Evolution of Computer Architecture MCQs

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1. : What does the term “von Neumann architecture” refer to in computer science?
(A) A model of distributed computing
(B) A type of database architecture
(C) A computer architecture with a single memory for data and instructions
(D) A parallel processing architecture

2. : Which of the following was a major advancement in the first generation of computers?
(A) Integrated circuits
(B) Vacuum tubes
(C) Transistors
(D) Microprocessors

3. : What was the primary technology used in the second generation of computers?
(A) Vacuum tubes
(B) Transistors
(C) Integrated circuits
(D) Microprocessors

4. : Which generation of computers introduced the use of integrated circuits?
(A) First generation
(B) Second generation
(C) Third generation
(D) Fourth generation

5. : What is a key characteristic of the fourth generation of computers?
(A) Use of vacuum tubes
(B) Use of transistors
(C) Use of integrated circuits
(D) Use of microprocessors

6. : Which architecture was a significant development during the third generation of computers?
(A) von Neumann architecture
(B) Harvard architecture
(C) RISC architecture
(D) CISC architecture

7. : What was a major feature of the fifth generation of computers?
(A) Use of integrated circuits
(B) Use of vacuum tubes
(C) Use of artificial intelligence
(D) Use of punch cards

8. : What does the term “microprocessor” refer to?
(A) A type of memory unit
(B) A type of input device
(C) A single integrated circuit that contains the CPU
(D) A type of storage device

9. : Which generation of computers was characterized by the use of microprocessors?
(A) First generation
(B) Second generation
(C) Third generation
(D) Fourth generation

10. : What was one of the major contributions of the second generation of computers?
(A) Development of microprocessors
(B) Introduction of transistors
(C) Use of integrated circuits
(D) Introduction of personal computers

11. : Which technology advancement allowed computers to become smaller and more affordable in the fourth generation?
(A) Vacuum tubes
(B) Transistors
(C) Integrated circuits
(D) Microprocessors

12. : What was a significant feature of the third generation of computers?
(A) Use of punch cards
(B) Use of vacuum tubes
(C) Use of integrated circuits
(D) Use of microprocessors

13. : What is the primary difference between RISC and CISC architectures?
(A) RISC uses complex instructions, while CISC uses simpler instructions.
(B) RISC uses simpler instructions, while CISC uses more complex instructions.
(C) RISC is used in mainframes, while CISC is used in microcontrollers.
(D) RISC is used in personal computers, while CISC is used in servers.

14. : Which type of architecture uses a separate memory space for instructions and data?
(A) von Neumann architecture
(B) Harvard architecture
(C) RISC architecture
(D) CISC architecture

15. : Which computer generation introduced the concept of time-sharing?
(A) First generation
(B) Second generation
(C) Third generation
(D) Fourth generation

16. : In which generation were the first commercial microprocessors developed?
(A) First generation
(B) Second generation
(C) Third generation
(D) Fourth generation

17. : What was a notable feature of fifth-generation computers?
(A) Use of vacuum tubes
(B) Use of artificial intelligence and natural language processing
(C) Use of transistors
(D) Use of integrated circuits

18. : Which technology was a breakthrough in the fifth generation of computers?
(A) Microprocessors
(B) Transistors
(C) Artificial Intelligence
(D) Integrated Circuits

19. : What does the term “mainframe computer” refer to?
(A) Computers designed for personal use
(B) Large, powerful computers used for large-scale computations and processing
(C) Computers designed for mobile use
(D) Small, portable computers

20. : Which generation of computers is often associated with the development of personal computers?
(A) First generation
(B) Second generation
(C) Third generation
(D) Fourth generation

21. : What was the primary purpose of punch cards used in the first generation of computers?
(A) To store data
(B) To input programs and data
(C) To display output
(D) To manage power

22. : Which component is a characteristic feature of a computer in the fourth generation?
(A) Vacuum tubes
(B) Transistors
(C) Integrated circuits
(D) Microprocessors

23. : What innovation is attributed to the first generation of computers?
(A) Use of transistors
(B) Development of microprocessors
(C) Introduction of vacuum tubes
(D) Implementation of integrated circuits

24. : Which generation of computers made use of silicon chips?
(A) First generation
(B) Second generation
(C) Third generation
(D) Fourth generation

25. : What was a key characteristic of the second generation of computers compared to the first generation?
(A) Smaller size
(B) Use of vacuum tubes
(C) Higher power consumption
(D) Larger size

26. : What was the main purpose of the development of multiprocessors during the third generation of computers?
(A) To reduce the cost of computing
(B) To increase computing power and efficiency
(C) To improve data storage
(D) To enhance user interfaces

27. : Which of the following is not a feature of the fifth generation of computers?
(A) Use of artificial intelligence
(B) Use of microprocessors
(C) Development of advanced networking
(D) Introduction of integrated circuits

28. : Which type of computer architecture emphasizes the use of reduced instruction set computing?
(A) CISC
(B) RISC
(C) Harvard
(D) von Neumann

29. : What is the significance of the Intel 4004 microprocessor?
(A) It was the first microprocessor to use integrated circuits.
(B) It was the first commercial microprocessor.
(C) It was the first to use artificial intelligence.
(D) It was the first personal computer.

30. : Which computer generation is characterized by the development of the first graphical user interfaces (GUIs)?
(A) First generation
(B) Second generation
(C) Third generation
(D) Fourth generation

31. : What does the term “supercomputer” refer to?
(A) High-performance computers used for complex simulations and calculations
(B) Computers designed for basic tasks and personal use
(C) Computers used in embedded systems
(D) Portable computing devices

32. : Which generation of computers marked the beginning of the personal computer era?
(A) First generation
(B) Second generation
(C) Third generation
(D) Fourth generation

33. : Which of the following is a primary characteristic of the first generation of computers?
(A) Use of transistors
(B) Use of vacuum tubes
(C) Use of integrated circuits
(D) Use of microprocessors

34. : What type of computer architecture was prevalent in the fourth generation of computers?
(A) von Neumann architecture
(B) Harvard architecture
(C) RISC architecture
(D) CISC architecture

35. : What was one of the major contributions of the third generation of computers to programming?
(A) Development of high-level programming languages
(B) Introduction of artificial intelligence
(C) Use of vacuum tubes
(D) Development of machine code

36. : Which of the following innovations is associated with the fourth generation of computers?
(A) Development of transistors
(B) Introduction of integrated circuits
(C) Use of silicon chips
(D) Introduction of microprocessors

37. : What does the term “embedded system” refer to?
(A) A computer system integrated into another device for a specific function
(B) A system used for large-scale computations
(C) A system designed for personal use
(D) A system used for network management

38. : Which generation of computers was characterized by the use of punch cards and paper tape?
(A) First generation
(B) Second generation
(C) Third generation
(D) Fourth generation

39. : Which technology allowed the development of smaller and more efficient computers in the third generation?
(A) Microprocessors
(B) Integrated circuits
(C) Transistors
(D) Vacuum tubes

40. : Which generation of computers was marked by the development of the first microcomputers?
(A) First generation
(B) Second generation
(C) Third generation
(D) Fourth generation

41. : What advancement did the fifth generation of computers focus on?
(A) Reducing physical size
(B) Increasing data processing speed
(C) Enhancing artificial intelligence capabilities
(D) Improving input/output devices

42. : Which type of computing was introduced with the development of the first microprocessors?
(A) Cloud computing
(B) Personal computing
(C) Supercomputing
(D) Distributed computing

43. : What major shift occurred in computing with the advent of the fourth generation?
(A) The transition from vacuum tubes to transistors
(B) The transition from transistors to integrated circuits
(C) The transition from integrated circuits to microprocessors
(D) The transition from punch cards to magnetic tapes

44. : Which of the following is true about the second generation of computers?
(A) They used vacuum tubes as primary components.
(B) They introduced the use of transistors.
(C) They used integrated circuits.
(D) They were the first to use microprocessors.

45. : Which architecture is associated with the use of complex instruction sets?
(A) RISC
(B) CISC
(C) Harvard
(D) von Neumann

46. : What was a significant advancement of the fourth generation computers in terms of user interfaces?
(A) Introduction of command-line interfaces
(B) Development of graphical user interfaces (GUIs)
(C) Use of text-based interfaces
(D) Introduction of early computer games

47. : What does the term “parallel processing” refer to in computer architecture?
(A) Using multiple CPUs to perform different tasks simultaneously
(B) Using a single CPU to handle multiple tasks sequentially
(C) Using a single processor to handle multiple operations
(D) Using multiple GPUs to enhance graphics

48. : Which generation of computers is characterized by the development of sophisticated networking technologies?
(A) First generation
(B) Second generation
(C) Third generation
(D) Fourth generation

49. : Which component was a major feature of the first generation of computers?
(A) Integrated circuits
(B) Microprocessors
(C) Vacuum tubes
(D) Transistors

50. : What is one of the defining features of the fifth generation of computers?
(A) Use of vacuum tubes
(B) Use of transistors
(C) Development of high-speed microprocessors
(D) Emphasis on artificial intelligence and advanced algorithms

Evolution of Computer Architecture MCQs
By: Prof. Dr. Fazal Rehman | Last updated: June 19, 2025

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