Introduction to Computer Architecture MCQs

What does the term “computer architecture” refer to?
- A) The physical layout of a computer system
- B) The design and organization of computer systems
- C) The software used to control hardware
- D) The principles of network design
  Answer: B
Which component of a computer is responsible for executing instructions?
- A) Memory
- B) Input/Output Devices
- C) Central Processing Unit (CPU)
- D) Storage
  Answer: C
What does the acronym CPU stand for?
- A) Central Programming Unit
- B) Central Processing Unit
- C) Computer Processing Unit
- D) Central Peripheral Unit
  Answer: B
Which part of the CPU performs arithmetic and logical operations?
- A) Control Unit
- B) Register Unit
- C) Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU)
- D) Cache
  Answer: C
What is the primary purpose of the Control Unit (CU) in a CPU?
- A) To perform calculations
- B) To manage data storage
- C) To fetch and decode instructions
- D) To interface with peripheral devices
  Answer: C
What does RAM stand for?
- A) Read Access Memory
- B) Random Access Memory
- C) Readable Access Memory
- D) Rapid Access Memory
  Answer: B
What type of memory is volatile and loses its content when power is off?
- A) ROM
- B) Cache
- C) RAM
- D) Flash
  Answer: C
What is the purpose of cache memory in a computer system?
- A) To store long-term data
- B) To speed up access to frequently used data
- C) To manage input/output operations
- D) To increase the computer’s storage capacity
  Answer: B
What is the main function of the bus in computer architecture?
- A) To store data
- B) To perform calculations
- C) To transfer data between components
- D) To manage user inputs
  Answer: C
Which component is responsible for converting digital data into an analog signal?
- A) CPU
- B) DAC (Digital-to-Analog Converter)
- C) ADC (Analog-to-Digital Converter)
- D) Memory
  Answer: B
What does the term “instruction set” refer to in computer architecture?
- A) A collection of hardware components
- B) The set of basic commands a CPU can execute
- C) The storage capacity of the computer
- D) The operating system used by the computer
  Answer: B
What is an example of a high-level programming language?
- A) Assembly
- B) C++
- C) Machine Code
- D) Binary Code
  Answer: B
Which of the following is a type of permanent memory?
- A) RAM
- B) Cache
- C) ROM
- D) Register
  Answer: C
In which unit is the speed of a CPU typically measured?
- A) Gigabytes per second
- B) Hertz (Hz)
- C) Megabytes
- D) Bits per second
  Answer: B
What is the purpose of the fetch-decode-execute cycle?
- A) To manage input/output operations
- B) To perform arithmetic calculations
- C) To execute instructions in a CPU
- D) To store data in memory
  Answer: C
Which type of architecture uses multiple processors to perform tasks simultaneously?
- A) Single-core
- B) Multi-core
- C) Serial
- D) Peripheral
  Answer: B
What is the role of the system bus in a computer system?
- A) To connect external devices
- B) To transfer data between the CPU, memory, and peripherals
- C) To store system configurations
- D) To manage power supply
  Answer: B
Which component manages the data transfer between the CPU and RAM?
- A) Cache
- B) Bus
- C) Motherboard
- D) Power Supply
  Answer: B
What does the term “clock speed” refer to in a CPU?
- A) The number of cores in the CPU
- B) The rate at which the CPU executes instructions
- C) The amount of cache memory available
- D) The size of the CPU in gigabytes
  Answer: B
What type of memory is used to store the BIOS in a computer?
- A) RAM
- B) ROM
- C) Cache
- D) Flash
  Answer: B
What is the primary function of the Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU)?
- A) To control the CPU
- B) To manage data flow
- C) To perform arithmetic and logical operations
- D) To interface with external devices
  Answer: C
Which of the following is not a type of CPU register?
- A) Accumulator
- B) Program Counter
- C) Data Bus
- D) Stack Pointer
  Answer: C
What does a CPU’s instruction cycle involve?
- A) Fetching, decoding, and executing instructions
- B) Storing and retrieving data
- C) Managing power consumption
- D) Connecting to external devices
  Answer: A
What is the purpose of Virtual Memory in a computer system?
- A) To increase the amount of RAM available by using disk space
- B) To manage system peripherals
- C) To store long-term data
- D) To enhance graphics processing
  Answer: A
Which component provides temporary storage for instructions and data being used by the CPU?
- A) ROM
- B) Hard Drive
- C) Cache Memory
- D) Network Card
  Answer: C
Which term describes the process of improving the efficiency of data access in a CPU?
- A) Multitasking
- B) Caching
- C) Threading
- D) Virtualization
  Answer: B
What is the function of the Control Unit (CU) within the CPU?
- A) Execute arithmetic operations
- B) Store instructions
- C) Direct the operation of the processor
- D) Manage memory allocation
  Answer: C
Which architecture is commonly used in modern desktop and server CPUs?
- A) CISC (Complex Instruction Set Computer)
- B) RISC (Reduced Instruction Set Computer)
- C) VLIW (Very Long Instruction Word)
- D) SIMD (Single Instruction, Multiple Data)
  Answer: A
Which component is responsible for converting a computer’s binary data into human-readable formats?
- A) Monitor
- B) Printer
- C) Speaker
- D) Graphics Card
  Answer: D
What does the acronym ALU stand for?
- A) Arithmetic Logic Unit
- B) Advanced Logic Unit
- C) Arithmetic Linear Unit
- D) Array Logic Unit
  Answer: A
Which of the following is a type of volatile memory?
- A) ROM
- B) Hard Drive
- C) Flash Memory
- D) RAM
  Answer: D
What does the term “bus width” refer to in a computer system?
- A) The amount of data a bus can transfer at once
- B) The speed of the system bus
- C) The number of buses in the system
- D) The physical size of the bus
  Answer: A
Which memory hierarchy level is the fastest and closest to the CPU?
- A) RAM
- B) Hard Disk
- C) Cache Memory
- D) ROM
  Answer: C
What does the term “pipeline” refer to in CPU architecture?
- A) The process of transferring data between CPUs
- B) The sequence of stages that instructions pass through in the CPU
- C) The bus used for connecting peripherals
- D) The method of cooling the CPU
  Answer: B
Which term describes a CPU’s ability to execute multiple instructions simultaneously?
- A) Multi-core processing
- B) Single-threading
- C) Sequential processing
- D) Linear execution
  Answer: A
What is the function of the Program Counter (PC) in a CPU?
- A) To store data temporarily
- B) To manage input/output operations
- C) To keep track of the address of the next instruction to be executed
- D) To control the speed of the CPU
  Answer: C
Which component is responsible for managing communication between different parts of the computer system?
- A) ALU
- B) System Bus
- C) ROM
- D) Cache
  Answer: B
What does the acronym ROM stand for?
- A) Read-Only Memory
- B) Random-Only Memory
- C) Readable Object Memory
- D) Rapid Operating Memory
  Answer: A
What is the purpose of the memory hierarchy in computer architecture?
- A) To increase the CPU’s clock speed
- B) To balance cost, speed, and size of different types of memory
- C) To manage external storage devices
- D) To improve network performance
  Answer: B
Which type of memory is used to store frequently accessed data for quick retrieval?
- A) Cache Memory
- B) ROM
- C) Hard Disk
- D) Flash Memory
  Answer: A
What is the primary role of a computer’s motherboard?
- A) To provide power to the CPU
- B) To connect and allow communication between various components
- C) To store long-term data
- D) To manage input and output devices
  Answer: B
Which type of CPU architecture is known for having a large number of simple instructions?
- A) CISC
- B) RISC
- C) VLIW
- D) SIMD
  Answer: B
What is the function of the stack in memory management?
- A) To provide storage for frequently used data
- B) To manage program execution and function calls
- C) To store the operating system
- D) To increase the CPU’s clock speed
  Answer: B
Which of the following is an example of a secondary storage device?
- A) RAM
- B) CPU Cache
- C) Hard Disk Drive (HDD)
- D) Register
  Answer: C
What does the term “bus speed” refer to?
- A) The speed of the CPU clock
- B) The rate at which data is transferred on the system bus
- C) The amount of data stored in cache
- D) The speed of external peripherals
  Answer: B

Which component provides the interface for external peripherals?
- A) ALU
- B) System Bus
- C) Input/Output Ports
- D) Memory
  Answer: C
What is a “register” in computer architecture?
- A) A type of secondary storage
- B) A small, fast storage location within the CPU
- C) A type of memory management technique
- D) A component that connects to the network
  Answer: B
Which type of memory is non-volatile and can be electrically erased and reprogrammed?
- A) RAM
- B) ROM
- C) Flash Memory
- D) Cache
  Answer: C
What does the term “multiprocessing” refer to?
- A) Using multiple CPUs to perform tasks simultaneously
- B) Running multiple applications on a single CPU
- C) Executing multiple instructions sequentially
- D) Managing multiple memory modules
  Answer: A
Which of the following is a key advantage of having multiple CPU cores?
- A) Increased clock speed
- B) Enhanced multitasking and parallel processing capabilities
- C) Reduced power consumption
- D) Larger cache memory
  Answer: B

Introduction to Computer Architecture MCQs
By: Prof. Dr. Fazal Rehman Shamil | Last updated: September 20, 2024

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