WorksheetsSection A - 8 - Computer Software - Role of the Kernel
Total questions: 8
Worksheet time: 4mins
Which of the following is an example of an interrupt event?
Chose two options.
Arrival of a network packet.
Application ending processing.
Disk being 100% full.
User pressing a key.
Which of the following is the CPU mode used when the CPU first starts up?
Kernel mode
User mode
CPU mode
System mode
Which of the following are reasons why we don’t use kernel mode when the CPU is processing application software instructions?
Choose two options.
Ensures every application is assigned some processing time.
Ensures we can return to processes after an interrupt is handled.
Stops applications from damaging our operating system.
Ensures application crashes don’t crash our entire system.
The kernel is responsible for assigning small amounts of the processor time to each application running, giving them the appearance of running simultaneously.
What is this known as?
Interrupt handling
Memory management
Multi-tasking
Disk access
Which of the following file systems has the worst compatibility with different operating systems?
FAT32
exFAT
NTFS
What is the purpose of device drivers?
Converting the instructions from the peripheral into instructions that your computer can understand.
Handling all data i/o to peripherals including to the disk drives.
Implementing file systems that will control how data is stored and retrieved.
Assigning memory to each of your active applications in order to allow them to run.
What would the impact be if we didn’t have device drivers?
Your computer wouldn't be able to assign memory to applications you run.
You’d require specific programs for every combination of hardware and software.
Peripheral devices would run more slowly.
There isn't any real effect.
Which of the following is part of the operating system, but not a part of the kernel?
Memory management
Program execution
Graphical user interface
Device drivers
