# Week 1 Practice Quiz: Hardware, Software & Operating Systems

## Q1: What CPU Stands For
What does CPU stand for?

A. Central Processing Unit
B. Computer Personal Utility
C. Central Program Updater
D. Computer Power Unit

**Answer:** A
**Explanation:** CPU stands for Central Processing Unit — it's the "brain" of the computer that executes instructions and processes data.

## Q2: RAM vs Storage
What happens to the data stored in RAM when you shut down your computer?

A. It gets saved to the hard drive automatically
B. It is erased — RAM is volatile memory
C. It stays in RAM until you delete it manually
D. It gets compressed and archived

**Answer:** B
**Explanation:** RAM (Random Access Memory) is volatile, meaning it only holds data while the computer is powered on. When you shut down, everything in RAM is lost.

## Q3: Input Device Identification
Which of the following is an input device?

A. Monitor
B. Printer
C. Keyboard
D. Speakers

**Answer:** C
**Explanation:** A keyboard sends data into the computer, making it an input device. Monitors, printers, and speakers are output devices — they receive data from the computer.

## Q4: Storage Comparison
Carlos needs to transfer a 2 GB presentation file to a classmate who doesn't have internet access. Which device would work best?

A. A stick of RAM
B. A USB flash drive
C. An HDMI cable
D. A CPU

**Answer:** B
**Explanation:** A USB flash drive is portable storage that can hold files and be physically handed to someone. RAM is volatile memory, HDMI transfers video signals, and a CPU processes data — none of these transfer files.

## Q5: Operating System Purpose
What is the main purpose of an operating system?

A. To create documents and spreadsheets
B. To manage hardware and software resources on a computer
C. To connect the computer to the internet
D. To protect the computer from viruses

**Answer:** B
**Explanation:** An operating system (like Windows, macOS, or Linux) manages hardware resources, runs applications, handles file storage, and acts as the intermediary between you and the computer's hardware.

## Q6: File Extensions
Priya downloaded a file called "report.pdf" from her email. What does the .pdf extension tell her?

A. The file is a photo
B. The file is a spreadsheet
C. The file is a Portable Document Format file, typically for viewing and printing
D. The file is an executable program

**Answer:** C
**Explanation:** The .pdf extension indicates a Portable Document Format file, which is designed for sharing documents that look the same on any device. File extensions tell your computer (and you) what type of file it is.

## Q7: Binary Basics
In computing, what is a "bit"?

A. A single binary digit — either 0 or 1
B. A group of 8 bytes
C. A measure of internet speed
D. A type of computer virus

**Answer:** A
**Explanation:** A bit (binary digit) is the smallest unit of data in computing, representing either a 0 or a 1. Eight bits make up one byte.

## Q8: HDD vs SSD
Which type of storage has no moving parts and is generally faster?

A. HDD (Hard Disk Drive)
B. SSD (Solid State Drive)
C. Optical disc (CD/DVD)
D. Floppy disk

**Answer:** B
**Explanation:** SSDs use flash memory with no moving parts, making them faster, quieter, and more durable than HDDs, which use spinning magnetic platters to read and write data.

## Q9: System vs Application Software
Which of the following is an example of system software?

A. Microsoft Word
B. Google Chrome
C. Windows 11
D. Adobe Photoshop

**Answer:** C
**Explanation:** System software includes operating systems like Windows 11 that manage hardware and run other programs. Word, Chrome, and Photoshop are all application software — programs you use to do specific tasks.

## Q10: Data Size Units
Put these storage units in order from smallest to largest: GB, KB, TB, MB.

A. KB, MB, GB, TB
B. MB, KB, GB, TB
C. KB, GB, MB, TB
D. TB, GB, MB, KB

**Answer:** A
**Explanation:** The order from smallest to largest is: Kilobyte (KB) → Megabyte (MB) → Gigabyte (GB) → Terabyte (TB). Each step up is roughly 1,000 times larger than the previous.