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09 — How Computers and Systems Work Online Quiz Questions

Use this free practice quiz with 20 questions to review 09 — How Computers and Systems Work, test your knowledge, and prepare for your next test or exam.

20 questions
01
Choose one
1 point

A user opens a document stored on an SSD. Which sequence best describes the operating system's role?

  1. A

    The display independently retrieves the document from storage.

  2. B

    The operating system locates the document in storage, copies needed data into memory, schedules processor time, and sends output to the display.

  3. C

    The processor permanently stores the document in its registers before displaying it.

  4. D

    The network interface converts the document directly into keyboard input.

02
Choose one
1 point

A program requests data, and the data is already present in the processor cache. What has occurred?

  1. A

    The requested information is found in the cache.

  2. B

    The requested information is found only on persistent storage.

  3. C

    The processor has lost power and must reboot.

  4. D

    The operating system has moved every page to storage.

03
Choose one
1 point

Which statement correctly distinguishes a router from a switch?

  1. A

    A router provides wireless access, while an access point forwards packets between networks.

  2. B

    A switch translates application requests into machine instructions.

  3. C

    A router forwards packets between different networks, whereas a switch forwards frames among devices on a local network.

  4. D

    A port number identifies the physical cable used by a router.

04
Choose all
1 point

Which two statements correctly describe threads within the same process? Select all that apply.

  1. A

    They share the process's address space.

  2. B

    They must each belong to a different process.

  3. C

    They have their own execution state, registers, and stack.

  4. D

    They cannot be scheduled independently.

05
Choose all
1 point

Which two statements accurately compare TCP and UDP? Select all that apply.

  1. A

    TCP is connectionless and never uses sequence numbers.

  2. B

    TCP provides reliable, in-order delivery using acknowledgments and retransmission.

  3. C

    UDP always retransmits lost packets before delivering later packets.

  4. D

    UDP can have less built-in overhead and may be useful when an application handles loss itself.

06
True or false
1 point

True or false: A process is a running instance of a program together with resources such as a virtual address space and open files.

  1. A

    True

  2. B

    False

07
True or false
1 point

True or false: Because virtual memory can move inactive pages to storage, a computer can use it as a complete replacement for physical RAM without a performance cost.

  1. A

    True

  2. B

    False

08
Written response
1 point

A processor uses 5 address bits. How many distinct addresses can it theoretically represent? Enter the number as a whole number.

09
Written response
1 point

What is the processor-cycle stage in which the processor obtains the next instruction from memory? Enter the single stage name.

10
Fill in the blank
1 point

Complete the comparison: retains programs and data when power is removed, whereas holds programs and data currently in use.

11
Fill in the blank
1 point

Complete the sentence: When a referenced virtual-memory page is not currently available in the required physical-memory location, a occurs.

12
Open ended
1 point

Explain what happens inside a computer when a user edits a photograph in an image editor and then saves it. Distinguish the roles of main memory, the operating system, the file system, and persistent storage.

13
Choose one
1 point

Which statement best explains how a processor runs a program written in a high-level language such as C or Python?

  1. A

    The processor executes Python source text directly as its native instruction format.

  2. B

    The processor executes machine instructions produced from or used to run high-level-language programs.

  3. C

    The processor can execute only data stored on a hard-disk drive.

  4. D

    The operating system converts every instruction into a network packet before execution.

14
True or false
1 point

True or false: On a single-core processor, two threads can execute truly concurrently merely because the operating system switches between them rapidly.

  1. A

    True

  2. B

    False

15
Choose one
1 point

A user shuts down a computer and later finds that a saved document is still available. Which component retained the document while the computer was powered off?

  1. A

    Main memory (RAM)

  2. B

    Persistent storage

  3. C

    Processor cache

  4. D

    Registers

16
Choose one
1 point

A processor is ready to begin its next instruction cycle. Which step obtains the next instruction from memory?

  1. A

    Fetch

  2. B

    Decode

  3. C

    Execute

  4. D

    Retire or write back

17
Choose one
1 point

An application needs to open a file and asks the operating system to perform the operation. What mechanism normally provides this controlled request?

  1. A

    A context switch

  2. B

    A cache hit

  3. C

    A system call

  4. D

    A page fault

18
Choose one
1 point

A packet must travel from a computer on one network to a host on a different network. Which device normally forwards the packet toward the other network?

  1. A

    Network interface

  2. B

    Switch

  3. C

    Access point

  4. D

    Router

19
Written response
1 point

A processor uses 12 address bits. Assuming every bit pattern represents a distinct address, how many distinct addresses can it theoretically represent? Enter the exact whole-number value.

20
Written response
1 point

Enter the standard name of the networking layer that uses IP addresses to move packets between networks.