Question 1

When an operating system uses ____, it swaps files between RAM and the hard drive to avoid running out of RAM.
A) EEPROM
B) cloud storage
C) virtual memory
D) firmware

Accepted Answer

The described process of swapping files between RAM and the hard drive is known as virtual memory. Virtual memory is utilized by operating systems to effectively increase the amount of available RAM and prevent RAM from running out. EEPROM is a type of non-volatile memory, cloud storage is a means of remote data storage, and firmware is software that is embedded on hardware devices.

Question 2

A ____ is an audio output device that converts text to speech.
A) sampler
B) voice synthesizer
C) headset
D) multifunction device

Accepted Answer

A voice synthesizer is an audio output device that can convert text to speech. The other options (sampler, headset, and multifunction device) do not have the primary function of text-to-speech synthesis.

Question 3

____ chips need to be recharged constantly or they lose their data.
A) BIOS
B) ROM
C) DRAM
D) SRAM

Accepted Answer

DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) chips need to be refreshed constantly or they lose their data. ROM (Read-Only Memory) is non-volatile and retains data even when power is turned off, while SRAM (Static Random Access Memory) is volatile but does not require constant refreshing like DRAM. BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) is a type of firmware that is stored in non-volatile memory, typically on a motherboard, and is responsible for initializing hardware during the boot process.

Question 4

____ is storage space for recently or frequently used data in a place that is quick and easy to access.
A) EEPROM
B) SSD
C) SRAM
D) Cache

Accepted Answer

The definition fits the description of cache, which is a type of high-speed volatile memory used to store frequently accessed data for quick retrieval. EEPROM, SSD, and SRAM are also types of memory, but their specific functions and characteristics do not align with the given definition.

Question 5

The ____ is the brain of a computer.
A) ALU
B) SSD
C) CPU
D) LED

Accepted Answer

The CPU (Central Processing Unit) is commonly referred to as the brain of a computer. It is responsible for executing instructions and performing calculations. The ALU (Arithmetic Logic Unit) is a component of the CPU that performs arithmetic and logical operations, but it is not the entire CPU. The SSD (Solid State Drive) is a type of storage device, and the LED (Light Emitting Diode) is a type of lighting technology.

Question 6

Random access memory (RAM) is stored on a set of chips called a memory ____.
A) bus
B) module
C) control unit
D) platter

Accepted Answer

RAM is typically stored on a module, which is a set of chips that are designed to work together as a unit. The other options (A, C, and D) are not correct because they do not accurately describe the storage location of RAM.

Question 7

____ is the memory permanently installed on your system when your computer is manufactured.
Cache Cache
A) RAM
B) Cache
C) Virtual memory
D) ROM

Accepted Answer

ROM (Read-Only Memory) is the memory permanently installed on a computer system when it is manufactured. It contains the firmware and instructions required for booting up the system and performing basic functions. RAM (Random Access Memory) is a temporary memory used by the computer to store data and applications when they are in use, and virtual memory is a space on the hard drive used by the operating system as an extension of RAM when the physical RAM is running low. Cache memory is a type of temporary memory used to store frequently accessed data to speed up the processing time of a system.

Question 8

A ____ is a test run by a laboratory or other organization to determine processor speed and other performance factors.
A) power-on self test
B) file swap
C) benchmark
D) machine cycle

Accepted Answer

A benchmark is a standardized test used to evaluate the performance of hardware or software components. It measures the speed and efficiency of a computer's processor and other performance factors such as graphics and memory.

Question 9

____ speed is measured in hertz.
A) Clock
B) Printer
C) Word
D) Swap file

Accepted Answer

Clock speed is measured in hertz.

Question 10

____ is the fourth step in the computer machine cycle.
A) Fetch
B) Decode
C) Execute
D) Store

Accepted Answer

The fourth step in the computer machine cycle is "Store," where the results of the executed instructions are written back to memory.

Question 11

To digitize an image, the image is treated as a series of colored dots, or ____.
A) pixels
B) pages
C) samples
D) bytes

Accepted Answer

Pixels are the smallest unit of a digital image, and they are used to represent the color and brightness of each section of the image when digitized.

Question 12

____ is an 8-bit coding scheme.
A) Binary
B) DRAM
C) Unicode
D) ASCII

Accepted Answer

ASCII (American Standard Code for Information Interchange) is an 8-bit coding scheme that assigns a unique number to each character, including letters, numbers, punctuation symbols, and control codes. This coding scheme was widely used in early computer systems and is still commonly used today. Binary, DRAM, and Unicode are not specifically 8-bit coding schemes.

Question 13

Bus width is also called ____.
A) clock speed
B) word size
C) L3 cache
D) a machine cycle

Accepted Answer

Bus width refers to the number of bits that can be transferred simultaneously between the processor and memory. This is also known as the word size. Clock speed, L3 cache, and machine cycle are not equivalent to bus width.

Question 14

____ is the first step in the computer machine cycle.
A) Fetch
B) Decode
C) Execute
D) Store

Accepted Answer

The first step in the computer machine cycle is fetching, where the computer retrieves instructions from memory.

Question 15

____ is the second step in the computer machine cycle.
A) Fetch
B) Decode
C) Execute
D) Store

Accepted Answer

The machine cycle consists of four steps: fetch, decode, execute, and store. The second step is decode, where the instruction that was fetched in the first step is decoded and prepared for execution in the third step. Therefore, the correct choice is B) Decode.

Question 16

Most wired mice connect through a(n) ____.
A) USB port
B) serial port
C) input jack
D) VGA port

Accepted Answer

Most modern wired mice connect through a USB port. Serial ports and input jacks are outdated and VGA ports are used for video display.

Question 17

To use the ____ of mobile devices, you press the image of a key with your finger, a digital pen, or a stylus.
A) touch screen keyboard
B) mouse
C) joystick
D) motion-sensing controller

Accepted Answer

Mobile devices utilize touch screen keyboards, which are activated by pressing the image of a key with your finger, a digital pen, or a stylus. Mouse, joystick, and motion-sensing controllers are not commonly used on mobile devices.

Question 18

____ is the third step in the computer machine cycle.
A) Fetch
B) Decode
C) Execute
D) Store

Accepted Answer

The computer machine cycle consists of four steps: Fetch, Decode, Execute, and Store. The third step is Execute, which involves the CPU actually performing the requested operation or task based on the decoded instruction from the second step.

Question 19

The ____ includes the instructions for starting up your computer as it performs the power-on self test.
A) BIOS
B) RFID
C) R AM
D) L2 cache

Accepted Answer

The BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) is a firmware that is stored in a non-volatile chip on the motherboard of a computer. It includes the instructions for starting up the computer and performs the power-on self test to check the hardware components of the system.

Question 20

The ALU temporarily holds data, such as two numbers to add, in ____.
A) machine cycles
B) cache
C) cores
D) registers

Accepted Answer

The registers in a computer's CPU are a small set of high-speed, temporary storage locations used to store data that the ALU needs to access quickly. These can include the values to be added, subtracted, or otherwise manipulated by the ALU. The other options - machine cycles, cache, and cores - do not refer to specific places within the CPU where data is held temporarily for processing by the ALU.

Quiz 1: Introduction to Computer Hardware

When an operating system uses ____, it swaps files between RAM and the hard drive to avoid running out of RAM.

A ____ is an audio output device that converts text to speech.

____ chips need to be recharged constantly or they lose their data.

____ is storage space for recently or frequently used data in a place that is quick and easy to access.

The ____ is the brain of a computer.

Random access memory (RAM) is stored on a set of chips called a memory ____.

____ is the memory permanently installed on your system when your computer is manufactured. Cache Cache

A ____ is a test run by a laboratory or other organization to determine processor speed and other performance factors.

____ speed is measured in hertz.

____ is the fourth step in the computer machine cycle.

To digitize an image, the image is treated as a series of colored dots, or ____.

____ is an 8-bit coding scheme.

Bus width is also called ____.

____ is the first step in the computer machine cycle.

____ is the second step in the computer machine cycle.

Most wired mice connect through a(n) ____.

To use the ____ of mobile devices, you press the image of a key with your finger, a digital pen, or a stylus.

____ is the third step in the computer machine cycle.

The ____ includes the instructions for starting up your computer as it performs the power-on self test.

The ALU temporarily holds data, such as two numbers to add, in ____.