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Maharashtra HSC IT Science study materials
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Maharashtra HSC IT Science practice questions

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Question 1Basics of Information Technology

In the context of computer fundamentals, which unit is used to measure the storage capacity of a hard disk?

  1. Pixel
  2. Watt
  3. Hertz
  4. Byte Correct answer.

Explanation

Storage capacity is measured in bytes and their multiples such as kilobyte, megabyte, gigabyte and terabyte. A byte is the basic unit of digital information representing eight bits. Hertz, pixel and watt describe frequency, image resolution and power respectively.

Question 2Basics of Information Technology

Which of the following correctly represents the binary equivalent of the decimal number 25?

  1. 11011
  2. 11001 Correct answer.
  3. 10101
  4. 10011

Explanation

Repeatedly dividing 25 by 2 gives remainders 1, 0, 0, 1, 1 read bottom to top, producing 11001. Checking the place values 16 + 8 + 1 equals 25, which confirms the result.

Question 3Basics of Information Technology

Which logic gate produces a HIGH output only when all of its inputs are HIGH?

  1. AND gate Correct answer.
  2. XOR gate
  3. OR gate
  4. NOT gate

Explanation

An AND gate outputs 1 only when every input is 1, as its Boolean expression is the product of the inputs. Any single 0 input forces the output to 0. The OR gate outputs 1 when at least one input is 1.

Question 4Basics of Information Technology

Which type of software is an operating system classified as?

  1. Utility software
  2. Application software
  3. System software Correct answer.
  4. Firmware

Explanation

An operating system is system software because it manages hardware resources and provides a platform for application programs to run. Application software performs user-oriented tasks, while firmware is permanently stored on hardware.

Question 5Basics of Information Technology

In a spreadsheet, which symbol must every formula begin with so that the software treats it as a calculation?

  1. An equals sign (=) Correct answer.
  2. An ampersand (&)
  3. A plus sign (+)
  4. A hash symbol (#)

Explanation

Spreadsheet software treats an entry as a formula only when it starts with the equals sign. After the equals sign the user writes cell references, constants and operators. A leading plus sign is interpreted as text in most spreadsheets.

Question 6Basics of Information Technology

Which of the following is an example of an input device?

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

Explanation

A scanner reads printed documents and converts them into digital form, so it supplies data to the computer and is an input device. Plotters, speakers and monitors all present processed output to the user.

Question 7Basics of Information Technology

What is the base of the hexadecimal number system?

  1. 16 Correct answer.
  2. 2
  3. 8
  4. 10

Explanation

The hexadecimal system uses sixteen distinct symbols, the digits 0 to 9 and the letters A to F, so its base is 16. Binary has base 2, octal base 8 and decimal base 10.

Question 8Basics of Information Technology

A student wants to store a document permanently so it remains available after the computer is switched off. Which type of memory is suitable?

  1. Secondary storage Correct answer.
  2. CPU registers
  3. RAM
  4. Cache memory

Explanation

Secondary storage such as a hard disk or pen drive is non-volatile, so data written there survives a power-off. RAM, cache and registers are volatile and lose their contents when power is removed.

Question 9Basics of Information Technology

Which number system is used internally by digital computers to represent and process data?

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

Explanation

Digital circuits have two stable states, on and off, which map directly to the binary digits 1 and 0. All data is therefore stored and processed in binary form. Decimal, octal and hexadecimal are used only for human convenience or shorthand.

Question 10Basics of Information Technology

A truth table for a two-input gate shows the output is 1 whenever the two inputs are different and 0 when they are the same. Which gate is described?

  1. NAND gate
  2. NOR gate
  3. XNOR gate
  4. XOR gate Correct answer.

Explanation

The XOR gate outputs 1 only when its inputs differ, which matches the exclusive nature of the operation. The XNOR gate is its complement and outputs 1 when the inputs are equal. NAND and NOR are inverted AND and OR respectively.

Question 11Basics of Information Technology

In a spreadsheet, a formula in cell C1 is written as =A1+$B$1. When this formula is copied to cell C2, what will the formula become?

  1. =A1+$B$1
  2. =A2+$B$2
  3. =A1+$B$2
  4. =A2+$B$1 Correct answer.

Explanation

A relative reference such as A1 adjusts when the formula is copied down one row, becoming A2. The absolute reference $B$1 is locked with dollar signs and therefore stays unchanged. The result is =A2+$B$1.

Question 12Basics of Information Technology

Which of the following best describes the function of an interpreter?

  1. It translates and executes a source program line by line. Correct answer.
  2. It converts the entire source program into machine code before execution.
  3. It links object modules into a single executable file.
  4. It loads the operating system into memory during startup.

Explanation

An interpreter translates a high-level source program one statement at a time and executes it immediately, stopping at the first error it encounters. A compiler instead translates the whole program before execution.

Question 13Basics of Information Technology

Which of the following is a characteristic of a compiler rather than an interpreter?

  1. It executes the program immediately without producing a saved file.
  2. It reports errors one statement at a time during execution.
  3. It requires the source code every time the program is run.
  4. It produces an object code file that can be executed repeatedly. Correct answer.

Explanation

A compiler translates the complete source program once and produces an object code file, which can then be run many times without the source. An interpreter translates and runs statements one at a time and needs the source each time.

Question 14Basics of Information Technology

What is the primary purpose of an operating system?

  1. To design web pages and stylesheets
  2. To convert source code into machine language
  3. To create spreadsheets and presentations
  4. To manage hardware resources and provide services to application programs Correct answer.

Explanation

An operating system acts as an interface between the user and the hardware, managing memory, processors, files and devices while offering services to applications. Creating documents, designing web pages and translating code are tasks of other software.

Question 15Basics of Information Technology

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

  1. Windows 10
  2. Linux Correct answer.
  3. MS-DOS
  4. macOS

Explanation

Linux is distributed with source code that users may study, modify and redistribute, which makes it open source. MS-DOS, Windows 10 and macOS are proprietary products whose source code is not freely available.

Question 16Basics of Information Technology

A user wants to connect a computer to the internet over an ordinary telephone line. Which device is required to convert digital signals into analog form and back?

  1. Repeater
  2. Switch
  3. Modem Correct answer.
  4. Router

Explanation

A modem performs modulation and demodulation, converting digital computer signals to analog signals for transmission and back again at the receiver. A router forwards packets between networks but does not perform this conversion.

Question 17Basics of Information Technology

Which of the following is a valid IPv4 address?

  1. 192.168.1
  2. 192.168.300.5
  3. 256.100.10.1
  4. 192.168.1.25 Correct answer.

Explanation

An IPv4 address consists of four octets separated by dots, and each octet must lie between 0 and 255. Only 192.168.1.25 satisfies both conditions.

Question 18Basics of Information Technology

Which of the following file extensions indicates an image file?

  1. .png Correct answer.
  2. .docx
  3. .exe
  4. .mp3

Explanation

The .png extension denotes Portable Network Graphics, a common image format. The other extensions identify audio, word-processed documents and executable programs respectively.

Question 19Basics of Information Technology

A decimal number 45 is converted to binary. Which of the following is the correct result?

  1. 100101
  2. 101011
  3. 110101
  4. 101101 Correct answer.

Explanation

The place values of 45 are 32 + 8 + 4 + 1, which correspond to bits 1 0 1 1 0 1, giving 101101. Checking the sum 32 + 8 + 4 + 1 = 45 confirms the answer.

Question 20Basics of Information Technology

Which of the following is a function of the ALU in a CPU?

  1. Performing arithmetic and logical operations Correct answer.
  2. Fetching instructions from main memory
  3. Storing the program counter value
  4. Controlling the timing of the clock signal

Explanation

The Arithmetic Logic Unit carries out operations such as addition, subtraction and comparisons on data supplied to it. Fetching instructions, holding the program counter and generating timing signals are handled by the control unit and registers.

Question 21Basics of Information Technology

A company wants a network in which each computer can act as both a client and a server without a dedicated central server. Which network model is being described?

  1. Peer-to-peer network Correct answer.
  2. Star topology network
  3. Mainframe network
  4. Client-server network

Explanation

In a peer-to-peer network every node can share resources and request resources, so each computer can act as both client and server. A client-server model relies on a dedicated central server for services.

Question 22Basics of Information Technology

A spreadsheet contains the formula =IF(A1>50,"Pass","Fail"). If cell A1 contains the value 50, what will be displayed?

  1. 50
  2. TRUE
  3. Fail Correct answer.
  4. Pass

Explanation

The condition A1>50 is false when A1 equals 50, because the comparison is strictly greater than and does not include equality. The IF function therefore returns the second argument, which is the text Fail.

Question 23Basics of Information Technology

Which of the following statements about volatile and non-volatile memory is correct?

  1. RAM is volatile while ROM is non-volatile. Correct answer.
  2. RAM is non-volatile because it stores data permanently.
  3. ROM is volatile because it is read frequently.
  4. Both RAM and ROM lose their contents on power-off.

Explanation

RAM is volatile and loses its contents when power is removed, whereas ROM retains its contents permanently and is non-volatile. This distinction is why ROM is used for firmware such as the BIOS.

Question 24Basics of Information Technology

A programmer writes a program in a high-level language. Which sequence correctly describes how it is executed by the computer?

  1. Source code, linker, compiler, object code, loader
  2. Object code, compiler, source code, linker, loader
  3. Source code, compiler, object code, linker, executable, loader Correct answer.
  4. Source code, loader, compiler, executable, linker

Explanation

The compiler first translates source code into object code, the linker combines object modules and libraries into an executable, and the loader then places it in memory for execution. This order reflects the standard build and run pipeline.

Question 25Introduction to Operating System

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 device driver
  4. The file system

Explanation

The scheduler is the part of the kernel that selects the next process from the ready queue and allocates CPU time to it. The file system manages stored data, device drivers translate OS requests to hardware, and the command interpreter reads user commands. Only the scheduler performs CPU allocation decisions.

Question 26Introduction to Operating System

In a multiprogramming operating system, what is the main purpose of keeping several programs in main memory at once?

  1. To guarantee that every program finishes in order
  2. To eliminate the need for secondary storage
  3. To reduce the total amount of RAM required
  4. To increase the effective utilization of the CPU Correct answer.

Explanation

Multiprogramming keeps multiple jobs in memory so that when one job waits for I/O, the CPU can switch to another ready job. This overlap raises CPU utilization and throughput. It actually needs more memory, not less, and does not remove secondary storage or guarantee ordered completion.

Question 27Introduction to Operating System

Which of the following is an example of a single-user operating system?

  1. MS-DOS Correct answer.
  2. Windows Server
  3. Linux
  4. UNIX

Explanation

MS-DOS was designed so that one user runs one program at a time on a personal computer, which is the classic single-user, single-tasking model. UNIX, Linux and Windows Server are multi-user systems that support concurrent users and processes.

Question 28Introduction to Operating System

A process moves from the running state because it issues a request to read data from a disk. To which state does it move?

  1. Terminated
  2. Waiting (blocked) Correct answer.
  3. Ready
  4. New

Explanation

When a running process requests I/O it cannot continue until the operation completes, so it moves to the waiting or blocked state. It becomes ready only after the I/O finishes, and it is terminated only when it exits. The new state applies before a process is admitted.

Question 29Introduction to Operating System

Which directory in a Linux file system traditionally holds the system configuration files?

  1. /home
  2. /var
  3. /etc Correct answer.
  4. /bin

Explanation

Configuration files for the system and installed services are conventionally stored under /etc. Executable binaries live in /bin, user home directories under /home, and variable data such as logs under /var.

Question 30Introduction to Operating System

What does the kernel of an operating system primarily do?

  1. It manages hardware resources and provides core services to programs Correct answer.
  2. It stores user documents permanently on the disk
  3. It provides the graphical desktop and icons for the user
  4. It compiles source code into executable programs

Explanation

The kernel is the core of the operating system that runs in privileged mode and manages memory, processes, devices and system calls. The desktop is a user interface layer above the kernel, permanent storage is handled by the file system on hardware, and compilation is done by a compiler.

Question 31Introduction to Operating System

A system uses round-robin scheduling with a time quantum of 4 ms. Four processes P1, P2, P3 and P4 arrive at time 0 with burst times 8, 4, 9 and 5 ms respectively. What is the completion time of P3?

  1. 21 ms Correct answer.
  2. 26 ms
  3. 23 ms
  4. 18 ms

Explanation

The execution order is P1(0-4), P2(4-8), P3(8-12), P4(12-16), then P1(16-20), P3(20-24), P4(24-25), P3(25-26). P3 runs for 4 ms, then 4 ms, then its last 1 ms, finishing at 26 ms. Careful tracking of each quantum is needed because P3 has the longest burst.

Question 32Introduction to Operating System

Which page replacement algorithm can suffer from Belady's anomaly, where adding more frames increases the number of page faults?

  1. FIFO Correct answer.
  2. LFU
  3. LRU
  4. Optimal

Explanation

Belady's anomaly is the counter-intuitive case in which increasing the number of frames raises page faults, and it is exhibited by the FIFO algorithm. LRU and Optimal are stack algorithms and never show this anomaly. LFU is not a classic stack algorithm but is not the textbook example of the anomaly.

Question 33Introduction to Operating System

In a system using the banker's algorithm, a state is called safe when:

  1. The total resources requested never exceed the total resources in the system
  2. No process is currently waiting for any resource
  3. Every process holds all the resources it declared in advance
  4. There exists at least one sequence in which every process can finish using the available and released resources Correct answer.

Explanation

A safe state means the system can order the processes so each obtains its remaining maximum need from currently available resources plus those released by earlier processes. Holding all declared resources describes over-allocation, not safety. Safety is about the existence of a completion sequence, not about the absence of waiting.

Question 34Introduction to Operating System

What is the main advantage of a microkernel architecture over a monolithic kernel?

  1. It allows the operating system to run without any device drivers
  2. Most services run in user space, so a failure in one service is less likely to crash the whole system Correct answer.
  3. It removes the need for inter-process communication
  4. It always executes system calls faster than a monolithic kernel

Explanation

In a microkernel only essential functions such as basic scheduling and IPC stay in kernel mode, while file systems and drivers run as user-space servers. This isolation improves reliability and fault containment. The extra message passing typically adds overhead, and drivers are still required.

Question 35Introduction to Operating System

Which of the following best describes the role of a device driver in an operating system?

  1. It allocates disk blocks to files
  2. It schedules processes on the CPU according to priority
  3. It authenticates users before login
  4. It converts generic OS requests into commands that a specific hardware device understands Correct answer.

Explanation

A device driver is hardware-specific software that translates standard operating system I/O requests into the command sequences a particular controller or device requires. Process scheduling, block allocation and authentication are handled by other kernel subsystems.

Question 36Introduction to Operating System

A process has an allocated page table and the CPU generates a logical address. What is the purpose of the translation lookaside buffer (TLB)?

  1. It stores the contents of recently accessed files
  2. It holds the program counter of the running process
  3. It records the scheduling priority of each process
  4. It caches recent logical-to-physical page mappings to speed up address translation Correct answer.

Explanation

The TLB is a small associative cache inside the memory management unit that stores recently used page table entries. A TLB hit avoids a memory access to the page table, reducing translation time. File caching, register values and priorities are handled by other mechanisms.

Question 37Introduction to Operating System

In UNIX, what does the fork() system call do?

  1. It terminates the calling process and returns its exit status
  2. It creates a new child process that is a copy of the calling process Correct answer.
  3. It replaces the calling process image with a new program
  4. It changes the priority of the calling process

Explanation

fork() duplicates the calling process, producing a child with its own process identifier that continues from the same point. Replacing the process image is done by exec(), and termination is done by exit(). Changing priority is a separate operation.

Question 38Introduction to Operating System

A file system uses indexed allocation. What is the principal benefit of this scheme compared with linked allocation?

  1. It supports efficient direct access to any block of the file Correct answer.
  2. It eliminates internal fragmentation of the disk
  3. It guarantees that files are stored in contiguous disk blocks
  4. It removes the need for any index block

Explanation

In indexed allocation an index block holds pointers to the file's data blocks, so the system can compute the location of any block directly. Linked allocation requires traversing the chain, which makes random access slow. Indexed allocation still uses an index block and does not make storage contiguous.

Question 39Introduction to Operating System

Which statement correctly distinguishes preemptive scheduling from non-preemptive scheduling?

  1. In non-preemptive scheduling context switching never occurs
  2. In non-preemptive scheduling the OS interrupts a process whenever its quantum expires
  3. In preemptive scheduling the OS can suspend a running process to give the CPU to another process Correct answer.
  4. In preemptive scheduling a process always runs until it terminates

Explanation

Preemption means the operating system may take the CPU away from a running process, for example when its time quantum expires or a higher-priority process arrives. Non-preemptive scheduling lets a process keep the CPU until it blocks or finishes. Context switches still occur in both models.

Question 40Introduction to Operating System

A system uses the optimal page replacement algorithm with three frames. The reference string is 7, 0, 1, 2, 0, 3, 0, 4. How many page faults occur?

  1. 8
  2. 5
  3. 7
  4. 6 Correct answer.

Explanation

Simulating with three frames: 7,0,1 cause three faults; 2 replaces 7 (fourth fault); 0 hits; 3 replaces 1 (fifth fault); 0 hits; 4 replaces 2 (sixth fault). The total is six page faults, obtained by always evicting the page used farthest in the future.

Question 41Introduction to Operating System

Consider three processes with burst times 10, 4 and 6 ms arriving at time 0 in that order. Using shortest-job-first scheduling, what is the average waiting time?

  1. 8.00 ms
  2. 5.33 ms
  3. 7.33 ms
  4. 6.67 ms Correct answer.

Explanation

SJF orders the jobs as 4, 6, 10. Waiting times are 0 for the 4 ms job, 4 for the 6 ms job, and 10 for the 10 ms job, giving a total of 14 ms over three processes, or about 6.67 ms. Arrival order is ignored because all arrive together.

Question 42Introduction to Operating System

A system has 3 processes and each needs a maximum of 2 units of a single resource type. What is the minimum number of resource units required so that deadlock can never occur?

  1. 5
  2. 3
  3. 6
  4. 4 Correct answer.

Explanation

For n processes each needing a maximum of m units of one resource, deadlock is impossible if the total units are at least n(m-1)+1. Here that is 3(2-1)+1 = 4 units. With only 3 units each process could hold one and wait forever.

Question 43Introduction to Operating System

A process generates the logical address 2500 in a system with page size 1024 bytes. What are the page number and offset?

  1. Page 2, offset 452 Correct answer.
  2. Page 3, offset 452
  3. Page 2, offset 500
  4. Page 1, offset 1476

Explanation

Dividing the logical address by the page size gives the page number: 2500 divided by 1024 is 2 with a remainder of 452. The quotient is the page number and the remainder is the offset within that page, so the answer is page 2, offset 452.

Question 44Introduction to Operating System

A system uses 32-bit logical addresses and a page size of 4 KB. How many entries can the page table contain, and why does a multi-level page table help?

  1. About one million entries; multi-level tables avoid keeping unused low-level tables in memory Correct answer.
  2. About sixty-four thousand entries; multi-level tables remove the need for a TLB
  3. About four thousand entries; multi-level tables increase the page size
  4. About two hundred fifty-six entries; multi-level tables eliminate internal fragmentation

Explanation

A 4 KB page means 12 offset bits, leaving 20 bits for the page number, so the table can hold 2^20 entries, about one million. A flat table of that size is usually mostly empty, so multi-level paging allocates lower-level tables only for the regions a process actually uses.

Question 45Impressive Web Designing (HTML and CSS)

In HTML5, which declaration is placed as the very first line of a document to tell the browser the page uses modern HTML standards?

  1. <html lang="en">
  2. <?xml version="1.0"?>
  3. <!DOCTYPE html> Correct answer.
  4. <meta charset="UTF-8">

Explanation

The HTML5 doctype is written as <!DOCTYPE html> and must appear before the root html element. It triggers standards mode in browsers. The xml declaration belongs to XHTML/XML documents, and the meta charset tag goes inside head.

Question 46Impressive Web Designing (HTML and CSS)

Which CSS selector has the highest specificity among the following?

  1. #header p Correct answer.
  2. p.intro
  3. p
  4. div p

Explanation

Specificity is compared as (inline, IDs, classes/attributes/pseudo-classes, elements/pseudo-elements). The selector #header p contains one ID, giving it the highest weight here. The class selector p.intro counts one class plus one element, while the remaining selectors use only elements.

Question 47Impressive Web Designing (HTML and CSS)

Which HTML element is the correct semantic container for the main navigation links of a site?

  1. <menu>
  2. <div class="nav">
  3. <nav> Correct answer.
  4. <section>

Explanation

The nav element is the semantic HTML5 element intended for blocks of major navigation links. Screen readers and search engines can recognise it directly. A div with a class carries no built-in meaning, and menu and section serve different purposes.

Question 48Impressive Web Designing (HTML and CSS)

A designer writes color: #ff0000; on a paragraph. What colour will the text appear?

  1. Pure blue
  2. White
  3. Pure green
  4. Pure red Correct answer.

Explanation

A six-digit hex colour is read as three pairs for red, green and blue. In #ff0000 the red pair is ff (maximum) while green and blue are 00, producing pure red.

Question 49Impressive Web Designing (HTML and CSS)

Which attribute of the <img> element provides alternative text that is read aloud by screen readers?

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

Explanation

The alt attribute supplies a textual alternative for an image and is announced by screen readers when the image cannot be perceived. The title attribute gives an advisory tooltip, not the primary alternative text. longdesc and caption are not standard image alternative-text attributes.

Question 50Impressive Web Designing (HTML and CSS)

Which CSS property creates space inside an element's border, between the border and its content?

  1. border-spacing
  2. outline-offset
  3. margin
  4. padding Correct answer.

Explanation

Padding is the inner space between the content box and the border of the same element. Margin creates space outside the border, pushing other elements away. border-spacing applies to table cells and outline-offset shifts an outline.