Test Bank + Answer Key

Test Bank for Understanding Computers Today and Tomorrow

Comprehensive 15th Edition by Deborah Morley

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Book Title: Understanding Computers Today and Tomorrow Comprehensive

Edition: 15th Edition

Author: Deborah Morley

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Chapter 02: The System Unit: Processing and Memory

1. The process of representing data in digital form so it can be used by a digital computer is called decimal byte
representation.
a. True
b. False
ANSWER: False
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: 52
QUESTION TYPE: True / False
HAS VARIABLES: False
DATE CREATED: 12/5/2013 4:47 PM
DATE MODIFIED: 12/5/2013 4:47 PM

2. The binary numbering system uses only two symbols—the digits 0 and 1—to represent all possible numbers.
a. True
b. False
ANSWER: True
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: 52-53
QUESTION TYPE: True / False
HAS VARIABLES: False
DATE CREATED: 12/5/2013 4:47 PM
DATE MODIFIED: 12/5/2013 4:47 PM

3. Unlike ASCII, Unicode is a universal coding standard designed to represent text-based data written in any language,
including those with different alphabets.
a. True
b. False
ANSWER: True
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: 54
QUESTION TYPE: True / False
HAS VARIABLES: False
DATE CREATED: 12/5/2013 4:47 PM
DATE MODIFIED: 12/5/2013 4:47 PM

4. Each pixel in a monochrome graphic can be only one of two possible colors (such as black or white).
a. True
b. False
ANSWER: True
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: 55
QUESTION TYPE: True / False

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Chapter 02: The System Unit: Processing and Memory

HAS VARIABLES: False

DATE CREATED: 12/5/2013 4:47 PM
DATE MODIFIED: 12/5/2013 4:47 PM

5. To convert analog sound to digital sound, several thousand samples—digital representations of the sound at a particular
moment—are taken every second.
a. True
b. False
ANSWER: True
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: 55
QUESTION TYPE: True / False
HAS VARIABLES: False
DATE CREATED: 12/5/2013 4:47 PM
DATE MODIFIED: 12/5/2013 4:47 PM

6. Early computers required programs to be written in machine language.

a. True
b. False
ANSWER: True
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: 56
QUESTION TYPE: True / False
HAS VARIABLES: False
DATE CREATED: 12/5/2013 4:47 PM
DATE MODIFIED: 12/5/2013 4:47 PM

7. The main circuit board inside the system unit is called the megaboard.
a. True
b. False
ANSWER: False
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: 57
QUESTION TYPE: True / False
HAS VARIABLES: False
DATE CREATED: 12/5/2013 4:47 PM
DATE MODIFIED: 12/5/2013 4:47 PM

8. The number of bits being transmitted at one time is dependent on the bus width.
a. True
b. False
ANSWER: True

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POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: 62
QUESTION TYPE: True / False
HAS VARIABLES: False
DATE CREATED: 12/5/2013 4:47 PM
DATE MODIFIED: 12/5/2013 4:47 PM

9. ROM (read-only memory), also called main memory, is used to store the essential parts of the operating system while
the computer is running.
a. True
b. False
ANSWER: False
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: 62
QUESTION TYPE: True / False
HAS VARIABLES: False
DATE CREATED: 12/5/2013 4:47 PM
DATE MODIFIED: 12/5/2013 4:47 PM

10. Each location in memory has an address.

a. True
b. False
ANSWER: True
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: 64
QUESTION TYPE: True / False
HAS VARIABLES: False
DATE CREATED: 12/5/2013 4:47 PM
DATE MODIFIED: 12/5/2013 4:47 PM

11. Traditionally, PC Cards were used for notebook expansion.

a. True
b. False
ANSWER: True
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: 67
QUESTION TYPE: True / False
HAS VARIABLES: False
DATE CREATED: 12/5/2013 4:47 PM
DATE MODIFIED: 12/5/2013 4:47 PM

12. The backside bus (BSB) has been one of the most common types of expansion buses in past years.

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Chapter 02: The System Unit: Processing and Memory

a. True
b. False
ANSWER: False
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: 69
QUESTION TYPE: True / False
HAS VARIABLES: False
DATE CREATED: 12/5/2013 4:47 PM
DATE MODIFIED: 12/5/2013 4:47 PM

13. Several of the original ports used with desktop computers—such as the parallel ports traditionally used to connect
printers—are now considered standard ports.
a. True
b. False
ANSWER: False
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: 70
QUESTION TYPE: True / False
HAS VARIABLES: False
DATE CREATED: 12/5/2013 4:47 PM
DATE MODIFIED: 12/5/2013 4:47 PM

14. USB ports are used to connect a computer to a phone outlet via telephone connectors.
a. True
b. False
ANSWER: False
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: 71
QUESTION TYPE: True / False
HAS VARIABLES: False
DATE CREATED: 12/5/2013 4:47 PM
DATE MODIFIED: 12/5/2013 4:47 PM

15. MIDI ports are used to receive wireless transmissions from devices.
a. True
b. False
ANSWER: False
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: 71
QUESTION TYPE: True / False
HAS VARIABLES: False
DATE CREATED: 12/5/2013 4:47 PM
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DATE MODIFIED: 12/5/2013 4:47 PM

16. The decode unit coordinates and controls the operations and activities taking place within the CPU.
a. True
b. False
ANSWER: False
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: 74
QUESTION TYPE: True / False
HAS VARIABLES: False
DATE CREATED: 12/5/2013 4:47 PM
DATE MODIFIED: 12/5/2013 4:47 PM

17. The control unit takes the instructions fetched by the prefetch unit and translates them into a form that can be
understood by the control unit, ALU, and FPU.
a. True
b. False
ANSWER: False
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: 75
QUESTION TYPE: True / False
HAS VARIABLES: False
DATE CREATED: 12/5/2013 4:47 PM
DATE MODIFIED: 12/5/2013 4:47 PM

18. As a hard drive begins to get full, it takes less time to locate and manipulate the data stored on the drive.
a. True
b. False
ANSWER: False
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: 77
QUESTION TYPE: True / False
HAS VARIABLES: False
DATE CREATED: 12/5/2013 4:47 PM
DATE MODIFIED: 12/5/2013 4:47 PM

19. Pipelining increases the number of machine cycles completed per second.
a. True
b. False
ANSWER: True
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: 80

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Chapter 02: The System Unit: Processing and Memory

QUESTION TYPE: True / False

HAS VARIABLES: False
DATE CREATED: 12/5/2013 4:47 PM
DATE MODIFIED: 12/5/2013 4:47 PM

20. Typically, 3D chips are created by layering individual silicon wafers on top of one another.
a. True
b. False
ANSWER: True
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: 85
QUESTION TYPE: True / False
HAS VARIABLES: False
DATE CREATED: 12/5/2013 4:47 PM
DATE MODIFIED: 12/5/2013 4:47 PM

21. Most recent software programs, including the latest versions of Microsoft Windows, Mac OS, and Microsoft Office,
use ASCII. _________________________
ANSWER: False - Unicode
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: 54
QUESTION TYPE: Modified True / False
HAS VARIABLES: False
DATE CREATED: 12/5/2013 4:47 PM
DATE MODIFIED: 12/5/2013 4:47 PM

22. ASCII is the coding system traditionally used with personal computers. _________________________
ANSWER: True
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: 54
QUESTION TYPE: Modified True / False
HAS VARIABLES: False
DATE CREATED: 12/5/2013 4:47 PM
DATE MODIFIED: 12/5/2013 4:47 PM

23. Because of its large size, when audio data is transmitted over the Internet it is often encrypted to shorten the download
time. _________________________
ANSWER: False - compressed
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: 55
QUESTION TYPE: Modified True / False
HAS VARIABLES: False
DATE CREATED: 12/5/2013 4:47 PM
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DATE MODIFIED: 12/5/2013 4:47 PM

24. The system unit is the main case of a computer. _________________________

ANSWER: True
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: 56
QUESTION TYPE: Modified True / False
HAS VARIABLES: False
DATE CREATED: 12/5/2013 4:47 PM
DATE MODIFIED: 12/5/2013 4:47 PM

25. The central processing unit (CPU) consists of a variety of circuitry and components that are packaged together and
connected directly to the motherboard. _________________________
ANSWER: True
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: 58
QUESTION TYPE: Modified True / False
HAS VARIABLES: False
DATE CREATED: 12/5/2013 4:47 PM
DATE MODIFIED: 12/5/2013 4:47 PM

26. The CPU—also called the microprocessor or just the board—does the vast majority of the processing for a computer.
_________________________
ANSWER: False - processor, microprocessor
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: 58
QUESTION TYPE: Modified True / False
HAS VARIABLES: False
DATE CREATED: 12/5/2013 4:47 PM
DATE MODIFIED: 12/23/2013 1:43 PM

27. Benchmark tests typically run the same series of programs on several computer systems that are identical except for
one component (such as the CPU) and measure how long each task takes in order to determine the overall relative
performance of the component being tested. _________________________
ANSWER: True
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: 60-61
QUESTION TYPE: Modified True / False
HAS VARIABLES: False
DATE CREATED: 12/5/2013 4:47 PM
DATE MODIFIED: 12/5/2013 4:47 PM

28. Cache memory today is usually external cache. _________________________

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ANSWER: False - internal

POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: 61
QUESTION TYPE: Modified True / False
HAS VARIABLES: False
DATE CREATED: 12/5/2013 4:47 PM
DATE MODIFIED: 12/5/2013 4:47 PM

29. Memory refers to the amount of long-term storage available to a PC. _________________________
ANSWER: False - Storage
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: 62
QUESTION TYPE: Modified True / False
HAS VARIABLES: False
DATE CREATED: 12/5/2013 4:47 PM
DATE MODIFIED: 12/5/2013 4:47 PM

30. The accompanying figure shows a DIMM RAM microprocessor. _________________________

ANSWER: False - memory module
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: 63
QUESTION TYPE: Modified True / False
HAS VARIABLES: False
PREFACE NAME: Figure 2-11
DATE CREATED: 12/5/2013 4:47 PM
DATE MODIFIED: 12/5/2013 4:47 PM

31. The buses used to connect peripheral (typically input and output) devices to the motherboard are usually referred to as
expansion buses. _________________________
ANSWER: True
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: 68
QUESTION TYPE: Modified True / False

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Chapter 02: The System Unit: Processing and Memory

HAS VARIABLES: False

DATE CREATED: 12/5/2013 4:47 PM
DATE MODIFIED: 12/5/2013 4:47 PM

32. Keyboards and mice are typically connected to a computers using parallel ports. _________________________
ANSWER: False - USB
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: 69
QUESTION TYPE: Modified True / False
HAS VARIABLES: False
DATE CREATED: 12/5/2013 4:47 PM
DATE MODIFIED: 12/5/2013 4:47 PM

33. Today’s CPUs contain hundreds of millions of transistors, and the number doubles approximately every 18 months, a
phenomenon known as Moliere’s Law. _________________________
ANSWER: False - Moore’s Law
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: 73
QUESTION TYPE: Modified True / False
HAS VARIABLES: False
DATE CREATED: 12/5/2013 4:47 PM
DATE MODIFIED: 12/5/2013 4:47 PM

34. Each machine language instruction in a CPU’s instruction set is broken down into several smaller, machine-level
instructions called supercode. _________________________
ANSWER: False - microcode
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: 75
QUESTION TYPE: Modified True / False
HAS VARIABLES: False
DATE CREATED: 12/5/2013 4:47 PM
DATE MODIFIED: 12/5/2013 4:47 PM

35. With pipelining, a new instruction begins executing as soon as the previous one reaches the next stage of the pipeline.
_________________________
ANSWER: True
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: 80
QUESTION TYPE: Modified True / False
HAS VARIABLES: False
DATE CREATED: 12/5/2013 4:47 PM
DATE MODIFIED: 12/5/2013 4:47 PM

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Chapter 02: The System Unit: Processing and Memory

36. Eight bits grouped together are collectively referred to as a ____.
a. kilobit b. byte
c. pixel d. binary
ANSWER: b
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: 52
QUESTION TYPE: Multiple Choice
HAS VARIABLES: False
DATE CREATED: 12/5/2013 4:47 PM
DATE MODIFIED: 12/5/2013 4:47 PM

37. The numbering system we commonly use is called the decimal numbering system because it uses ____ symbols to
represent all possible numbers.
a. 2 b. 5
c. 10 d. 16
ANSWER: c
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: 52
QUESTION TYPE: Multiple Choice
HAS VARIABLES: False
DATE CREATED: 12/5/2013 4:47 PM
DATE MODIFIED: 12/5/2013 4:47 PM

38. A ____ is the smallest unit of data that a binary computer can recognize.
a. byte b. datum
c. pixel d. bit
ANSWER: d
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: 52
QUESTION TYPE: Multiple Choice
HAS VARIABLES: False
DATE CREATED: 12/5/2013 4:47 PM
DATE MODIFIED: 12/5/2013 4:47 PM

39. A ____ is equal to 1,024 bytes.

a. kilobyte (KB) b. megabyte (MB)
c. gigabyte (GB) d. terabyte (TB)
ANSWER: a
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: 52
QUESTION TYPE: Multiple Choice
HAS VARIABLES: False

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DATE CREATED: 12/5/2013 4:47 PM

DATE MODIFIED: 12/5/2013 4:47 PM

40. Each place value in a binary number represents ____ raised to the appropriate power.
a. 0 b. 1
c. 2 d. 10
ANSWER: c
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: 53
QUESTION TYPE: Multiple Choice
HAS VARIABLES: False
DATE CREATED: 12/5/2013 4:47 PM
DATE MODIFIED: 12/5/2013 4:47 PM

41. With bitmapped images, the color of each ____ is represented by bits; the more bits used, the better the image quality.
a. pixel b. vector
c. map d. byte
ANSWER: a
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: 54-55
QUESTION TYPE: Multiple Choice
HAS VARIABLES: False
DATE CREATED: 12/5/2013 4:47 PM
DATE MODIFIED: 12/5/2013 4:47 PM

42. In a 16.8-million-color (called photographic quality or ____) image, three bytes (24 bits) are used to store the color
data for each pixel in the image.
a. mega color b. true color
c. real color d. full color
ANSWER: b
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: 55
QUESTION TYPE: Multiple Choice
HAS VARIABLES: False
DATE CREATED: 12/5/2013 4:47 PM
DATE MODIFIED: 12/5/2013 4:47 PM

43. Like graphics data, ____—such as a song or the sound of someone speaking—must be in digital form in order to be
stored on a storage medium or processed by a PC.
a. pixel data b. giga data
c. audio data d. audio programs
ANSWER: c
POINTS: 1
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REFERENCES: 55
QUESTION TYPE: Multiple Choice
HAS VARIABLES: False
DATE CREATED: 12/5/2013 4:47 PM
DATE MODIFIED: 12/5/2013 4:47 PM

44. Video data—such as home movies, feature films, and television shows—is displayed using a collection of ____.
a. slides b. pixels
c. vectors d. frames
ANSWER: d
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: 56
QUESTION TYPE: Multiple Choice
HAS VARIABLES: False
DATE CREATED: 12/5/2013 4:47 PM
DATE MODIFIED: 12/7/2013 5:46 AM

45. A(n) ____ instruction might look like a meaningless string of 0s and 1s, but it actually represents specific operations
and storage locations.
a. COBOL language b. ASCII
c. programming language d. machine language
ANSWER: d
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: 56
QUESTION TYPE: Multiple Choice
HAS VARIABLES: False
DATE CREATED: 12/5/2013 4:47 PM
DATE MODIFIED: 12/5/2013 4:47 PM

46. ____ are very small pieces of silicon or other semiconducting material onto which integrated circuits are embedded.
a. Pixels b. Pentiums
c. Chips d. Motherboards
ANSWER: c
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: 56
QUESTION TYPE: Multiple Choice
HAS VARIABLES: False
DATE CREATED: 12/5/2013 4:47 PM
DATE MODIFIED: 12/5/2013 4:47 PM

47. One measurement of the speed of a CPU is the ____, which is rated in megahertz (MHz) or gigahertz (GHz).
a. system speed b. CPU clock speed

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Chapter 02: The System Unit: Processing and Memory

c. system rpm d. CPU rpm

ANSWER: b
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: 60
QUESTION TYPE: Multiple Choice
HAS VARIABLES: False
DATE CREATED: 12/5/2013 4:47 PM
DATE MODIFIED: 12/7/2013 5:47 AM

48. A computer ____ is the amount of data (measured in bits or bytes) that a CPU can manipulate at one time.
a. word b. character
c. statement d. unit
ANSWER: a
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: 61
QUESTION TYPE: Multiple Choice
HAS VARIABLES: False
DATE CREATED: 12/5/2013 4:47 PM
DATE MODIFIED: 12/5/2013 4:47 PM

49. A ____ is an electronic path over which data can travel.

a. bus b. lane
c. word d. cache memory
ANSWER: a
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: 62
QUESTION TYPE: Multiple Choice
HAS VARIABLES: False
DATE CREATED: 12/5/2013 4:47 PM
DATE MODIFIED: 12/7/2013 5:47 AM

50. The bus width and bus speed together determine the bus’s ____ or bandwidth; that is, the amount of data that can be
transferred via the bus in a given period of time.
a. clock speed b. throughput
c. machine cycle d. memory
ANSWER: b
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: 62
QUESTION TYPE: Multiple Choice
HAS VARIABLES: False
DATE CREATED: 12/5/2013 4:47 PM
DATE MODIFIED: 12/5/2013 4:47 PM
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Chapter 02: The System Unit: Processing and Memory

51. The term ____ refers to chip-based storage used by the computer.
a. storage media b. memory
c. hard drive d. Zip drive
ANSWER: b
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: 62
QUESTION TYPE: Multiple Choice
HAS VARIABLES: False
DATE CREATED: 12/5/2013 4:47 PM
DATE MODIFIED: 12/5/2013 4:47 PM

52. One type of nonvolatile RAM, called MRAM, uses ____ polarization rather than an electrical charge to store data.
a. magnetoselective b. magnetobalanced
c. magnetic d. magnetocharged
ANSWER: c
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: 64
QUESTION TYPE: Multiple Choice
HAS VARIABLES: False
DATE CREATED: 12/5/2013 4:47 PM
DATE MODIFIED: 12/23/2013 1:52 PM

53. ____ are small components typically made out of aluminum with fins that help to dissipate heat.
a. ACs b. Fans
c. Heat buses d. Heat sinks
ANSWER: d
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: 65
QUESTION TYPE: Multiple Choice
HAS VARIABLES: False
DATE CREATED: 12/5/2013 4:47 PM
DATE MODIFIED: 12/5/2013 4:47 PM

54. ____ consists of nonvolatile memory chips that can be used for storage by the computer or the user.
a. RAM b. Register
c. SDRAM d. Flash memory
ANSWER: d
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: 65
QUESTION TYPE: Multiple Choice
HAS VARIABLES: False
DATE CREATED: 12/5/2013 4:47 PM
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55. ____ have begun to replace ROM for storing system information, such as a PC’s BIOS.
a. Motherboards b. Microprocessors
c. Adapter cards d. Flash memory chips
ANSWER: d
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: 65
QUESTION TYPE: Multiple Choice
HAS VARIABLES: False
DATE CREATED: 12/5/2013 4:47 PM
DATE MODIFIED: 12/5/2013 4:47 PM

56. The ____ enables up to 127 devices to be connected to a computer through a single port on the computer’s system
unit.
a. HyperTransport bus b. USB standard
c. AGP (Accelerated Graphics Port) bus d. PCI Express Bus
ANSWER: b
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: 69
QUESTION TYPE: Multiple Choice
HAS VARIABLES: False
DATE CREATED: 12/5/2013 4:47 PM
DATE MODIFIED: 12/5/2013 4:47 PM

57. Most network cards contain a port that accepts a(n) ____, which looks similar to a telephone connector but is larger.
a. RJ-11 connector b. RJ-12 connector
c. RJ-14 connector d. RJ-45 connector
ANSWER: d
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: 71
QUESTION TYPE: Multiple Choice
HAS VARIABLES: False
DATE CREATED: 12/5/2013 4:47 PM
DATE MODIFIED: 12/5/2013 4:47 PM

58. A USB ____ is a device that plugs into your PC’s USB port to convert one port into several USB ports.
a. hub b. module
c. bus d. connector
ANSWER: a
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: 71

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QUESTION TYPE: Multiple Choice

HAS VARIABLES: False
DATE CREATED: 12/5/2013 4:47 PM
DATE MODIFIED: 12/5/2013 4:47 PM

59. Most computers today support the ____ standard, in which the computer automatically configures new devices as soon
as they are installed and the PC is powered up.
a. Plug and Play b. Match
c. Serial port d. Parallel port
ANSWER: a
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: 71
QUESTION TYPE: Multiple Choice
HAS VARIABLES: False
DATE CREATED: 12/5/2013 4:47 PM
DATE MODIFIED: 12/5/2013 4:47 PM

60. The key element of the microprocessor is the ____—a device made of semiconductor material that acts like a switch
controlling the flow of electrons inside a chip.
a. processor b. transistor
c. chipbus d. S-card
ANSWER: b
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: 73
QUESTION TYPE: Multiple Choice
HAS VARIABLES: False
DATE CREATED: 12/5/2013 4:47 PM
DATE MODIFIED: 12/5/2013 4:47 PM

61. The ____ takes instructions from the prefetch unit and translates them into a form that the control unit can understand.
a. register b. decode unit
c. ALU d. internal cache
ANSWER: b
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: 73
QUESTION TYPE: Multiple Choice
HAS VARIABLES: False
DATE CREATED: 12/5/2013 4:47 PM
DATE MODIFIED: 12/5/2013 4:47 PM

62. The ____ is the section of the CPU that performs arithmetic involving integers and logical operations.
a. FPU b. control unit
c. decode unit d. ALU
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ANSWER: d
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: 74
QUESTION TYPE: Multiple Choice
HAS VARIABLES: False
DATE CREATED: 12/5/2013 4:47 PM
DATE MODIFIED: 12/5/2013 4:47 PM

63. The ____ orders data and instructions from cache or RAM based on the task at hand.
a. ALU b. prefetch unit
c. control unit d. decode unit
ANSWER: b
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: 75
QUESTION TYPE: Multiple Choice
HAS VARIABLES: False
DATE CREATED: 12/5/2013 4:47 PM
DATE MODIFIED: 12/5/2013 4:47 PM

64. The ____ tries to predict what data and instructions will be needed and retrieves them ahead of time, in order to help
avoid delays in processing.
a. control unit b. floating point unit
c. arithmetic/logic unit d. prefetch unit
ANSWER: d
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: 75
QUESTION TYPE: Multiple Choice
HAS VARIABLES: False
DATE CREATED: 12/5/2013 4:47 PM
DATE MODIFIED: 12/5/2013 4:47 PM

65. Instructions and data flow in and out of the CPU via the ____.
a. control unit b. prefetch unit
c. decode unit d. bus interface unit
ANSWER: d
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: 75
QUESTION TYPE: Multiple Choice
HAS VARIABLES: False
DATE CREATED: 12/5/2013 4:47 PM
DATE MODIFIED: 12/5/2013 4:47 PM

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66. In order to synchronize all of a computer’s operations, a ____—a small quartz crystal located on the motherboard—is
used.
a. cycle chip b. fetch unit
c. system clock d. microprocessor
ANSWER: c
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: 75
QUESTION TYPE: Multiple Choice
HAS VARIABLES: False
DATE CREATED: 12/5/2013 4:47 PM
DATE MODIFIED: 12/5/2013 4:47 PM

67. Some ____ must be added in pairs for optimal performance.

a. interfaces b. memory modules
c. USB ports d. hard drives
ANSWER: b
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: 77
QUESTION TYPE: Multiple Choice
HAS VARIABLES: False
DATE CREATED: 12/5/2013 4:47 PM
DATE MODIFIED: 12/5/2013 4:47 PM

68. Today’s CPUs are formed using a process called ____ that imprints patterns on semiconductor materials.
a. vectoring b. lithography
c. serigraphy d. imprintment
ANSWER: b
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: 79
QUESTION TYPE: Multiple Choice
HAS VARIABLES: False
DATE CREATED: 12/5/2013 4:47 PM
DATE MODIFIED: 12/5/2013 4:47 PM

69. One nanometer (nm) is ____ of a meter.

a. one-billionth b. one-millionth
c. one-thousandth d. one-tenth
ANSWER: a
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: 79
QUESTION TYPE: Multiple Choice
HAS VARIABLES: False

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70. Terascale computing is the ability of computers to process one ____ floating-point operations per second (teraflops).
a. million b. billion
c. trillion d. quadrillion
ANSWER: c
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: 85
QUESTION TYPE: Multiple Choice
HAS VARIABLES: False
DATE CREATED: 12/5/2013 4:47 PM
DATE MODIFIED: 12/5/2013 4:47 PM

Case-Based Critical Thinking Questions

Case 2-1
Jess is a musician who has just bought a new computer. Now she has to determine how to connect this computer to the
devices that were connected to her old computer.
71. To connect her external hard drive where her music files are stored to the computer, Jess needs to use the ____ port.
a. serial b. USB
c. network d. modem
ANSWER: b
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: 71
QUESTION TYPE: Multiple Choice
HAS VARIABLES: False
PREFACE NAME: Case 2-1
TOPICS: Critical Thinking
DATE CREATED: 12/5/2013 4:47 PM
DATE MODIFIED: 12/5/2013 4:47 PM

72. Jess has pictures from her old computer saved on a flash drive. To transfer these to her new computer, she would use
a(n) ____ port.
a. SCSI b. IrDA
c. modem d. USB
ANSWER: d
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: 71
QUESTION TYPE: Multiple Choice
HAS VARIABLES: False
PREFACE NAME: Case 2-1

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TOPICS: Critical Thinking

DATE CREATED: 12/5/2013 4:47 PM
DATE MODIFIED: 12/23/2013 1:58 PM

Case-Based Critical Thinking Questions

Case 2-2
Jack has a computer at home that he uses to access the Internet, store and edit personal photos, and create and edit
documents. Recently, he has come to realize that in order to keep the computer performing at its best, he needs to carry
out regular system maintenance on the computer.
73. Jack can speed up his computer by scanning it for viruses and ____.
a. RAM b. Flash drives
c. spyware d. bytes
ANSWER: c
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: 78
QUESTION TYPE: Multiple Choice
HAS VARIABLES: False
PREFACE NAME: Case 2-2
TOPICS: Critical Thinking
DATE CREATED: 12/5/2013 4:47 PM
DATE MODIFIED: 12/5/2013 4:47 PM

74. Jack can use the ____ program to locate and delete temporary files, such as installation files, Web browsing history,
and files in the Recycle Bin.
a. Windows Registry b. Disk Defragmenter
c. Temporary Files d. Windows Disk Cleanup
ANSWER: d
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: 78
QUESTION TYPE: Multiple Choice
HAS VARIABLES: False
PREFACE NAME: Case 2-2
TOPICS: Critical Thinking
DATE CREATED: 12/5/2013 4:47 PM
DATE MODIFIED: 12/5/2013 4:47 PM

75. Since Jack has a Windows system, he can right-click a hard drive icon in Windows Explorer, select Properties, and
then select the ____ option on the Tools tab to check that hard drive for errors.
a. Check now b. Disk Defragmenter
c. Defragment now d. Windows Disk Cleanup
ANSWER: a
POINTS: 1
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REFERENCES: 78
QUESTION TYPE: Multiple Choice
HAS VARIABLES: False
PREFACE NAME: Case 2-2
TOPICS: Critical Thinking
DATE CREATED: 12/5/2013 4:47 PM
DATE MODIFIED: 12/5/2013 4:47 PM

76. ____________________ data consists of still images, such as photographs or drawings.

ANSWER: Graphics
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: 54
QUESTION TYPE: Completion
HAS VARIABLES: False
DATE CREATED: 12/5/2013 4:47 PM
DATE MODIFIED: 12/5/2013 4:47 PM

77. One of the most common methods for storing graphics data is in the form of a bitmap—a grid of hundreds of
thousands of dots, called ____________________.
ANSWER: pixels
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: 54
QUESTION TYPE: Completion
HAS VARIABLES: False
DATE CREATED: 12/5/2013 4:47 PM
DATE MODIFIED: 12/5/2013 4:47 PM

78. Text-based data is represented by fixed-length binary coding systems specifically developed for text-based data—
namely, ASCII, EBCDIC, and ____________________.
ANSWER: Unicode
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: 53
QUESTION TYPE: Completion
HAS VARIABLES: False
DATE CREATED: 12/5/2013 4:47 PM
DATE MODIFIED: 12/5/2013 4:47 PM

79. A(n) ____________________ is a thin board containing chips and other electronic components.
ANSWER: circuit board
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: 56
QUESTION TYPE: Completion
HAS VARIABLES: False
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DATE MODIFIED: 12/5/2013 4:47 PM

80. ____________________ are collections of electronic circuits containing microscopic pathways along which electrical
current can travel.
ANSWER: ICs
Integrated circuits
Integrated circuits (ICs)
ICs (Integrated circuits)
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: 56-57
QUESTION TYPE: Completion
HAS VARIABLES: False
DATE CREATED: 12/5/2013 4:47 PM
DATE MODIFIED: 12/5/2013 4:47 PM

81. The power supply inside a desktop computer connects to the ____________________ to deliver electricity to the
computer.
ANSWER: motherboard
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: 57
QUESTION TYPE: Completion
HAS VARIABLES: False
DATE CREATED: 12/5/2013 4:47 PM
DATE MODIFIED: 12/5/2013 4:47 PM

82. Most CPUs today are ____________________ CPUs; that is, CPUs that contain the processing components or cores
of multiple independent processors on a single CPU.
ANSWER: multi-core
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: 58
QUESTION TYPE: Completion
HAS VARIABLES: False
DATE CREATED: 12/5/2013 4:47 PM
DATE MODIFIED: 12/5/2013 4:47 PM

83. ____________________ is a special group of very fast memory circuitry located on or close to the CPU.
ANSWER: Cache memory
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: 61
QUESTION TYPE: Completion
HAS VARIABLES: False
DATE CREATED: 12/5/2013 4:47 PM

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84. Like the CPU, RAM consists of circuits etched onto chips. These chips are arranged onto circuit boards called
____________________.
ANSWER: memory modules
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: 63
QUESTION TYPE: Completion
HAS VARIABLES: False
DATE CREATED: 12/5/2013 4:47 PM
DATE MODIFIED: 12/5/2013 4:47 PM

85. ____________________ are locations on the motherboard into which expansion cards can be inserted to connect those
cards to the motherboard.
ANSWER: Expansion slots
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: 66
QUESTION TYPE: Completion
HAS VARIABLES: False
DATE CREATED: 12/5/2013 4:47 PM
DATE MODIFIED: 12/5/2013 4:47 PM

86. Expansion buses connect directly to ____________________ on the system unit case or to expansion slots on the
motherboard.
ANSWER: ports
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: 68-69
QUESTION TYPE: Completion
HAS VARIABLES: False
DATE CREATED: 12/5/2013 4:47 PM
DATE MODIFIED: 12/5/2013 4:47 PM

87. ____________________ are the connectors located on the exterior of the system unit that are used to connect external
hardware devices.
ANSWER: Ports
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: 70
QUESTION TYPE: Completion
HAS VARIABLES: False
DATE CREATED: 12/5/2013 4:47 PM
DATE MODIFIED: 12/5/2013 4:47 PM

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88. The accompanying figure shows the mouse connected to the computer via a(n) ____________________.
ANSWER: USB hub
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: 71
QUESTION TYPE: Completion
HAS VARIABLES: False
PREFACE NAME: Figure 2-17
DATE CREATED: 12/5/2013 4:47 PM
DATE MODIFIED: 12/23/2013 4:06 PM

89. ____________________ computing utilizes atoms or nuclei working together as quantum bits that are capable of
representing more than just two states as in electronic computing of today.
ANSWER: Quantum
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: 83
QUESTION TYPE: Completion
HAS VARIABLES: False
DATE CREATED: 12/5/2013 4:47 PM
DATE MODIFIED: 12/5/2013 4:47 PM

90. A(n) ____________________ slot can be used with peripheral devices adhering to the Secure Digital Input/Output
(SDIO) standard.
ANSWER: SD
Secure Digital
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: 73
QUESTION TYPE: Completion
HAS VARIABLES: False
DATE CREATED: 12/5/2013 4:47 PM
DATE MODIFIED: 12/23/2013 2:03 PM

91. The ____________________ coordinates and controls the operations and activities taking place within the CPU, such
as retrieving data and instructions and passing them on to the ALU or FPU for execution.

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ANSWER: control unit

POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: 74-75
QUESTION TYPE: Completion
HAS VARIABLES: False
DATE CREATED: 12/5/2013 4:47 PM
DATE MODIFIED: 12/5/2013 4:47 PM

92. Most computers today can process more than one piece of microcode at one time—a characteristic known as
____________________, or being able to process multiple instructions per cycle (IPC).
ANSWER: superscalar
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: 76
QUESTION TYPE: Completion
HAS VARIABLES: False
DATE CREATED: 12/5/2013 4:47 PM
DATE MODIFIED: 12/5/2013 4:47 PM

93. As large documents are stored, retrieved, and then stored again, they often become ____________________—that is,
not stored in contiguous (adjacent) storage areas.
ANSWER: fragmented
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: 77
QUESTION TYPE: Completion
HAS VARIABLES: False
DATE CREATED: 12/5/2013 4:47 PM
DATE MODIFIED: 12/5/2013 4:47 PM

94. ____________________ are tiny, hollow tubes made up of carbon atoms.

ANSWER: CNT
Carbon nanotubes
Carbon nanotubes (CNT)
CNT (Carbon nanotubes)
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: 82
QUESTION TYPE: Completion
HAS VARIABLES: False
DATE CREATED: 12/5/2013 4:47 PM
DATE MODIFIED: 12/5/2013 4:47 PM

95. The ____________________ chip is estimated to be 100 times faster than silicon.
ANSWER: graphene
POINTS: 1

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REFERENCES: 80
QUESTION TYPE: Completion
HAS VARIABLES: False
DATE CREATED: 12/5/2013 4:47 PM
DATE MODIFIED: 12/5/2013 4:47 PM

96. Explain what a register is and how it is used.

ANSWER: A register is high-speed memory built into the CPU. Registers are used by the CPU to temporarily
store data and intermediary results during processing. Registers are the fastest type of memory used
by the CPU, even faster than Level 1 cache. Generally, the more data a register can contain at one
time, the faster the CPU performs.
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: 65
QUESTION TYPE: Essay
HAS VARIABLES: False
TOPICS: Critical Thinking
DATE CREATED: 12/5/2013 4:47 PM
DATE MODIFIED: 12/5/2013 4:47 PM

97. Of what does ROM (read-only memory) consist? What is one important difference between ROM and RAM (random
access memory)?
ANSWER: ROM (read-only memory) consists of nonvolatile chips that permanently store data or programs. Like
RAM, these chips are attached to the motherboard inside the system unit, and the data or programs are
retrieved by the computer when they are needed. An important difference, however, is that you can
neither write over the data or programs in ROM chips (which is the reason ROM chips are called
read-only), nor destroy their contents when you shut off the computer’s power.
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: 65
QUESTION TYPE: Essay
HAS VARIABLES: False
TOPICS: Critical Thinking
DATE CREATED: 12/5/2013 4:47 PM
DATE MODIFIED: 12/5/2013 4:47 PM

98. What are the general operations of a machine cycle?

ANSWER: Each machine cycle consists of the following four general operations:
1. Fetch—the program instruction is fetched.
2. Decode—the instructions are decoded so the control unit, ALU, and FPU can understand them.
3. Execute—the instructions are carried out.
4. Store—the original data or the result from the ALU or FPU execution is stored either in the CPU’s
registers or in memory, depending on the instruction.
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: 76
QUESTION TYPE: Essay

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HAS VARIABLES: False

TOPICS: Critical Thinking
DATE CREATED: 12/5/2013 4:47 PM
DATE MODIFIED: 12/5/2013 4:47 PM

99. Explain the difference between multiprocessing and parallel processing.

ANSWER: With multiprocessing, each CPU typically works on a different job. Because multiple jobs are being
processed simultaneously, they are completed faster than with a single processor. With parallel
processing, multiple processors work together to make one single job finish sooner; a control
processor assigns a portion of the processing for that job to each CPU.
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: 80-81
QUESTION TYPE: Essay
HAS VARIABLES: False
TOPICS: Critical Thinking
DATE CREATED: 12/5/2013 4:47 PM
DATE MODIFIED: 12/5/2013 4:47 PM

100. Describe how Hyper-Threading Technology works.

ANSWER: Hyper-Threading Technology is a technology developed by Intel to enable software to treat a single
processor as two processors. Since it utilizes processing power in the chip that would otherwise go
unused, this technology lets the chip operate more efficiently, resulting in faster processing, provided
the software being used supports Hyper-Threading.
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: 81
QUESTION TYPE: Essay
HAS VARIABLES: False
TOPICS: Critical Thinking
DATE CREATED: 12/5/2013 4:47 PM
DATE MODIFIED: 12/5/2013 4:47 PM

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