WGU C191 Practice Study Guide
Questions with Distinction level Marking
scheme version 2024/2025
Interrupt handler - correct answer kernel function, invoked whenever an interrupt
occurs
determines the cause of the interrupt and invokes the appropriate kernel function to
provide the response
Moore's Law - correct answer number of transistors in an integrated circuit doubles
every two years
1st generation computers - correct answer Vacuum tubes
OS type: none
Characteristics: programming done by experts in machine language w/o any support
from OS or any other system software
2nd generation computers - correct answer Transistors (smaller than vacuum tubes +
faster switches)
OS type: Batch OS
Characteristics: programs submitted in batches of punch cards
Role of OS: automate, load + execute programs
Multiprogramming developed (allows OS to schedule execution of jobs to make more
efficient use of CPU)
, 3rd genration computers - correct answer Integrated circuits allowed the devt of
microchips
OS: Interactive multi-user OS
Characteristics: interrupts allow the OS to enforce time-sharing + interact with
keyboards + display terminals
increased capacity and speed of memory, secondary storage devices imposed addl
management tasks on the OS
4th generation of computers - correct answer Very large scale integration (VSLI)
allowed placement of complete microprocessor chip => devt of personal computers
OS: desktop and laptop OS
Characteristics: OS responsible for all operations starting from initial booting to
multitasking, scheduling, interactions with various peripheral devices keeping all info
safe.
User-friendly
5th generation of computers - correct answer networking hardware enabled
harnessing of power of multiple computers
OS: OSs for supercomputers, distributed systems and mobile devices
Characteristics: ability to create powerful chips
Supercomputers combined large numbers of processors, made OS and other software
responsible for exploiting increased computation power through parallel processing.
Computer networks gave rise to the internet => reqs of private & safety + efficient
communication
Wireless networks => dvt handheld devices
Questions with Distinction level Marking
scheme version 2024/2025
Interrupt handler - correct answer kernel function, invoked whenever an interrupt
occurs
determines the cause of the interrupt and invokes the appropriate kernel function to
provide the response
Moore's Law - correct answer number of transistors in an integrated circuit doubles
every two years
1st generation computers - correct answer Vacuum tubes
OS type: none
Characteristics: programming done by experts in machine language w/o any support
from OS or any other system software
2nd generation computers - correct answer Transistors (smaller than vacuum tubes +
faster switches)
OS type: Batch OS
Characteristics: programs submitted in batches of punch cards
Role of OS: automate, load + execute programs
Multiprogramming developed (allows OS to schedule execution of jobs to make more
efficient use of CPU)
, 3rd genration computers - correct answer Integrated circuits allowed the devt of
microchips
OS: Interactive multi-user OS
Characteristics: interrupts allow the OS to enforce time-sharing + interact with
keyboards + display terminals
increased capacity and speed of memory, secondary storage devices imposed addl
management tasks on the OS
4th generation of computers - correct answer Very large scale integration (VSLI)
allowed placement of complete microprocessor chip => devt of personal computers
OS: desktop and laptop OS
Characteristics: OS responsible for all operations starting from initial booting to
multitasking, scheduling, interactions with various peripheral devices keeping all info
safe.
User-friendly
5th generation of computers - correct answer networking hardware enabled
harnessing of power of multiple computers
OS: OSs for supercomputers, distributed systems and mobile devices
Characteristics: ability to create powerful chips
Supercomputers combined large numbers of processors, made OS and other software
responsible for exploiting increased computation power through parallel processing.
Computer networks gave rise to the internet => reqs of private & safety + efficient
communication
Wireless networks => dvt handheld devices
