RISC (Reduced Instruction Set Computer) vs CISC (Complex Instruction Set Computer) MCQs

By: Prof. Dr. Fazal Rehman Shamil | Last updated: September 20, 2024

Which type of architecture typically has a smaller set of instructions?
a) RISC
b) CISC
c) Both RISC and CISC
d) Neither RISC nor CISC

Answer: a) RISC

Which architecture is known for having more complex instructions that can execute multiple operations in a single instruction?
a) RISC
b) CISC
c) Both RISC and CISC
d) Neither RISC nor CISC

Answer: b) CISC

Which of the following generally results in a higher number of instructions per program?
a) RISC
b) CISC
c) Both RISC and CISC
d) Neither RISC nor CISC

Answer: b) CISC

RISC processors typically use a larger number of registers to:
a) Reduce the number of memory accesses
b) Increase the complexity of instructions
c) Decrease execution speed
d) Reduce the size of the instruction set

Answer: a) Reduce the number of memory accesses

Which architecture generally aims to execute instructions in a single clock cycle?
a) RISC
b) CISC
c) Both RISC and CISC
d) Neither RISC nor CISC

Answer: a) RISC

In which architecture are instructions generally of variable length?
a) RISC
b) CISC
c) Both RISC and CISC
d) Neither RISC nor CISC

Answer: b) CISC

Which architecture tends to have more complex addressing modes?
a) RISC
b) CISC
c) Both RISC and CISC
d) Neither RISC nor CISC

Answer: b) CISC

RISC designs generally favor:
a) Complex instruction decoding
b) Simple instructions with fast execution
c) Large instruction set
d) Multiple clock cycles per instruction

Answer: b) Simple instructions with fast execution

Which architecture is more likely to have a microcode layer to manage instructions?
a) RISC
b) CISC
c) Both RISC and CISC
d) Neither RISC nor CISC

Answer: b) CISC

The primary goal of RISC architecture is to:
a) Minimize the number of instructions executed
b) Execute a variety of complex instructions
c) Increase the number of cycles per instruction
d) Simplify the instruction set to improve performance

Answer: d) Simplify the instruction set to improve performance

Which architecture is often associated with a fixed-length instruction format?
a) RISC
b) CISC
c) Both RISC and CISC
d) Neither RISC nor CISC

Answer: a) RISC

Which architecture typically uses more memory cycles to complete an instruction?
a) RISC
b) CISC
c) Both RISC and CISC
d) Neither RISC nor CISC

Answer: b) CISC

RISC processors usually have a higher emphasis on:
a) Instruction complexity
b) Fast execution through pipelining
c) Variable instruction lengths
d) Complex addressing modes

Answer: b) Fast execution through pipelining

Which architecture tends to use fewer instruction cycles per instruction?
a) RISC
b) CISC
c) Both RISC and CISC
d) Neither RISC nor CISC

Answer: a) RISC

Which of the following typically results in simpler hardware design?
a) RISC
b) CISC
c) Both RISC and CISC
d) Neither RISC nor CISC

Answer: a) RISC

CISC processors are more likely to support:
a) A larger number of registers
b) A fixed number of instructions
c) A wide variety of complex instructions
d) Simple, single-cycle instructions

Answer: c) A wide variety of complex instructions

In which architecture is instruction decoding generally more complex?
a) RISC
b) CISC
c) Both RISC and CISC
d) Neither RISC nor CISC

Answer: b) CISC

Which architecture often benefits more from advanced compiler optimization techniques?
a) RISC
b) CISC
c) Both RISC and CISC
d) Neither RISC nor CISC

Answer: a) RISC

Which type of architecture is known for having a richer set of addressing modes?
a) RISC
b) CISC
c) Both RISC and CISC
d) Neither RISC nor CISC

Answer: b) CISC

RISC processors usually emphasize:
a) Complex instruction execution
b) Simple instruction set and high performance
c) High-level programming abstraction
d) Complex microcode implementation

Answer: b) Simple instruction set and high performance

CISC processors typically include:
a) Fixed instruction lengths
b) Fewer but more powerful instructions
c) Simple addressing modes
d) Emphasis on pipelining

Answer: b) Fewer but more powerful instructions

Which architecture usually has a greater number of instructions that require multiple cycles to execute?
a) RISC
b) CISC
c) Both RISC and CISC
d) Neither RISC nor CISC

Answer: b) CISC

Which architecture is often associated with a high level of instruction overlap?
a) RISC
b) CISC
c) Both RISC and CISC
d) Neither RISC nor CISC

Answer: b) CISC

RISC architectures typically benefit from:
a) High instruction complexity
b) Efficient pipeline utilization
c) Multiple clock cycles per instruction
d) Variable instruction lengths

Answer: b) Efficient pipeline utilization

Which architecture is generally designed to support more advanced instruction pipelining?
a) RISC
b) CISC
c) Both RISC and CISC
d) Neither RISC nor CISC

Answer: a) RISC

CISC processors are known for:
a) Short instruction pipelines
b) High complexity in decoding instructions
c) Fixed-length instruction formats
d) Simplified instruction execution

Answer: b) High complexity in decoding instructions

Which architecture tends to use microcode to handle complex instructions?
a) RISC
b) CISC
c) Both RISC and CISC
d) Neither RISC nor CISC

Answer: b) CISC

Which type of processor typically has a larger instruction set?
a) RISC
b) CISC
c) Both RISC and CISC
d) Neither RISC nor CISC

Answer: b) CISC

RISC processors generally require:
a) Fewer registers
b) More clock cycles per instruction
c) Simpler instructions with fixed lengths
d) Complex addressing modes

Answer: c) Simpler instructions with fixed lengths

Which architecture is more likely to use a complex set of instructions for efficiency?
a) RISC
b) CISC
c) Both RISC and CISC
d) Neither RISC nor CISC

Answer: b) CISC

Which architecture emphasizes the use of simple instructions and a fast execution cycle?
a) RISC
b) CISC
c) Both RISC and CISC
d) Neither RISC nor CISC

Answer: a) RISC

In which architecture are instructions typically of variable length, which can lead to increased decoding time?
a) RISC
b) CISC
c) Both RISC and CISC
d) Neither RISC nor CISC

Answer: b) CISC

Which type of architecture is designed to execute most instructions in a single cycle?
a) RISC
b) CISC
c) Both RISC and CISC
d) Neither RISC nor CISC

Answer: a) RISC

CISC architecture often includes:
a) A reduced set of simple instructions
b) A single instruction per clock cycle
c) Instructions with multiple operations and complex encoding
d) Fixed instruction lengths and simple operations

Answer: c) Instructions with multiple operations and complex encoding

Which architecture typically uses more sophisticated methods to optimize instruction execution?
a) RISC
b) CISC
c) Both RISC and CISC
d) Neither RISC nor CISC

Answer: b) CISC

RISC processors generally feature:
a) Variable-length instructions
b) Fewer but complex instructions
c) Fixed-length instructions and simple decoding
d) Extensive microcode support

Answer: c) Fixed-length instructions and simple decoding

Which architecture is more likely to benefit from high instruction throughput due to its simpler design?
a) RISC
b) CISC
c) Both RISC and CISC
d) Neither RISC nor CISC

Answer: a) RISC

CISC processors are characterized by:
a) High instruction throughput
b) Simple and fast execution
c) Complex and multi-cycle instructions
d) Fixed-length instructions

Answer: c) Complex and multi-cycle instructions

Which architecture often requires more complex hardware to decode instructions?
a) RISC
b) CISC
c) Both RISC and CISC
d) Neither RISC nor CISC

Answer: b) CISC

RISC architecture typically aims for:
a) Complexity in instruction execution
b) High performance with simple instructions
c) Variable instruction lengths
d) Complex addressing modes

Answer: b) High performance with simple instructions

Which architecture is designed with the intention of reducing the number of instructions per program?
a) RISC
b) CISC
c) Both RISC and CISC
d) Neither RISC nor CISC

Answer: a) RISC

Which architecture is known for having a larger number of addressing modes?
a) RISC
b) CISC
c) Both RISC and CISC
d) Neither RISC nor CISC

Answer: b) CISC

RISC processors are optimized to:
a) Handle complex instructions with multiple cycles
b) Execute instructions with minimal decoding
c) Use a large number of addressing modes
d) Support complex microcode

Answer: b) Execute instructions with minimal decoding

Which architecture is more likely to use a uniform instruction format?
a) RISC
b) CISC
c) Both RISC and CISC
d) Neither RISC nor CISC

Answer: a) RISC

Which type of processor generally provides a more complex instruction set with a higher degree of functionality?
a) RISC
b) CISC
c) Both RISC and CISC
d) Neither RISC nor CISC

Answer: b) CISC

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