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Maharashtra HSC Computer Technology (Vocational) study materials
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Maharashtra HSC Computer Technology (Vocational) practice questions

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Question 1Computer Fundamentals and Hardware Organization

In the von Neumann architecture studied in the HSC Computer Technology syllabus, which unit is responsible for fetching instructions from main memory and decoding them before execution?

  1. The primary cache
  2. The control unit Correct answer.
  3. The memory management unit
  4. The arithmetic logic unit

Explanation

The control unit directs the operation of the processor: it fetches each instruction from main memory, decodes it, and issues the control signals that tell other units what to do. The ALU only performs arithmetic and logical operations on data supplied to it, so it does not decode instructions.

Question 2Computer Fundamentals and Hardware Organization

A student lists the decimal value 45 and wants its 8-bit binary equivalent for a digital-logic practical. Which representation is correct?

  1. 00101101 Correct answer.
  2. 00111101
  3. 00101100
  4. 01000101

Explanation

45 equals 32 + 8 + 4 + 1, so the bits for positions 5, 3, 2 and 0 are set, giving 00101101. Checking the place values 128, 64, 32, 16, 8, 4, 2, 1 confirms no other listed pattern sums to 45.

Question 3Computer Fundamentals and Hardware Organization

Which memory type is volatile and loses its stored contents when the computer is switched off?

  1. SRAM used as cache Correct answer.
  2. ROM holding the BIOS
  3. A magnetic hard disk
  4. Flash memory in a pen drive

Explanation

Volatility means the stored data disappears when power is removed. SRAM, like the DRAM used for main memory, needs continuous power to hold its state, so it is volatile. ROM, flash and magnetic disks all retain data without power.

Question 4Computer Fundamentals and Hardware Organization

Which statement correctly describes the difference between a compiler and an interpreter in the context of system software?

  1. A compiler is required for all programs, while an interpreter works only with machine code.
  2. A compiler runs the source program directly, while an interpreter produces an object file.
  3. A compiler translates the whole program before execution, while an interpreter translates and runs it line by line. Correct answer.
  4. A compiler converts machine code to source code, while an interpreter converts source code to machine code.

Explanation

A compiler processes the entire source program in one pass and generates an object or executable file before the program runs. An interpreter takes one statement at a time, translates it and immediately executes it, which is why interpreted programs need the interpreter present at run time.

Question 5Computer Fundamentals and Hardware Organization

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

  1. An operating system Correct answer.
  2. A web browser
  3. A spreadsheet program
  4. A photo editor

Explanation

System software manages hardware and provides a platform on which other programs run; the operating system is the primary example. Spreadsheets, photo editors and browsers are application software written to perform user tasks on top of the operating system.

Question 6Computer Fundamentals and Hardware Organization

A 4-bit register currently holds 1011. What is the result after performing a logical left shift by one bit, with the vacated rightmost bit filled with 0?

  1. 0110 Correct answer.
  2. 0101
  3. 1010
  4. 1101

Explanation

A logical left shift moves every bit one position towards the most significant end, drops the bit shifted out and inserts a 0 at the least significant position. Shifting 1011 left gives 0110, which equals the original value doubled modulo 16.

Question 7Computer Fundamentals and Hardware Organization

Which component supplies the timing signal that synchronises all operations inside a processor?

  1. The power supply unit
  2. The heat sink
  3. The bus controller
  4. The system clock Correct answer.

Explanation

The system clock generates a regular pulse, and each operation such as a fetch or an ALU step is scheduled against these clock cycles. Its frequency, measured in hertz, largely determines how fast the processor can complete instructions.

Question 8Computer Fundamentals and Hardware Organization

A computer has 16 address lines on its address bus. What is the maximum number of distinct memory locations it can address directly?

  1. 32768
  2. 131072
  3. 16384
  4. 65536 Correct answer.

Explanation

Each address line carries one bit, so n lines allow 2^n distinct addresses. With 16 lines the count is 2^16 = 65536 locations, which is 64 KB when each location holds one byte.

Question 9Computer Fundamentals and Hardware Organization

In the fetch-decode-execute cycle, what happens during the execute phase?

  1. The instruction is copied from memory into the instruction register.
  2. The opcode is split into fields to determine the operation.
  3. The program counter is incremented to point to the next instruction.
  4. The control unit issues signals so the required operation is carried out on the operands. Correct answer.

Explanation

Execution is the phase in which the decoded instruction is actually performed, for example an addition in the ALU or a data transfer to memory. Fetching into the instruction register and decoding the opcode are earlier phases, while incrementing the program counter is part of the fetch sequence.

Question 10Computer Fundamentals and Hardware Organization

Which statement best explains why cache memory improves system performance?

  1. It permanently replaces main memory for all running programs.
  2. It stores recently accessed data close to the CPU so that many requests avoid the slower main memory. Correct answer.
  3. It compresses data before writing it to the hard disk.
  4. It increases the clock frequency of the processor automatically.

Explanation

Cache is a small, fast memory placed between the CPU and main memory. Because programs tend to reuse the same data and instructions, serving those from cache reduces average access time and keeps the CPU from stalling.

Question 11Computer Fundamentals and Hardware Organization

Which of the following correctly pairs a storage device with its typical access method?

  1. Magnetic hard disk with direct (random) access Correct answer.
  2. Optical disc with sequential access only
  3. Magnetic tape with direct access
  4. Main memory with sequential access

Explanation

A hard disk has addressable tracks and sectors, so the head can move to any block directly, giving direct or random access. Magnetic tape, by contrast, is a classic sequential-access medium because data must be read in order.

Question 12Computer Fundamentals and Hardware Organization

The hexadecimal number 2F is to be converted to decimal for a memory-dump exercise. What is its decimal value?

  1. 45
  2. 63
  3. 31
  4. 47 Correct answer.

Explanation

In hexadecimal, 2F means 2 times 16 plus F, and F stands for 15. That gives 32 + 15 = 47, so the decimal equivalent is 47.

Question 13Computer Fundamentals and Hardware Organization

Which of the following best describes the function of the data bus in a computer system?

  1. It supplies the electrical power required by the processor.
  2. It carries the actual data and operands between the CPU, memory and I/O devices. Correct answer.
  3. It carries the address of the memory location to be accessed.
  4. It carries control signals such as read and write commands.

Explanation

A system bus usually has address, data and control lines. The data bus is bidirectional and transfers the contents being moved, whether an instruction, an operand or an I/O value, between the units.

Question 14Computer Fundamentals and Hardware Organization

What is the main advantage of a solid-state drive over a conventional magnetic hard disk?

  1. It stores data by magnetising spinning platters, which makes it cheaper per gigabyte.
  2. It can only be used as read-only storage for firmware.
  3. It has no moving parts, so it offers faster access and greater shock resistance. Correct answer.
  4. It requires no power at all to retain data after shutdown.

Explanation

An SSD uses flash memory cells with no rotating platters or moving heads, so seek delays are eliminated and the drive tolerates shocks better. This makes it faster for random access, though it is generally costlier per gigabyte than a hard disk.

Question 15Computer Fundamentals and Hardware Organization

A student wants to take a printout of a document. Which category of peripheral does the printer belong to?

  1. Output device Correct answer.
  2. Secondary storage device
  3. Processing unit
  4. Input device

Explanation

Peripherals that present processed results to the user, such as printers, monitors and speakers, are output devices. A printer receives data from the computer and produces a physical copy, so it does not supply input or store data for later use.

Question 16Computer Fundamentals and Hardware Organization

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

  1. XOR gate
  2. OR gate
  3. NAND gate
  4. AND gate Correct answer.

Explanation

The AND gate outputs 1 only for the input combination in which every input is 1; any single 0 forces the output to 0. The OR gate outputs 1 when at least one input is 1, so it does not match the description.

Question 17Computer Fundamentals and Hardware Organization

A technician observes that a computer's hard disk activity light stays on continuously and the system becomes very slow. Which explanation is most consistent with these symptoms?

  1. The keyboard buffer is overflowing with typed characters.
  2. The monitor refresh rate is set too low.
  3. The processor clock frequency has been permanently raised by the BIOS.
  4. The system is thrashing because main memory is insufficient and pages are being swapped constantly. Correct answer.

Explanation

When physical memory cannot hold the working set, the operating system keeps moving pages between RAM and disk, so the disk is busy almost continuously and throughput falls. This condition is called thrashing, and it explains both the constant disk light and the slowdown.

Question 18Computer Fundamentals and Hardware Organization

Which statement about the difference between primary and secondary memory is correct?

  1. Primary memory is non-volatile, while secondary memory is always volatile.
  2. Primary memory is directly accessed by the CPU, while secondary memory is accessed through I/O channels. Correct answer.
  3. Primary memory has larger capacity than secondary memory in a typical system.
  4. Secondary memory is directly wired to the ALU for immediate operand access.

Explanation

The CPU addresses main memory directly over the address and data buses, whereas secondary storage such as disks is reached through an I/O controller and is not addressable in the same way. Primary memory is usually volatile and smaller, while secondary memory is non-volatile and larger.

Question 19Computer Fundamentals and Hardware Organization

A file occupies 3 clusters on a disk, and each cluster is 4 KB. What is the allocated size of the file in kilobytes?

  1. 12 KB Correct answer.
  2. 16 KB
  3. 4 KB
  4. 7 KB

Explanation

Disk space is allocated in whole clusters, so the allocated size equals the number of clusters multiplied by the cluster size. Three clusters of 4 KB each therefore occupy 12 KB of disk space.

Question 20Computer Fundamentals and Hardware Organization

In a two's-complement 8-bit system, what is the decimal value of the bit pattern 11110110?

  1. -10 Correct answer.
  2. -11
  3. 246
  4. -9

Explanation

The leading bit is 1, so the value is negative. Inverting the bits gives 00001001 and adding 1 gives 00001010, which is 10, so the original pattern represents -10. Equivalently, 246 - 256 = -10.

Question 21Computer Fundamentals and Hardware Organization

A 32-bit address is used with a direct-mapped cache having 1024 cache lines, each holding one block, and each block is 16 bytes. How many bits of the address form the block offset?

  1. 16
  2. 4 Correct answer.
  3. 10
  4. 5

Explanation

The block offset selects a byte within a block, so its width is log2 of the block size. Since 16 equals 2^4, four bits are needed for the offset, while the line index would need ten bits for 1024 lines.

Question 22Computer Fundamentals and Hardware Organization

A processor pipeline has five stages and each stage takes one clock cycle. Under ideal conditions with no stalls, how many clock cycles are needed to complete four independent instructions?

  1. 20
  2. 9
  3. 8 Correct answer.
  4. 4

Explanation

In a filled pipeline the first instruction takes five cycles, and each subsequent instruction completes one cycle later. Four instructions therefore take 5 + 3 = 8 cycles, rather than 4 times 5 = 20.

Question 23Computer Fundamentals and Hardware Organization

A parity scheme appends a single even-parity bit to the 7-bit data 1011001. Which transmitted 8-bit word is correct, and what limitation does the scheme have?

  1. 11011001, and it can detect any single-bit error but cannot correct it Correct answer.
  2. 11011001, and it can detect and correct any two-bit error
  3. 01011001, and it can detect and correct any single-bit error
  4. 01011001, and it can detect any single-bit error but cannot correct it

Explanation

The data 1011001 contains four 1s, so an even-parity bit of 1 is appended to keep the total number of 1s even, giving 11011001. A single parity bit can reveal that an odd number of bits changed but cannot locate the error, so it detects without correcting.

Question 24Computer Fundamentals and Hardware Organization

A CPU has a 16-bit data bus and a 24-bit address bus, and each addressable unit is one byte. What is the maximum directly addressable memory, and how many bytes can be transferred in one bus cycle?

  1. 8 MB and 4 bytes per cycle
  2. 64 MB and 16 bytes per cycle
  3. 24 MB and 1 byte per cycle
  4. 16 MB and 2 bytes per cycle Correct answer.

Explanation

With 24 address lines the address space is 2^24 bytes, which is 16 MB. The data bus is 16 bits wide, that is 2 bytes, so up to 2 bytes move in a single bus cycle.

Question 25Operating Systems and File Management

In a typical hierarchical file system, which of the following is the topmost directory from which all other directories branch?

  1. The root directory Correct answer.
  2. The temporary directory
  3. The current working directory
  4. The home directory of the user

Explanation

A hierarchical file system is organised as an inverted tree, and the single directory at the top of that tree is the root directory. Every other directory and file is reachable from the root by a unique path. Working, home and temporary directories are ordinary directories located somewhere below the root.

Question 26Operating Systems and File Management

A file named report.txt is stored directly inside the directory /home/student/docs. Which of the following is its absolute path?

  1. /home/student/docs/report.txt Correct answer.
  2. docs/report.txt
  3. ../docs/report.txt
  4. report.txt

Explanation

An absolute path starts at the root directory and lists every directory level down to the file, beginning with the root separator. Only the form beginning with a slash and naming all parent directories satisfies this. The other forms are relative paths that depend on the current working directory.

Question 27Operating Systems and File Management

Which file attribute is maintained by the operating system mainly to control who may read, write or execute a particular file?

  1. The file type code
  2. The file size in bytes
  3. The permission bits Correct answer.
  4. The last modification timestamp

Explanation

Permission bits record the access rights granted to the owner, the group and other users, and the kernel checks them on every access attempt. Size, timestamps and type describe the file's content and metadata but do not by themselves restrict access.

Question 28Operating Systems and File Management

In the octal permission notation, a file mode of 640 grants which access?

  1. Full access to the owner, group and others
  2. Read and write to the owner, read to the group, nothing to others Correct answer.
  3. Read only to the owner, read and write to the group, read to others
  4. Read and write to the owner, write to the group, read to others

Explanation

Each octal digit encodes three bits in the order read, write, execute. The digit 6 is read plus write, 4 is read only, and 0 is no permission, applied in the order owner, group, others. Hence the owner may read and write, the group may read, and others have no access.

Question 29Operating Systems and File Management

Which of the following best describes the function of a file allocation table or index structure in a file system?

  1. It converts character data into binary form for storage
  2. It schedules processes competing for the processor
  3. It records which disk blocks belong to each file so that data can be located Correct answer.
  4. It stores the actual contents of every file in contiguous order

Explanation

Allocation structures such as a file allocation table, inode block map or extent list track the physical blocks assigned to each file. This mapping lets the operating system find and reassemble a file's data wherever it lies on the disk. The structures do not hold file contents themselves and have no role in process scheduling.

Question 30Operating Systems and File Management

A disk uses block allocation. A file of 5000 bytes is stored on a volume whose block size is 4096 bytes. How many blocks are allocated to the file?

  1. 5000
  2. 2 Correct answer.
  3. 1
  4. 4096

Explanation

Storage is granted in whole blocks, so the space needed is the file size rounded up to a multiple of the block size. One block holds only 4096 bytes, leaving 904 bytes that require a second block. The second block is partly wasted, which is called internal fragmentation.

Question 31Operating Systems and File Management

Which directory entry always refers to the directory itself and is therefore skipped when listing entries for display?

  1. The swap entry
  2. The lost-and-found entry
  3. The single-dot entry Correct answer.
  4. The double-dot entry

Explanation

On Unix-style file systems each directory contains a single-dot entry that points back to the directory itself. Listing tools hide it because it adds no information. The double-dot entry instead points to the parent directory and is a different entry.

Question 32Operating Systems and File Management

A user copies a file from one directory to another on the same disk. What happens to the original file?

  1. It remains in place because a copy creates a new independent file Correct answer.
  2. It is moved into the recycle bin automatically
  3. It becomes a hard link to the new file
  4. It is deleted once the copy completes

Explanation

A copy operation reads the source data and writes it into a new file, so two distinct files exist afterwards. The original is untouched, and later edits to one do not affect the other unless a shared link was deliberately created. Removing the source requires an explicit delete or a move operation.

Question 33Operating Systems and File Management

Which statement correctly distinguishes a hard link from a symbolic link?

  1. A hard link is deleted automatically when its target is renamed, while a symbolic link survives
  2. A hard link shares the same inode as the original file, while a symbolic link is a separate file containing a path Correct answer.
  3. A hard link stores a path to the target, while a symbolic link shares the target's inode
  4. A hard link can cross file system boundaries, while a symbolic link cannot

Explanation

A hard link is simply another directory entry pointing at the same inode, so both names refer to one file with a shared link count. A symbolic link is a distinct file whose content is the path of the target. Because of this difference, removing the original name does not destroy data reachable through a hard link.

Question 34Operating Systems and File Management

Which of the following is the primary purpose of a file system journal?

  1. To compress file contents and save disk space
  2. To cache recently read blocks in memory
  3. To record pending metadata changes so that a crash can be recovered consistently Correct answer.
  4. To encrypt files so that other users cannot read them

Explanation

A journal writes an intent record of metadata changes before applying them, so after a crash the system can replay or discard incomplete operations. This keeps the file system consistent without a full scan. Compression, encryption and caching are separate services that a file system may also provide.

Question 35Operating Systems and File Management

A process is running with its current working directory set to /var/log. It opens the file named app.log. Which file is actually accessed?

  1. /var/log/app.log Correct answer.
  2. /app.log
  3. /var/app.log
  4. /home/app.log

Explanation

A relative path is resolved against the current working directory of the process. Since the working directory is /var/log, the bare name app.log refers to that directory's entry. The path is not resolved against the root or any other directory.

Question 36Operating Systems and File Management

Which disk space management technique allows a file to grow without reserving a large contiguous region in advance?

  1. Defragmenting the disk after every write
  2. Dynamic block allocation using a free-space map Correct answer.
  3. Storing the file entirely in main memory
  4. Pre-allocation of the maximum possible file size

Explanation

With dynamic allocation the system grants blocks as the file grows, taking them from a free-space map or bitmap. This avoids reserving the maximum size up front and tolerates non-contiguous placement. Pre-allocation does the opposite, and the other options do not address growth of stored files.

Question 37Operating Systems and File Management

What does the file system do when a request to open a file specifies a path in which an intermediate directory lacks execute permission?

  1. It refuses the lookup because traversal through the directory is denied Correct answer.
  2. It copies the directory to a temporary location and retries
  3. It opens the file anyway because only the final file's permissions are checked
  4. It grants temporary execute permission to complete the lookup

Explanation

On Unix-style systems the execute bit on a directory means the right to traverse it and reach entries inside. If any intermediate directory denies traversal, the lookup fails even when the target file itself is readable. Permissions on the final file are checked only after the path has been resolved.

Question 38Operating Systems and File Management

Which command-line action permanently removes a file named notes.txt from the current directory on a Unix-style system?

  1. mv notes.txt archive/notes.txt
  2. cp notes.txt notes.bak
  3. rm notes.txt Correct answer.
  4. cat notes.txt

Explanation

The rm utility unlinks the named directory entry, which removes the file once no other links remain. It does not move the file to a wastebasket, so the removal is permanent unless a backup exists. The other commands read, copy or move the file without destroying it.

Question 39Operating Systems and File Management

Which of the following file name extensions conventionally indicates a compressed archive rather than a plain text document?

  1. .txt
  2. .csv
  3. .html
  4. .zip Correct answer.

Explanation

The .zip extension marks a container that holds one or more compressed files. The other extensions denote plain text, comma-separated values and hypertext markup, all of which are uncompressed content formats. The extension is a naming convention that helps users and tools choose the right handler.

Question 40Operating Systems and File Management

A student wants to list all entries, including hidden ones, in the current directory. Which option of the ls utility achieves this?

  1. -r
  2. -l
  3. -a Correct answer.
  4. -t

Explanation

Hidden entries on Unix-style systems are those whose names begin with a dot, and the -a option of ls includes them in the listing. The -l option selects a long format, -r reverses the sort order and -t sorts by modification time; none of these reveal hidden names by itself.

Question 41Operating Systems and File Management

Which of the following best explains why a file system maintains a separate free-space bitmap?

  1. It stores the names of all files currently open by processes
  2. It holds the contents of deleted files for later recovery
  3. It allows quick identification of unallocated blocks when a new block is needed Correct answer.
  4. It records the access rights of each user account

Explanation

A bitmap uses one bit per block to mark whether that block is free or in use, so the allocator can find a free block quickly. It is purely an allocation aid and does not hold names, permissions or deleted data. Keeping it separate from file metadata makes allocation decisions fast.

Question 42Operating Systems and File Management

A directory listing shows the entry -rw-r--r--. Which statement about this file is correct?

  1. The owner may modify it, while group members and others may only read it Correct answer.
  2. Only the owner may read it
  3. Every user may modify it
  4. It is a directory that anyone may enter

Explanation

The leading hyphen marks a regular file, and the nine permission characters split into owner, group and other triples. The owner has read and write, while group and other each have read only. No execute bits are set, and the object is not a directory.

Question 43Operating Systems and File Management

Which of the following is the main reason for keeping file attributes such as owner, size and timestamps in a separate inode rather than in the directory entry?

  1. Attributes then cannot be changed after the file is created
  2. The file contents are stored inside the inode instead of data blocks
  3. Permissions no longer need to be checked during access
  4. Directory entries stay small and fixed in size, so lookups remain fast Correct answer.

Explanation

Separating metadata into an inode lets each directory entry hold only a name and an inode number, keeping entries compact and quick to scan. The inode itself still records owner, size, timestamps and permissions, and these can be updated. File data continues to live in data blocks referenced by the inode.

Question 44Operating Systems and File Management

Which of the following operations on a file changes its last-access time but not its contents?

  1. Reading the file Correct answer.
  2. Appending a line to the file
  3. Renaming the file within the same directory
  4. Truncating the file to zero length

Explanation

Reading a file updates the access timestamp because the system records when the data was last retrieved. Appending and truncating both alter the contents and update the modification time as well. Renaming changes a directory entry and leaves the file's data and access time untouched.

Question 45Number Systems, Boolean Algebra and Digital Logic

In the binary number system, what is the place value (weight) of the digit in the fourth position counting from the right, starting at position 1?

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

Explanation

Binary is a base-2 positional system, so each position's weight is 2 raised to the power (position minus one). The fourth position from the right therefore has weight 2^3, which equals 8. Positions are counted from the right because the least significant bit sits at position 1.

Question 46Number Systems, Boolean Algebra and Digital Logic

What is the decimal equivalent of the binary number 10110?

  1. 20
  2. 26
  3. 22 Correct answer.
  4. 44

Explanation

Expand each set bit by its weight: 10110 = 1x16 + 0x8 + 1x4 + 1x2 + 0x1 = 16 + 4 + 2 = 22. The zero in the 8s position contributes nothing. Summing the remaining weights gives the decimal value 22.

Question 47Number Systems, Boolean Algebra and Digital Logic

Which decimal number is equal to the octal number 47?

  1. 47
  2. 55
  3. 39 Correct answer.
  4. 32

Explanation

Octal is base 8, so 47 means 4x8 + 7x1. That is 32 + 7 = 39 in decimal. The digit 7 is valid in octal because octal digits run from 0 to 7.

Question 48Number Systems, Boolean Algebra and Digital Logic

What is the hexadecimal representation of the decimal number 250?

  1. FA Correct answer.
  2. EA
  3. AF
  4. F5

Explanation

Divide 250 by 16: the quotient is 15 with remainder 10. The quotient 15 is hex F and the remainder 10 is hex A, so reading quotient then remainder gives FA. Checking: F x 16 + A = 240 + 10 = 250.

Question 49Number Systems, Boolean Algebra and Digital Logic

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

  1. NOR gate
  2. AND gate Correct answer.
  3. OR gate
  4. XOR gate

Explanation

The AND gate outputs 1 only for the single input combination 1,1; every other combination gives 0. The OR gate outputs 1 when at least one input is 1, and XOR outputs 1 only when the inputs differ. NOR is the inverse of OR, so it outputs 0 for 1,1.

Question 50Number Systems, Boolean Algebra and Digital Logic

What is the result of the Boolean expression A + A' (A OR NOT A)?

  1. A
  2. A'
  3. 1 Correct answer.
  4. 0

Explanation

This is the complement law: a variable ORed with its own complement always yields 1. If A is 0 then A' is 1, and if A is 1 then A' is 0, so one term is always true. The result is therefore the constant 1 regardless of A.