Exam 01: Introduction to Computing and
Computer Systems
Computer Science Exam Series | Time: 2 hours | Total: 84 marks
Answer all questions. Part A has 50 multiple choice questions (1 mark each). Part B has 8 short
answer questions (3 marks each). Part C has 2 longer questions (5 marks each). In Part A the
correct option is marked with a double tick. Answer key and model answers are at the end.
Part A: Multiple Choice (50 marks)
Q1. Which component is considered the "brain" of the computer?
a) RAM
b) CPU ✔✔
c) Hard disk
d) Monitor
Q2. Which of these is an input device?
a) Printer
b) Speaker
c) Scanner ✔✔
d) Monitor
Q3. Which of these is an output device?
a) Keyboard
b) Projector ✔✔
c) Microphone
d) Mouse
Q4. Software that manages hardware and provides services to programs is called:
a) Application software
b) A utility program
c) An operating system ✔✔
d) A compiler
Q5. Which of these is application software?
a) The Linux kernel
b) A device driver
c) A spreadsheet program ✔✔
d) The BIOS
Exam 01: Introduction to Computing and Computer Systems Page 1
, Q6. RAM is described as volatile because:
a) It is slow
b) It loses its contents when the power is switched off ✔✔
c) It can only be read
d) It stores the operating system permanently
Q7. Which memory typically holds the startup firmware of a computer?
a) RAM
b) Cache
c) ROM ✔✔
d) Virtual memory
Q8. One byte is equal to:
a) 4 bits
b) 8 bits ✔✔
c) 16 bits
d) 10 bits
Q9. Which of these is the largest unit of storage?
a) 1 MB
b) 1 GB
c) 1 KB
d) 1 TB ✔✔
Q10. What is the correct order of the information processing cycle?
a) Input, output, process, storage
b) Input, process, output, storage ✔✔
c) Process, input, storage, output
d) Storage, input, output, process
Q11. Which of these is a secondary storage device?
a) Cache
b) Register
c) Solid-state drive ✔✔
d) RAM
Q12. Which of these is the fastest type of memory?
a) A CPU register ✔✔
b) RAM
c) An SSD
d) A hard disk
Exam 01: Introduction to Computing and Computer Systems Page 2
Computer Systems
Computer Science Exam Series | Time: 2 hours | Total: 84 marks
Answer all questions. Part A has 50 multiple choice questions (1 mark each). Part B has 8 short
answer questions (3 marks each). Part C has 2 longer questions (5 marks each). In Part A the
correct option is marked with a double tick. Answer key and model answers are at the end.
Part A: Multiple Choice (50 marks)
Q1. Which component is considered the "brain" of the computer?
a) RAM
b) CPU ✔✔
c) Hard disk
d) Monitor
Q2. Which of these is an input device?
a) Printer
b) Speaker
c) Scanner ✔✔
d) Monitor
Q3. Which of these is an output device?
a) Keyboard
b) Projector ✔✔
c) Microphone
d) Mouse
Q4. Software that manages hardware and provides services to programs is called:
a) Application software
b) A utility program
c) An operating system ✔✔
d) A compiler
Q5. Which of these is application software?
a) The Linux kernel
b) A device driver
c) A spreadsheet program ✔✔
d) The BIOS
Exam 01: Introduction to Computing and Computer Systems Page 1
, Q6. RAM is described as volatile because:
a) It is slow
b) It loses its contents when the power is switched off ✔✔
c) It can only be read
d) It stores the operating system permanently
Q7. Which memory typically holds the startup firmware of a computer?
a) RAM
b) Cache
c) ROM ✔✔
d) Virtual memory
Q8. One byte is equal to:
a) 4 bits
b) 8 bits ✔✔
c) 16 bits
d) 10 bits
Q9. Which of these is the largest unit of storage?
a) 1 MB
b) 1 GB
c) 1 KB
d) 1 TB ✔✔
Q10. What is the correct order of the information processing cycle?
a) Input, output, process, storage
b) Input, process, output, storage ✔✔
c) Process, input, storage, output
d) Storage, input, output, process
Q11. Which of these is a secondary storage device?
a) Cache
b) Register
c) Solid-state drive ✔✔
d) RAM
Q12. Which of these is the fastest type of memory?
a) A CPU register ✔✔
b) RAM
c) An SSD
d) A hard disk
Exam 01: Introduction to Computing and Computer Systems Page 2
