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Critical Thinking MCQs from IST Module

Total questions: 50

Worksheet time: 25mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

Why is it important for integrated systems to have seamless hardware-software communication?

a)

To allow firmware to update the OS

b)

To ensure fast keyboard input

c)

To maintain system stability and functional coordination

d)

To reduce internet usage

2.

What would most likely happen if a driver is missing or outdated?

a)

The OS will shut down immediately

b)

The associated hardware might not function properly

c)

The system will increase in speed

d)

The software will uninstall itself

3.

What makes system software different from application software?

a)

It is only used in mobile devices

b)

It focuses on entertainment purposes

c)

It manages system resources and enables the platform for other software

d)

It allows photo editing

4.

Which feature of cloud computing is made possible by virtualization?

a)

Hardware installation

b)

Running multiple devices per user

c)

On-demand scalability and hardware abstraction

d)

File encryption

5.

How does the OS ensure fair CPU allocation among multiple running applications?

a)

By prioritizing graphical apps only

b)

Through process scheduling algorithms

c)

By increasing RAM speed

d)

By disabling background processes

6.

Why is the chipset often called the 'traffic controller' of the motherboard?

a)

It connects the keyboard to the monitor

b)

It regulates voltage

c)

It manages data flow among CPU, RAM, and other components

d)

It stores the BIOS

7.

In what situation would an SSD be a better storage choice than an HDD?

a)

When large physical size is preferred

b)

When cost per GB is more important than speed

c)

When faster boot and load times are required

d)

When magnetic storage is mandatory

8.

What problem arises if communication systems lack standard protocols?

a)

Lower screen resolution

b)

Random system restarts

c)

Devices fail to understand each other

d)

Mouse pointer becomes slow

9.

What is the purpose of process management within an OS?

a)

To encrypt all user data

b)

To uninstall unused apps

c)

To allocate CPU time and manage tasks efficiently

d)

To improve wireless signal

10.

A device that takes analog voice input and converts it into digital data for processing is:

a)

A speaker

b)

A router

c)

A microphone

d)

A monitor

11.

What makes full-duplex communication more efficient than half-duplex?

a)

It uses less power

b)

It allows simultaneous two-way communication

c)

It reduces the need for a router

d)

It eliminates signal interference

12.

Which of the following best describes the term 'boot loader'?

a)

A type of power supply

b)

An antivirus feature

c)

A program that loads the OS into memory

d)

A chipset component

13.

How does the file system management feature of an OS contribute to user productivity?

a)

It automatically edits documents

b)

It structures and organizes data for easy access

c)

It monitors keyboard speed

d)

It connects multiple users

14.

A major disadvantage of bus topology in network design is:

a)

High cost

b)

Difficult to add new devices

c)

Risk of data collision and single point of failure

d)

Limited cable types

15.

Why are embedded systems not typically upgraded frequently?

a)

They are wireless only

b)

Their components are designed for specific, limited tasks

c)

Their storage is too large

d)

They use dynamic IP addresses

16.

What distinguishes firmware from typical software?

a)

Firmware is deleted after use

b)

Firmware is permanently embedded and manages low-level operations

c)

Firmware handles user data only

d)

Firmware updates require internet

17.

In which case would simplex communication be acceptable?

a)

A two-way voice call

b)

A radio broadcast

c)

An online video conference

d)

File-sharing between peers

18.

Why is virtualization useful in academic environments?

a)

It prevents students from using admin rights

b)

It lets students simulate multiple OS setups without physical machines

c)

It increases bandwidth

d)

It improves font rendering

19.

Which of the following would most likely cause overheating in a desktop system?

a)

Frequent mouse movement

b)

Poor airflow and dust buildup around internal hardware

c)

Slow internet speed

d)

A corrupted spreadsheet

20.

How do communication protocols support secure data transmission?

a)

By shortening file names

b)

By translating OS commands

c)

By enforcing rules for encryption and data checks

d)

By reducing file size

21.

What is the role of the OS in managing RAM usage?

a)

It overclocks the RAM

b)

It controls voltage

c)

It assigns memory to processes and prevents interference

d)

It compresses memory for more storage

22.

What would be the consequence of not having system calls in a computer system?

a)

More user-friendly design

b)

Applications could not request essential OS services

c)

Improved battery life

d)

Faster hardware recognition

23.

Which network topology offers the most fault tolerance but highest complexity?

a)

Bus

b)

Star

c)

Ring

d)

Mesh

24.

Why is modularity important in integrated system design?

a)

It ensures hardware is wireless

b)

It allows parts to function independently or be upgraded easily

c)

It adds security patches

d)

It increases cable length

25.

Which is a real-world example of half-duplex communication?

a)

Browsing a website

b)

Emailing a document

c)

Walkie-talkies

d)

Smartwatches with GPS

26.

Which factor most affects latency in communication systems?

a)

Color of the interface

b)

Type of spreadsheet used

c)

Physical distance and signal processing speed

d)

Number of USB ports

27.

Which scenario best illustrates the use of APIs?

a)

A user printing from a mobile app

b)

A cable transmitting electric current

c)

A router increasing Wi-Fi speed

d)

A monitor displaying a screensaver

28.

What does a Real-Time Operating System prioritize?

a)

Fancy graphics

b)

Responsive, time-critical task execution

c)

File encryption

d)

Screen mirroring

29.

Why are network protocols like TCP/IP essential in modern computing?

a)

They prevent blue screen errors

b)

They provide rules for data packet delivery and reassembly

c)

They create backups automatically

d)

They allow internet-free communication

30.

How does an OS loader determine which operating system to load on startup?

a)

Based on user login

b)

Based on the IP address

c)

Based on BIOS settings and boot priority

d)

Based on RAM size

31.

What does the CPU do in a computer?

a)

Shows pictures

b)

Stores songs

c)

Processes instructions

d)

Connects to Wi-Fi

32.

Which one is an example of storage?

a)

Monitor

b)

Mouse

c)

Hard drive

d)

Printer

33.

What is the main job of the operating system?

a)

Design websites

b)

Paint pictures

c)

Manage hardware and software

d)

Print documents

34.

Which one is an input device?

a)

Speaker

b)

Keyboard

c)

Monitor

d)

Projector

35.

What is firmware?

a)

A type of paper

b)

Software inside hardware

c)

A new type of screen

d)

Internet cable

36.

Which one is NOT an operating system?

a)

Windows

b)

Linux

c)

Excel

d)

macOS

37.

Why do we use communication protocols?

a)

To store files

b)

To clean the computer

c)

To send and receive data correctly

d)

To take photos

38.

Which of these helps computers talk to each other?

a)

HDMI cable

b)

Network protocol

c)

Paint software

d)

Mouse pad

39.

Which type of system allows sending and receiving messages at the same time?

a)

Simplex

b)

Half-duplex

c)

Full-duplex

d)

One-way

40.

Where is the BIOS stored?

a)

In RAM

b)

In the cloud

c)

On the motherboard

d)

In the monitor

41.

What does RAM do?

a)

Shows pictures

b)

Stores files permanently

c)

Helps the CPU with fast temporary storage

d)

Charges the battery

42.

Which of these is used to connect a printer to a computer?

a)

VGA

b)

HDMI

c)

USB

d)

Speaker

43.

What is the main use of virtualization?

a)

To build websites

b)

To clean viruses

c)

To run more than one system on one computer

d)

To make games run faster

44.

Which one is an output device?

a)

Keyboard

b)

Microphone

c)

Monitor

d)

Scanner

45.

Which part holds all components in a computer?

a)

Router

b)

Case

c)

Flash drive

d)

Desktop

46.

What is a network?

a)

A group of emails

b)

A type of hardware

c)

Computers connected together

d)

A software update

47.

Which port is commonly used for the internet cable?

a)

USB

b)

HDMI

c)

Ethernet

d)

Audio jack

48.

What happens when the OS boots up?

a)

The computer shuts down

b)

The monitor turns off

c)

The system loads all files and drivers

d)

The user cannot use the keyboard

49.

Which is faster for data transfer?

a)

HDD

b)

SSD

c)

DVD

d)

Floppy disk

50.

What does a router do?

a)

Draws graphics

b)

Runs applications

c)

Connects different networks

d)

Stores documents