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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.