COSC 1300 INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTERS
Homework 2
Part I
True/False
1. The word “bit” is a shortening of the term “binary digit.”
a. True b. False
2. A limitation of ASCII is that it can handle numeric data but not alphabetic
data.
a. True b. False
3. The EBCDIC coding system is used on mainframes because it can represent more
characters than the ASCII system.
a. True b. False
4. A CPU’s instruction set refers to the list of different languages that this
CPU can understand.
a. True b. False
5. The system board contains the CPU.
a. True b. False
6. The smaller the word size for a CPU the faster it can operate.
a. True b. False
7. Megahertz refers to CPU speed while megaflops refers to memory speed.
a. True b. False
8. Internal cache is built into the CPU chip.
a. True b. False
9. A bus is a device that translates ASCII characters into EBCDIC.
a. True b. False
10. Logical operations performed by the ALU include addition and multiplication.
a. True b. False
11. Registers are usually located in secondary storage.
a. True b. False
12. The speed of a CPU’s system clock varies according to the type of instruction
being processed.
a. True b. False
13. Fragmented files cause a computer to run slower because parts of the file
are stored in different locations onthe disk.
a. True b. False
14. The overall ways that network interfaces are added depends on the type of PC
being used; the specific hardware that can be added to a PC also varies from
computer to computer.
a. True b. False
15. When you buy a desktop PC, you should have at least six USB ports to add
additional hardware available in USB format.
a. True b. False
16. Flash memory drives have no moving parts.
a. True b. False
17. One of the reasons for placing a program in an external device instead of an
internal device is to improveprocessing speed by gaining faster accesstoit.
a. True b. False
18. Computer memory is internal and storage devices are external.
a. True b. False
19. The two physical parts of a storage system are the device and the medium.
a. True b. False
20. The hard drive that is installed in the system unit is an example of an
external secondary storage device.
a. True b. False
21. Storage devices use input/output heads to transfer data between the medium
andthe computer.
a. True b. False
22. Most DVD drives can read CDs, but CD drives can’t read DVDs.
a. True b. False
23. Although a user can access a file using a single name, the file may be
physically located at a number of different locations on the storage medium.
a. True b. False
24. Diskettes are less reliable than hard disks because they store data
magnetically.
a. True b. False
25. SCSI refers to one of the ways in which data are recorded on magnetic tape
a. True b. False
26. Partitioning can allow you to use both Windows and Linux on a single hard
drive.
a. True b. False
Part II
Multiple Choice
27. The field of biotechnology is exploring ways to:
a.add very thin layers of insulation between CPU circuits.
b.create computer components made of organic matter.
c.use light waves to transmit data and instructions.
d.use robots to improve quality in the CPU manufacturing process.
e.Biotechnology is involved in all of these areas.
28. In computer systems, the 0s and 1s of machine states are called:
a.megabytes.
b.words.
c.bytes.
d.bits.
e.kilobytes.
29. The languages humans speak are called:
a.composite languages.
b.natural languages.
c.digital languages.
d.geek speak.
e.fourth-generation languages.
30. A character represented in computer storage is called a:
a.word
b.bit
c.byte
d.megabyte
e.parity bit
31. A disk drive that holds approximately 20 billion characters would be
described as a 20 ______drive.
a.megabyte
b.kilobyte
c.gigabyte
d.terabyte
e.bilobyte
32. A terabyte represents approximately:
a.one thousand bytes.
b.one million bytes.
c.one billion bytes.
d.three million bytes.
e.one trillion bytes.
33. Which of these terms are indicators of how fast a CPU operates?
a.megahertz
b.mips
c.megaflops
d.All of the above indicate CPU speed.)
e.None of the above indicates CPU speed.)
34. MP3 encoding was developed as a way to:
a.keep record companies from detecting the copying of an audio file.
b.prevent graphic images from becoming distorted when resized.
c.reduce the size of audio files.
d.represent languages, such as Chinese, that have more than 256 different
characters.
e.increase the number of devices than can be connected to a single port.
35. Programs that convert a programming language into machine language are
called:
a.code converters.
b.assemblers.
c.bit generators.
d.byte interpreters.
e.language translators.
36. Hubs can be used with USB and FireWire ports to:
a.prevent unauthorized users from accessing your computer.
b.increase the transmission speed of a bus.
c.convert a single port into multiple ports.
d.convert a serial port into a parallel port.
e.convert an analog signal into a digital signal.
37. You can add or unplug a device with the system power on when the device is:
a.connected through a local bus.
b.connected through an expansion bus.
c.PC-compatible.
d.hot-swappable.
e.built into ROM.
38. An example of a logic operation that can be performed by the CPU is:
a.adding the value of one data item to another.
b.subtracting the value of one data item from another.
c.multiplying the value of one data item by another.
d.All of the above are logic operations.
e.None of the above is a logic operation.
39. Before processing occurs, a machine-language command is broken down into
simpler instructions called:
a.natural code.
b.BASIC code.
c.pseudocode.
d.microcode.
e.assembly code.
40. The clock speed of a CPU is measured in:
a.ticks
b.hertz
c.flops
d.beats
e.mips
41. Flash memory differs from RAM because:
a.it is volatile.
b.changes can be made to its contents.
c.it must be erased and written in fixed blocks.
d.it is less expensive than RAM.
e.All of the above
42. ISA, PCI, AGP, and USB are different:
a.binary coding systems for text-based data.
b.coding systems for audio data.
c.types of expansion buses.
d.machine languages.
e.None of the above
43. Which of the following is true about storage systems?
a. They use volatile media.
b. They may use either removable or non-removable media.
c. They are only capable of sequential access.
d. Most use optical storage technology.
e. All of the above
44. When stored in a computer system, documents are also called:
a. files b. folders
c. directories d. records
e. registers
45. Which of the following is not true of a diskette?
a. It is removable.
b. Data are recorded magnetically on it.
c. Data can be recorded on both sides.
d. It can be formatted into sectors.
e. All of the above
46. The typical hard disk drive has one read/write head for each:
a.cylinder.
b.cluster.
c.recording surface.
d.track.
e.sector.
47. On most computer systems, magnetic tape is used primarily for:
a.sending data from one system to another.
b.high-speed retrieval of backlogged data.
c.storing backup copies of data.
d.storing audio files.
e.storing text-only data.
48. Online storage can be provided by a:
a.Web site b.diskette
c.CD-ROM d.magnetic tape
e.All of the above
49. Register size usually matches word and internal bus size and so is usually
bits.
a.16
b.32
c.64
d.128
50. A 64-bit bus can transfer ______bytes at a time.
a. 2
b. 4
c.8
d.16
e.64