Computer Hardware and Software

1. What does 'peripheral' refer to in computing?

• A. An external device connected to a computer, such as a keyboard or mouse ✓
• B. The main processor
• C. The operating system
• D. The motherboard

💡 A peripheral is an external device, like a keyboard, mouse, or printer, connected to a computer.

2. What is 'open-source software'?

• A. Software whose source code is publicly available for anyone to view, modify, and distribute ✓
• B. Software that is always free but closed-source
• C. Software only for large companies
• D. A type of hardware

💡 Open-source software has publicly available source code that anyone can view, modify, and freely distribute.

3. What is 'cache memory' used for?

• A. Storing frequently accessed data for faster retrieval by the CPU ✓
• B. Permanently storing all user files
• C. Displaying images
• D. Connecting to the internet

💡 Cache memory is a small, fast type of memory used to store frequently accessed data for quicker CPU access.

4. What is an 'operating system' (OS)?

• A. Software that manages computer hardware and provides services for other software ✓
• B. A type of hardware
• C. A type of internet connection
• D. A type of app store

💡 An operating system manages a computer's hardware resources and provides common services for other software applications.

5. What is 'virtualization' in computing?

• A. Creating a virtual version of a computing resource, such as a server or operating system ✓
• B. A type of hardware upgrade
• C. A type of internet connection
• D. A type of encryption

💡 Virtualization creates a software-based, virtual version of a computing resource, like a server or operating system.

6. What does 'driver' software do?

• A. Allows the operating system to communicate with hardware devices ✓
• B. Increases internet speed
• C. Charges a device
• D. Stores user data

💡 A driver is software that allows an operating system to communicate properly with specific hardware devices.

7. What does 'motherboard' refer to in a computer?

• A. The main circuit board that connects all hardware components ✓
• B. The main storage device
• C. The main display
• D. The main power source

💡 The motherboard is the main circuit board connecting and enabling communication between a computer's hardware components.

8. What is 'BIOS' in a computer?

• A. Firmware used to initialize hardware during the booting process ✓
• B. The main operating system
• C. A type of internet browser
• D. A type of application software

💡 BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) is firmware that initializes and tests a computer's hardware during startup, before the OS loads.

9. What does 'GPU' stand for?

• A. Graphics Processing Unit ✓
• B. General Processing Unit
• C. Global Processing Unit
• D. Graphic Program Utility

💡 GPU stands for Graphics Processing Unit, specialized hardware designed to handle graphics and parallel processing.

10. What is the difference between an SSD and an HDD?

• A. SSDs use flash memory and have no moving parts, while HDDs use spinning magnetic disks ✓
• B. They are identical in technology
• C. HDDs are always faster
• D. SSDs always have more storage

💡 SSDs store data using flash memory with no moving parts, while HDDs use spinning magnetic disks and a moving read/write head.

11. What does 'clock speed' measure in a processor?

• A. How many cycles a CPU can perform per second ✓
• B. The physical size of the processor
• C. The temperature of the processor
• D. The price of the processor

💡 Clock speed measures how many processing cycles a CPU can perform each second, typically in gigahertz.

12. What does 'compatibility' mean in the context of software and hardware?

• A. The ability of software or hardware to work correctly together ✓
• B. The speed of a device
• C. The price of a device
• D. The color of a device

💡 'Compatibility' refers to whether different software or hardware components can work correctly together.

13. What does 'firmware' refer to?

• A. Low-level software that controls a device's specific hardware ✓
• B. High-level application software
• C. A type of internet browser
• D. A type of database

💡 Firmware is low-level software permanently programmed into a device's hardware to control its basic functions.

14. What does 'SSD' stand for?

• A. Solid State Drive ✓
• B. Standard Storage Device
• C. System Storage Drive
• D. Solid Storage Device

💡 SSD stands for Solid State Drive, a type of storage device using flash memory rather than spinning disks.

15. What is the function of 'RAM' in a computer?

• A. Temporary storage for actively used data, allowing fast access ✓
• B. Permanent storage for all data
• C. A type of processor
• D. A type of display

💡 RAM provides temporary, fast-access storage for data actively being used by running programs.