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GCE A/L General Information Technology study materials
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GCE A/L General Information Technology practice questions

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Question 1Information and Communication Technology Fundamentals

Which statement best describes the relationship between data and information in an information system?

  1. Data are raw unprocessed facts, while information is data that has been processed and given meaning. Correct answer.
  2. Information is the raw input collected by sensors, while data are the final reports produced.
  3. Data and information are identical terms that can always be used interchangeably.
  4. Data are meaningful conclusions, while information consists of unstructured symbols only.

Explanation

Data are raw, unorganised facts such as numbers or characters collected from a source. Information is produced when data are processed, organised and interpreted so they become meaningful to a user. This processing step is what distinguishes information from the original data.

Question 2Information and Communication Technology Fundamentals

A school computer laboratory wants to connect 20 workstations to a single switch so they can share files. Which type of network does this arrangement represent?

  1. A metropolitan area network covering a whole district
  2. A local area network confined to a small area Correct answer.
  3. A personal area network linking devices within a few metres
  4. A wide area network spanning multiple cities

Explanation

A local area network (LAN) connects devices within a limited geographic area such as a room, building or campus, and is typically owned and managed by one organisation. Twenty workstations on one switch in a laboratory fit this definition exactly. Larger geographic scopes define WANs and MANs.

Question 3Information and Communication Technology Fundamentals

In the OSI reference model, which layer is responsible for logical addressing and routing of packets between different networks?

  1. Physical layer
  2. Data link layer
  3. Network layer Correct answer.
  4. Transport layer

Explanation

The network layer handles logical addressing (such as IP addresses) and determines the route packets take between networks. Routing decisions and packet forwarding belong to this layer. The data link layer deals with physical addressing on a single link, and the transport layer handles end-to-end delivery.

Question 4Information and Communication Technology Fundamentals

A student needs to convert the decimal number 45 into binary. Which 8-bit binary value is correct?

  1. 00101101 Correct answer.
  2. 00111100
  3. 00101011
  4. 01000101

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. Checking by adding the set place values confirms the result is 45.

Question 5Information and Communication Technology Fundamentals

Which device operates at the network layer and forwards packets between separate networks based on their destination IP addresses?

  1. Bridge
  2. Hub
  3. Router Correct answer.
  4. Repeater

Explanation

A router works at the network layer and uses destination IP addresses to decide where to forward packets between different networks. Hubs and repeaters operate at the physical layer, while bridges work with MAC addresses at the data link layer.

Question 6Information and Communication Technology Fundamentals

A company stores customer records in a relational database. Which property of a primary key ensures that no two rows can have the same key value?

  1. Normalisation
  2. Atomicity
  3. Uniqueness Correct answer.
  4. Referential integrity

Explanation

The uniqueness constraint of a primary key guarantees that every row has a distinct key value, so records can be identified individually. Referential integrity concerns matching foreign keys to existing primary keys, and atomicity is a transaction property. Normalisation is a design process for reducing redundancy.

Question 7Information and Communication Technology Fundamentals

In a spreadsheet, the formula =B2*$C$1 is copied from cell D2 to cell D3. What formula appears in D3?

  1. =B2*$C$1
  2. =B3*$C$1 Correct answer.
  3. =B2*$C$2
  4. =B3*$C$2

Explanation

Relative references such as B2 adjust when a formula is copied, so moving down one row changes B2 to B3. The absolute reference $C$1 is locked with dollar signs and stays unchanged regardless of copying. Therefore D3 contains =B3*$C$1.

Question 8Information and Communication Technology Fundamentals

Which protocol is used to transfer web pages securely with encryption between a browser and a web server?

  1. HTTPS Correct answer.
  2. SMTP
  3. DHCP
  4. FTP

Explanation

HTTPS runs HTTP over TLS, encrypting traffic so that data exchanged between the browser and web server cannot be read by eavesdroppers. FTP transfers files without such web encryption, SMTP sends mail, and DHCP assigns network configuration.

Question 9Information and Communication Technology Fundamentals

A user types a domain name into a browser. Which system translates that domain name into an IP address?

  1. HTML
  2. URL
  3. HTTP
  4. DNS Correct answer.

Explanation

The Domain Name System (DNS) resolves human-readable domain names into numeric IP addresses that computers use to reach servers. It acts as a distributed directory of name-to-address mappings. HTML and HTTP deal with page content and transfer, not name resolution.

Question 10Information and Communication Technology Fundamentals

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

  1. A word processing package
  2. An operating system Correct answer.
  3. A photo editing program
  4. A web browser

Explanation

System software manages hardware and provides a platform on which other programs run; an operating system is the primary example. Word processors, browsers and photo editors are application software written to perform tasks for end users.

Question 11Information and Communication Technology Fundamentals

A program uses a loop to process each record in a file one at a time, performing the same operations on every record. Which control structure is primarily being used?

  1. Sequence
  2. Iteration Correct answer.
  3. Recursion
  4. Selection

Explanation

Iteration repeats a block of instructions, typically using a loop, until a condition is met or a set of items is exhausted. Processing every record in turn is a classic iterative pattern. Selection chooses between alternatives, and sequence simply runs statements in order once.

Question 12Information and Communication Technology Fundamentals

Which numbering system uses sixteen distinct symbols, including the digits 0 to 9 and the letters A to F?

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

Explanation

Hexadecimal is base 16 and uses the symbols 0-9 plus A-F to represent values ten to fifteen. It is widely used as a compact notation for binary values in computing. Binary is base 2, octal is base 8, and decimal is base 10.

Question 13Information and Communication Technology Fundamentals

A student wants to send an email message to a lecturer. Which protocol is responsible for sending the outgoing message from the client to the mail server?

  1. SNMP
  2. IMAP
  3. POP3
  4. SMTP Correct answer.

Explanation

SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) handles the sending and relaying of outgoing email between clients and servers. POP3 and IMAP are used to retrieve mail from a mailbox, while SNMP is for network management.

Question 14Information and Communication Technology Fundamentals

Which type of software licence typically allows a user to view and modify the source code and redistribute modified versions?

  1. Freeware licence
  2. Shareware licence
  3. Open-source licence Correct answer.
  4. Proprietary licence

Explanation

Open-source licences grant access to the source code and permit modification and redistribution, often under conditions stated in the licence. Proprietary software keeps source code closed, while shareware and freeware concern cost and trial use rather than source access.

Question 15Information and Communication Technology Fundamentals

A hospital wants to ensure that patient records remain available and unaltered during a power failure. Which pair of security goals is most directly being addressed?

  1. Authentication and authorisation
  2. Confidentiality and non-repudiation
  3. Availability and integrity Correct answer.
  4. Anonymity and encryption

Explanation

Availability ensures data and systems remain accessible when needed, such as during a power failure through backups and uninterruptible power supplies. Integrity ensures data are not altered improperly. Together they cover the scenario described.

Question 16Information and Communication Technology Fundamentals

A technician assigns the IPv4 address 192.168.10.25 with subnet mask 255.255.255.0 to a workstation. To which address range does this host belong?

  1. A multicast address group
  2. A loopback address range
  3. A private address block used within local networks Correct answer.
  4. A public address block routable on the internet

Explanation

Addresses beginning with 192.168 fall within the private range 192.168.0.0 to 192.168.255.255, reserved for internal networks and not routed on the public internet. The subnet mask 255.255.255.0 simply defines the local subnet size.

Question 17Information and Communication Technology Fundamentals

Which statement correctly distinguishes a compiler from an interpreter?

  1. A compiler and an interpreter both produce identical machine code files for every language.
  2. A compiler translates the whole program before execution, while an interpreter translates and executes line by line. Correct answer.
  3. A compiler executes source code directly, while an interpreter produces a permanent executable file.
  4. A compiler is used only for web pages, while an interpreter is used only for databases.

Explanation

A compiler translates the entire source program into machine code before it runs, producing an executable. An interpreter translates and executes statements one at a time, so errors may appear during execution rather than beforehand.

Question 18Information and Communication Technology Fundamentals

A company wants each employee to access only the files required for their job role. Which security principle does this implement?

  1. Principle of least privilege Correct answer.
  2. Data redundancy
  3. Packet filtering
  4. Load balancing

Explanation

The principle of least privilege grants users only the minimum access rights needed to perform their duties, reducing the risk of accidental or malicious damage. Restricting each employee to job-relevant files is a direct application of this principle.

Question 19Information and Communication Technology Fundamentals

Which unit is used to express the clock speed of a computer processor?

  1. Megapixels
  2. Milliampere-hours
  3. Gigahertz Correct answer.
  4. Gigabytes

Explanation

Processor clock speed is measured in hertz and its multiples, commonly gigahertz, indicating cycles per second. Gigabytes measure storage capacity, megapixels measure camera resolution, and milliampere-hours measure battery capacity.

Question 20Information and Communication Technology Fundamentals

A user reports that a web page loads slowly, and analysis shows the server is receiving more requests than it can handle at peak times. Which solution most directly addresses this problem?

  1. Adding load balancers to distribute requests across multiple servers Correct answer.
  2. Compressing the images on the user's local disk
  3. Changing the domain name of the website
  4. Increasing the monitor resolution

Explanation

When a single server cannot handle peak request volume, load balancers distribute incoming requests across several servers, improving response time and availability. This directly targets the bottleneck of excessive concurrent requests. The other options do not increase server capacity.

Question 21Information and Communication Technology Fundamentals

In a relational database, a foreign key in one table is used primarily to do which of the following?

  1. Create a link to the primary key of another table Correct answer.
  2. Automatically sort records in ascending order
  3. Encrypt sensitive values stored in the table
  4. Guarantee that every column contains a unique value

Explanation

A foreign key holds a value that references the primary key of another table, establishing a relationship between the two tables and enforcing referential integrity. It does not itself require uniqueness in every column, nor does it encrypt or sort data.

Question 22Information and Communication Technology Fundamentals

A student uses a search engine and receives thousands of results. Which technique narrows the results most effectively to pages containing an exact phrase?

  1. Adding a question mark at the end
  2. Removing all keywords from the query
  3. Typing the phrase in capital letters
  4. Typing the phrase in quotation marks Correct answer.

Explanation

Enclosing a phrase in quotation marks instructs most search engines to match that exact sequence of words, greatly reducing irrelevant results. Capitalisation and punctuation such as question marks generally do not restrict matching. Removing keywords would broaden rather than narrow the results.

Question 23Information and Communication Technology Fundamentals

Which statement about the difference between the internet and the World Wide Web is correct?

  1. The internet is the global network of interconnected networks, while the World Wide Web is one service that runs on it. Correct answer.
  2. The internet is a collection of web pages, while the World Wide Web is the hardware that connects them.
  3. The World Wide Web existed before the internet and does not depend on it.
  4. The internet and the World Wide Web are two names for exactly the same system.

Explanation

The internet is the underlying global infrastructure of interconnected networks using protocols such as IP and TCP. The World Wide Web is an application-layer service of linked documents accessed via HTTP that runs on top of this infrastructure. Other services such as email also use the internet.

Question 24Information and Communication Technology Fundamentals

A program contains the statement total = total + 5 inside a loop. Which programming concept does this statement illustrate?

  1. Definition of a function
  2. Creation of an array
  3. Accumulation using a variable Correct answer.
  4. Declaration of a constant

Explanation

The statement repeatedly adds 5 to the existing value of total, so total accumulates a running sum as the loop executes. This is a standard accumulation pattern using a variable. It does not declare a constant, define a function, or create an array.

Question 25Computer Systems and Hardware

In a computer system, which component is responsible for performing arithmetic operations and logical comparisons?

  1. The program counter
  2. The memory address register
  3. The Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU) Correct answer.
  4. The control unit

Explanation

The ALU is the part of the CPU that executes arithmetic such as addition and subtraction and logical operations such as AND, OR and comparison. The control unit directs and coordinates operations rather than computing values itself. Registers like the program counter and memory address register only hold addresses or state.

Question 26Computer Systems and Hardware

Which type of memory is volatile and loses its stored data when power is switched off?

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

Explanation

RAM is volatile semiconductor memory used for programs and data currently in use, and its contents are lost when power is removed. Flash memory, ROM and magnetic disks all retain data without power. Volatility is the key distinction between main memory and secondary or non-volatile storage.

Question 27Computer Systems and Hardware

A student needs to connect a printer to a laptop using a cable that carries digital video and data over a single compact connector. Which port is most suitable?

  1. VGA port
  2. USB Type-C port Correct answer.
  3. RJ-45 port
  4. PS/2 port

Explanation

USB Type-C is a compact reversible connector that carries data and can also carry video, so it can serve printers and displays. VGA carries only analogue video, PS/2 is for legacy keyboards and mice, and RJ-45 is for Ethernet networking. USB Type-C therefore matches the requirement for combined digital data and video.

Question 28Computer Systems and Hardware

Which statement correctly describes the function of cache memory in a computer system?

  1. It holds frequently used instructions and data close to the CPU to reduce access time Correct answer.
  2. It expands the capacity of the hard disk
  3. It permanently stores the operating system during booting
  4. It converts analogue signals into digital form

Explanation

Cache is small, fast memory placed between the CPU and main memory that keeps recently or frequently used instructions and data. This exploits locality of reference so the CPU waits less for slower RAM. It does not store the operating system permanently, expand disk capacity, or convert signals.

Question 29Computer Systems and Hardware

Which of the following is an example of system software?

  1. An operating system Correct answer.
  2. A web browser
  3. A photo editing package
  4. A spreadsheet application

Explanation

System software manages the hardware and provides a platform for applications; the operating system is the main example. Spreadsheets, browsers and photo editors are application software written to perform user tasks. The distinction is that system software controls the machine itself rather than serving a specific user job.

Question 30Computer Systems and Hardware

A computer has 4 GB of RAM installed. Which statement about this main memory is correct?

  1. It stores data permanently even when the computer is switched off
  2. It has a larger capacity than any hard disk
  3. It is used only for backing up files
  4. It is directly accessible by the CPU for currently running programs Correct answer.

Explanation

Main memory is the working store that the CPU reads and writes directly while programs run. RAM is volatile, so it does not retain data after power-off, and it is normally much smaller than secondary storage. Backup storage is a function of secondary media, not RAM.

Question 31Computer Systems and Hardware

Which unit is used to express the clock speed of a modern processor?

  1. Gigabyte (GB)
  2. Megapixel (MP)
  3. Gigahertz (GHz) Correct answer.
  4. Milliampere-hour (mAh)

Explanation

Clock speed is the number of cycles the processor completes per second and is measured in hertz, commonly gigahertz. Gigabyte measures storage capacity, megapixel measures image resolution, and milliampere-hour measures battery charge. Therefore gigahertz is the correct unit for clock frequency.

Question 32Computer Systems and Hardware

A school needs a storage device with no moving parts, low power consumption and high resistance to shock for use in student laptops. Which technology best meets these requirements?

  1. Solid state drive (SSD) Correct answer.
  2. Magnetic tape drive
  3. External hard disk with rotating platters
  4. Optical disc drive

Explanation

An SSD stores data in flash memory cells, so it has no moving parts, uses less power and tolerates shock better than mechanical drives. Optical and tape drives are slow for general use, and rotating-platter disks are sensitive to physical shock. An SSD therefore satisfies all the stated requirements.

Question 33Computer Systems and Hardware

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

  1. The control unit interprets the instruction and determines what actions are required Correct answer.
  2. The instruction is fetched from memory into the instruction register
  3. The result of the operation is written back to memory
  4. The program counter is incremented to point to the next instruction

Explanation

Decoding is the stage in which the control unit interprets the bit pattern of the instruction held in the instruction register and determines the operations and operands required. Fetching, incrementing the program counter and writing results belong to other stages. Decoding therefore translates the instruction into control signals.

Question 34Computer Systems and Hardware

Which of the following best explains why a CPU with a larger cache memory generally performs better than an otherwise identical CPU with a smaller cache?

  1. A larger cache reduces the number of accesses to slower main memory Correct answer.
  2. A larger cache increases the capacity of the hard disk
  3. A larger cache increases the clock speed of the processor
  4. A larger cache allows the processor to run without an operating system

Explanation

A larger cache can retain more instructions and data near the CPU, so more requests are satisfied without going to slower main memory. This raises the cache hit rate and reduces average memory access time. Cache size does not change clock speed, disk capacity or the need for an operating system.

Question 35Computer Systems and Hardware

A user reports that a desktop computer starts but shows no image on the monitor, and the monitor works when tested on another computer. Which component should be checked first?

  1. The keyboard layout setting
  2. The graphics adapter or its cable connection Correct answer.
  3. The optical drive
  4. The hard disk drive

Explanation

If the monitor is known to be working, the most likely cause of no display is the graphics adapter, its seating in its slot, or the video cable connecting it to the monitor. The hard disk and optical drive do not generate the display signal, and keyboard settings are irrelevant to a blank screen. Checking the graphics path first follows a logical fault-finding sequence.

Question 36Computer Systems and Hardware

Which statement correctly distinguishes between a compiler and an interpreter?

  1. A compiler executes source code directly, while an interpreter produces an executable file
  2. A compiler works only with assembly language, while an interpreter works only with machine code
  3. A compiler is hardware, while an interpreter is software
  4. A compiler translates the whole program into machine code before execution, while an interpreter translates and executes line by line Correct answer.

Explanation

A compiler translates the entire source program into object or machine code before the program runs, producing an executable. An interpreter translates and executes statements one at a time during execution. Both are software translators, and neither is restricted to assembly or machine code.

Question 37Computer Systems and Hardware

A computer's control bus, address bus and data bus together form the system bus. Which statement about the address bus is correct?

  1. It carries the actual data being transferred between components
  2. It carries signals that identify which memory location or device is being accessed Correct answer.
  3. It carries timing and control signals such as read and write
  4. It supplies electrical power to the processor

Explanation

The address bus is unidirectional and carries the address of the memory location or I/O device that the CPU wants to access. Data travels on the data bus, while control signals such as read and write travel on the control bus. Power distribution is a separate function.

Question 38Computer Systems and Hardware

A student wants to install a second monitor and needs a port that carries digital video with audio over a single cable. Which interface should be selected?

  1. RJ-11
  2. Serial port
  3. PS/2
  4. HDMI Correct answer.

Explanation

HDMI carries digital video and digital audio together over one cable, which suits connecting a monitor or television. RJ-11 is a telephone connector, serial ports are legacy data interfaces, and PS/2 connects keyboards and mice. HDMI is therefore the interface that meets both video and audio requirements.

Question 39Computer Systems and Hardware

Which of the following is the main purpose of a device driver?

  1. To translate user commands into high-level programming language
  2. To allow the operating system to communicate with a specific hardware device Correct answer.
  3. To increase the clock speed of the processor
  4. To protect the computer from electrical surges

Explanation

A device driver is software that provides the instructions the operating system needs to control a particular piece of hardware, translating generic requests into device-specific commands. It does not translate programming languages, raise clock speed, or provide electrical protection. Without a suitable driver, the hardware cannot be used properly.

Question 40Computer Systems and Hardware

A computer system uses a 32-bit address bus. What is the maximum number of distinct memory addresses it can directly reference?

  1. 2^32 Correct answer.
  2. 32 × 2
  3. 32^2
  4. 2 × 32

Explanation

Each bit of an address bus can take two values, so n address lines give 2^n distinct addresses. A 32-bit address bus therefore addresses 2^32 locations, which is about 4 GiB when each location holds one byte. Multiplying 32 by 2 or squaring 32 does not follow from the binary nature of addressing.

Question 41Computer Systems and Hardware

Which statement about Read Only Memory (ROM) in a computer system is correct?

  1. It is used as the main working memory for running applications
  2. It has a faster access time than cache memory
  3. Its contents are erased automatically when the computer is switched off
  4. It holds the firmware such as the bootstrap program needed to start the computer Correct answer.

Explanation

ROM is non-volatile memory that retains its contents without power and typically stores firmware such as the bootstrap loader and basic input/output routines used at start-up. It is not the working memory for applications, which is RAM, and it is slower than cache. Its contents are not erased at power-off.

Question 42Computer Systems and Hardware

A laptop battery is rated in milliampere-hours (mAh). What does this rating indicate?

  1. The maximum screen resolution the laptop can display
  2. The amount of electric charge the battery can deliver over time Correct answer.
  3. The clock speed of the laptop processor
  4. The capacity of the laptop's solid state drive

Explanation

Milliampere-hour is a unit of electric charge, so the rating shows how much charge the battery can supply, roughly current multiplied by time. It does not describe screen resolution, processor clock speed or storage capacity. A higher mAh rating generally means longer operation between charges.

Question 43Computer Systems and Hardware

Which of the following is an example of an input device that converts a physical document into a digital image?

  1. Scanner Correct answer.
  2. Laser printer
  3. Monitor
  4. Plotter

Explanation

A scanner is an input device that captures the image of a physical document and converts it into digital data that the computer can store or process. Plotters and laser printers are output devices that produce printed copies, and a monitor displays output. Only the scanner performs the required conversion into digital form.

Question 44Computer Systems and Hardware

A computer system is described as having a 2.4 GHz quad-core processor. Which interpretation is most accurate?

  1. It contains two processing units running at 4 GHz each
  2. It can execute 2.4 billion complete programs every second
  3. It has 2.4 GB of main memory divided among four cores
  4. It contains four processing units, each operating at a nominal clock of 2.4 billion cycles per second Correct answer.

Explanation

Quad-core means four independent processing cores, and 2.4 GHz means a nominal clock frequency of 2.4 billion cycles per second for each core. The figure does not mean two cores at 4 GHz, does not describe memory capacity, and does not mean whole programs per second. Clock frequency counts cycles, not completed applications.

Question 45Computer Systems and Hardware

A technician must choose between an SSD and an HDD for a server that stores large archives accessed infrequently. Which choice is most appropriate and why?

  1. SSD, because it has moving parts that speed up sequential access
  2. SSD, because it always has a lower cost per gigabyte for bulk storage
  3. HDD, because it is volatile and therefore faster for archives
  4. HDD, because it offers a lower cost per gigabyte for large-capacity archival storage Correct answer.

Explanation

For large, infrequently accessed archives, cost per gigabyte and capacity matter most, and hard disks currently provide cheaper bulk capacity than SSDs. SSDs are faster and more shock-resistant but cost more per gigabyte at high capacities. An HDD is also non-volatile, so the claim that it is volatile is false.

Question 46Computer Systems and Hardware

What is the effect of increasing the word size of a processor from 32 bits to 64 bits?

  1. The processor can handle larger data values and address more memory in a single operation Correct answer.
  2. The processor clock frequency automatically doubles
  3. The processor no longer requires cache memory
  4. The processor becomes non-volatile and retains data without power

Explanation

Word size is the number of bits the processor handles as a unit, so a 64-bit word allows larger integers and wider addresses, enabling access to far more memory than a 32-bit word. It does not automatically double clock frequency, remove the need for cache, or make the processor non-volatile. These are separate design characteristics.

Question 47Computer Systems and Hardware

A program spends most of its execution time repeatedly accessing the same small block of instructions inside a loop. Which memory principle best explains why cache memory improves performance in this case?

  1. Locality of reference, because recently used instructions are likely to be reused Correct answer.
  2. Virtual memory, because the loop is moved to the hard disk
  3. Direct memory access, because the loop bypasses the CPU
  4. Interrupt handling, because each loop iteration raises an interrupt

Explanation

Locality of reference describes the tendency of programs to reuse recently accessed instructions and data, which is exactly what a tight loop does. Keeping that block in cache means later iterations hit the cache instead of slower main memory. Virtual memory, interrupts and DMA do not explain this reuse pattern.

Question 48Computer Systems and Hardware

Which combination correctly pairs a storage medium with its typical access method?

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

Explanation

Magnetic tape is a sequential-access medium because data must be read in order along the tape, which suits backup. Hard disks and optical discs support direct or random access because the read head or laser can move to a required location. Pairing tape with sequential access and hard disk with direct access is therefore correct.

Question 49Software and Operating Systems

In a multitasking operating system, which component is responsible for deciding which ready process is allocated the CPU next?

  1. The device driver
  2. The linker
  3. The interpreter
  4. The scheduler Correct answer.

Explanation

The scheduler is the part of the kernel that selects a process from the ready queue and assigns it to the CPU, implementing policies such as round robin or priority scheduling. Other components handle translation, hardware control, or execution of high-level code rather than CPU allocation decisions.

Question 50Software and Operating Systems

A student wants to run a program written for Windows on a Linux machine without rewriting its source code. Which type of software is designed for this purpose?

  1. An emulator or compatibility layer Correct answer.
  2. A spreadsheet application
  3. A text editor
  4. A disk defragmenter

Explanation

An emulator or compatibility layer recreates the environment a foreign program expects, translating system calls and sometimes machine instructions so the program can execute on a different platform. Utility and application programs like defragmenters or editors do not provide this translation function.