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Computer Science for IGCSE & O level - Hardware (Section 5)

1
Which bus is bidirectional in the Von Neumann architecture?
Answer
(B)
Data Bus
2
What is the maximum cable length generally supported by USB?
Answer
(B)
2 meters
3
Which type of touchscreen technology is commonly used in smartphones due to its multi-touch capabilities?
Answer
(C)
Capacitive
4
What are the advantages of a solid-state drive (SSD) over a hard disk drive (HDD)?
Answer
A
C
5
What is the role of a firewall?
Answer
(B)
To protect the network from unauthorized access.
6
In a street lighting system, the microprocessor uses information from what component to control the lights?
Answer
(C)
The light sensor.
7
What are the key advantages of using flash memory in an SSD?
Answer
A
B
8
In laser printing, what process occurs *after* the toner is applied to the paper in the 'transfer' stage?
Answer
(C)
Fusing
9
Which of the following statements best describes the role of the data bus?
Answer
(C)
It carries data between the CPU, memory, and I/O devices.
10
Where is the key field stored?
Answer
(B)
In the stock database.
11
What is the purpose of the 'fetch-decode-execute' cycle?
Answer
(C)
To retrieve, interpret, and carry out instructions.
12
What is the role of the 'control gate' in a flash memory cell?
Answer
(C)
To apply voltage to the floating gate.
13
What are the main advantages of DLP projectors compared to LCD projectors?
Answer
(D)
All of the above.
14
What is the purpose of a DNS server?
Answer
(B)
To translate domain names into IP addresses.
15
What are the rotating disks inside the hard disk drive called?
Answer
(C)
Platters
16
Which device can convert sound into a digital format?
Answer
(B)
A microphone.
17
Which of the following is a potential use of 3D printing?
Answer
A
C
18
What is meant by the term "machine cycle" in computer architecture?
Answer
(B)
The time it takes to fetch, decode, and execute a single instruction.
19
What is the function of the Address Bus?
Answer
(B)
To carry the addresses of memory locations.
20
Which type of sensor measures environmental conditions like the amount of moisture in the air?
Answer
(C)
Humidity Sensor
21
Which of the following is an advantage of SSDs compared to HDDs?
Answer
A
C
22
In a central heating system, which action will the microprocessor take if the temperature is below the pre-set point?
Answer
(C)
It will open the gas valve.
23
What is a key difference between a static and dynamic IP address?
Answer
(D)
Static IP addresses remain constant, while dynamic IP addresses can change.
24
What type of signal does a DAC (Digital to Analog Converter) output?
Answer
(B)
Analog
25
Which type of memory is typically used as the primary storage in a computer?
Answer
(C)
RAM (Random Access Memory)
26
What does 'latency' refer to in the context of a hard disk drive (HDD)?
Answer
(D)
All of the above.
27
What are some disadvantages of using Infrared Touchscreens?
Answer
(A)
Can be affected by ambient light.
28
In a flash memory cell, what is the role of the dielectric layer?
Answer
(B)
To insulate the floating gate.
29
What is the function of a system bus?
Answer
(C)
To enable communication between different components inside a computer.
30
What is the primary function of RAM in a computer system?
Answer
(B)
Storing instructions the computer is currently using.
31
What is the main function of the system clock in a computer?
Answer
(B)
To regulate the speed of the CPU's operations.
32
What is the primary advantage of QR codes compared to traditional barcodes, as mentioned in the text?
Answer
(B)
They can hold much more information.
33
What is the main advantage of a solid-state drive (SSD) over a traditional hard disk drive (HDD)?
Answer
(C)
SSDs have no moving parts and are generally faster.
34
Which printer technologies typically produce images with better color saturation?
Answer
(A)
Ink-jet printers
35
What is typically stored in ROM?
Answer
(C)
The BIOS or firmware.
36
What are the main functions of a router?
Answer
A
C
37
What are the elements that form an ergonomic keyboard? (Select all that apply)
Answer
A
C
38
What is a key benefit of having a dual-layer DVD?
Answer
(B)
Increased storage capacity.
39
In a microphone, what converts vibrations into electrical signals?
Answer
(B)
Diaphragm
40
What is the function of cache memory?
Answer
(A)
To store frequently used instructions and data for faster access.
41
In the context of a computer system, what does the term 'word' typically refer to?
Answer
(B)
A group of bits that a CPU processes as a unit.
42
What is the primary function of a lens in an LCD projector?
Answer
(C)
To focus the image on the screen.
43
What is the role of the control unit in a CPU?
Answer
(C)
To control the sequence of operations.
44
Where is the operating system's initial start-up instructions stored?
Answer
(C)
In ROM
45
What are the primary purposes of Input/Output devices in a computer system?
Answer
B
C
46
What is the purpose of the Memory Data Register (MDR)?
Answer
(C)
To hold the data being transferred between the CPU and memory.
47
What is 'disk thrashing' in the context of virtual memory?
Answer
(B)
Excessive hard drive activity from swapping data between RAM and the hard drive.
48
What type of memory is typically used for main storage (RAM) in a computer?
Answer
(B)
Solid State
49
What is the general function of a read/write head in a hard disk drive (HDD)?
Answer
(C)
To read data from and write data to the platters.
50
In flash memory, what happens during the 'write' operation?
Answer
(C)
Electrons are trapped in the floating gate.