Introduction to Computer Architecture MCQs

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1. : 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

2. : Which component of a computer is responsible for executing instructions?
(A) Memory
(B) Input/Output Devices
(C) Central Processing Unit (CPU)
(D) Storage

3. : What does the acronym CPU stand for?
(A) Central Programming Unit
(B) Central Processing Unit
(C) Computer Processing Unit
(D) Central Peripheral Unit

4. : Which part of the CPU performs arithmetic and logical operations?
(A) Control Unit
(B) Register Unit
(C) Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU)
(D) Cache

5. : 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

6. : What does RAM stand for?
(A) Read Access Memory
(B) Random Access Memory
(C) Readable Access Memory
(D) Rapid Access Memory

7. : What type of memory is volatile and loses its content when power is off?
(A) ROM
(B) Cache
(C) RAM
(D) Flash

8. : 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

9. : 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

10. : 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

11. : 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

12. : What is an example of a high-level programming language?
(A) Assembly
(B) C++
(C) Machine Code
(D) Binary Code

13. : Which of the following is a type of permanent memory?
(A) RAM
(B) Cache
(C) ROM
(D) Register

14. : In which unit is the speed of a CPU typically measured?
(A) Gigabytes per second
(B) Hertz (Hz)
(C) Megabytes
(D) Bits per second

15. : 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

16. : Which type of architecture uses multiple processors to perform tasks simultaneously?
(A) Single-core
(B) Multi-core
(C) Serial
(D) Peripheral

17. : 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

18. : Which component manages the data transfer between the CPU and RAM?
(A) Cache
(B) Bus
(C) Motherboard
(D) Power Supply

19. : 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

20. : What type of memory is used to store the BIOS in a computer?
(A) RAM
(B) ROM
(C) Cache
(D) Flash

21. : 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

22. : Which of the following is not a type of CPU register?
(A) Accumulator
(B) Program Counter
(C) Data Bus
(D) Stack Pointer

23. : 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

24. : 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

25. : 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

26. : Which term describes the process of improving the efficiency of data access in a CPU?
(A) Multitasking
(B) Caching
(C) Threading
(D) Virtualization

27. : 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

28. : 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)

29. : Which component is responsible for converting a computer’s binary data into human-readable formats?
(A) Monitor
(B) Printer
(C) Speaker
(D) Graphics Card

30. : What does the acronym ALU stand for?
(A) Arithmetic Logic Unit
(B) Advanced Logic Unit
(C) Arithmetic Linear Unit
(D) Array Logic Unit

31. : Which of the following is a type of volatile memory?
(A) ROM
(B) Hard Drive
(C) Flash Memory
(D) RAM

32. : 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

33. : Which memory hierarchy level is the fastest and closest to the CPU?
(A) RAM
(B) Hard Disk
(C) Cache Memory
(D) ROM

34. : 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

35. : 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

36. : 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

37. : Which component is responsible for managing communication between different parts of the computer system?
(A) ALU
(B) System Bus
(C) ROM
(D) Cache

38. : What does the acronym ROM stand for?
(A) Read-Only Memory
(B) Random-Only Memory
(C) Readable Object Memory
(D) Rapid Operating Memory

39. : 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

40. : 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

41. : 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

42. : Which type of CPU architecture is known for having a large number of simple instructions?
(A) CISC
(B) RISC
(C) VLIW
(D) SIMD

43. : 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

44. : Which of the following is an example of a secondary storage device?
(A) RAM
(B) CPU Cache
(C) Hard Disk Drive (HDD)
(D) Register

45. : 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

46. : Which component provides the interface for external peripherals?
(A) ALU
(B) System Bus
(C) Input/Output Ports
(D) Memory

47. : 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

48. : Which type of memory is non-volatile and can be electrically erased and reprogrammed?
(A) RAM
(B) ROM
(C) Flash Memory
(D) Cache

49. : 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

50. : 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

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

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