Computer Systems Quizzes: Test Your Knowledge in Hardware, Software, and Architecture

Question 1

What is a major obstacle in the widespread adoption of cloud computing?

Accepted Answer

Data breaches and privacy concerns

Answer

Lower operational expenses

Answer

Enhanced data protection

Answer

Increased scalability and adaptability

Question 2

Identify the component that is NOT a hardware element of a computer system.

Accepted Answer

Operating System

Answer

Central Processing Unit (CPU)

Answer

Random Access Memory (RAM)

Answer

Hard Disk Drive (HDD)

Question 3

Which software acts as the primary interface between the user and the hardware, managing system resources?

Accepted Answer

Operating System

Answer

Application Software

Answer

Utility Software

Answer

Firmware

Question 4

Which component is essential for establishing a connection between devices in a computer network?

Accepted Answer

Network Interface Card (NIC)

Answer

Routing Table

Answer

Modem

Answer

Firewall

Question 5

Identify the type of computer memory that retains data even when the computer is powered off.

Accepted Answer

Read-Only Memory (ROM)

Answer

Random Access Memory (RAM)

Answer

Cache Memory

Answer

Virtual Memory

Question 6

Which of the following is NOT considered a fundamental data structure?

Accepted Answer

Object

Answer

Array

Answer

Linked List

Answer

Queue

Question 7

What is the process of translating high-level programming language into machine code called?

Accepted Answer

Compilation

Answer

Interpretation

Answer

Assembly

Answer

Linking

Question 8

Identify the software tool primarily used for developing and testing computer programs.

Accepted Answer

Integrated Development Environment (IDE)

Answer

Compiler

Answer

Debugger

Answer

Simulator

Question 9

Describe the primary functions of an operating system and explain how it acts as a mediator between hardware components and software applications.

Accepted Answer

Manages hardware, allocates resources, and provides services to applications.

Answer

Protects against malware and virus threats.

Answer

Serves as a graphical user interface and processes user inputs.

Answer

Translates high-level languages into machine code for execution.

Question 10

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

Accepted Answer

Speaker

Answer

Central Processing Unit (CPU)

Answer

Random Access Memory (RAM)

Answer

Storage Device

Question 11

Which type of software provides a user interface and manages system resources?

Accepted Answer

Operating System

Answer

Application Software

Answer

Utility Software

Answer

Firmware

Question 12

Which step in the fetch-execute cycle involves retrieving instructions from memory?

Accepted Answer

Fetch

Answer

Writeback

Answer

Execute

Answer

Decode

Question 13

What is the primary difference between volatile and non-volatile memory?

Accepted Answer

Volatile memory loses data when power is removed, while non-volatile memory retains it.

Answer

Volatile memory is faster than non-volatile memory.

Answer

Volatile memory is used for permanent storage, while non-volatile memory is used for temporary data.

Question 14

Which of the following is an advantage of using a multi-core processor?

Accepted Answer

Improved performance for multi-threaded applications

Answer

Reduced power consumption

Answer

Increased memory capacity

Question 15

What is the purpose of a network interface card (NIC)?

Accepted Answer

To connect a computer to a network

Answer

To control the computer's power supply

Answer

To store user data

Question 16

Which of the following best describes the role of a BIOS in a computer system?

Accepted Answer

Initializes hardware and loads the operating system

Answer

Provides a user interface for system configuration

Answer

Manages user accounts and permissions

Question 17

What is the primary purpose of a compiler in software development?

Accepted Answer

To convert high-level code into machine code

Answer

To debug and fix code errors

Answer

To create user interfaces

Answer

To manage database transactions

Question 18

Which of the following is a key performance indicator for computer systems?

Accepted Answer

Throughput

Answer

Battery life

Answer

Display resolution

Question 19

What is the main function of a file system?

Accepted Answer

To organize and manage files and directories on a storage device

Answer

To control access to user data

Answer

To perform backup and recovery operations

Question 20

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

Accepted Answer

Keyboard

Answer

Memory

Answer

Storage

Answer

Processor

Question 21

Which software layer is responsible for managing system resources, providing an interface for hardware-software communication, and facilitating task execution?

Accepted Answer

Operating system

Answer

Web browser

Answer

Firmware

Answer

Application software

Question 22

Which of the following is a characteristic of multi-threaded operating systems?

Accepted Answer

Support concurrent execution of multiple tasks or processes

Answer

Prevent multitasking

Answer

Allow execution of only one task at a time

Answer

Prioritize tasks solely based on user input

Question 23

Which hardware bus is primarily used for data transfer between the processor and main memory, offering higher speed and bandwidth?

Accepted Answer

Front side bus

Answer

USB bus

Answer

PCI bus

Answer

Serial bus

Question 24

What is the primary function of a virtual memory system in a computer system?

Accepted Answer

Extends the capacity of physical memory by utilizing secondary storage

Answer

Improves the speed of memory access

Answer

Protects data from unauthorized access

Question 25

Which of the following is NOT considered a key performance metric for computer systems?

Accepted Answer

Data accuracy

Answer

Response time

Answer

Throughput

Answer

Reliability

Question 26

What is the primary role of a device driver in a computer system?

Accepted Answer

Provides an interface between hardware devices and software applications

Answer

Controls the operating system's functions

Answer

Manages system memory allocation

Question 27

What is a potential limitation or disadvantage of using a distributed operating system?

Accepted Answer

Increased communication overhead due to message passing between distributed components

Answer

Lower hardware costs

Answer

Improved fault tolerance

Answer

Simplified system administration

Question 28

What is the primary purpose of a BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) in a computer system?

Accepted Answer

Initializes hardware components and loads the operating system during system startup

Answer

Provides a graphical user interface for user interaction

Answer

Manages system memory

Question 29

Which of the following is a component of a modern computer network?

Accepted Answer

Router

Answer

Processor

Answer

Keyboard

Answer

Printer