WGU C952 Computer Architecture Practice
Examination
Description
This comprehensive practice examination covers foundational computer architecture concepts
tested in WGU C952, aligned with the Computer Architecture objective assessment. Topics include
instruction set architecture, CPU organization, pipelining, memory hierarchy, cache design, virtual
memory, I/O systems, storage technologies, parallelism, and performance metrics. Features 300
original questions with detailed rationales to prepare for the Objective Assessment.
Question 1
Which component of a computer is responsible for executing instructions and performing arithmetic
and logical operations?
A. Memory unit B. Control unit C. Central Processing Unit (CPU) D. Input/Output subsystem
Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
The CPU is the central component that fetches, decodes, and executes instructions, performing
arithmetic and logical operations. Option A stores data and instructions. Option B is part of the CPU
that directs operations but does not execute them alone. Option D handles input and output.
Key Concept:
The CPU executes instructions and performs computations.
Question 2
Which architecture principle states that instructions and data are stored in the same memory space?
A. Harvard architecture B. Von Neumann architecture C. RISC architecture D. CISC architecture
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
The Von Neumann architecture uses a single memory space for both instructions and data,
connected by a shared bus. Option A uses separate memories for instructions and data. Option C
describes a reduced instruction set. Option D describes a complex instruction set.
Key Concept:
Von Neumann architecture shares memory for instructions and data.
Question 3
What is the primary difference between Harvard and Von Neumann architectures?
A. Harvard uses separate memories for instructions and data B. Harvard uses a single memory for
everything C. Von Neumann uses separate memories D. They are identical
,Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
The Harvard architecture uses physically separate memory units for instructions and data, allowing
simultaneous access. Option B describes Von Neumann. Option C is incorrect. Option D is incorrect.
Key Concept:
Harvard architecture separates instruction and data memories.
Question 4
Which type of instruction set architecture uses a large number of complex instructions that can
perform multiple operations?
A. RISC B. CISC C. VLIW D. EPIC
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
CISC (Complex Instruction Set Computer) uses complex instructions that can perform multiple
operations in a single instruction. Option A uses simplified instructions. Option C uses very long
instruction words. Option D is a type of VLIW.
Key Concept:
CISC uses complex, multi-operation instructions.
Question 5
Which type of instruction set architecture emphasizes a small, highly optimized set of instructions?
A. CISC B. RISC C. VLIW D. Stack
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
RISC (Reduced Instruction Set Computer) uses a small, highly optimized set of simple instructions
that execute in one cycle. Option A uses complex instructions. Option C uses very long instruction
words. Option D is a different architecture.
Key Concept:
RISC uses simple, optimized instructions.
Question 6
What is the primary function of the control unit in a CPU?
A. To perform arithmetic operations B. To direct the operation of the processor C. To store data D.
To manage memory
Correct Answer: B
,Rationale:
The control unit directs the operation of the processor by decoding instructions and generating
control signals. Option A is the ALU. Option C is memory. Option D is the memory management unit.
Key Concept:
The control unit directs processor operations.
Question 7
What is the function of the Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU)?
A. To control instruction flow B. To perform arithmetic and logical operations C. To store data D. To
manage memory
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
The ALU performs arithmetic (addition, subtraction) and logical (AND, OR, NOT) operations. Option A
is the control unit. Option C is memory. Option D is the MMU.
Key Concept:
The ALU performs arithmetic and logical operations.
Question 8
What are registers in a CPU?
A. Small, fast storage locations within the CPU B. Large memory units C. External storage devices D.
Input devices
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
Registers are small, high-speed storage locations within the CPU used for temporary data storage
during processing. Option B is main memory. Option C is disk storage. Option D is input devices.
Key Concept:
Registers are fast, small storage within the CPU.
Question 9
Which register holds the address of the next instruction to be executed?
A. Accumulator B. Program Counter (PC) C. Memory Address Register (MAR) D. Instruction Register
(IR)
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
, The Program Counter (PC) holds the address of the next instruction to be fetched and executed.
Option A holds intermediate results. Option C holds memory addresses. Option D holds the current
instruction.
Key Concept:
The Program Counter points to the next instruction.
Question 10
Which register holds the current instruction being executed?
A. Program Counter B. Instruction Register (IR) C. Accumulator D. Memory Data Register
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
The Instruction Register (IR) holds the current instruction being decoded and executed. Option A
holds the next instruction address. Option C holds intermediate results. Option D holds data from
memory.
Key Concept:
The Instruction Register holds the current instruction.
Question 11
What is the function of the Memory Address Register (MAR)?
A. To hold data being transferred to/from memory B. To hold the address of memory being accessed
C. To hold the current instruction D. To hold arithmetic results
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
The MAR holds the address of the memory location being read from or written to. Option A is the
MDR. Option C is the IR. Option D is the accumulator.
Key Concept:
The MAR holds memory addresses for access.
Question 12
What is the function of the Memory Data Register (MDR)?
A. To hold memory addresses B. To hold data being transferred to/from memory C. To hold the
current instruction D. To hold the program counter
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
The MDR holds data being transferred to or from memory. Option A is the MAR. Option C is the IR.
Option D is the PC.
Examination
Description
This comprehensive practice examination covers foundational computer architecture concepts
tested in WGU C952, aligned with the Computer Architecture objective assessment. Topics include
instruction set architecture, CPU organization, pipelining, memory hierarchy, cache design, virtual
memory, I/O systems, storage technologies, parallelism, and performance metrics. Features 300
original questions with detailed rationales to prepare for the Objective Assessment.
Question 1
Which component of a computer is responsible for executing instructions and performing arithmetic
and logical operations?
A. Memory unit B. Control unit C. Central Processing Unit (CPU) D. Input/Output subsystem
Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
The CPU is the central component that fetches, decodes, and executes instructions, performing
arithmetic and logical operations. Option A stores data and instructions. Option B is part of the CPU
that directs operations but does not execute them alone. Option D handles input and output.
Key Concept:
The CPU executes instructions and performs computations.
Question 2
Which architecture principle states that instructions and data are stored in the same memory space?
A. Harvard architecture B. Von Neumann architecture C. RISC architecture D. CISC architecture
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
The Von Neumann architecture uses a single memory space for both instructions and data,
connected by a shared bus. Option A uses separate memories for instructions and data. Option C
describes a reduced instruction set. Option D describes a complex instruction set.
Key Concept:
Von Neumann architecture shares memory for instructions and data.
Question 3
What is the primary difference between Harvard and Von Neumann architectures?
A. Harvard uses separate memories for instructions and data B. Harvard uses a single memory for
everything C. Von Neumann uses separate memories D. They are identical
,Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
The Harvard architecture uses physically separate memory units for instructions and data, allowing
simultaneous access. Option B describes Von Neumann. Option C is incorrect. Option D is incorrect.
Key Concept:
Harvard architecture separates instruction and data memories.
Question 4
Which type of instruction set architecture uses a large number of complex instructions that can
perform multiple operations?
A. RISC B. CISC C. VLIW D. EPIC
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
CISC (Complex Instruction Set Computer) uses complex instructions that can perform multiple
operations in a single instruction. Option A uses simplified instructions. Option C uses very long
instruction words. Option D is a type of VLIW.
Key Concept:
CISC uses complex, multi-operation instructions.
Question 5
Which type of instruction set architecture emphasizes a small, highly optimized set of instructions?
A. CISC B. RISC C. VLIW D. Stack
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
RISC (Reduced Instruction Set Computer) uses a small, highly optimized set of simple instructions
that execute in one cycle. Option A uses complex instructions. Option C uses very long instruction
words. Option D is a different architecture.
Key Concept:
RISC uses simple, optimized instructions.
Question 6
What is the primary function of the control unit in a CPU?
A. To perform arithmetic operations B. To direct the operation of the processor C. To store data D.
To manage memory
Correct Answer: B
,Rationale:
The control unit directs the operation of the processor by decoding instructions and generating
control signals. Option A is the ALU. Option C is memory. Option D is the memory management unit.
Key Concept:
The control unit directs processor operations.
Question 7
What is the function of the Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU)?
A. To control instruction flow B. To perform arithmetic and logical operations C. To store data D. To
manage memory
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
The ALU performs arithmetic (addition, subtraction) and logical (AND, OR, NOT) operations. Option A
is the control unit. Option C is memory. Option D is the MMU.
Key Concept:
The ALU performs arithmetic and logical operations.
Question 8
What are registers in a CPU?
A. Small, fast storage locations within the CPU B. Large memory units C. External storage devices D.
Input devices
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
Registers are small, high-speed storage locations within the CPU used for temporary data storage
during processing. Option B is main memory. Option C is disk storage. Option D is input devices.
Key Concept:
Registers are fast, small storage within the CPU.
Question 9
Which register holds the address of the next instruction to be executed?
A. Accumulator B. Program Counter (PC) C. Memory Address Register (MAR) D. Instruction Register
(IR)
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
, The Program Counter (PC) holds the address of the next instruction to be fetched and executed.
Option A holds intermediate results. Option C holds memory addresses. Option D holds the current
instruction.
Key Concept:
The Program Counter points to the next instruction.
Question 10
Which register holds the current instruction being executed?
A. Program Counter B. Instruction Register (IR) C. Accumulator D. Memory Data Register
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
The Instruction Register (IR) holds the current instruction being decoded and executed. Option A
holds the next instruction address. Option C holds intermediate results. Option D holds data from
memory.
Key Concept:
The Instruction Register holds the current instruction.
Question 11
What is the function of the Memory Address Register (MAR)?
A. To hold data being transferred to/from memory B. To hold the address of memory being accessed
C. To hold the current instruction D. To hold arithmetic results
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
The MAR holds the address of the memory location being read from or written to. Option A is the
MDR. Option C is the IR. Option D is the accumulator.
Key Concept:
The MAR holds memory addresses for access.
Question 12
What is the function of the Memory Data Register (MDR)?
A. To hold memory addresses B. To hold data being transferred to/from memory C. To hold the
current instruction D. To hold the program counter
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
The MDR holds data being transferred to or from memory. Option A is the MAR. Option C is the IR.
Option D is the PC.
