Computer Architecture MCQs

A) Store data
B) Execute instructions
C) Display output
D) Manage input devices

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2. Which component is considered the brain of the computer?

A) RAM
B) Hard Drive
C) CPU
D) GPU

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3. What does ALU stand for in computer architecture?

A) Arithmetic Logic Unit
B) Application Logic Unit
C) Array Logic Unit
D) Advanced Logic Unit

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4. What is the purpose of cache memory?

A) Store all data permanently
B) Increase the speed of data access
C) Hold input devices
D) Manage power supply

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5. Which of the following is a type of primary memory?

A) Hard Disk
B) SSD
C) RAM
D) CD-ROM

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6. What is the function of the Control Unit (CU)?

A) Perform arithmetic calculations
B) Store data
C) Manage the execution of instructions
D) Handle input and output

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7. What is the main purpose of an operating system?

A) Manage hardware resources
B) Execute application software
C) Provide security
D) All of the above

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8. Which of the following is a characteristic of RISC architecture?

A) Complex instructions
B) Few instruction types
C) High power consumption
D) Multiple clock cycles per instruction

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9. What is a bus in computer architecture?

A) A large storage device
B) A communication system that transfers data
C) A type of CPU
D) A software application

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10. What does RAM stand for?

A) Read Access Memory
B) Random Access Memory
C) Readily Available Memory
D) Randomly Assigned Memory

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11. Which of the following is not a function of the CPU?

A) Fetch
B) Decode
C) Store
D) Print

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12. What does the term “bit” stand for?

A) Binary Digit
B) Base Integrated Technology
C) Binary Information Transmission
D) Bitwise Integrated Technology

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13. Which memory is used for permanent storage?

A) RAM
B) Cache
C) ROM
D) Registers

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14. What is the purpose of virtual memory?

A) To enhance the physical memory size
B) To speed up the CPU
C) To store data permanently
D) To manage input devices

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15. What does SIMD stand for?

A) Single Instruction Multiple Data
B) Single Integrated Memory Device
C) Standard Instruction Multiple Data
D) Sequential Instruction Memory Device

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16. In computer architecture, what is a register?

A) A type of external storage
B) A small amount of storage in the CPU
C) A communication bus
D) A memory management tool

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17. What is the function of the system bus?

A) Transfer data between the CPU and memory
B) Store application software
C) Connect external devices
D) Manage power supply

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18. What does the term “clock speed” refer to?

A) The rate at which data is transferred
B) The speed of the system bus
C) The frequency of the CPU clock signal
D) The speed of RAM access

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19. What is an instruction set?

A) A collection of programming languages
B) A set of commands for the CPU
C) A hardware specification
D) A memory management technique

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20. Which of the following is an example of secondary storage?

A) RAM
B) Cache
C) Hard Disk
D) CPU Registers

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21. What is the purpose of pipelining in CPUs?

A) To increase instruction throughput
B) To reduce power consumption
C) To minimize heat generation
D) To enhance graphics performance

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22. Which architecture uses a small set of instructions to perform tasks?

A) CISC
B) RISC
C) VLIW
D) Super Scalar

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23. What is the role of the fetch-execute cycle?

A) To manage peripheral devices
B) To carry out instructions sequentially
C) To store data
D) To power the system

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24. What is the significance of the von Neumann architecture?

A) It uses separate memory for data and instructions
B) It combines data and instructions in a single memory space
C) It eliminates the need for registers
D) It is only used in modern computers

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25. What does DMA stand for in computer systems?

A) Direct Memory Access
B) Dynamic Memory Allocation
C) Direct Memory Allocation
D) Data Memory Access

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26. Which of the following is a disadvantage of using a microprocessor?

A) High speed
B) Low cost
C) Limited processing power
D) Compact size

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27. What is a motherboard?

A) The main circuit board of a computer
B) A type of storage device
C) A power supply unit
D) A software application

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28. What is the role of the GPU in a computer system?

A) Execute general-purpose instructions
B) Manage peripheral devices
C) Render graphics and images
D) Store large amounts of data

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29. What does the term “fetch” mean in the context of the CPU?

A) To retrieve data from RAM
B) To store data in cache
C) To send data to output devices
D) To execute an instruction

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30. What is a bus interface?

A) A component that connects the CPU to external devices
B) A type of software driver
C) A storage protocol
D) A network interface

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31. What is the function of system memory?

A) To store data permanently
B) To hold data temporarily for quick access
C) To manage power supply
D) To execute application software

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32. What does “data path” refer to in computer architecture?

A) The route through which data flows within the CPU
B) The connection between the CPU and external devices
C) The method of data storage
D) A programming technique

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33. Which of the following is an example of volatile memory?

A) SSD
B) HDD
C) RAM
D) ROM

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34. What is an interrupt in computer architecture?

A) A signal that temporarily halts CPU processing
B) A method for storing data
C) A way to enhance graphics performance
D) A technique for memory management

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35. Which of the following describes a “super scalar” architecture?

A) It can execute multiple instructions per clock cycle
B) It has a single pipeline
C) It uses only one ALU
D) It relies on a single-core processor

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36. What is the purpose of a system clock in a computer?

A) To manage power supply
B) To synchronize operations within the CPU
C) To store data permanently
D) To control input devices

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37. What is a “hard disk drive” (HDD)?

A) A type of volatile memory
B) A non-volatile storage device that uses magnetic disks
C) A component of the CPU
D) A type of RAM

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38. What does “throughput” measure in computer systems?

A) The amount of data processed in a given time
B) The speed of the CPU
C) The capacity of RAM
D) The efficiency of the power supply

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39. What is the function of a power supply unit (PSU)?

A) To regulate and supply power to the computer components
B) To store data
C) To execute instructions
D) To manage memory

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40. Which of the following is a feature of CISC architecture?

A) A large number of addressing modes
B) Simple instructions
C) High power efficiency
D) Limited instruction set

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41. What does the term “latency” refer to in computer architecture?

A) The time delay in data processing
B) The amount of data transferred
C) The speed of the CPU
D) The capacity of RAM

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42. What is a “fetch-decode-execute cycle”?

A) The basic operational process of a CPU
B) A method for data storage
C) A performance testing technique
D) A power management strategy

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43. What is a “firmware”?

A) Permanent software programmed into a read-only memory
B) Temporary storage for data
C) A type of application software
D) A programming language

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44. What does “multithreading” allow a CPU to do?

A) Execute multiple threads concurrently
B) Increase memory capacity
C) Reduce power consumption
D) Store data permanently

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45. What is the purpose of data caching?

A) To increase data access speed
B) To store data permanently
C) To manage power supply
D) To reduce hardware costs

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46. What is the difference between a compiler and an interpreter?

A) A compiler translates the entire program at once, while an interpreter translates line by line
B) A compiler executes code, while an interpreter does not
C) A compiler is slower than an interpreter
D) There is no difference

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47. What is a “data bus”?

A) A channel for transferring data between components
B) A type of storage device
C) A power management system
D) A programming language

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48. What is the function of a memory controller?

A) To manage data flow between the CPU and memory
B) To store data
C) To execute instructions
D) To power the system

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49. What does “address space” refer to?

A) The range of memory addresses that a CPU can access
B) The speed of RAM
C) The size of the hard drive
D) The amount of data processed

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50. Which of the following is a feature of a 64-bit processor?

A) It can handle more memory than a 32-bit processor
B) It is slower than a 32-bit processor
C) It can only run 32-bit applications
D) It has a smaller data bus

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51. What does the acronym “I/O” stand for in computer systems?

A) Input/Output
B) Internal/Operational
C) Internet/Online
D) Integration/Organization

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52. What is the role of system software?

A) To manage hardware and provide a platform for applications
B) To execute user applications
C) To enhance graphics performance
D) To store data

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53. What is a “vector processor”?

A) A CPU designed to handle vector operations efficiently
B) A type of memory
C) A storage device
D) A peripheral device

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54. What does “thermal throttling” refer to?

A) Reducing CPU speed to prevent overheating
B) Increasing memory speed
C) Enhancing graphics performance
D) A method for data storage

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55. Which of the following is a characteristic of an SSD?

A) Faster than HDD
B) Mechanical parts
C) Lower storage capacity
D) Higher power consumption

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56. What is a “bus master”?

A) A device that controls the bus
B) A type of CPU
C) A storage protocol
D) A memory management technique

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57. What does “secondary storage” refer to?

A) Non-volatile storage that retains data when powered off
B) Volatile memory
C) Temporary storage for quick access
D) Cache memory

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58. What is the function of “memory mapping”?

A) To assign specific memory addresses to different resources
B) To compress data
C) To store data permanently
D) To enhance CPU performance

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59. What does “CPU scheduling” manage?

A) The order of execution of processes in the CPU
B) The allocation of memory
C) The storage of data
D) The power supply

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60. What is a “cache hit”?

A) When data is found in the cache memory
B) When data is not found in the cache
C) A method for data retrieval
D) A performance testing technique

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61. What is “bus contention”?

A) A situation where multiple devices try to use the bus simultaneously
B) A data transfer method
C) A memory allocation technique
D) A CPU scheduling issue

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62. What is the purpose of “swap space”?

A) To provide temporary storage for processes that cannot fit in RAM
B) To store permanent data
C) To enhance CPU performance
D) To manage input devices

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63. What is a “system call”?

A) A request from a program to the operating system for a service
B) A method for storing data
C) A type of hardware interrupt
D) A programming error

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64. What does “data redundancy” refer to?

A) The storage of the same data in multiple locations
B) The loss of data
C) The increase of data processing speed
D) The removal of unnecessary data

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65. What is the function of “booting”?

A) To load the operating system into memory
B) To store data
C) To execute application software
D) To manage power supply

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66. What does “kernel” refer to in an operating system?

A) The core component that manages system resources
B) A type of application software
C) A memory management tool
D) A hardware specification

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67. What is the purpose of a “file system”?

A) To organize and manage data storage
B) To enhance CPU performance
C) To store application software
D) To manage power supply

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68. What does “floating point” refer to in computer architecture?

A) A method for representing real numbers in computing
B) A type of storage device
C) A programming technique
D) A performance metric

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69. What is the significance of “data integrity”?

A) Ensuring that data is accurate and consistent
B) Storing data permanently
C) Enhancing processing speed
D) Managing memory

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70. What is the purpose of “logical addressing”?

A) To reference memory locations independent of the physical address
B) To store data permanently
C) To enhance CPU performance
D) To manage power supply

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71. What does “instruction pipelining” allow?

A) Overlapping execution of multiple instructions
B) Storing data in cache
C) Managing power supply
D) Performing only one instruction at a time

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72. What is “address decoding”?

A) The process of translating logical addresses to physical addresses
B) A data compression technique
C) A method for data storage
D) A CPU performance metric

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73. What does “dynamic RAM” (DRAM) require?

A) Periodic refreshing of data
B) Permanent data storage
C) No power supply
D) Constant voltage

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74. What is a “hard disk partition”?

A) A division of the hard disk into separate logical sections
B) A type of volatile memory
C) A CPU scheduling technique
D) A programming error

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75. What does “memory latency” measure?

A) The time taken to access data from memory
B) The speed of the CPU
C) The amount of data processed
D) The size of RAM

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76. What is the purpose of a “load balancer”?

A) To distribute workloads across multiple resources
B) To manage data storage
C) To enhance CPU performance
D) To reduce power consumption

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77. What does “non-volatile memory” mean?

A) Memory that retains data even when powered off
B) Memory that loses data when powered off
C) Memory used only for temporary storage
D) Memory with a high access speed

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78. What is a “data structure”?

A) A way of organizing and storing data
B) A programming language
C) A type of storage device
D) A hardware specification

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79. What does “R/W” stand for in data storage?

A) Read/Write
B) Random/Wired
C) Reset/Write
D) Read/Wired

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80. What is “concurrency” in computer systems?

A) The ability to execute multiple processes simultaneously
B) The speed of the CPU
C) The amount of data processed
D) The capacity of RAM

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81. What is the purpose of a “device driver”?

A) To allow the operating system to communicate with hardware devices
B) To manage memory
C) To enhance CPU performance
D) To store data

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82. What does “interleaving” refer to in memory?

A) The technique of accessing multiple memory modules simultaneously
B) A type of programming
C) A data storage method
D) A CPU scheduling technique

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83. What is a “hardware interrupt”?

A) A signal to the CPU indicating an event that needs immediate attention
B) A method for data storage
C) A programming error
D) A type of software bug

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84. What does “bus width” refer to?

A) The amount of data that can be transferred simultaneously
B) The length of the data bus
C) The speed of data transfer
D) The distance between components

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85. What is a “program counter”?

A) A register that holds the address of the next instruction to be executed
B) A type of memory
C) A hardware interrupt
D) A data storage method

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86. What does “cache memory” do?

A) Stores frequently accessed data for quick retrieval
B) Manages power supply
C) Executes instructions
D) Stores data permanently

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87. What is a “logic gate”?

A) A basic building block of digital circuits
B) A type of memory
C) A storage device
D) A CPU scheduling technique

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88. What does “random access” mean?

A) Data can be accessed in any order
B) Data can only be accessed sequentially
C) Data is stored permanently
D) Data cannot be modified

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89. What is “firmware”?

A) A permanent software programmed into a read-only memory
B) Temporary storage for data
C) A type of application software
D) A programming language

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90. What is the purpose of “data encryption”?

A) To secure data from unauthorized access
B) To enhance CPU performance
C) To store data permanently
D) To manage power supply

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91. What is “byte”?

A) A group of eight bits
B) A type of storage device
C) A programming language
D) A memory management tool

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92. What does “address resolution” refer to?

A) The process of mapping an IP address to a physical address
B) The method of data compression
C) A type of programming
D) A hardware specification

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93. What is the role of “parity bits”?

A) To detect errors in data transmission
B) To enhance processing speed
C) To store data
D) To manage power supply

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94. What is the significance of “data compression”?

A) Reducing the size of data for storage efficiency
B) Increasing processing speed
C) Enhancing graphics performance
D) Managing memory

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95. What is “floating-point arithmetic”?

A) A method for representing real numbers in computing
B) A type of storage device
C) A performance metric
D) A programming technique

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96. What does “bus arbitration” refer to?

A) The process of controlling access to the bus by multiple devices
B) A data compression technique
C) A method for data storage
D) A CPU performance metric

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97. What is the purpose of “virtual memory”?

A) To extend the available memory beyond physical limits
B) To enhance CPU performance
C) To manage power supply
D) To store data permanently

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98. What is a “bytecode”?

A) A form of intermediate code used in programming
B) A type of hardware
C) A memory management tool
D) A programming language

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99. What does “software overhead” refer to?

A) The additional resources required to run software
B) The amount of data processed
C) The speed of the CPU
D) The capacity of RAM

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100. What is the significance of “data consistency”?

A) Ensuring data remains accurate and reliable across systems
B) Storing data permanently
C) Enhancing processing speed
D) Managing memory

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101. What is the purpose of “checkpointing” in systems?

A) To save the state of a process at a specific point in time
B) To enhance CPU performance
C) To manage power supply
D) To store data permanently

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102. What does “kernel panic” refer to?

A) A safety measure taken by an operating system in case of fatal errors
B) A method for data storage
C) A performance metric
D) A programming technique

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103. What is the purpose of “process scheduling”?

A) To manage the execution order of processes in the CPU
B) To enhance CPU performance
C) To store data
D) To manage power supply

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104. What is “bus bandwidth”?

A) The maximum amount of data that can be transferred over a bus in a given time
B) The length of the data bus
C) The speed of data transfer
D) The distance between components

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105. What does “load testing” evaluate?

A) The performance of a system under expected conditions
B) The storage capacity of a device
C) The speed of the CPU
D) The efficiency of power supply

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106. What is a “static variable”?

A) A variable that retains its value between function calls
B) A variable that changes with each execution
C) A type of memory
D) A performance metric

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107. What does “interrupt vector” refer to?

A) A table that holds the addresses of interrupt service routines
B) A type of memory
C) A data storage method
D) A CPU scheduling technique

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108. What is the purpose of a “logical unit”?

A) To perform logical operations in a CPU
B) To store data
C) To enhance processing speed
D) To manage power supply

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109. What does “assembly language” refer to?

A) A low-level programming language closely related to machine code
B) A type of high-level programming language
C) A memory management tool
D) A hardware specification

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110. What is a “thread”?

A) A sequence of programmed instructions that can be managed independently
B) A type of memory
C) A programming language
D) A storage device

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111. What is “network interface”?

A) A hardware component that connects a computer to a network
B) A type of storage device
C) A memory management tool
D) A programming language

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112. What does “subnetting” refer to in networking?

A) Dividing a network into smaller, manageable parts
B) A method for data storage
C) A programming error
D) A hardware specification

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113. What is a “network protocol”?

A) A set of rules governing data communication
B) A type of hardware
C) A memory management tool
D) A programming language

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114. What does “data packet” refer to?

A) A unit of data formatted for transmission over a network
B) A type of storage device
C) A programming technique
D) A memory management tool

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115. What is the purpose of “routing”?

A) To determine the path data takes across a network
B) To enhance CPU performance
C) To store data
D) To manage power supply

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116. What does “LAN” stand for?

A) Local Area Network
B) Longitudinal Area Network
C) Large Area Node
D) Light Area Network

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117. What is the significance of “IP address”?

A) It uniquely identifies a device on a network
B) It is used to store data
C) It enhances processing speed
D) It manages memory

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118. What is the function of a “firewall”?

A) To protect a network from unauthorized access
B) To enhance CPU performance
C) To store data
D) To manage power supply

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119. What does “VPN” stand for?

A) Virtual Private Network
B) Variable Public Network
C) Virtual Protected Network
D) Variable Private Node

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120. What is “bandwidth”?

A) The maximum amount of data that can be transmitted in a given time
B) The amount of data stored
C) The speed of the CPU
D) The distance between devices

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121. What is “pipelining” in CPU design?