112 lines
6.0 KiB
Markdown
112 lines
6.0 KiB
Markdown
# Week 1 Graded Quiz: Hardware, Software & Operating Systems
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## Q1: Choosing the Right Component
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Maria's laptop is running slowly when she has multiple browser tabs and applications open. Which component upgrade would most directly help?
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A. A larger SSD
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B. More RAM
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C. A better graphics card
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D. A faster internet connection
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**Answer:** B
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**Explanation:** RAM handles data for active applications. When you run out of RAM, the computer uses slower storage as overflow (virtual memory), causing sluggish performance. More RAM lets you multitask smoothly.
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## Q2: Port Identification
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David needs to connect his laptop to a projector for a class presentation AND charge his laptop using a single cable. Which port type supports this?
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A. USB Type-A
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B. HDMI
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C. USB-C / Thunderbolt
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D. Ethernet (RJ-45)
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**Answer:** C
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**Explanation:** USB-C (especially with Thunderbolt) can carry video, data, and power simultaneously through a single cable. HDMI only carries audio/video, USB-A doesn't support video output, and Ethernet is for networking.
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## Q3: System Software vs Application Software
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Which of the following is the BEST example of the relationship between system software and application software?
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A. Google Chrome runs inside Microsoft Word
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B. Windows manages hardware resources so that Photoshop can use the camera and display
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C. Linux is a type of application that runs on top of Chrome OS
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D. The CPU is system software and RAM is application software
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**Answer:** B
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**Explanation:** The operating system (system software) manages hardware resources and provides services that application software relies on. Photoshop doesn't talk to the camera directly — it asks the OS to do it.
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## Q4: File Management Scenario
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Kenji downloads a file called "project_final_v2.docx.exe" from an email. What should concern him most?
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A. The file has "v2" in the name, meaning it's outdated
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B. The .exe extension means it's actually a program, not a document — it could be malware
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C. Files with two extensions are always corrupted
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D. The .docx part means it can only be opened in Google Docs
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**Answer:** B
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**Explanation:** The actual file type is determined by the last extension. A file ending in .exe is an executable program. Attackers often disguise malware with names like "document.docx.exe" to trick people into running it.
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## Q5: Binary Conversion
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How many different values can be represented with 8 bits (1 byte)?
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A. 8
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B. 16
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C. 128
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D. 256
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**Answer:** D
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**Explanation:** Each bit has 2 possible values (0 or 1). With 8 bits, you can represent 2^8 = 256 different values (0 through 255). This is why one byte can store one of 256 characters in ASCII.
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## Q6: Storage Technology
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A photographer is choosing between an HDD and an SSD for storing thousands of high-resolution photos while traveling. Which is the BEST reason to choose an SSD?
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A. SSDs can store more data per dollar than HDDs
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B. SSDs have no moving parts, making them more durable for travel
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C. SSDs are the only type of drive that works with cameras
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D. HDDs cannot store image files
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**Answer:** B
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**Explanation:** SSDs use flash memory with no moving parts, making them resistant to bumps and drops — ideal for travel. HDDs have spinning platters that can be damaged by movement. While SSDs are also faster, durability is the key advantage for a traveling photographer.
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## Q7: Operating System Functions
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Fatima opens Task Manager on her Windows laptop and sees that one application is using 95% of her CPU. What is the BEST course of action?
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A. Immediately uninstall Windows and reinstall it
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B. Use Task Manager to end the unresponsive application
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C. Remove the CPU and replace it with a faster one
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D. Delete all her files to free up processing power
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**Answer:** B
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**Explanation:** Task Manager lets you see which programs are using resources and end unresponsive applications. This is a core OS function — managing running processes. You don't need to reinstall the OS or replace hardware for a frozen app.
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## Q8: Analog vs Digital
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Which statement BEST explains the difference between analog and digital data?
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A. Analog data is newer and more accurate than digital data
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B. Digital data uses continuous signals while analog data uses discrete values
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C. Analog data uses continuous signals while digital data represents information as discrete values (0s and 1s)
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D. There is no practical difference — they are interchangeable terms
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**Answer:** C
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**Explanation:** Analog signals are continuous (like a vinyl record's grooves or a mercury thermometer), while digital data is represented as discrete values using binary (0s and 1s). Computers convert analog information (sound, light) into digital form for processing.
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## Q9: Backup Strategy
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Amir keeps all his college work on his laptop's internal SSD with no backup. His roommate suggests the 3-2-1 backup rule. What does this rule recommend?
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A. Back up 3 times a day, to 2 drives, keeping 1 copy at school
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B. Keep 3 copies of your data, on 2 different types of media, with 1 copy off-site
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C. Use 3 cloud services, 2 flash drives, and 1 external hard drive
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D. Save every file in 3 different formats across 2 folders on 1 computer
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**Answer:** B
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**Explanation:** The 3-2-1 rule means: 3 total copies of your data, stored on 2 different types of media (e.g., internal drive + external drive), with 1 copy stored off-site (e.g., cloud storage). This protects against hardware failure, theft, and disasters.
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## Q10: Putting It All Together
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Sonia is buying a new computer for college. She plans to write papers, use spreadsheets, attend Zoom classes, and browse the web. She does NOT do gaming or video editing. Which configuration is the BEST fit for her needs?
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A. High-end gaming GPU, 64 GB RAM, 256 GB HDD
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B. Basic integrated graphics, 8 GB RAM, 256 GB SSD
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C. No GPU, 2 GB RAM, 1 TB HDD
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D. Workstation CPU, 128 GB RAM, 4 TB SSD
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**Answer:** B
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**Explanation:** For everyday college tasks (documents, spreadsheets, video calls, web browsing), 8 GB of RAM and integrated graphics are sufficient. An SSD provides fast boot and load times. Options C has too little RAM, while A and D are overpowered and expensive for basic tasks.
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