the following is NOT a component of a computer's central processing unit (CPU)?

Accepted Answer

Random Access Memory (RAM)

Answer

Arithmetic Logic Unit

Answer

Control Unit

Answer

Registers

Question 8

What is the main purpose of input/output (I/O) devices in a computer system?

Accepted Answer

To facilitate communication between the computer and the outside world

Answer

To process data

Answer

To store data

Answer

To control the computer's operations

Question 9

Which of the following is a characteristic of secondary storage devices in a computer system?

Accepted Answer

Non-volatile memory that retains data even when power is turned off

Answer

Volatile memory that loses data when power is turned off

Answer

Faster access time compared to primary storage

Answer

Typically used for storing frequently accessed data

Question 10

What is one of the key responsibilities of an operating system in a computer system?

Accepted Answer

Managing hardware and software resources

Answer

Executing user programs

Answer

Storing data and files

Answer

Providing a user-friendly graphical interface

Question 11

Which of the following techniques is used to improve the efficiency of a CPU by overlapping the execution of multiple instructions?

Accepted Answer

Pipelining

Answer

Multithreading

Answer

Branch prediction

Answer

Virtualization

Question 12

What is the term for the set of instructions that are loaded into the CPU's control unit to direct its operations?

Accepted Answer

Microcode

Answer

Firmware

Answer

Software

Answer

Machine code

Question 13

Which of the following is NOT a fundamental component of a computer architecture?

Accepted Answer

Operating System

Answer

Processor (CPU)

Answer

Memory

Answer

Storage

Question 14

The primary function of the CPU in a computer system is to:

Accepted Answer

Process and execute instructions

Answer

Store data and instructions

Answer

Connect different components of the computer

Answer

Provide an interface for the user

Question 15

Which type of memory is characterized by its high speed and relatively small capacity?

Accepted Answer

Cache

Answer

RAM

Answer

ROM

Answer

Hard disk drive

Question 16

The device primarily responsible for providing persistent data storage in a computer is the:

Accepted Answer

Hard disk drive

Answer

CPU

Answer

RAM

Answer

Keyboard

Question 17

Which of the following is categorized as an input device?

Accepted Answer

Scanner

Answer

Monitor

Answer

Printer

Answer

Motherboard

Question 18

The component that facilitates data transfer between the CPU and other devices is called the:

Accepted Answer

System bus

Answer

RAM

Answer

Cache

Answer

Hard disk drive

Question 19

'Von Neumann architecture' in computer design refers to a system where:

Accepted Answer

Instructions and data are stored in the same memory unit

Answer

Instructions and data are stored in separate memory units

Answer

The CPU is the sole active element in the system

Answer

The computer is connected to a wide area network

Question 20

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

Accepted Answer

Central processing unit (CPU)

Answer

Memory

Answer

Storage

Answer

Input device

Question 21

What is the primary purpose of a computer's memory?

Accepted Answer

To provide a temporary storage area for data and instructions being processed

Answer

To store data and instructions permanently

Answer

To process data from input devices

Answer

To connect the computer to peripherals

Question 22

What is the main function of an input device?

Accepted Answer

To receive data and instructions from the user

Answer

To send data and instructions to the CPU

Answer

To store data and instructions permanently

Answer

To connect the computer to peripherals

Question 23

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

Accepted Answer

Keyboard

Answer

Monitor

Answer

Printer

Answer

Sound card

Question 24

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

Accepted Answer

To provide electrical connections between components

Answer

To store data and instructions

Answer

To process data and instructions

Answer

To connect peripherals to the computer

Question 25

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

Accepted Answer

To transfer data between the CPU, memory, and other components

Answer

To store data and instructions

Answer

To connect peripherals to the computer

Answer

To process data and instructions

Question 26

What is the main benefit of using a cache memory in a computer system?

Accepted Answer

Reduces the average time it takes to access data

Answer

Increases the amount of storage space available

Answer

Improves the processing speed of the CPU

Answer

Reduces the power consumption of the computer

Question 27

Which hardware component is responsible for executing instructions and performing calculations?

Accepted Answer

Central Processing Unit (CPU)

Answer

Memory

Answer

Storage

Answer

Input/Output device

Question 28

What type of computer memory can store data even when the computer is turned off?

Accepted Answer

Read-Only Memory (ROM)

Answer

Random Access Memory (RAM)

Answer

Cache

Answer

Hard disk drive

Question 29

Which input device is primarily used for entering text into a computer?

Accepted Answer

Keyboard

Answer

Mouse

Answer

Scanner

Answer

Microphone

Question 30

What is the main purpose of a computer bus?

Accepted Answer

To enable communication between different components within the system

Answer

To store data and instructions for processing

Answer

To perform calculations and operations

Answer

To connect the computer to external devices

Question 31

Which storage device is typically used for storing large amounts of data on a permanent basis?

Accepted Answer

Hard disk drive

Answer

Solid-state drive

Answer

RAM

Answer

Optical disc

Question 32

What is the significance of the binary system in computer architecture?

Accepted Answer

It allows computers to represent data and instructions using only two digits (0 and 1).

Answer

It simplifies mathematical operations and calculations.

Answer

It enhances the communication between hardware components.

Answer

It reduces the amount of memory required to store data.

Question 33

What is the main advantage of a 64-bit computer architecture over a 32-bit architecture?

Accepted Answer

It can process larger data sets and address more memory.

Answer

It is inherently faster than a 32-bit architecture.

Answer

It requires less physical memory.

Answer

It is more energy-efficient.

Question 34

Which of the following is NOT a responsibility of a computer operating system?

Accepted Answer

Building and assembling hardware components

Answer

Managing system resources

Answer

Providing a user interface

Answer

Executing application programs

Question 35

What is the primary role of a compiler in computer architecture?

Accepted Answer

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

Answer

To translate machine code into a high-level programming language

Answer

To optimize code for improved performance

Answer

To debug and eliminate errors from code

Question 36

Which of the following is the main function of the Central Processing Unit (CPU) in a computer system?

Accepted Answer

To execute instructions and process data

Answer

To store data and programs

Answer

To receive input from users

Answer

To display output on the screen

Question 37

Which type of computer memory is used to temporarily store data and instructions currently being processed by the CPU?

Accepted Answer

Random access memory (RAM)

Answer

Hard disk drive

Answer

Read-only memory (ROM)

Answer

Cache memory

Question 38

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

Accepted Answer

To provide additional ports and connectivity options

Answer

To enhance the computer's processing capabilities

Answer

To increase the storage capacity of the computer

Answer

To improve the cooling system of the computer

Question 39

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of a computer network?

Accepted Answer

Centralized processing of data and applications

Answer

Sharing of resources among multiple devices

Answer

Interconnection of devices through communication channels

Answer

Communication and data exchange between devices

Question 40

What is the main function of a bus in a computer architecture?

Accepted Answer

To connect various components of the computer system

Answer

To store data and programs for processing

Answer

To control the execution of instructions and data processing

Answer

To provide an interface for connecting external devices

Question 41

Which type of malware is designed to encrypt files and demand payment for their decryption?

Accepted Answer

Ransomware

Answer

Virus

Answer

Trojan

Answer

Worm

Question 42

What is the primary purpose of using encryption in data storage and transmission?

Accepted Answer

To ensure confidentiality and protect sensitive data from unauthorized access

Answer

To increase the speed of data transfer and processing

Answer

To reduce the size of data for efficient storage and retrieval

Answer

To detect and correct errors that may occur during data transmission

Question 43

In the data processing cycle, what are the roles of input and output devices? Explain their specific functions in data acquisition and presentation.

Accepted Answer

Input devices gather data from outside sources and send it to the CPU for processing, while output devices display the processed data to the user.

Answer

Input devices store data permanently, while output devices retrieve data from storage.

Answer

Output devices receive data from the CPU and prepare it for input by the user.

Answer

Input and output devices are interchangeable and perform both data acquisition and presentation.

Question 44

Within a computer system, what is the primary difference between the roles of the CPU and GPU?

Accepted Answer

The CPU handles arithmetic and logical operations, while the GPU focuses on graphics processing.

Answer

The CPU performs high-level tasks, while the GPU handles low-level operations.

Answer

The CPU manages data storage, while the GPU handles data processing.

Question 45

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

Accepted Answer

CPU

Answer

Storage

Answer

Input device

Answer

RAM

Question 46

What type of memory is specifically designed to store data and instructions currently being accessed and processed by the CPU?

Accepted Answer

RAM (Random Access Memory)

Answer

Hard disk drive (HDD)

Answer

ROM (Read-Only Memory)

Answer

Flash drive

Question 47

Which of the following options is NOT a common type of storage device used in modern computer systems?

Accepted Answer

RAM

Answer

Optical drive

Answer

Hard disk drive (HDD)

Answer

Solid-state drive (SSD)

Question 48

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

Accepted Answer

To enable users to provide input and interact with the computer

Answer

To store data and programs permanently

Answer

To display information to the user

Answer

To perform calculations and process data

Question 49

Which of the following is an example of an output device commonly used in computer systems?

Accepted Answer

Monitor

Answer

Keyboard

Answer

Hard disk drive (HDD)

Answer

RAM

Question 50

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

Accepted Answer

To connect and facilitate communication between different components of the system

Answer

To provide a graphical user interface for the user

Answer

To house the operating system and software applications

Question 51

Which of the following is a key characteristic of parallel processing systems?

Accepted Answer

Multiple processors can work on different tasks simultaneously, improving overall efficiency

Answer

Tasks are divided into smaller units and processed sequentially

Answer

Only a single processor is responsible for handling all tasks

Question 52

What is a primary advantage offered by distributed computing systems?

Accepted Answer

Increased scalability and enhanced fault tolerance capabilities

Answer

Faster execution of individual tasks

Answer

Reduced hardware costs

Question 53

Which of the following is a type of bus commonly used for connecting components within a computer system?

Accepted Answer

PCI Express (PCIe)

Answer

USB

Answer

Wi-Fi

Answer

Ethernet

Question 54

What is the primary function of a network interface controller (NIC) in a computer system?

Accepted Answer

To establish and maintain a network connection, enabling communication and data transfer

Answer

To store data and programs permanently

Answer

To perform complex calculations and data processing

Answer

To display visual information on a screen