True/False Questions s7
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Chapter 2
Hardware
True/False Questions
1. A computer’s main memory holds currently active programs and data.
2. A program must be stored in memory before it can be executed. Data must be stored in memory before the computer can manipulate them.
3. A computer’s memory holds binary digits, or bits.
4. When you read memory, you extract the contents but you do not change them.
5. When you write memory you record new values without affecting the old contents.
6. Most computer memory is random access memory (RAM).
7. ROM can be read, but not written.
8. The terms byte and word are synonyms.
9. Most computers are able to manipulate a group of bytes called a word.
10. To distinguish them, each byte (more generally, each physical storage unit) is assigned a unique address.
11. The amount of data that moves between the processor and memory at one time depends on the application.
12. Cache memory is a form of secondary storage.
13. The processor, often called the central processing unit (CPU), is the component that manipulates data.
14. A processor can do nothing without a program to provide control; whatever intelligence a computer has is derived from software, not hardware.
15. The processor manipulates data stored in memory under the control of a program stored in memory.
16. A program is a series of instructions each of which tells the computer to perform one of its basic functions: add, subtract, multiply, divide, compare, copy, start input, or start output.
17. The address of the next instruction to be executed is always found in the instruction counter
18. The processor fetches and executes several instructions during each machine cycle.
19. An instruction is fetched during E-time and executed during I-time.
20. A coprocessor is a replacement for a main processor.
21. On many computers a layer of microcode, sometimes called firmware, lies between memory and the processor
22. The basic input device on most personal computer systems is a display screen.
23. The basic output device on most personal computers is disk.
24. By routing the output to a printer, a permanent copy (called a hard copy) is obtained.
25. Many modern computer applications utilize multimedia, another name for graphics.
26. The big problem with RAM is volatility; RAM loses its contents when the power is cut.
27. Secondary storage is a fast, accurate, inexpensive, high-capacity, nonvolatile form of main memory.
28. Secondary storage is an extension of main memory, not a replacement for it.
29. The basic argument for secondary storage is that main memory is too slow.
30. Increasing a disk’s rotational speed will reduce rotational delay.
31. A hard disk is generally faster than a diskette and has greater storage capacity.
32. The data on a disk are recorded on a series of concentric circles called tracks, and it is the contents of a track that move between the disk’s surface and memory.
33. Diskettes are typically used to store backup copies of files and to transfer data and software from one computer to another.
34. Files are physically stored in a disk’s directory.
35. A modem allows a computer to communicate over a dedicated, special-purpose telephone line.
36. Access to high-speed communication lines (such as cable) calls for a cable modem.
37. Some peripheral devices are linked directly to the processor.
38. A buffer is temporary memory or storage used to adjust for the speed differential between the processor and memory.
39. Certain functions (for example, deciding where the next byte can be found or stored in memory and counting the characters transferred to or from an external device) are common to almost all types of input and output. On larger machines, they are performed by each interface; in effect, they are duplicated for each device on the system.
40. On a mainframe computer, a channel handles device-independent functions and device-dependent functions are implemented through I/O control units or interface units.
Answers:
1. T; 2. T; 3. T; 4. T; 5. F; 6. T; 7. T; 8. F; 9. T; 10. T;
11. F; 12. F; 13. T; 14. T; 15. T; 16. T; 17. T; 18. F; 19. F; 20. F;
21. T; 22. F; 23. F; 24. T; 25. F; 26. T; 27. F; 28. T; 29. T; 30. T;
31. T; 32. F; 33. T; 34. F; 35. F; 36. T; 37. F; 38. F; 39. F; 40. T.
Multiple Choice Questions
Note: Most of the multiple choice questions can be converted to fill-in questions by simply deleting the suggested answers.
1. The ______must be stored in memory before the computer can manipulate the data.
a. current program only
b. current program and the current data
c. current data only
d. neither
2. On most computers, the basic addressable unit of memory is a ______.
a. byte
b. string
c. number
d. bit
3. When you ______memory, you do not change the contents. When you ______memory you destroy the old contents.
a. read/write
b. write/read
c. access/read
d. write/access
4. Most computer memory is ______.
a. RAM
b. ROM
c. flash
d. core
5. ______can be read, but not written.
a. RAM
b. flash memory
c. core
d. ROM
6. A ______contains enough bits (usually eight) to represent a single character.
a. word
b. string
c. couplet
d. byte
7. Most computers are able to manipulate a group of bytes called a ______that often holds a single number.
a. string
b. word
c. neither
d. The premise of this question is false.
8. To distinguish them, each byte (more generally, each physical storage unit) is assigned a unique ______.
a. name
b. address
c. neither
d. The premise of this question is false.
9. Data move between the processor and memory ______.
a. one bit at a time
b. one byte or one word at a time
c. in variable length chunks
d. any or all of the above
10. One way to increase processing speed is to move program instructions and data from memory to the processor more quickly. To help accomplish this objective, many computers contain a block of high-speed ______.
a. ROM
b. RAM
c. registers
d. cache memory
11. ______acts as a staging area for the processor.
a. cache memory
b. RAM
c. ROM
d. the instruction register
12. ______is the component that manipulates data.
a. Memory
b. The processor
c. Main memory
d. The bus
13. Whatever intelligence a computer has is derived from ______.
a. hardware
b. data
c. software
d. firmware
14. The processor manipulates ______stored in memory under the control of ______stored in memory.
a. hardware settings/a program
b. a program/data
c. data/hardware settings
d. data/a program
15. A program is a series of ______each of which tells the computer to perform one of its basic functions.
a. commands
b. data values
c.
d. instructions
16. Inside the processor, the ______fetches instructions from memory.
a. arithmetic and logic unit
b. register
c. instruction control unit
d. memory controller
17. Inside the processor, the components are synchronized by ______.
a. the ICU
b. a clock
c. fetch signals
d. data
18. The address of the computer’s next instruction is found in the ______.
a. instruction register
b. clock
c. memory controller
d. instruction counter
19. An instruction is fetched by the instruction control unit during ______and executed by the arithmetic and logic unit during ______.
a. E-time/I-time
b. F-time/E-time
c. I-time/E-time
d. The premise of this question is false.
20. A ______is a special-purpose processor that assists the main processor on certain operations.
a. CPU
b. cache
c. microprocessor
d. coprocessor
21. On many computers a layer of ______, sometimes called firmware, lies between memory and the processor
a. cache memory
b. microcode
c. coprocessors
d. none of the above
22. The basic ______devices on most personal computer systems are a keyboard and a mouse.
a. output
b. storage
c. input
d. integrated
23. By routing the output to a ______, a permanent copy (called a hard copy) is obtained.
a. display screen
b. LCD screen
c. printer
d. keyboard
24. Many modern computer applications utilize ______, mixing text, graphics, sound, animations, and other elements to form an integrated, interactive environment.
a. the Internet
b. multiple programs
c. accelerator boards
d. multimedia
25. RAM is considered ______because it loses its contents when the power is cut.
a. fast
b. permanent
c. volatile
d. none of the above
26. ______is a fast, accurate, inexpensive, high-capacity, nonvolatile extension of main memory.
a. RAM
b. ROM
c. D-RAM
d. Secondary storage
27. On disk, data are recorded on concentric circles called ______.
a. blocks
b. sectors
c. tracks
d. cylinders
28. Data typically move between a disk’s surface and memory a ______at a time.
a. track
b. sector
c. cylinder
d. logical record
29. Once the access mechanism is positioned, the time required for the data to rotate to the read/write head is called ______.
a. rotational delay
b. lag time
c. access time
d. seek time
30. Unlike a diskette drive, a hard disk spins constantly. This reduces ______.
a. rotational delay
b. seek time
c. storage capacity
d. cost
31. Should a disk be lost or destroyed, ______.
a. the contents are lost forever
b. a disk cannot be lost or destroyed
c. restoration is automatic on most modern computer systems
d. a backup copy can be used to restore the contents
32. A ______is typically used to store backup copies of files and to transfer data and software from one computer to another.
a. hard disk
b. diskette
c. USB cable
d. none of the above
33. To record the starting address of each of its files, a portion of the disk’s first track is set aside to hold a(n) ______.
a. directory
b. index
c. boot record
d. table
34. A ______allows the computer to communicate over standard telephone lines.
a. cable modem
b. buffer
c. coupler
d. modem
35. Access to high-speed broadband communication lines can be accomplished by using a ______.
a. cable modem
b. DSL connection
c. either B or C
d. neither B nor C
36. A peripheral device is linked to a computer through a(n) ______.
a. interface
b. connection
c. switch
d. connector
37. Because the various input, output, and secondary storage devices are different, they must be linked to a microcomputer through separate ______.
a. switches
b. interfaces
c. display units
d. The answer varies with the device.
38. A(n) ______is temporary memory or storage used to adjust for the speed differential between adjacent devices.
a. cache
b. buffer
c. interface
d. There is no such thing.
39. Certain functions are common to almost all types of input and output. On a microcomputer, they are performed by each interface; in effect, they are duplicated for each device on the system. On larger machines, these common functions are assigned to a ______.
a. control unit
b. interface board
c. coprocessor
d. channel
40. On a mainframe, device-dependent functions are implemented through ______.
a. channels
b. coprocessors
c. I/O control units
d. the main processor
Answers:
1. B; 2. A; 3. A; 4. A; 5. D; 6. D; 7. B; 8. B; 9. B; 10. D;
11. A; 12. B; 13. C; 14. D; 15. D; 16. C; 17. B; 18. A; 19. D; 20. C;
21. D; 22. B; 23. C; 24. D; 25. C; 26. D; 27. C; 28. B; 29. A; 30. A;
31. D; 32. B; 33. A; 34. D; 35. C; 36. A; 37. B; 38. B; 39. D; 40. C.
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