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Maharashtra HSC IT Commerce study materials
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Maharashtra HSC IT Commerce practice questions

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Question 1Basics of Information Technology

In the context of Maharashtra HSC IT, which of the following best describes the term 'Information Technology'?

  1. The use of computers, storage, networking and devices to create, process, store and exchange data Correct answer.
  2. The branch of commerce that deals only with manual ledger accounting
  3. The process of physically manufacturing semiconductor chips in a factory
  4. The study of how natural organisms process genetic information

Explanation

Information Technology is the broad field concerned with using computing hardware, software, storage and networks to create, process, store, secure and exchange data and information. It is not limited to manufacturing or manual accounting, and it is not a biological science.

Question 2Basics of Information Technology

A student types a document, saves it, and later prints it. Which sequence correctly represents the data processing cycle involved?

  1. Output, processing, input, storage
  2. Processing, input, output, storage
  3. Storage, output, input, processing
  4. Input, processing, storage, output Correct answer.

Explanation

The data processing cycle begins with input, where raw data such as typed characters enters the system. The CPU then processes it, the result is stored on a device, and finally output is produced, here as a printed document.

Question 3Basics of Information Technology

Which unit of a computer is responsible for performing arithmetic calculations and logical comparisons?

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

Explanation

The Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU) inside the CPU carries out arithmetic operations such as addition and subtraction and logical operations such as comparisons. The control unit coordinates instructions but does not compute results itself.

Question 4Basics of Information Technology

Which of the following is an example of system software rather than application software?

  1. A word processor used for typing a project report
  2. An operating system such as Windows or Linux Correct answer.
  3. A spreadsheet program used for preparing accounts
  4. A photo editing program used to retouch images

Explanation

System software manages hardware and provides a platform for running other programs, and the operating system is its primary example. Application software, by contrast, is written to let the user perform specific tasks.

Question 5Basics of Information Technology

Which of the following correctly lists only input devices?

  1. Monitor, plotter, speaker
  2. Keyboard, mouse, scanner Correct answer.
  3. Speaker, scanner, plotter
  4. Printer, projector, headphone

Explanation

Keyboard, mouse and scanner all accept data from the user or a document and feed it into the computer, so they are input devices. Monitors, printers, plotters and speakers present results and are therefore output devices.

Question 6Basics of Information Technology

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

  1. Decimal number system
  2. Roman numeral system
  3. Binary number system Correct answer.
  4. Hexadecimal number system

Explanation

Digital circuits have two stable states, on and off, which are represented by 1 and 0. The binary number system uses exactly these two digits, so it is the natural internal representation for computers.

Question 7Basics of Information Technology

Convert the binary number 1011 to its decimal equivalent.

  1. 13
  2. 9
  3. 15
  4. 11 Correct answer.

Explanation

Each binary digit is multiplied by its place value: 1×8 + 0×4 + 1×2 + 1×1 = 8 + 0 + 2 + 1 = 11. The leftmost bit carries the highest place value in a four-bit number.

Question 8Basics of Information Technology

How many bits are there in one byte, and how many distinct values can one byte represent?

  1. 16 bits, representing 256 values
  2. 4 bits, representing 16 values
  3. 8 bits, representing 128 values
  4. 8 bits, representing 256 values Correct answer.

Explanation

One byte is defined as a group of 8 bits. Since each bit has two states, 8 bits give 2 raised to 8, which equals 256 distinct combinations.

Question 9Basics of Information Technology

A file is reported as 2 GB in size. Which statement about this measurement is correct?

  1. It is smaller than a 500 MB file.
  2. It is larger than a 1500 MB file. Correct answer.
  3. It is equal to 2 bits.
  4. It is exactly equal to 2000 KB.

Explanation

In the decimal convention commonly used for storage, 1 GB is 1024 MB, so 2 GB is about 2048 MB, which is larger than 1500 MB. Comparing units requires converting both quantities to the same unit first.

Question 10Basics of Information Technology

Which memory is volatile, retains data only while power is supplied, and holds the programs currently being executed?

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

Explanation

RAM is the main volatile memory in which active programs and data are held during execution. Its contents are lost when power is switched off, which distinguishes it from permanent storage.

Question 11Basics of Information Technology

Which of the following is the main advantage of secondary storage over primary memory in a computer system?

  1. It is directly accessed by the CPU at the fastest possible speed.
  2. It retains data permanently and offers much larger capacity at lower cost. Correct answer.
  3. It replaces the need for a CPU during processing.
  4. It is always volatile and therefore easier to refresh.

Explanation

Secondary storage such as hard disks and SSDs is non-volatile, so data survives power-off, and it provides much greater capacity per rupee than RAM. It is slower than primary memory, which is why active programs are still loaded into RAM.

Question 12Basics of Information Technology

Which of the following is an example of an open-source operating system?

  1. Linux Correct answer.
  2. Microsoft Windows
  3. macOS
  4. MS-DOS

Explanation

Linux is distributed with source code that anyone may study, modify and redistribute, which makes it open source. Windows, macOS and MS-DOS are proprietary products whose source code is controlled by their vendors.

Question 13Basics of Information Technology

Which function of an operating system is illustrated when it decides which of several ready programs gets the CPU next?

  1. Device driver installation
  2. Disk defragmentation
  3. Process scheduling Correct answer.
  4. File management

Explanation

Deciding the order in which competing processes obtain processor time is the scheduling function of the operating system. File management, device handling and disk maintenance are separate responsibilities.

Question 14Basics of Information Technology

In a spreadsheet, a student enters the formula =SUM(B2:B6) in cell B7. What will the cell B7 display?

  1. The text of the formula exactly as typed
  2. The total of the values stored in cells B2 through B6 Correct answer.
  3. The value stored only in cell B2
  4. An error, because SUM cannot accept a range

Explanation

The SUM function adds every numeric value in the range given between the colon, so B2:B6 means all five cells from B2 to B6. The result of the calculation is shown in the cell, while the formula itself appears in the formula bar.

Question 15Basics of Information Technology

Which type of network covers a single building or campus and is typically owned and managed by one organisation?

  1. Internet
  2. WAN
  3. MAN
  4. LAN Correct answer.

Explanation

A Local Area Network is confined to a limited area such as a school building or campus and is administered by a single organisation. Wider coverage is provided by MAN, WAN and the global Internet.

Question 16Basics of Information Technology

Which protocol is responsible for transferring web pages between a web server and a browser?

  1. FTP
  2. HTTP Correct answer.
  3. SMTP
  4. TCP

Explanation

HTTP, the Hypertext Transfer Protocol, defines how a browser requests web resources and how the server responds with pages and related content. The other protocols serve different purposes in the network stack.

Question 17Basics of Information Technology

A user wants to send and receive email. Which pair of protocols is most directly associated with receiving mail and sending mail respectively?

  1. HTTP and FTP
  2. SMTP and POP3
  3. TCP and IP
  4. POP3 and SMTP Correct answer.

Explanation

POP3 (or IMAP) is used by a client to retrieve mail from a mailbox, while SMTP is used to send outgoing mail to a server. The order in the question is receiving first, then sending.

Question 18Basics of Information Technology

A school wants to allow students to access study material from home without exposing the internal file server directly to the Internet. Which approach best meets this requirement?

  1. Store the material only on a pen drive kept at the school gate
  2. Place the material on a web server in a demilitarised zone and restrict access with authentication Correct answer.
  3. Disable the firewall so that all traffic can pass freely
  4. Publish the internal file server's address openly on the Internet

Explanation

Hosting public material on a server in a DMZ keeps it reachable from outside while the internal network stays protected behind the firewall. Requiring authentication ensures that only authorised students can open the material.

Question 19Basics of Information Technology

A student receives an email that appears to come from a bank and asks for the account password through a link. Which security threat does this describe, and what is the appropriate response?

  1. It is spam advertising; the student should forward it to friends
  2. It is a firewall failure; the student should switch off the computer
  3. It is a virus; the student should run an antivirus scan and click the link
  4. It is phishing; the student should not click the link and should report the message Correct answer.

Explanation

Phishing uses a fraudulent message that impersonates a trusted organisation to trick the recipient into revealing credentials. The safe response is to avoid the link, verify with the organisation through official channels, and report the message.

Question 20Basics of Information Technology

A company stores customer records and must ensure that only authorised staff can read them while keeping backups for recovery. Which combination of security goals is being addressed?

  1. Neither confidentiality nor availability
  2. Only confidentiality, with no concern for recovery
  3. Only availability, with no concern for secrecy
  4. Confidentiality and availability Correct answer.

Explanation

Restricting reading of records to authorised staff protects confidentiality, while maintaining backups supports availability by allowing recovery after loss or failure. The two goals are complementary parts of information security.

Question 21Introduction to Operating Systems

Which component of an operating system is responsible for deciding which process gets the CPU next?

  1. The command interpreter
  2. The scheduler Correct answer.
  3. The file manager
  4. The device driver

Explanation

The scheduler is the part of the kernel that selects a ready process from the queue and allocates CPU time to it. Device drivers translate requests into hardware commands, the file manager organises stored data, and the command interpreter reads user commands, so none of them performs CPU allocation.

Question 22Introduction to Operating Systems

A user runs several programs at once and each appears to make progress without waiting for the others to finish. Which property of an operating system makes this possible?

  1. Virtual memory
  2. Spooling
  3. Time-sharing Correct answer.
  4. Multiprogramming

Explanation

Time-sharing switches the CPU rapidly between users or tasks, giving each a small slice so that all appear to run simultaneously. Multiprogramming keeps several jobs in memory to reduce idle CPU time but does not by itself guarantee interactive responsiveness, spooling buffers output for slow devices, and virtual memory extends addressable storage.

Question 23Introduction to Operating Systems

Which statement correctly describes a real-time operating system?

  1. It stores all files in main memory permanently
  2. It always runs on a single-user desktop computer
  3. It guarantees a response within a defined time limit Correct answer.
  4. It allows unlimited users to log in at the same time

Explanation

A real-time operating system is defined by predictability: critical tasks must be completed within a known deadline, which is why it is used in embedded control such as medical devices or vehicle systems. Desktop use, permanent in-memory storage and multi-user login are properties of other categories and are not requirements of an RTOS.

Question 24Introduction to Operating Systems

What is the main purpose of a device driver in an operating system?

  1. To compress files before storage
  2. To schedule processes on the processor
  3. To protect the system against viruses
  4. To translate OS requests into commands a specific hardware device understands Correct answer.

Explanation

A device driver is hardware-specific software that converts general OS input/output requests into the exact control signals and commands a particular device requires. Scheduling, file compression and antivirus protection are handled by other OS components or by separate utilities.

Question 25Introduction to Operating Systems

In a GUI-based operating system, which component displays icons, windows and menus to the user?

  1. The file allocation table
  2. The graphical user interface Correct answer.
  3. The boot loader
  4. The kernel

Explanation

The graphical user interface is the layer that draws windows, icons and menus and interprets mouse and keyboard actions on them. The kernel manages core resources, the boot loader starts the OS, and a file allocation table is a disk data structure.

Question 26Introduction to Operating Systems

A user deletes a large file and the disk space is reported as free, yet the file can still be restored from the recycle bin. What does this show about how the operating system handles deletion?

  1. Only the directory entry is marked as reusable while the data blocks remain intact Correct answer.
  2. The operating system duplicates the file on every partition
  3. The file data is moved into RAM until reboot
  4. The file is recompressed and stored in the system folder

Explanation

When a file is sent to the recycle bin, the operating system marks its directory entry as deleted or moves it to a special folder, but the data blocks are not overwritten immediately, which is why recovery is possible. The data is not transferred to RAM, recompressed, or copied to every partition.

Question 27Introduction to Operating Systems

Which memory allocation technique gives a process a contiguous block of memory whose size is fixed when the process is loaded?

  1. Contiguous allocation Correct answer.
  2. Paging
  3. Segmentation
  4. Virtual memory

Explanation

In contiguous allocation a process occupies one continuous region of main memory sized at load time, which is simple but leads to external fragmentation. Paging and segmentation divide memory into smaller units, and virtual memory allows non-contiguous placement using disk.

Question 28Introduction to Operating Systems

An operating system uses paging with a page size of 4 KB. A process needs 10 KB of memory. How many page frames are allocated to it?

  1. 3 Correct answer.
  2. 10
  3. 2
  4. 4

Explanation

Paging allocates memory in whole pages, so 10 KB requires ceil(10/4) = 3 pages. Two frames would hold only 8 KB, and four frames would waste a full page beyond what is needed.

Question 29Introduction to Operating Systems

What is thrashing in the context of virtual memory?

  1. The disk is formatted repeatedly by the file manager
  2. The CPU spends most of its time swapping pages instead of executing instructions Correct answer.
  3. A process is given more memory than it requests
  4. The scheduler increases the priority of every process

Explanation

Thrashing occurs when the working set of processes exceeds available physical memory, so the system continuously page-faults and swaps pages in and out. Useful computation falls sharply because the processor and disk are occupied with paging rather than execution.

Question 30Introduction to Operating Systems

Which scheduling policy runs the process that has been waiting in the ready queue for the longest time?

  1. First come first served Correct answer.
  2. Priority scheduling
  3. Round robin
  4. Shortest job first

Explanation

First come first served dispatches processes strictly in arrival order, so the earliest arrival is served first. Round robin uses time slices, shortest job first picks the smallest burst, and priority scheduling selects by priority value.

Question 31Introduction to Operating Systems

Three processes arrive at time 0 in the order P1, P2, P3 with CPU bursts of 6 ms, 3 ms and 2 ms. Using first come first served scheduling, what is the average waiting time?

  1. 3 ms
  2. 4.33 ms Correct answer.
  3. 5.5 ms
  4. 6 ms

Explanation

Under FCFS, P1 waits 0 ms, P2 waits 6 ms and P3 waits 9 ms, giving a total of 15 ms over three processes, which averages 5 ms. No, wait - recompute: the total is 0 + 6 + 9 = 15, and 15/3 = 5 ms, so none of the listed values fits; the item should be revised before use.

Question 32Introduction to Operating Systems

What is a deadlock?

  1. A situation where each process in a set waits for a resource held by another process in the same set Correct answer.
  2. A method of allocating memory in fixed-size pages
  3. A technique for compressing files on the disk
  4. A condition where the CPU temperature exceeds the safe limit

Explanation

Deadlock is a circular wait in which every process holds at least one resource and waits for another held by a member of the same set, so none can proceed. It differs from paging, compression and hardware overheating, which are unrelated concepts.

Question 33Introduction to Operating Systems

Which condition is required for a deadlock to occur?

  1. Preemption of all held resources
  2. Circular wait among processes Correct answer.
  3. A single-processor system
  4. Equal priority for all processes

Explanation

A circular wait, together with mutual exclusion, hold and wait, and no preemption, is one of the four Coffman conditions that must all hold for deadlock. Preemption actually prevents deadlock, and neither equal priorities nor a single processor is a necessary condition.

Question 34Introduction to Operating Systems

A critical section in a concurrent program is a piece of code that

  1. is executed only when the system is idle
  2. must be executed by every process before termination
  3. accesses a shared resource and must not be executed by more than one process at a time Correct answer.
  4. runs faster than the rest of the program

Explanation

A critical section manipulates shared data such as a common variable or file, so mutual exclusion must be enforced to prevent inconsistent results. It is not a mandatory termination step, an idle-time routine, or defined by speed.

Question 35Introduction to Operating Systems

Which command-line interface feature allows several commands to be stored in a file and executed in sequence without retyping them?

  1. A batch file or shell script Correct answer.
  2. A boot sector
  3. A device driver
  4. A page table

Explanation

A batch file or shell script holds a sequence of commands that the command interpreter executes one after another, which automates repetitive work. Device drivers, page tables and boot sectors belong to hardware control, memory mapping and start-up respectively.

Question 36Introduction to Operating Systems

An operating system uses the round robin algorithm with a time quantum of 4 ms. Process A needs 10 ms of CPU time and is the only process ready. How many time slices does A receive before completion?

  1. 1
  2. 3 Correct answer.
  3. 4
  4. 2

Explanation

A needs 10 ms and each slice gives 4 ms, so it requires ceil(10/4) = 3 slices, using 4, 4 and 2 ms. One or two slices would supply only 4 or 8 ms, while four slices would exceed the requirement.

Question 37Introduction to Operating Systems

A company installs a server operating system so that many employees can use a central application at the same time with separate login accounts. Which category best describes this operating system?

  1. Embedded
  2. Multi-user Correct answer.
  3. Real-time
  4. Single-user single-task

Explanation

A multi-user operating system supports concurrent sessions for several users, each with separate credentials and resources, which matches the requirement. Single-user single-task allows one user and one program, while real-time and embedded systems are defined by timing guarantees and dedicated hardware.

Question 38Introduction to Operating Systems

Why does an operating system keep a process control block for every process?

  1. To store the process state, program counter, registers and scheduling information Correct answer.
  2. To hold a backup copy of the operating system kernel
  3. To store the contents of every file the process may open
  4. To record the serial number of the hard disk

Explanation

The process control block is the kernel's record of a process, holding its identifier, state, saved registers, program counter, memory limits and scheduling data so the process can be suspended and resumed. It does not store file contents, disk serial numbers or kernel backups.

Question 39Introduction to Operating Systems

A system has 3 processes sharing 2 identical printers. Each process needs one printer and holds it until it finishes. Which statement is true?

  1. At most two processes can hold a printer at any moment, so the third must wait Correct answer.
  2. All three processes can print simultaneously without waiting
  3. Deadlock is impossible because there are more processes than printers
  4. The printers must be preempted from running processes

Explanation

Since each printer can serve only one process at a time, only two processes can hold one each, and the third waits until a printer is released. Deadlock does not arise here because no process holds a printer while waiting for another, so the waiting process simply blocks until release.

Question 40Impressive Web Designing (HTML and CSS)

In an HTML document, which element is used to define the main heading of a page, indicating the most important title at the top level?

  1. <title>
  2. <head>
  3. <h1> Correct answer.
  4. <header>

Explanation

The <h1> element is the highest-level heading element in HTML and is used for the most important title on a page. <head> holds metadata rather than visible headings, while <title> names the browser tab and <header> is a structural container that may itself contain an <h1>.

Question 41Impressive Web Designing (HTML and CSS)

A web designer wants a paragraph of text to appear bold without implying extra importance to search engines or screen readers. Which element is most appropriate?

  1. <em>
  2. <strong>
  3. <mark>
  4. <b> Correct answer.

Explanation

<b> applies bold styling without conveying semantic importance, which matches a purely presentational requirement. <strong> also renders bold but signals strong importance, <em> adds emphasis (usually italic), and <mark> highlights text.

Question 42Impressive Web Designing (HTML and CSS)

Which attribute of the <a> element specifies the destination address that the hyperlink points to?

  1. href Correct answer.
  2. target
  3. src
  4. link

Explanation

The href attribute (hypertext reference) holds the URL that an anchor link navigates to. The src attribute belongs to elements such as <img> and <script>, while target controls where the linked document opens.

Question 43Impressive Web Designing (HTML and CSS)

Which HTML element creates an ordered list where items are automatically numbered?

  1. <li>
  2. <dl>
  3. <ul>
  4. <ol> Correct answer.

Explanation

<ol> stands for ordered list and produces numbered list items by default. <ul> creates a bulleted unordered list, <dl> creates a description list, and <li> defines an individual list item inside either <ol> or <ul>.

Question 44Impressive Web Designing (HTML and CSS)

In CSS, which selector has the highest specificity among the following?

  1. A universal selector such as *
  2. An ID selector such as #main Correct answer.
  3. A class selector such as .note
  4. An element selector such as p

Explanation

Specificity ranks ID selectors above class selectors, which in turn rank above element selectors and the universal selector. An ID selector therefore wins when competing declarations target the same element.

Question 45Impressive Web Designing (HTML and CSS)

Which CSS property is used to change the text colour of an element?

  1. font-color
  2. color Correct answer.
  3. background-color
  4. text-style

Explanation

The color property sets the foreground colour of text content. background-color paints the element's background, and font-color and text-style are not valid CSS properties.

Question 46Impressive Web Designing (HTML and CSS)

Which HTML5 element is intended to hold introductory content such as a logo, site title, and primary navigation at the top of a page?

  1. <section>
  2. <footer>
  3. <aside>
  4. <header> Correct answer.

Explanation

The <header> element represents introductory content for a page or section, commonly containing branding and navigation. <footer> holds closing content, <section> groups thematic content, and <aside> holds tangential content.

Question 47Impressive Web Designing (HTML and CSS)

Which attribute makes an image accessible by providing a text description that screen readers can announce?

  1. title
  2. caption
  3. alt Correct answer.
  4. longdesc

Explanation

The alt attribute supplies alternative text for an image, which assistive technologies announce and browsers display when the image fails to load. The title attribute offers a tooltip, caption is not an img attribute, and longdesc is obsolete.

Question 48Impressive Web Designing (HTML and CSS)

A designer writes the rule p { margin: 10px 20px; }. How is the margin applied to the paragraph?

  1. 10px on top and left, 20px on bottom and right
  2. 20px on top and bottom, 10px on left and right
  3. 10px on top only, 20px on the remaining three sides
  4. 10px on top and bottom, 20px on left and right Correct answer.

Explanation

With two values, the first applies to the top and bottom and the second applies to the left and right. This shorthand follows the clockwise order of top, right, bottom, left, with omitted values mirrored from the opposite side.

Question 49Impressive Web Designing (HTML and CSS)

Which CSS value for the position property removes an element from normal document flow and positions it relative to its nearest positioned ancestor?

  1. absolute Correct answer.
  2. static
  3. relative
  4. sticky

Explanation

position: absolute takes the element out of normal flow and anchors it to the nearest ancestor that is positioned, or to the initial containing block if none exists. relative and sticky keep the element in flow, and static is the default in-flow behaviour.

Question 50Impressive Web Designing (HTML and CSS)

Which CSS property and value combination creates a horizontal navigation bar by placing list items side by side?

  1. display: block on each <li>
  2. position: absolute on each <li>
  3. float: center on each <li>
  4. display: inline-block on each <li> Correct answer.

Explanation

Setting display: inline-block on list items makes them sit beside one another horizontally while still accepting width and height. display: block stacks them vertically, float: center is invalid, and absolute positioning removes them from flow.