Instruction and Interrupt Cycle, RISC and CISC Quiz

What is the primary function of the instruction cycle in a CPU?

• To manage memory allocation

• To fetch, decode, and execute instructions

• To handle interrupts only

• To control peripheral devices

Which stage of the instruction cycle retrieves an instruction from main memory?

• Decode

• Execute

• Fetch

• Halt

What does the CPU do during the decode stage of the instruction cycle?

• Carries out the instruction

• Retrieves the instruction

• Determines what the instruction is

• Pauses the program execution

What is the purpose of the interrupt cycle?

• To execute instructions faster

• To allow the CPU to handle external or internal events efficiently

• To increase memory capacity

• To manage software installation

Without interrupts, what would the CPU do to check for I/O device readiness?

• Execute instructions continuously

• Poll devices repeatedly

• Shut down the system

• Ignore I/O devices

Which of the following is an example of a real-world application of interrupts?

• Compiling a program

• Keyboard input generating an interrupt

• Installing software

• Formatting a disk

How do interrupts contribute to system responsiveness?

• By increasing CPU speed

• By enabling multitasking through interrupt handling

• By reducing memory usage

• By disabling peripheral devices

What role do interrupts play in operating systems?

• They manage software updates

• They facilitate context switching and system calls

• They increase storage capacity

• They prevent hardware communication

What does the Interrupt Enable Flip-Flop (IEN) do when set to 1?

• Ignores all interrupts

• Allows the CPU to accept interrupts

• Pauses the CPU

• Resets the interrupt flags

What does the FGI flag indicate when set to 1?

• Output interrupt

• Input interrupt

• No interrupt

• CPU halt