I85PREP
⌘ K
Karnataka KSEAB II PUC Information Technology (Vocational) study materials
Karnataka KSEAB II PUC Information Technology (Vocational) study resources

Karnataka KSEAB II PUC Information Technology (Vocational) practice questions

One question at a time. Build your Karnataka KSEAB II PUC Information Technology (Vocational) understanding.

First 50 of 200 questions. Each one lists the choices, the correct answer, and an explanation. The checker at the top of this page saves progress in this browser when it is available.

Continue in the practice tool above to load more questions, 50 at a time.

Question 1Computer Fundamentals and Hardware

In a computer system, which unit is responsible for performing arithmetic operations such as addition and logical operations such as comparison?

  1. Arithmetic Logic Unit Correct answer.
  2. Main Memory
  3. Input Device
  4. Control Unit

Explanation

The Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU) is the part of the CPU that carries out arithmetic operations like addition and subtraction and logical operations like AND, OR and comparison. The control unit only directs the flow of instructions, and memory or input devices do not compute results.

Question 2Computer Fundamentals and Hardware

Which of the following is a volatile semiconductor memory that loses its stored contents when power is switched off?

  1. Flash drive
  2. RAM Correct answer.
  3. Hard disk
  4. ROM

Explanation

RAM is volatile memory: its contents are erased when power is removed, which is why work must be saved to secondary storage. ROM, hard disks and flash drives retain their contents without power.

Question 3Computer Fundamentals and Hardware

A technician needs to connect a monitor that carries both digital video and audio over a single cable. Which interface is designed for this purpose?

  1. HDMI Correct answer.
  2. RJ-45
  3. PS/2
  4. VGA

Explanation

HDMI carries digital video and digital audio together on one cable, so a single connection to a monitor with speakers works. VGA carries analog video only, while PS/2 and RJ-45 are for keyboard/mouse and networking respectively.

Question 4Computer Fundamentals and Hardware

Which type of software is an operating system such as Windows or Linux classified as?

  1. Programming language
  2. Application software
  3. Utility firmware
  4. System software Correct answer.

Explanation

An operating system is system software because it manages hardware resources and provides the platform on which application programs run. Application software performs user tasks, and a programming language is a notation for writing programs, not the OS itself.

Question 5Computer Fundamentals and Hardware

How many bits are there in one byte of computer memory?

  1. 4 bits
  2. 32 bits
  3. 16 bits
  4. 8 bits Correct answer.

Explanation

One byte is defined as a group of 8 bits, which can represent 256 distinct values. Memory and storage capacities are commonly expressed in multiples of bytes such as kilobytes and megabytes.

Question 6Computer Fundamentals and Hardware

Which of the following is an example of an input device used to enter printed documents directly into a computer as digital images?

  1. Speaker
  2. Monitor
  3. Plotter
  4. Scanner Correct answer.

Explanation

A scanner converts a printed page into a digital image that the computer can store or process. Plotters, speakers and monitors are output devices that present results to the user.

Question 7Computer Fundamentals and Hardware

A user wants to install a modern graphics card that requires high bandwidth and must sit directly on the motherboard. Which expansion slot should be used?

  1. SATA port
  2. IDE connector
  3. USB 2.0 header
  4. PCI Express x16 slot Correct answer.

Explanation

A PCI Express x16 slot provides the high-bandwidth serial link that modern graphics cards require and is mounted on the motherboard for this purpose. IDE, SATA and USB headers are for storage drives and peripheral connections, not for a graphics card.

Question 8Computer Fundamentals and Hardware

Which memory is placed between the CPU and main memory to reduce the average time needed to access frequently used data?

  1. Virtual memory
  2. Cache memory Correct answer.
  3. CMOS RAM
  4. BIOS ROM

Explanation

Cache memory is a small, fast memory placed close to the CPU that holds recently or frequently used data and instructions, reducing average access time. Virtual memory is disk-based, and BIOS ROM and CMOS RAM store firmware settings, not working data for speed.

Question 9Computer Fundamentals and Hardware

A computer powers on but the display shows no signal and the system emits a series of beeps. What do these beep codes most likely indicate?

  1. The operating system is updating
  2. A hardware fault detected during POST Correct answer.
  3. The printer is out of paper
  4. The network cable is unplugged

Explanation

Beep codes are produced during the Power-On Self-Test (POST) when the BIOS detects a hardware problem such as faulty RAM or a missing graphics card. The pattern of beeps identifies the failing component, and no operating system is loaded yet.

Question 10Computer Fundamentals and Hardware

Which storage technology stores data using flash memory with no moving parts and is therefore faster and more shock-resistant than a magnetic hard disk?

  1. Solid State Drive Correct answer.
  2. Optical disc drive
  3. Magnetic tape drive
  4. Floppy disk drive

Explanation

A Solid State Drive uses flash memory chips with no spinning platters or moving heads, giving faster access and better resistance to shock. Magnetic, optical and floppy drives all rely on moving media and mechanical parts.

Question 11Computer Fundamentals and Hardware

In a computer, what is the main function of the motherboard chipset?

  1. To store the operating system permanently
  2. To manage data flow between the CPU, memory and peripheral controllers Correct answer.
  3. To convert AC power into DC voltages
  4. To display output on the monitor

Explanation

The chipset consists of controller chips that coordinate communication between the processor, memory and peripheral interfaces on the motherboard. Power conversion is done by the SMPS, and permanent storage and display are handled by other components.

Question 12Computer Fundamentals and Hardware

Which numbering system is used internally by digital computers because it maps directly to the two states of a digital circuit?

  1. Binary Correct answer.
  2. Decimal
  3. Roman
  4. Hexadecimal

Explanation

Digital circuits have two stable states, on and off, which are represented by the digits 0 and 1 of the binary system. Hexadecimal is only a compact shorthand for binary, and decimal and Roman numerals do not map to two-state logic.

Question 13Computer Fundamentals and Hardware

A user wants to back up data to a device that connects through the USB port and is small enough to carry in a pocket. Which device best fits this requirement?

  1. Internal SATA hard disk
  2. DVD-RW disc
  3. Pen drive Correct answer.
  4. Graphics card

Explanation

A pen drive is a small flash-memory device that connects through USB and is easily carried, making it suitable for portable backup. An internal hard disk is fixed inside the case, a DVD-RW needs an optical drive, and a graphics card is not storage.

Question 14Computer Fundamentals and Hardware

Which of the following best describes the role of the BIOS during system startup?

  1. It initializes hardware and loads the boot loader from storage Correct answer.
  2. It allocates memory to running applications
  3. It compiles source code into machine code
  4. It converts high-level programs into assembly language

Explanation

The BIOS firmware runs first at power-on, performs the POST to check hardware, and then locates and loads the boot loader from the boot device. Compilation and memory allocation for applications are handled by software such as compilers and the operating system.

Question 15Computer Fundamentals and Hardware

Which unit of storage is the largest among the following?

  1. 1 megabyte
  2. 1 kilobyte
  3. 1 gigabyte
  4. 1 terabyte Correct answer.

Explanation

Storage units increase by powers of 1024 in the common binary convention: a kilobyte is smaller than a megabyte, which is smaller than a gigabyte, which is smaller than a terabyte. Therefore one terabyte is the largest quantity listed.

Question 16Computer Fundamentals and Hardware

A student writes the decimal number 13 in binary. Which representation is correct?

  1. 1001
  2. 1011
  3. 1110
  4. 1101 Correct answer.

Explanation

Converting 13 by repeated division by 2 gives remainders 1, 0, 1, 1, which read in reverse produce 1101. Checking: 8 + 4 + 0 + 1 equals 13, confirming the value.

Question 17Computer Fundamentals and Hardware

Which of the following best describes the Von Neumann architecture used in most general-purpose computers?

  1. Only data is stored in memory while instructions are held in the ALU
  2. Instructions and data share the same memory and are fetched through a common bus Correct answer.
  3. The processor executes instructions directly from secondary storage
  4. Instructions and data are stored in separate physical memories at all times

Explanation

In the Von Neumann model, both program instructions and data reside in the same main memory and are transferred to the CPU over a shared bus, one instruction at a time. This shared path is the basis of the fetch-decode-execute cycle and of the so-called Von Neumann bottleneck.

Question 18Computer Fundamentals and Hardware

A machine has 12 address lines. What is the maximum number of distinct memory locations it can directly address?

  1. 4096 Correct answer.
  2. 1024
  3. 12
  4. 144

Explanation

With n address lines a memory can address 2^n distinct locations, so 12 lines give 2^12, which equals 4096 locations. The number of lines is the exponent, not the count of addresses itself.

Question 19Computer Fundamentals and Hardware

A computer with 4 GB of RAM runs several large programs and the system slows down heavily because RAM is full. Which mechanism allows programs larger than physical RAM to run by using disk space?

  1. Caching in L1 cache
  2. Interrupt handling
  3. Virtual memory with paging Correct answer.
  4. Direct Memory Access

Explanation

Virtual memory with paging lets the operating system move inactive pages from RAM to disk and bring them back when needed, so programs larger than physical memory can still run. Cache and DMA improve speed, and interrupts handle events, but none of them extends memory capacity.

Question 20Computer Fundamentals and Hardware

A technician replaces a faulty SMPS in a desktop computer. Which function does the new SMPS perform?

  1. It converts DC voltages from the motherboard into AC for the monitor
  2. It converts the AC mains supply into regulated DC voltages required by components Correct answer.
  3. It routes data between the CPU and the RAM
  4. It stores the firmware that starts the computer

Explanation

The Switched Mode Power Supply takes AC mains input and produces the regulated DC outputs such as +3.3 V, +5 V and +12 V that the motherboard and drives require. Firmware storage and data routing are handled by the BIOS chip and chipset, not the power supply.

Question 21Operating Systems and File Management

In a typical Windows installation, which file system is the default for the system volume because it supports large volumes, journaling and file permissions?

  1. FAT32
  2. exFAT
  3. CDFS
  4. NTFS Correct answer.

Explanation

NTFS is the native Windows file system and adds journaling, per-file access control lists, compression and encryption that FAT32 lacks. FAT32 is limited to 4 GB per file and lacks permissions, so it is not used for the system volume.

Question 22Operating Systems and File Management

A file named report.txt is stored on a disk. Which component of the file system records the file's name, size, timestamps and the location of its data blocks?

  1. The boot sector
  2. The directory entry or file control block Correct answer.
  3. The device driver
  4. The swap partition

Explanation

Metadata about a file, such as name, size, timestamps and pointers to data blocks, is kept in a directory entry or file control block managed by the file system. The boot sector only holds start-up code and partition information.

Question 23Operating Systems and File Management

Which keyboard shortcut in Windows opens Task Manager directly, allowing a user to end a non-responding application?

  1. Ctrl + Shift + Esc Correct answer.
  2. Win + L
  3. Ctrl + Alt + Delete
  4. Alt + F4

Explanation

Ctrl + Shift + Esc launches Task Manager immediately without an intermediate menu. Ctrl + Alt + Delete opens a security screen from which Task Manager can be chosen, so it is an extra step.

Question 24Operating Systems and File Management

What is the main purpose of a file extension such as .docx or .png in an operating system?

  1. It encrypts the file contents automatically
  2. It sets the file's access permissions
  3. It tells the OS which application is associated with the file type Correct answer.
  4. It determines the physical sector where data is stored

Explanation

The extension is a naming convention that lets the OS map a file to a registered file type and default application. It does not encrypt data, grant permissions or control physical placement on disk.

Question 25Operating Systems and File Management

Which wildcard pattern in a Windows command prompt matches every file whose name begins with 'data' and has a three-letter extension?

  1. data*.??
  2. data?.???
  3. data*.??? Correct answer.
  4. *data.???

Explanation

The asterisk stands for any number of characters and the question mark stands for exactly one character. So data*.??? matches names starting with 'data' followed by any characters and a three-character extension.

Question 26Operating Systems and File Management

Which of the following best describes the difference between a cold boot and a warm boot?

  1. A cold boot requires a network connection, while a warm boot does not
  2. A cold boot starts from power-off, while a warm boot restarts a running system without removing power Correct answer.
  3. A cold boot is performed only from a USB drive, while a warm boot uses the hard disk
  4. A cold boot clears RAM, while a warm boot preserves all RAM contents

Explanation

A cold boot powers the machine on from an off state and runs full hardware initialisation. A warm boot restarts an already powered system, for example through the Restart command, without cutting power.

Question 27Operating Systems and File Management

A user deletes a file in Windows Explorer using the Delete key. Where does the file go, and how is it recovered?

  1. It is moved to the swap file until the next reboot
  2. It moves to the Recycle Bin and can be restored from there Correct answer.
  3. It is erased from disk immediately and cannot be recovered
  4. It moves to the system32 folder and must be renamed

Explanation

The Delete key sends a file to the Recycle Bin, a special folder that retains the item until it is emptied. Restoring from the Recycle Bin returns the file to its original location.

Question 28Operating Systems and File Management

Which permission on a Linux file allows a user to execute a script but prevents that user from modifying its contents?

  1. --x Correct answer.
  2. rw-
  3. r--
  4. rwx

Explanation

In the rwx notation the first position is read, the second is write and the third is execute. A mode of --x grants only execute permission, so the file can be run but not read or changed by that class of user.

Question 29Operating Systems and File Management

A disk uses the FAT32 file system. A user tries to copy a 6 GB video file and the copy fails. What is the most likely reason?

  1. The file name is longer than 8 characters
  2. FAT32 does not support video file formats
  3. The disk has no master boot record
  4. FAT32 limits the maximum file size to 4 GB Correct answer.

Explanation

FAT32 uses a 32-bit file size field, which caps a single file at 4 GB minus one byte. A 6 GB file therefore cannot be stored on a FAT32 volume regardless of free space.

Question 30Operating Systems and File Management

What is the function of the PATH environment variable in Windows and Linux?

  1. It lists directories searched for executable programs when a command is typed Correct answer.
  2. It records the physical path of the boot loader
  3. It defines the default printer for the user
  4. It stores the user's home directory contents

Explanation

The PATH variable holds an ordered list of directories that the command interpreter scans to locate an executable when only its name is typed. Without the right entry, a command must be run with its full path.

Question 31Operating Systems and File Management

A process is described as being in the 'waiting' or 'blocked' state. What does this indicate about the process?

  1. It has been swapped out permanently to disk
  2. It is currently executing on the CPU
  3. It is waiting for an I/O operation or an event to complete Correct answer.
  4. It has finished execution and released its resources

Explanation

A blocked process cannot proceed until an event it requested, such as completion of disk I/O or a signal, occurs. It is placed on a wait queue and moved back to ready when the event completes.

Question 32Operating Systems and File Management

Which command-line utility in Windows displays the contents of a directory, including hidden files when the appropriate switch is used?

  1. cls
  2. cd
  3. copy
  4. dir Correct answer.

Explanation

The dir command lists files and subdirectories of a directory, and the /a switch includes hidden and system files. The other commands change directory, copy files or clear the screen.

Question 33Operating Systems and File Management

A folder contains the files notes.txt, notes.doc and notes.pdf. Which command in a Linux shell deletes only the PDF file without affecting the others?

  1. rm notes.*
  2. rm notes.pdf Correct answer.
  3. rm -r notes
  4. rm *notes*

Explanation

Naming the exact file, notes.pdf, removes only that file. Wildcard patterns such as notes.* or *notes* would match the other files as well, causing unintended deletion.

Question 34Operating Systems and File Management

What is the purpose of a journaling file system such as NTFS or ext4 after an unexpected power failure?

  1. It re-encrypts all user files automatically
  2. It compresses every file to save disk space
  3. It records pending metadata changes so the file system can be repaired quickly and consistently Correct answer.
  4. It restores deleted files from the Recycle Bin

Explanation

A journal logs metadata transactions before they are committed, so after a crash the system can replay or roll back incomplete operations. This avoids a full disk scan and keeps the file system consistent.

Question 35Operating Systems and File Management

A user wants to find all files on drive C: larger than 100 MB using the Windows command prompt. Which approach is most appropriate?

  1. Use the dir command with the /s and /o-s switches to sort by size and inspect results Correct answer.
  2. Use the cd command to change to C:\ and then type format C:
  3. Use the copy command with the /b switch
  4. Use the cls command followed by type C:

Explanation

The dir command with /s searches subdirectories and /o-s sorts entries by size descending, placing the largest files first for inspection. The other commands change directory, format a volume, copy files or clear the screen and cannot list sizes.

Question 36Operating Systems and File Management

Which statement correctly distinguishes a relative path from an absolute path?

  1. A relative path starts from the current working directory, while an absolute path starts from the root of the file system Correct answer.
  2. A relative path is valid only on Linux, while an absolute path is valid only on Windows
  3. A relative path always begins with a drive letter, while an absolute path never does
  4. A relative path can only refer to directories, while an absolute path can refer to files

Explanation

An absolute path is fully qualified from the root, such as C:\Users\Asha\docs. A relative path is interpreted from the current working directory, so its meaning changes when the working directory changes.

Question 37Operating Systems and File Management

Consider a Linux file with permissions rwxr-x--- owned by user asha and group staff. A user named ravi, who is not in the staff group, tries to read the file. What happens?

  1. He can read it because the owner has read permission
  2. He can read it because the group has read permission
  3. He is denied because the 'other' class has no permissions Correct answer.
  4. He can read it only if he runs the command as root

Explanation

Permission checks apply the owner class first, then the group class, then the other class. Ravi is neither the owner nor a group member, so the last triplet --- applies and access is denied.

Question 38Operating Systems and File Management

A system uses contiguous allocation for files. Which problem is most directly associated with this scheme as files grow and are deleted over time?

  1. Inability to support random access to file contents
  2. Excessive seek time for every block access
  3. Loss of file metadata after each write
  4. External fragmentation of free disk space Correct answer.

Explanation

Contiguous allocation requires each file to occupy one unbroken run of blocks, so deleting and resizing files leaves scattered free gaps that may be too small to reuse. This is external fragmentation, and compaction may be needed.

Question 39Operating Systems and File Management

In a multilevel indexed allocation scheme, a file's inode contains 12 direct block pointers and one single-indirect pointer. If a block is 4 KB and a block pointer is 4 bytes, what is the maximum file size addressable using only the direct and single-indirect pointers?

  1. About 48 KB
  2. About 64 KB
  3. About 4 MB
  4. About 4.1 MB Correct answer.

Explanation

Twelve direct pointers address 12 x 4 KB = 48 KB. One indirect block holds 4096 / 4 = 1024 pointers, addressing 1024 x 4 KB = 4 MB. Adding them gives roughly 4 MB + 48 KB, about 4.1 MB.

Question 40Operating Systems and File Management

A user reports that a program runs correctly when launched from its own folder but fails with 'command not found' from other folders. Which diagnosis and fix is most appropriate?

  1. The file system is corrupted; reformat the drive holding the executable
  2. The swap partition is too small; increase virtual memory
  3. The program lacks execute permission on every folder; set mode 777 on the root directory
  4. The executable's directory is missing from PATH; add it to PATH or invoke the program with its full path Correct answer.

Explanation

The shell searches only the directories listed in PATH, so a program succeeds from its own folder because the current directory is searched there. Adding the program's directory to PATH, or using an absolute path, resolves the failure.

Question 41Word Processing and Documentation

In a word processor, which feature is used to keep the first line of every paragraph pushed inward from the left margin while the rest of the paragraph stays flush?

  1. Paragraph spacing
  2. Hanging indent
  3. Left alignment
  4. First-line indent Correct answer.

Explanation

A first-line indent moves only the opening line of a paragraph inward, which is the standard way to mark new paragraphs in reports. A hanging indent does the opposite: it pushes all lines except the first inward, as used in bibliographies.

Question 42Word Processing and Documentation

A student wants the word 'Karnataka' to appear in small capitals throughout a report without retyping it. Which formatting effect should be applied?

  1. Superscript
  2. All caps
  3. Small caps Correct answer.
  4. Shadow

Explanation

Small caps renders lowercase letters as reduced-size capitals while keeping originally typed capitals full size, giving a uniform capitalised look. All caps makes every letter full size, so the visual distinction between typed cases is lost.

Question 43Word Processing and Documentation

Which page setup value determines whether a report prints in portrait or landscape orientation?

  1. Section break type
  2. Page margins
  3. Paper orientation Correct answer.
  4. Gutter position

Explanation

Paper orientation is the page setup setting that chooses between portrait (tall) and landscape (wide) layout. Margins and gutters only control the blank space around the printed text.

Question 44Word Processing and Documentation

In a mail merge for sending interview call letters, which document contains the fixed text that stays identical for every recipient?

  1. Merge field
  2. Header row
  3. Main document Correct answer.
  4. Data source

Explanation

The main document holds the constant body text plus the merge fields that will be filled in for each record. The data source supplies the variable values such as names and addresses.

Question 45Word Processing and Documentation

Which file format is most suitable when a completed project report must be shared so that its layout looks the same on any computer and is hard to edit casually?

  1. CSV
  2. HTML
  3. TXT
  4. PDF Correct answer.

Explanation

PDF preserves fonts, spacing and page layout on any device and is not easily edited without special tools, which suits final submission copies. Plain text and CSV discard all page formatting.

Question 46Word Processing and Documentation

What is the default action when a user presses Ctrl+S in most word processing software?

  1. Close the application
  2. Print the document
  3. Select all text
  4. Save the current document Correct answer.

Explanation

Ctrl+S is the standard keyboard shortcut for saving the active document, overwriting the existing file or prompting for a name on first save. Other shortcuts handle selection, printing and closing.

Question 47Word Processing and Documentation

A student inserts a table of contents in a long report. Which condition must the headings satisfy for the table of contents to list them automatically?

  1. They must be underlined
  2. They must use built-in heading styles Correct answer.
  3. They must be placed in a text box
  4. They must be typed in bold

Explanation

Automatic table of contents generation collects paragraphs that carry heading styles such as Heading 1 and Heading 2. Direct formatting like bold or underline does not mark a paragraph as a heading for this purpose.

Question 48Word Processing and Documentation

A writer wants the phrase 'Chapter One' to appear at the top of every page of a document. Which approach achieves this with the least repetition?

  1. Insert it in the page footer
  2. Type it manually on each page
  3. Insert it as a footnote
  4. Insert it in the page header Correct answer.

Explanation

Content placed in the page header repeats automatically on every page of the section, so it need not be retyped. The footer sits at the bottom, and a footnote belongs to a single page.

Question 49Word Processing and Documentation

A table in a report has a column of marks that must be totalled. Which built-in feature should be used instead of calculating by hand?

  1. AutoCorrect
  2. Sort command
  3. Formula field in the table Correct answer.
  4. Thesaurus

Explanation

Word processors allow formula fields inside table cells, for example a SUM formula, so totals update when the data changes. Sorting only reorders rows and does not compute values.

Question 50Word Processing and Documentation

A paragraph must always begin on a fresh page. Which paragraph setting enforces this without inserting extra blank lines?

  1. Widow control
  2. Line spacing
  3. Page break before Correct answer.
  4. Keep with next

Explanation

The 'page break before' paragraph property forces the paragraph to start at the top of a new page automatically. This is cleaner than pressing Enter repeatedly, because the break survives later editing.