Computer Organization: Master the Fundamentals of Computer Systems

Question 1

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

Accepted Answer

Central processing unit (CPU)

Answer

Primary memory

Answer

Input/output devices

Answer

Secondary storage device

Question 2

Which of the following is NOT a key performance factor for evaluating a computer system?

Accepted Answer

Weight

Answer

Processing speed

Answer

Memory capacity

Answer

Storage capacity

Question 3

What is the fundamental difference between synchronous and asynchronous data transfer?

Accepted Answer

Synchronous data transfer uses a clock signal to synchronize data transmission, while asynchronous data transfer does not.

Answer

Asynchronous data transfer uses a clock signal to synchronize data transmission, while synchronous data transfer does not.

Answer

Synchronous data transfer is faster than asynchronous data transfer.

Answer

Asynchronous data transfer is more reliable than synchronous data transfer.

Question 4

Which computer organization model separates program code from the data it operates on?

Accepted Answer

Harvard architecture

Answer

Von Neumann architecture

Answer

RISC architecture

Answer

CISC architecture

Question 5

What is the primary function of a memory management unit (MMU)?

Accepted Answer

To translate virtual memory addresses into physical memory addresses

Answer

To provide protection against unauthorized memory access

Answer

To store frequently used data in a cache

Answer

To manage the allocation and deallocation of physical memory

Question 6

Identify the component that is not included in the von Neumann architecture:

Accepted Answer

Graphics Processing Unit (GPU)

Answer

Processor

Answer

Memory

Answer

Input/Output devices

Question 7

What is the primary function of the instruction register within a processor?

Accepted Answer

Stores the currently executing instruction

Answer

Holds data retrieved from memory

Answer

Controls data transfer between memory and the processor

Answer

Performs mathematical and logical operations

Question 8

Which of the following is **not** a key component of computer organization?

Accepted Answer

Software

Answer

Processor

Answer

Memory

Answer

Input/Output devices

Question 9

The primary function of the processor is to:

Accepted Answer

Execute instructions

Answer

Store data and instructions

Answer

Provide input and output

Answer

Control the flow of data

Question 10

Which type of memory is volatile, meaning it loses data when power is removed?

Accepted Answer

Random-access memory (RAM)

Answer

Read-only memory (ROM)

Answer

Cache memory

Answer

Electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM)

Question 11

What is the primary purpose of a cache memory?

Accepted Answer

To increase access time to frequently used data

Answer

To store data permanently

Answer

To execute instructions from the processor

Answer

To provide input and output capabilities

Question 12

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

Accepted Answer

Keyboard

Answer

Monitor

Answer

Printer

Answer

Hard drive

Question 13

What is the key difference between synchronous and asynchronous input/output operations?

Accepted Answer

Synchronous operations wait for completion, while asynchronous operations do not.

Answer

Synchronous operations occur in parallel, while asynchronous operations occur sequentially.

Answer

Asynchronous operations are faster than synchronous operations.

Answer

Synchronous operations require a dedicated processor, while asynchronous operations do not.

Question 14

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

Accepted Answer

To connect different components and allow data transfer

Answer

To store data temporarily during processing

Answer

To execute instructions from the processor

Answer

To provide input and output capabilities

Question 15

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

Accepted Answer

To manage hardware resources and provide services to applications

Answer

To execute instructions from the processor

Answer

To store data and provide input and output capabilities

Answer

To connect different components of the system

Question 16

How do registers enhance the performance of a computer system, specifically in terms of memory access time?

Accepted Answer

Registers provide quicker access to frequently used data, reducing memory fetches and boosting performance.

Answer

Registers enable parallel processing, allowing multiple instructions to execute concurrently.

Answer

Registers increase the main memory capacity, accommodating larger programs and datasets.

Answer

Registers eliminate the need for a memory hierarchy, simplifying computer system design.

Question 17

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

Accepted Answer

Minimizing the time required to access frequently used data and instructions

Answer

Increasing the overall memory capacity of the system

Answer

Connecting the processor to peripherals

Answer

Translating binary data into human-readable form

Question 18

Which of the following devices converts digital signals into analog signals for output?

Accepted Answer

DAC (Digital-to-Analog Converter)

Answer

Modem

Answer

Graphics card

Answer

Network interface card

Question 19

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

Accepted Answer

Managing hardware resources and providing services to applications

Answer

Running user programs and handling user interactions

Answer

Translating high-level programming languages into machine code

Answer

Storing data and instructions in the computer's memory

Question 20

Which of the following best describes a measure of a processor's speed?

Accepted Answer

Clock speed

Answer

Cache size

Answer

Number of cores

Answer

Memory bandwidth

Question 21

Which component is responsible for controlling the flow of information and coordinating the activities of different parts of the processor?

Accepted Answer

Control unit

Answer

Arithmetic logic unit

Answer

Memory

Answer

Registers

Question 22

What is the main purpose of the memory unit in a computer system?

Accepted Answer

To store data and instructions for processing

Answer

To execute instructions

Answer

To control the sequence of operations

Answer

To perform mathematical operations

Question 23

What is the primary function of an input/output (I/O) device?

Accepted Answer

To enable communication between the computer and its external environment

Answer

To store data and retrieve it when needed

Answer

To process data according to specified instructions

Answer

To manage the flow of information within the computer

Question 24

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

Accepted Answer

Monitor

Answer

Keyboard

Answer

Mouse

Answer

Scanner

Question 25

Which of the following is NOT an advantage of utilizing cache memory?

Accepted Answer

Diminished cost

Answer

Improved performance

Answer

Reduced latency

Answer

Enhanced reliability

Question 26

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

Accepted Answer

To facilitate data transfer and communication among different components

Answer

To store data and instructions

Answer

To execute program instructions

Answer

To manage resource allocation

Question 27

Which design principle emphasizes the division of a system into independent modules with well-defined interfaces?

Accepted Answer

Modularity

Answer

Centralization

Answer

Redundancy

Answer

Scalability

Question 28

What is the main objective of a virtual memory system in a computer?

Accepted Answer

To extend the perceived amount of physical memory available to the system

Answer

To improve the execution speed of programs

Answer

To enhance the security of the computer

Answer

To reduce the need for physical memory

Question 29

What is a drawback of using a fully-associative cache?

Accepted Answer

Greater complexity and expense

Answer

Higher hit rate

Answer

Shorter access time

Answer

Worse performance

Question 30

What is the main purpose of memory protection in a computer system?

Accepted Answer

Preventing unauthorized access to memory locations by user programs.

Answer

Optimizing system performance through efficient memory allocation.

Answer

Detecting and correcting memory errors during application execution.

Answer

Facilitating memory sharing among multiple processes.

Question 31

Which I/O technique offers the most efficient data transfer with minimal CPU involvement?

Accepted Answer

DMA (Direct Memory Access)

Answer

Synchronous I/O

Answer

Asynchronous I/O

Answer

Programmed I/O

Question 32

In memory management, which is a critical responsibility of an operating system?

Accepted Answer

Allocating memory to processes

Answer

Translating user commands into processor instructions

Answer

Executing mathematical calculations

Answer

Storing files permanently

Question 33

Which of the following is NOT a component of the Central Processing Unit (CPU)?

Accepted Answer

ROM

Answer

Control Unit

Answer

Arithmetic Logic Unit

Answer

Registers

Question 34

Which type of memory is the fastest but also the most expensive?

Accepted Answer

Cache memory

Answer

Main memory

Answer

Secondary memory

Answer

Flash memory

Question 35

What is the primary purpose of the instruction cycle in a CPU?

Accepted Answer

To fetch, decode, and execute instructions

Answer

To control the flow of data

Answer

To manage data in memory

Answer

To perform arithmetic operations

Question 36

Which of the following is a type of bus used in computer systems?

Accepted Answer

Data bus

Answer

Memory

Answer

Processor

Answer

Program

Question 37

What is the key difference between Reduced Instruction Set Computer (RISC) and Complex Instruction Set Computer (CISC) processors?

Accepted Answer

RISC processors use fewer but simpler instructions, while CISC processors use more complex instructions

Answer

CISC processors are generally faster than RISC processors

Answer

RISC processors require less power than CISC processors

Answer

CISC processors are more commonly used in modern computers

Question 38

Which of the following is a primary advantage of using pipelining in a processor?

Accepted Answer

Increased throughput

Answer

Improved instruction accuracy

Answer

Reduced die size

Answer

Lower power consumption

Question 39

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

Accepted Answer

To manage system resources and provide services to applications

Answer

To connect to networks

Answer

To store data permanently

Answer

To execute user programs

Question 40

Which of the following is an example of a widely used file system?

Accepted Answer

FAT32

Answer

Ethernet

Answer

CPU

Answer

RAM