Question 1

What is the actual hardware that interprets and executes the program (software) instructions and coordinates how all the other hardware devices work together?
A)CPU
B)Control unit
C)ALU
D)Primary storage

Accepted Answer

The Central Processing Unit (CPU) is the primary hardware component responsible for interpreting and executing program (software) instructions, as well as coordinating how all the other hardware devices work together.

Question 2

What is the computer's primary working memory, in which program instructions and data are stored so that they can be accessed directly by the CPU via the processor's high-speed external data bus?
A)RAM
B)ROM
C)Volatility
D)Flash memory

Accepted Answer

RAM (Random Access Memory) is the computer's primary working memory where program instructions and data are stored temporarily so that they can be accessed directly by the CPU via the processor's high-speed external data bus. RAM is volatile, meaning that its contents are lost when the computer is turned off or restarted. ROM (Read-Only Memory) contains permanent instructions that cannot be changed, while flash memory is non-volatile and can retain data even when power is turned off.

Question 3

What is the term for the size of the internal electrical pathway along which signals are sent from one part of the computer to another?
A)Clock speed
B)Word length
C)Bus width
D)Chip line width

Accepted Answer

The term for the size of the internal electrical pathway along which signals are sent from one part of the computer to another is "bus width." Clock speed refers to the speed at which a computer's central processing unit (CPU) executes instructions. Word length refers to the size (in bits) of a computer's memory system, and chip line width refers to the width (in nanometers) of the smallest feature that can be created on a computer chip.

Question 4

What performs all arithmetic operations (for example, addition and subtraction) and all logic operations?
A)CPU
B)Control unit
C)ALU
D)Primary storage

Accepted Answer

ALU (Arithmetic Logic Unit) is responsible for performing all arithmetic operations (like addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division) and all logic operations (like AND, OR, NOT, etc.) within the CPU. The Control Unit (option B) manages the flow of instructions in and out of the CPU, and Primary Storage (option D) holds data and instructions for the CPU to access, but neither of these performs arithmetic or logic operations.

Question 5

What detects the presence or absence of a mark in a predetermined place (popular for multiple-choice exams)?
A)Magnetic ink character reader
B)Optical-character recognition
C)Optical-mark recognition
D)Point-of-sale

Accepted Answer

Optical-mark recognition, also known as OMR, is specifically designed to detect marks in predetermined places, such as the bubbles on a multiple-choice exam. Magnetic ink character reader (A) is used to read characters printed in magnetic ink, while optical-character recognition (B) is used to convert printed or written text into machine-encoded text. Point-of-sale (D) refers to the software and hardware used to process sales transactions at retail stores.

Question 6

What refers to a device's ability to function with or without power?
A)RAM
B)ROM
C)Volatility
D)Flash memory

Accepted Answer

Volatility refers to the ability of a device to hold data even without a continuous power source. RAM and ROM are types of memory that can be either volatile or non-volatile, while flash memory can be non-volatile but can still require power to maintain data integrity.

Question 7

What is roughly 1 million bytes?
A)Megabyte
B)Terabyte
C)Kilobyte
D)Gigabyte

Accepted Answer

A megabyte is roughly equivalent to 1 million bytes, fitting the description provided.

Question 8

What is a type of CPU that can recognize as many as 100 or more instructions, enough to carry out most computations directly?
A)Megahertz
B)Gigahertz
C)CISC
D)RISC

Accepted Answer

CISC (Complex Instruction Set Computing) CPU can recognize as many as 100 or more instructions, enough to carry out most computations directly. Megahertz and Gigahertz only refer to the speed of the CPU, while RISC (Reduced Instruction Set Computing) CPUs have a smaller instruction set and may not be able to carry out all computations directly.

Question 9

What is the measurement term for the number of millions of CPU cycles per second?
A)Megahertz
B)Gigahertz
C)CISC
D)RISC

Accepted Answer

Megahertz (MHz) is the measurement term used for the number of millions of CPU cycles per second. Gigahertz (GHz) is the measurement term used for the number of billions of CPU cycles per second. CISC and RISC are not measurement terms, but rather types of computer processor architectures.

Question 10

What is the portion of a computer's primary storage that does not lose its contents when one switches off the power?
A)RAM
B)ROM
C)Volatility
D)Flash memory

Accepted Answer

ROM (Read-Only Memory) is the portion of a computer's primary storage that does not lose its contents when the power is switched off. It contains the firmware or software that controls the computer's basic functions, including its boot-up sequence. RAM (Random Access Memory), flash memory, and other types of storage are volatile, meaning their contents are lost when the power is turned off. Volatility is not a specific portion of primary storage, but rather a characteristic of certain types of storage.

Question 11

What is a small unit of ultra-fast memory that is used to store recently accessed or frequently accessed data so that the CPU does not have to retrieve this data from slower memory circuits such as RAM?
A)ROM
B)Cache memory
C)Volatility
D)Flash memory

Accepted Answer

Cache memory is a small unit of ultra-fast memory that is used to store recently accessed or frequently accessed data so that the CPU does not have to retrieve this data from slower memory circuits such as RAM. ROM stands for Read-Only Memory, which contains permanent data that cannot be altered. Volatility refers to the property of memory to lose its contents when power is turned off. Flash memory is a type of non-volatile memory that can be electrically erased and reprogrammed.

Question 12

What is an older secondary storage medium that uses a strip of thin plastic coated with a magnetically sensitive recording medium?
A)Magnetic medium
B)Magnetic tape
C)Hard drive
D)RAM

Accepted Answer

Magnetic tape is an older secondary storage medium that uses a strip of thin plastic coated with a magnetically sensitive recording medium. The other options mentioned are not specific to this description.

Question 13

What is a complex instruction set computer chip?
A)The actual hardware that interprets and executes the program (software) instructions and coordinates how all the other hardware devices work together.
B)A tool that interprets software instructions and literally tells the other hardware devices what to do, based on the software instructions.
C)A type of CPU that can recognize as many as 100 or more instructions, enough to carry out most computations directly.
D)A unit in a computer that performs all arithmetic operations (for example, addition and subtraction) and all logic operations (such as sorting and comparing numbers).

Accepted Answer

A complex instruction set computer (CISC) chip is a type of CPU that can recognize as many as 100 or more instructions, enough to carry out most computations directly. The term "complex" refers to the fact that each instruction can perform multiple operations, making it more efficient than a reduced instruction set computer (RISC) chip which uses simpler instructions but requires more of them to perform the same tasks.

Question 14

Which of the following represents megahertz?
A)The number of millions of CPU cycles per second.
B)The number of billions of CPU cycles per second.
C)A type of CPU that can recognize as many as 100 or more instructions, enough to carry out most computations directly.
D)Limit the number of instructions the CPU can execute to increase processing speed.

Accepted Answer

Megahertz (MHz) is a unit of measurement used to indicate frequency. In the context of computers, it refers to the number of millions of cycles per second that a CPU can process. Therefore, the correct option is A - "The number of millions of CPU cycles per second."

Question 15

What is the computer's main memory, which consists of the random access memory (RAM), cache memory, and read-only memory (ROM) that is directly accessible to the CPU?
A)CPU
B)Control unit
C)Secondary storage
D)Primary storage

Accepted Answer

The computer's main memory, which consists of the random access memory (RAM), cache memory, and read-only memory (ROM) that is directly accessible to the CPU, is known as primary storage. Choice D is the correct answer.

Question 16

What is a form of a stationary mouse on which the movement of a finger causes the pointer on the screen to move?
A)Microphone
B)Touch pad
C)Pointing stick
D)Touch screen

Accepted Answer

A touch pad is a form of stationary mouse where the movement of a finger causes the pointer on the screen to move. A microphone is used for audio input, a pointing stick is a small joystick used to move the cursor, and a touch screen is a display that responds to touch input.

Question 17

What interprets software instructions and literally tells the other hardware devices what to do, based on the software instructions?
A)CPU
B)Control unit
C)ALU
D)Primary storage

Accepted Answer

The answer of What interprets software instructions and literally tells...

Question 18

What limits the number of instructions the CPU can execute to increase processing speed?
A)Megahertz
B)Gigahertz
C)CISC
D)RISC

Accepted Answer

RISC (Reduced Instruction Set Computing) processors are designed to have a simplified instruction set, which allows for faster execution of instructions. By limiting the number of instructions that can be executed, the processor can perform each instruction more quickly, leading to overall faster processing speed.

Question 19

What is the term for the number of bits (0s and 1s) that can be processed by the CPU at any one time?
A)Clock speed
B)Word length
C)Bus width
D)Chip line width

Accepted Answer

The term for the number of bits that can be processed by the CPU at any one time is called word length. Therefore, choice B is the correct answer. Clock speed refers to the number of clock cycles per second that the CPU can execute, and is not directly related to the number of bits processed at one time. Bus width refers to the number of bits that can be transmitted on a computer bus at the same time. Chip line width is not a term commonly used in computer hardware.

Question 20

What is the term for the number of billions of CPU cycles per second?
A)Megahertz
B)Gigahertz
C)CISC
D)RISC

Accepted Answer

Gigahertz is the term for the number of billions of CPU cycles per second. Megahertz is the term for millions of cycles per second. CISC (Complex Instruction Set Computing) and RISC (Reduced Instruction Set Computing) are architectures for computer processors, but not specific terms for measuring clock speed.

Quiz 22: B: Extension: A Hardware and Software Basics

What is the actual hardware that interprets and executes the program (software) instructions and coordinates how all the other hardware devices work together?

What is the computer's primary working memory, in which program instructions and data are stored so that they can be accessed directly by the CPU via the processor's high-speed external data bus?

What is the term for the size of the internal electrical pathway along which signals are sent from one part of the computer to another?

What performs all arithmetic operations (for example, addition and subtraction) and all logic operations?

What detects the presence or absence of a mark in a predetermined place (popular for multiple-choice exams) ?

What refers to a device's ability to function with or without power?

What is roughly 1 million bytes?

What is a type of CPU that can recognize as many as 100 or more instructions, enough to carry out most computations directly?

What is the measurement term for the number of millions of CPU cycles per second?

What is the portion of a computer's primary storage that does not lose its contents when one switches off the power?

What is a small unit of ultra-fast memory that is used to store recently accessed or frequently accessed data so that the CPU does not have to retrieve this data from slower memory circuits such as RAM?

What is an older secondary storage medium that uses a strip of thin plastic coated with a magnetically sensitive recording medium?

What is a complex instruction set computer chip?

Which of the following represents megahertz?

What is the computer's main memory, which consists of the random access memory (RAM) , cache memory, and read-only memory (ROM) that is directly accessible to the CPU?

What is a form of a stationary mouse on which the movement of a finger causes the pointer on the screen to move?

What interprets software instructions and literally tells the other hardware devices what to do, based on the software instructions?

What limits the number of instructions the CPU can execute to increase processing speed?

What is the term for the number of bits (0s and 1s) that can be processed by the CPU at any one time?

What is the term for the number of billions of CPU cycles per second?