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Tamil Nadu HSE Second Year Computer Applications study materials
Tamil Nadu HSE Second Year Computer Applications study resources

Tamil Nadu HSE Second Year Computer Applications practice questions

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Question 1Fundamentals of Computers and Data Representation

In the standard von Neumann architecture studied in Computer Applications, which unit is responsible for fetching, decoding and coordinating the execution of instructions?

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

Explanation

The Control Unit directs the operation of the whole computer by fetching instructions from memory, decoding them and issuing control signals to the other units. The ALU only performs arithmetic and logical operations on data, and memory merely stores programs and data.

Question 2Fundamentals of Computers and Data Representation

A computer's memory is described as volatile. Which statement correctly describes the practical consequence of this property?

  1. Stored contents can be erased only by ultraviolet light.
  2. Stored contents are retained permanently and can only be read.
  3. Stored contents can be written once and never changed again.
  4. Stored contents are lost when the power supply is switched off. Correct answer.

Explanation

Volatile memory such as RAM requires a continuous power supply to hold its contents, so switching off the computer clears them. This is why work must be saved to secondary storage before shutting down.

Question 3Fundamentals of Computers and Data Representation

Which of the following is an example of secondary storage in a modern computer system?

  1. Random Access Memory
  2. Cache memory
  3. Solid State Drive Correct answer.
  4. Register

Explanation

Secondary storage holds data permanently and is not directly accessed by the CPU for processing. A Solid State Drive retains data without power, whereas cache, registers and RAM are primary memory that the processor uses during execution.

Question 4Fundamentals of Computers and Data Representation

The decimal number 45 is converted to binary. Which 8-bit representation is correct?

  1. 00101011
  2. 00110101
  3. 01001011
  4. 00101101 Correct answer.

Explanation

Using place values 128, 64, 32, 16, 8, 4, 2, 1, the number 45 equals 32 + 8 + 4 + 1. Setting those bit positions gives 00101101, which is the correct 8-bit binary form.

Question 5Fundamentals of Computers and Data Representation

What is the hexadecimal equivalent of the binary number 11011010?

  1. DA Correct answer.
  2. D9
  3. BA
  4. AD

Explanation

Group the bits in fours from the right: 1101 and 1010. The group 1101 equals 13, written D, and 1010 equals 10, written A, so the hexadecimal value is DA.

Question 6Fundamentals of Computers and Data Representation

The octal number 347 is converted to decimal. What is the result?

  1. 247
  2. 199
  3. 183
  4. 231 Correct answer.

Explanation

Expand each digit with powers of 8: 3×64 + 4×8 + 7×1 = 192 + 32 + 7 = 231. The base of the positional system must be 8, not 10.

Question 7Fundamentals of Computers and Data Representation

In the 1's complement representation of negative numbers, how is the negative of a binary value formed?

  1. Every bit is inverted, so 0 becomes 1 and 1 becomes 0. Correct answer.
  2. A single 1 is added to the least significant bit of the value.
  3. The bits are shifted one position to the left and a 0 is inserted.
  4. The most significant bit alone is changed to 1 and all others kept.

Explanation

The 1's complement of a binary number is obtained by complementing each bit individually. Adding one to that result produces the 2's complement, which is a different representation.

Question 8Fundamentals of Computers and Data Representation

The 8-bit 2's complement representation of the decimal value −5 is required. Which bit pattern is correct?

  1. 10000101
  2. 11111011 Correct answer.
  3. 00000101
  4. 11111010

Explanation

Write +5 as 00000101, invert the bits to get 11111010, then add 1 to obtain 11111011. This is the standard procedure for forming the 2's complement of a negative value.

Question 9Fundamentals of Computers and Data Representation

Which binary operation is performed by the XOR gate?

  1. The output is 1 only when both inputs are 1.
  2. The output is 1 when at least one input is 1.
  3. The output is 1 only when the inputs differ. Correct answer.
  4. The output is 1 only when both inputs are 0.

Explanation

The Exclusive-OR gate produces a high output when exactly one input is high, that is, when the two inputs are different. If both inputs are equal, whether 0 and 0 or 1 and 1, the output is 0.

Question 10Fundamentals of Computers and Data Representation

A NAND gate has two inputs A and B. For the input combination A = 1 and B = 1, what is the output?

  1. 0 Correct answer.
  2. Undefined
  3. Equal to A
  4. 1

Explanation

A NAND gate is an AND gate followed by a NOT gate. Since 1 AND 1 gives 1, the inverted output is 0, which is the defining behaviour of NAND for identical high inputs.

Question 11Fundamentals of Computers and Data Representation

The Boolean expression Y = A·B + A·B̄ is simplified. Which simplified form is correct?

  1. Y = A Correct answer.
  2. Y = A + B
  3. Y = A·B
  4. Y = B

Explanation

Factor out A to get A(B + B̄). Since B + B̄ = 1 by the complement law, the expression reduces to A·1, which equals A. This is a direct application of Boolean algebra rules.

Question 12Fundamentals of Computers and Data Representation

In a positional number system, what does the base or radix of the system indicate?

  1. The number of distinct digit symbols used in the system Correct answer.
  2. The speed at which arithmetic operations are performed
  3. The number of bits required for one character code
  4. The maximum value a single register can store

Explanation

The radix specifies how many different digit symbols exist, from 0 up to one less than the base. For example, base 2 uses the digits 0 and 1, and base 10 uses the digits 0 to 9.

Question 13Fundamentals of Computers and Data Representation

Which statement about the ASCII character coding scheme is correct?

  1. It is a 32-bit code used only for Tamil characters.
  2. It uses 16 bits and covers all scripts of the world.
  3. It stores characters as graphical images rather than codes.
  4. It uses 7 bits to represent 128 characters including control codes. Correct answer.

Explanation

Standard ASCII is a 7-bit code that defines 128 code values, covering English letters, digits, punctuation and control characters. Extended versions use 8 bits to add further symbols.

Question 14Fundamentals of Computers and Data Representation

The Unicode standard was developed mainly to overcome which limitation of earlier character codes?

  1. The limited storage capacity of hard disks
  2. The inability to represent the scripts of many languages in one coding scheme Correct answer.
  3. The inability of compilers to detect syntax errors
  4. The slow speed of arithmetic operations in the processor

Explanation

Unicode provides a single universal character set that can encode characters from many writing systems, including Tamil, simultaneously. Earlier codes such as ASCII were limited to a small set of characters, mostly Latin.

Question 15Fundamentals of Computers and Data Representation

Which of the following correctly describes the role of an interpreter compared with a compiler?

  1. It translates and executes a program line by line without producing a separate object file. Correct answer.
  2. It links library routines to an object program after compilation.
  3. It stores the source program permanently in read-only memory.
  4. It converts the whole source program into machine code before execution begins.

Explanation

An interpreter reads a source statement, translates it and executes it immediately, repeating this for each line, so no separate object file is created. A compiler, by contrast, translates the entire program before any execution.

Question 16Fundamentals of Computers and Data Representation

A school installs an operating system, a word processor and a payroll package. Which of these is classified as system software?

  1. The word processor
  2. The payroll package
  3. The operating system Correct answer.
  4. None of these

Explanation

System software manages hardware and provides a platform for running applications; the operating system belongs to this category. Word processors and payroll packages are application software written to perform specific user tasks.

Question 17Fundamentals of Computers and Data Representation

Which of the following is an example of system software that translates a high-level language program into machine language as a whole before execution?

  1. Compiler Correct answer.
  2. Device driver
  3. Spreadsheet
  4. Web browser

Explanation

A compiler is a language translator that converts an entire high-level source program into machine code and reports errors at the end. Spreadsheets and browsers are application software, and a device driver controls a peripheral.

Question 18Fundamentals of Computers and Data Representation

A program written in assembly language needs translation before the processor can execute it. Which tool performs this task?

  1. Interpreter
  2. Compiler
  3. Linker
  4. Assembler Correct answer.

Explanation

Assembly language uses mnemonics that correspond closely to machine instructions, and an assembler translates these mnemonics into machine code. Compilers and interpreters translate high-level languages, while a linker joins object modules.

Question 19Fundamentals of Computers and Data Representation

Which generation of programming languages is characterised by the use of mnemonics such as ADD and MOV instead of binary opcodes?

  1. Third generation
  2. First generation
  3. Fourth generation
  4. Second generation Correct answer.

Explanation

Second-generation languages are assembly languages, which replace binary operation codes with symbolic mnemonics for readability. First-generation languages are pure machine code, while third and fourth generations are high-level and very high-level respectively.

Question 20Fundamentals of Computers and Data Representation

The decimal fraction 0.625 is converted to binary. Which representation is correct?

  1. 0.100
  2. 0.011
  3. 0.101 Correct answer.
  4. 0.110

Explanation

Multiply the fraction repeatedly by 2 and record the integer parts: 0.625×2 = 1.25 (1), 0.25×2 = 0.5 (0), 0.5×2 = 1.0 (1). Reading the recorded digits gives 0.101.

Question 21Fundamentals of Computers and Data Representation

What is the decimal value of the hexadecimal number 2F?

  1. 215
  2. 45
  3. 31
  4. 47 Correct answer.

Explanation

In hexadecimal, F stands for 15, so 2F equals 2×16 + 15×1 = 32 + 15 = 47. Each place value increases by a factor of 16.

Question 22Fundamentals of Computers and Data Representation

In a computer, which unit performs comparison operations such as deciding whether one value is greater than another?

  1. Control Unit
  2. Output Unit
  3. Arithmetic Logic Unit Correct answer.
  4. Memory Unit

Explanation

The Arithmetic Logic Unit handles both arithmetic operations and logical comparisons, including equality and magnitude tests. The control unit sequences operations but does not itself compare data values.

Question 23Fundamentals of Computers and Data Representation

A 4-input AND gate is required to produce a high output. Which condition must be satisfied?

  1. At least one input must be 1.
  2. All four inputs must be 1. Correct answer.
  3. Exactly two inputs must be 1.
  4. All four inputs must be 0.

Explanation

An AND gate outputs 1 only when every one of its inputs is 1, and this rule extends to any number of inputs. If even a single input is 0, the output becomes 0.

Question 24Fundamentals of Computers and Data Representation

A truth table for a two-input gate shows output 1 for the input pairs (0,0) and (1,1), and output 0 for (0,1) and (1,0). Which gate is described?

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

Explanation

The XNOR gate is the complement of XOR and gives a high output when the two inputs are equal. Since (0,0) and (1,1) both produce 1 here, the gate is XNOR.

Question 25Computer Organization and Operating Systems

In a computer system, which unit is responsible for carrying out arithmetic operations such as addition and subtraction?

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

Explanation

The Arithmetic Logic Unit, or ALU, is the part of the CPU that performs arithmetic operations like addition and subtraction and logical operations like comparison. The control unit only directs and coordinates the flow of data and instructions.

Question 26Computer Organization and Operating Systems

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

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

Explanation

RAM is volatile memory because it holds data only while power is supplied, and its contents are lost when the computer is switched off. ROM, hard disks and flash memory are non-volatile and retain data without power.

Question 27Computer Organization and Operating Systems

Which of the following is an example of system software?

  1. Photo editor
  2. Web browser
  3. Spreadsheet package
  4. Operating system Correct answer.

Explanation

System software manages hardware and provides a platform for application programs; the operating system is the main example. Spreadsheets, browsers and photo editors are application software meant for specific user tasks.

Question 28Computer Organization and Operating Systems

Which scheduling policy allows a process to run only for a fixed time slice before it is moved back to the ready queue?

  1. First Fit
  2. Shortest Job First
  3. Round Robin Correct answer.
  4. First Come First Served

Explanation

Round Robin scheduling gives each process a fixed time quantum; when the quantum expires the process is preempted and placed at the end of the ready queue. This gives fair CPU sharing among processes.

Question 29Computer Organization and Operating Systems

In a computer, which type of software is the operating system classified as?

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

Explanation

An operating system is system software because it controls hardware, manages resources and provides services to application programs. It is not written for a single end-user task like a word processor.

Question 30Computer Organization and Operating Systems

Which number system uses only the digits 0 and 1 and forms the internal representation of data in a digital computer?

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

Explanation

Digital circuits have two stable states, on and off, which are represented by the binary digits 1 and 0. Hence binary is the natural internal representation of data in a computer.

Question 31Computer Organization and Operating Systems

A process in a system is best described as which of the following?

  1. A program in execution together with its current state Correct answer.
  2. A device driver loaded at boot time
  3. A file opened by the user for editing
  4. A program stored on disk that is not running

Explanation

A process is a program in execution; it includes the program code, current values of registers, program counter and allocated resources. A program on disk that is not running is passive code, not a process.

Question 32Computer Organization and Operating Systems

In a paging memory management scheme, the physical memory is divided into fixed-size units called what?

  1. Segments
  2. Pages
  3. Frames Correct answer.
  4. Blocks

Explanation

In paging, logical memory is divided into pages and physical memory is divided into frames of the same size. A page is mapped onto a frame using the page table.

Question 33Computer Organization and Operating Systems

Which of the following is the correct function of the program counter in the CPU?

  1. It stores the base address of the stack segment.
  2. It stores the result of the last arithmetic operation.
  3. It holds the address of the next instruction to be executed. Correct answer.
  4. It decodes the operation code of the current instruction.

Explanation

The program counter holds the address of the next instruction; after fetching an instruction it is automatically incremented. This lets the CPU execute instructions in sequence.

Question 34Computer Organization and Operating Systems

Which operating system service converts a user's high-level request, such as reading a file, into a controlled call into the kernel?

  1. System call Correct answer.
  2. Shell script
  3. Interrupt vector
  4. Device driver

Explanation

A system call is the interface through which a user program requests a protected kernel service such as file or device access. It switches execution from user mode to kernel mode so the request is handled safely.

Question 35Computer Organization and Operating Systems

Which of the following is a characteristic of the First Come First Served scheduling algorithm?

  1. It divides CPU time equally among all processes.
  2. It gives the shortest job the highest priority.
  3. It is non-preemptive and processes jobs in arrival order. Correct answer.
  4. It guarantees the minimum average waiting time.

Explanation

FCFS is non-preemptive: once a process gets the CPU it runs to completion, and the queue order is the order of arrival. Its main drawback is the convoy effect, where short jobs wait behind a long one.

Question 36Computer Organization and Operating Systems

Which of the following is an example of a real-time operating system?

  1. Windows 10
  2. Ubuntu Desktop
  3. MS-DOS
  4. VxWorks Correct answer.

Explanation

VxWorks is a real-time operating system designed to respond to events within strict, predictable time limits. General-purpose systems such as MS-DOS, Windows 10 and Ubuntu Desktop do not give such timing guarantees.

Question 37Computer Organization and Operating Systems

Which type of software translates a high-level language program into machine code line by line and immediately executes each statement?

  1. Interpreter Correct answer.
  2. Linker
  3. Assembler
  4. Compiler

Explanation

An interpreter translates and executes a high-level source statement one at a time, so errors are reported as each line is reached. A compiler instead translates the whole program before execution.

Question 38Computer Organization and Operating Systems

A system has a page size of 1 KB. A logical address of 2050 bytes is to be mapped. Which page number and offset does the address refer to?

  1. Page 2, offset 2 Correct answer.
  2. Page 1, offset 1026
  3. Page 2, offset 1024
  4. Page 1, offset 1024

Explanation

With a page size of 1024 bytes, dividing 2050 by 1024 gives quotient 2 and remainder 2. The quotient is the page number and the remainder is the offset, so the address lies in page 2 at offset 2.

Question 39Computer Organization and Operating Systems

Which of the following best explains why a context switch adds overhead to the operating system?

  1. The operating system must flush the entire disk cache on every switch.
  2. The operating system must recompile the running program before switching.
  3. The operating system must save the state of the running process and restore the state of the next process. Correct answer.
  4. The operating system must allocate a new page table for the CPU on every switch.

Explanation

During a context switch the kernel saves the registers and program counter of the outgoing process in its process control block and loads the saved state of the incoming process. This bookkeeping takes CPU time that is not spent on useful user work.

Question 40Computer Organization and Operating Systems

Which statement about cache memory in the memory hierarchy is correct?

  1. It is slower than main memory but larger in capacity.
  2. It is faster than main memory and holds frequently used data. Correct answer.
  3. It replaces the need for main memory entirely.
  4. It is non-volatile and keeps data after shutdown.

Explanation

Cache memory is placed between the CPU and main memory; it is smaller but much faster than main memory and stores recently or frequently used data to reduce access time. It is volatile and supplements rather than replaces main memory.

Question 41Computer Organization and Operating Systems

Which of the following is a responsibility of the operating system's file management subsystem?

  1. Deciding which process gets the CPU next
  2. Allocating disk space and maintaining directories Correct answer.
  3. Performing integer multiplication in the ALU
  4. Translating source code into object code

Explanation

File management covers creating, deleting and organising files and directories, allocating disk space and tracking free space. CPU scheduling, language translation and arithmetic are handled by other subsystems or the hardware.

Question 42Computer Organization and Operating Systems

Three processes arrive at the same time with burst times of 6 ms, 2 ms and 4 ms. If Shortest Job First scheduling is used, what is the average waiting time?

  1. 3.33 ms
  2. 6.00 ms
  3. 2.67 ms Correct answer.
  4. 4.00 ms

Explanation

SJF runs them in order 2, 4 and 6 ms. Waiting times are 0 for the first, 2 for the second and 6 for the third, giving a total of 8 ms and an average of 8/3, which is about 2.67 ms.

Question 43Computer Organization and Operating Systems

A system uses demand paging. A page fault occurs when a process accesses a page that is not currently in main memory. Which action must the operating system take?

  1. Load the required page from secondary storage into a free frame and update the page table. Correct answer.
  2. Increase the size of the CPU cache to hold the missing page.
  3. Terminate the process immediately because the address is invalid.
  4. Copy the entire program from disk into main memory before continuing.

Explanation

On a page fault the operating system locates the missing page on secondary storage, brings it into a free frame in main memory and updates the page table before restarting the faulting instruction. The process is not terminated because the address is valid.

Question 44Computer Organization and Operating Systems

In Round Robin scheduling with a time quantum of 4 ms, a process has a total burst time of 10 ms. Assuming no other process and no overhead, how many time slices does the process receive before it finishes?

  1. Two slices
  2. Five slices
  3. Three slices Correct answer.
  4. Four slices

Explanation

The process first runs for 4 ms, is preempted, then runs another 4 ms, and finally runs the remaining 2 ms. That gives three time slices in total, with the last one shorter than the full quantum.

Question 45Word Processing, Spreadsheets and Presentation Software

In a word processor, which feature is used to keep a heading together with the first paragraph of the text that follows it, so they never get separated by a page break?

  1. Section break (continuous)
  2. Page break before
  3. Keep with next paragraph Correct answer.
  4. Widow/Orphan control

Explanation

Keep with next paragraph is a paragraph-level property that forces the selected paragraph to begin on the same page as the paragraph after it, which is exactly what headings need. Widow/orphan control only prevents single lines of a paragraph from being stranded across pages, and it does not link two different paragraphs together.

Question 46Word Processing, Spreadsheets and Presentation Software

A student types =SUM(A1:A5) in cell A6 of a spreadsheet where A1 to A5 contain 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50. What value appears in A6?

  1. 150 Correct answer.
  2. 15
  3. 300
  4. 50

Explanation

The SUM function adds every numeric entry in the range A1:A5, so 10+20+30+40+50 gives 150. The colon in A1:A5 means the whole rectangular range from the first cell to the last, not just the two end cells.

Question 47Word Processing, Spreadsheets and Presentation Software

Which file format should a student choose to save a presentation so that it opens with full animation and transition effects in any presentation program that supports the standard format?

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

Explanation

ODP (OpenDocument Presentation) is an editable presentation format that stores slides, transitions and animation settings. PDF preserves layout for viewing but flattens animations, while TXT and CSV hold only plain text or tabular data and cannot store slides at all.

Question 48Word Processing, Spreadsheets and Presentation Software

In a spreadsheet, the cell reference $B$4 is copied from cell D1 to cell E2. What does the reference become in the new location?

  1. $B$4 Correct answer.
  2. $C$4
  3. $B$5
  4. $C$5

Explanation

The dollar signs make both the column and the row absolute, so the reference is locked and does not shift when copied. Only relative parts of a reference adjust by the number of rows and columns moved.

Question 49Word Processing, Spreadsheets and Presentation Software

Which view in a word processor shows the document exactly as it will appear on the printed page, including margins and page boundaries?

  1. Print Layout view Correct answer.
  2. Outline view
  3. Web Layout view
  4. Draft view

Explanation

Print Layout view displays the page with its margins, headers, footers and page breaks so the screen matches the printed output. The other views optimise for on-screen reading, fast typing or document structure rather than print appearance.

Question 50Word Processing, Spreadsheets and Presentation Software

A teacher wants the same college logo to appear at the top of every slide in a presentation without adding it manually to each slide. Which approach is most appropriate?

  1. Add the logo as a slide transition effect
  2. Insert the logo on the first slide and copy it
  3. Type the college name in the footer text box
  4. Insert the logo once on the slide master Correct answer.

Explanation

The slide master controls the common layout and background elements shared by all slides based on it, so an object placed there appears on every slide automatically. Copying manually is error-prone and typing a name does not place a graphic.