This section contain 50 multiple-choice questions (MCQs) focused on Fundamentals of Computer Hardware,along with their answers:
1. What is a computer?
- A machine that performs household chores
- An electronic device that processes data
- A type of vehicle
- A musical instrument
A computer is an electronic device that processes data, performs calculations, and executes instructions.
2. Which of the following is NOT a basic component of a computer system?
- Monitor
- Keyboard
- Mouse
- Toaster
A toaster is not a basic component of a computer system; it's an unrelated household appliance.
3. What is the central processing unit (CPU) responsible for?
- Displaying images on the screen
- Storing data permanently
- Processing data and executing instructions
- Connecting to the internet
The CPU is responsible for processing data and executing instructions in a computer system.
4. Which of the following is a type of computer commonly used for scientific calculations and simulations?
- Desktop computer
- Laptop computer
- Supercomputer
- Tablet computer
Supercomputers are commonly used for scientific calculations and simulations due to their high processing power.
5. What type of computer is designed for portability and can be carried easily?
- Mainframe computer
- Desktop computer
- Server computer
- Laptop computer
A laptop computer is designed for portability and can be carried easily.
6. What is an operating system?
- A type of computer hardware
- A piece of software that helps manage computer hardware and provides a user interface
- A type of computer monitor
- A type of keyboard
An operating system is software that helps manage computer hardware and provides a user interface for interacting with the computer.
7. Which of the following is an example of computer hardware?
- Microsoft Word
- Google Chrome
- Hard drive
- Windows 10
The hard drive is a component of computer hardware used for data storage.
8. What is software?
- Physical components of a computer system
- The monitor and keyboard
- Programs and applications that run on a computer
- The CPU and memory
Software refers to programs and applications that run on a computer.
9. Which type of computer is typically used to store and manage files, documents, and data for a network of computers?
- Desktop computer
- Laptop computer
- Server computer
- Tablet computer
A server computer is typically used to store and manage files and data for a network of computers.
10. What is the primary function of a computer's motherboard?
- To display images on the screen
- To store data permanently
- To provide a physical platform for connecting various hardware components
- To connect to the internet
The motherboard provides a physical platform for connecting various hardware components in a computer.
11. Which of the following is an example of an input device?
- Monitor
- Printer
- Keyboard
- Speaker
A keyboard is an example of an input device used to enter data and commands into the computer.
12. What is the role of the power supply unit (PSU) in a computer?
- To process data
- To display images on the screen
- To provide electrical power to the computer's components
- To store data
The power supply unit (PSU) provides electrical power to the computer's components.
13. Which of the following is a type of system software?
- Microsoft Word
- Adobe Photoshop
- Windows 10
- Minecraft
Windows 10 is an example of system software, specifically an operating system.
14. What does RAM stand for?
- Random Access Memory
- Read-Only Memory
- Rapid Access Memory
- Random Analysis Memory
RAM stands for Random Access Memory, a type of computer memory used for temporarily storing data that the CPU is currently using.
15. Which type of software allows users to browse the internet and view web pages?
- Word processing software
- Web browser software
- Graphics editing software
- Spreadsheet software
Web browser software allows users to browse the internet and view web pages.
16. What is the purpose of a graphics card (GPU)?
- To play music
- To process and render graphics and images
- To store data
- To connect to the internet
A graphics card (GPU) is used to process and render graphics and images, enhancing the visual performance of a computer.
17. Which of the following is an example of an output device?
- Mouse
- Monitor
- Keyboard
- USB Flash Drive
A monitor is an output device that displays information from the computer to the user.
18. What is the purpose of a firewall in computer security?
- To keep the computer warm
- To block unauthorized access and control the flow of data
- To play music
- To clean the computer screen
A firewall is a network security device or software that monitors and controls incoming and outgoing network traffic, allowing or blocking data packets based on predetermined security rules.
19. What is the purpose of an email client?
- To play music
- To access the internet
- To send and receive emails
- To edit photos
An email client is software or a web application used to send, receive, and manage email messages.
20. What is a server?
- A type of coffee machine
- A computer that provides services or resources to other computers over a network
- A computer used for gaming
- A portable computer
A server is a computer that provides services or resources to other computers over a network.
21. What is the purpose of a URL?
- To create graphics
- To specify the address of a resource on the internet
- To send emails
- To store data
A URL is used to specify the address of a resource, such as a web page, on the internet.
22. Which component of a computer system is responsible for permanent data storage?
- CPU
- RAM
- Hard drive
- Monitor
The hard drive is responsible for permanent data storage in a computer system.
23. What is the primary function of a printer?
- To browse the internet
- To display images on the screen
- To create a physical copy of a document or image on paper
- To send emails
The primary function of a printer is to create a physical copy of a document or image on paper.
24. Which of the following is a type of computer network that covers a small area, such as a home or office?
- LAN (Local Area Network)
- WAN (Wide Area Network)
- MAN (Metropolitan Area Network)
- Internet
LAN (Local Area Network) covers a small area, such as a home, office, or campus.
25. What is the purpose of a computer's BIOS (Basic Input/Output System)?
- To cook food
- To provide a graphical user interface
- To perform virus scans
- To initialize hardware components and start the boot process
The BIOS initializes hardware components and starts the boot process when a computer is powered on.
26. What is cloud computing?
- A type of computer hardware
- A form of computing where data and services are accessed over the internet
- A programming language
- A type of software
Cloud computing is a form of computing where data and services are accessed over the internet, often from remote servers.
27. What is a web server?
- A type of email client
- A computer that hosts websites and serves web pages to users
- A device used for video editing
- A type of firewall
A web server is a computer that hosts websites and serves web pages to users over the internet.
28. Which of the following is an example of an application software?
- Windows 10
- Microsoft Word
- CPU
- Hard drive
Microsoft Word is an example of application software, specifically a word processing application.
29. What is a computer virus?
- A type of cleaning tool for computers
- A type of computer hardware
- A malicious software program that can replicate itself and harm a computer
- A web browser
A computer virus is a malicious software program that can replicate itself and harm a computer system.
30. What is the purpose of a computer's cache memory?
- To store permanent data
- To display images on the screen
- To provide a user interface
- To store frequently accessed data for faster retrieval
Cache memory is used to store frequently accessed data for faster retrieval by the CPU.
31. What is the function of an optical disc drive (e.g., CD/DVD drive) in a computer?
- To store data permanently
- To process graphics and images
- To connect to the internet
- To read and write data to optical discs
An optical disc drive is used to read and write data to optical discs, such as CDs and DVDs.
32. Which component of a computer system is responsible for sound output?
- Monitor
- Graphics card
- Sound card
- Keyboard
A sound card is responsible for sound output in a computer system.
33. What is a network router used for?
- To cook food
- To connect a computer to the internet
- To create graphics
- To send emails
A network router is used to connect a computer or network of computers to the internet and manage network traffic.
34. What is a computer's IP address used for?
- To make phone calls
- To send text messages
- To identify and communicate with other devices on a network
- To display images on the screen
A computer's IP address is used to identify and communicate with other devices on a network, such as the internet.
35. Which of the following is an example of a portable storage device?
- CPU
- Printer
- USB Flash Drive
- Monitor
A USB Flash Drive is an example of a portable storage device used to store and transport data.
36. What is the primary purpose of an input device like a barcode scanner?
- To play music
- To create graphics
- To scan and input data from barcodes into a computer
- To connect to the internet
A barcode scanner is used to scan and input data from barcodes into a computer system.
37. What does CPU clock speed measure?
- The physical size of the CPU
- The number of cores in the CPU
- The processing speed of the CPU
- The CPU's weight
CPU clock speed measures the processing speed of the CPU, typically in gigahertz (GHz).
38. What is the purpose of a computer's sound card?
- To create graphics
- To display images on the screen
- To process and produce audio output
- To send emails
A sound card is responsible for processing and producing audio output in a computer.
- To clean the computer screen
- To process data
- To power the computer on and off
- To connect to the internet
The power button is used to power the computer on and off.
40. Which of the following is NOT a type of computer memory?
- RAM
- CPU
- ROM
- Monitor
CPU (Central Processing Unit) is not a type of computer memory; it is the primary component responsible for processing.
41. What is the purpose of a computer's network card (NIC)?
- To create graphics
- To display images on the screen
- To connect the computer to a network
- To store data
A network card (NIC) is used to connect the computer to a network, such as a local area network (LAN) or the internet.
42. What is an IP address?
- A type of computer virus
- A unique numeric address used to identify devices on a network
- A type of keyboard
- A web browser
An IP address is a unique numeric address used to identify devices on a network, such as the internet.
43. Which of the following is an example of a system software?
- Microsoft Excel
- Windows 10
- Photoshop
- iTunes
Windows 10 is an example of system software, specifically an operating system.
44. What is a computer server primarily used for?
- To play video games
- To store and manage data and provide services to clients on a network
- To create graphics
- To send emails
A computer server is primarily used to store and manage data and provide services to clients on a network.
45. What is the purpose of a computer's BIOS (Basic Input/Output System)?
- To process data
- To provide a graphical user interface
- To initialize hardware components and start the boot process
- To connect to the internet
The BIOS initializes hardware components and starts the boot process when a computer is powered on.
46. What is a computer network?
- A type of printer
- A collection of interconnected computers and devices that can communicate and share resources
- A type of antivirus software
- A type of sound card
A computer network is a collection of interconnected computers and devices that can communicate and share resources.
47. What is a computer's cache memory used for?
- To store permanent data
- To display images on the screen
- To provide a user interface
- To store frequently accessed data for faster retrieval
Cache memory is used to store frequently accessed data for faster retrieval by the CPU.
48. What is a URL?
- A type of computer hardware
- A website that indexes and searches for information on the internet
- A unique numeric address used to identify devices on a network
- A tool for creating graphics
A URL is a Uniform Resource Locator, which is a web address that indexes and searches for information on the internet.
49. Which of the following is an example of an output device?
- Hard drive
- Mouse
- Printer
- CPU
A printer is an example of an output device used to create a physical copy of a document or image.
50. What is a computer virus?
- A type of bacteria
- A malicious software program that can replicate itself and harm a computer system
- A type of email client
- A type of web browser
A computer virus is a malicious software program that can replicate itself and harm a computer system.