WorksheetsComputer Systems 1 - revision quiz
Total questions: 19
Worksheet time: 17mins
State the purpose of the CPU.
The CPU carries out processing on the computer, it does this by fetching and executing instructions
The CPU carries out processing on the computer, it does this by showing your instructions
List the two operations carried out by the ALU.
Logic (comparison) instructions
Mathematics
Simple arithmetic operations
Logic (comparison) instructions
With reference to memory, describe the characteristics of von Neumann architecture
In von Neumann architecture, both the program and data are updated together in the same external storage. This uses the updating program concept.
In von Neumann architecture, both the program and data are stored together in same memory. This uses the stored program concept.
Describe the purpose of the Memory Address Register (MAR)
The MAR holds the address of the instruction/data currently being used
The MAR holds the instruction/data currently being used
1. Describe the purpose of the Memory Data Register (MDR)
The MDR stores the actual instruction/data that is currently being used
The MDR counts the number of the instructions/data
Explain how the clock can affect the performance of a CPU
The higher the clock speed, the more instructions can be executed per second as every operation starts on a clock pulse.
The higher the clock speed, the more data can be stored per second as every operation starts on when the clock starts
Explain how the number of cores can affect the performance of a CPU. Which of the these are correct?
The more cores there are, the more processors there are processing data at the same time
More cores will improve performance in some circumstances but the computer system may not always be able to take advantage of more than one core
More cores will not improve performance because the computer cannot do more than one task at once
SatNav devices make use of embedded systems. How would a SatNav device make use of the embedded system? Select all the correct answers.
Communication with the satellite
Booting up / powering off
Loading the map
Any processing of data
State two of the main differences between RAM and ROM.
RAM is volatile whereas ROM is non-volatile
ROM is volatile whereas RAM is non-volatile
ROM is read/write whereas RAM is read only
RAM is read/write whereas ROM is read only
Which of these items are typically held in RAM when a computer is running?
The Operating System
The software currently in use
The software on the computer
The data in use by those programs
Any clipboard data
Explain what is meant by virtual memory
Virtual memory is an area of disk used as an extension of ROM
Virtual memory is an area of disk used as an extension of RAM
Why is Virtual Memory needed?
When ROM fills up with many programs or data, instructions or data not currently being used are swapped out to virtual memory
When RAM fills up with many programs and or data, instructions and data not currently being used are swapped out to virtual memory
Secondary storage can be magnetic, solid state and optical. When would you use magnetic storage?
Hard disk in a PC for long term back up of data
Flash memory card to store images in a camera or as a replacement for a hard drive
CD-R for storing music or blue-ray for storing films
Secondary storage can be magnetic, solid state and optical. When would you use optical storage?
Hard disk in a PC for long term back up of data
Flash memory card to store images in a camera or as a replacement for a hard drive
CD-R for storing music or blue-ray for storing films
Give two disadvantages of using a solid state drive over a hard drive as the secondary storage for a laptop
Solid state drive is slower
Solid state drive is more expensive byte for byte
Solid state drive is less shock proof
Solid disk has a smaller capacity
Name two input devices
Scanner
Printer
Microphone
Speakers
USB
A child’s plastic drum kit toy contains an embedded system.
Explain what is meant by an ‘embedded system’.
A system that can do lots of tasks held in non-volatile memory. These can be changed or updated without re-manufacturing the entire toy.
A system dedicated to a specific task held in non-volatile memory, that cannot be changed or updated without re-manufacturing the entire toy.
Which of these contain embedded systems?
washing machines
bread makers
mobile phones
MP3 players
cameras
What is cache memory?
Cache is a very fast type of memory in or near the CPU
Cache is a very fast type of memory in or near the RAM
