WGU D386 Hardware and Operating System Essentials Exam
Study Guide
Operating System Fundamentals & Types
• What is defined as system software that acts as a "go-between," allowing
computer hardware and other software to communicate?
o A) Application Software
o B) Operating System
o C) Device Driver
o D) Firmware
o Correct Answer: B
• What is the primary purpose of a computer operating system?
o A) Word processing
o B) Resource manager
o C) Internet browsing
o D) Database hosting
o Correct Answer: B
• What kind of software programs are Mac OS X and Windows 10?
o A) Application Software
o B) Operating System (OS)
o C) Utility Software
, o D) Open Source Software
o Correct Answer: B
• Which operating system is open-sourced and allows its source code to be
modified and redistributed?
o A) Windows 11
o B) Mac OS X
o C) Android
o D) iOS
o Correct Answer: C
• What primarily manages the operation of one or more virtual machines
within a virtualized environment?
o A) Cloud-based operating systems
o B) Real-time systems
o C) Distributed systems
o D) Mainframe systems
o Correct Answer: A
• Which of the following is a key feature of cloud-based operating systems?
o A) Permanent local storage
o B) Primarily stateless
o C) High hardware dependency
, o D) Single-tasking only
o Correct Answer: B
• What is the term for the unique set of services provided by operating
systems for use by applications?
o A) APIs
o B) System calls
o C) Drivers
o D) Versions
o Correct Answer: B
• What set of software routines allows one software system to work with
another?
o A) GUI
o B) BIOS
o C) Application Programming Interface (API)
o D) Kernel
o Correct Answer: C
• Why do applications designed for one operating system often fail to work
on a different operating system?
o A) Different hardware architecture
o B) Lack of internet connection
Study Guide
Operating System Fundamentals & Types
• What is defined as system software that acts as a "go-between," allowing
computer hardware and other software to communicate?
o A) Application Software
o B) Operating System
o C) Device Driver
o D) Firmware
o Correct Answer: B
• What is the primary purpose of a computer operating system?
o A) Word processing
o B) Resource manager
o C) Internet browsing
o D) Database hosting
o Correct Answer: B
• What kind of software programs are Mac OS X and Windows 10?
o A) Application Software
o B) Operating System (OS)
o C) Utility Software
, o D) Open Source Software
o Correct Answer: B
• Which operating system is open-sourced and allows its source code to be
modified and redistributed?
o A) Windows 11
o B) Mac OS X
o C) Android
o D) iOS
o Correct Answer: C
• What primarily manages the operation of one or more virtual machines
within a virtualized environment?
o A) Cloud-based operating systems
o B) Real-time systems
o C) Distributed systems
o D) Mainframe systems
o Correct Answer: A
• Which of the following is a key feature of cloud-based operating systems?
o A) Permanent local storage
o B) Primarily stateless
o C) High hardware dependency
, o D) Single-tasking only
o Correct Answer: B
• What is the term for the unique set of services provided by operating
systems for use by applications?
o A) APIs
o B) System calls
o C) Drivers
o D) Versions
o Correct Answer: B
• What set of software routines allows one software system to work with
another?
o A) GUI
o B) BIOS
o C) Application Programming Interface (API)
o D) Kernel
o Correct Answer: C
• Why do applications designed for one operating system often fail to work
on a different operating system?
o A) Different hardware architecture
o B) Lack of internet connection
