Q11. Which component of the Central Processing Unit (CPU) is responsible for directing and coordinating most of the operations in the computer?
Computers, Information and Communication Technology: RAS Prelims MCQs
200 RAS Prelims MCQs on computers, information and communication technology cover the generations of computers, the parts of the CPU, memory types and networking. The first and second generations, analog computers, the control unit, cache and RAM, the memory hierarchy and the SSD are asked as definitions and sequences, with the explanations giving the reason for each design.
Practice questions based on the RPSC RAS Prelims syllabus. They follow the exam pattern but are not past-paper questions.
Showing 11–20 of 200 questions
Q12. Consider the following statements regarding Random Access Memory (RAM):
I. It is a volatile memory.
II. It directly communicates with the CPU.
III. It permanently stores the BIOS instructions.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
I. It is a volatile memory.
II. It directly communicates with the CPU.
III. It permanently stores the BIOS instructions.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
Random Access Memory is characterized as volatile memory because it loses all stored data when the power is removed. It facilitates high-speed data exchange by communicating directly with the CPU during active processing. However, RAM does not store BIOS instructions permanently; that function is reserved for non-volatile ROM chips, which retain firmware even when the computer is off.
Q13. Identify the incorrect statement regarding Read- Only Memory (ROM).
Explanation
Read-Only Memory is inherently non-volatile, meaning it retains information without power. While different types like EEPROM allow for electrical erasure and reprogramming, the concept of a dynamic ROM requiring continuous refreshing is incorrect. Refreshing is a characteristic of Dynamic RAM, not ROM. ROM is primarily used to store permanent firmware that remains stable throughout the life of the hardware.
Q14. Which memory type provides the fastest access speed for the CPU during data processing?
Explanation
Cache memory provides the highest access speed for the processor by storing frequently used data and instructions extremely close to the CPU cores. While RAM is faster than secondary storage devices like SSDs or HDDs, cache memory is designed to minimize the time the CPU spends waiting for data. This proximity significantly enhances overall system performance during complex computational tasks.
Q15. What is the primary effect of adding more RAM to a computer system experiencing high page fault rates?
Explanation
Adding more physical RAM increases the amount of high-speed memory available for active processes, which reduces the system’s need to swap data to slower secondary storage. When page fault rates are high, the computer spends excessive time accessing virtual memory on the hard drive. Increasing RAM allows more data to stay in main memory, improving overall system responsiveness.
Q16. Select the correct order of computer memory hierarchy starting from the fastest access speed to the slowest.
Explanation
The memory hierarchy in a computer is organized by speed and proximity to the processor. Registers located within the CPU are the fastest, followed closely by cache memory. RAM serves as the main working memory with moderate speeds, while magnetic disks represent slower secondary storage. This structure balances high-performance needs with the cost and capacity requirements of data storage.
Q17. Which fundamental technology differentiates a Solid State Drive (SSD) from a Hard Disk Drive (HDD)?
Explanation
Solid State Drives differ from Hard Disk Drives primarily by utilizing NAND-based flash memory instead of rotating magnetic platters and mechanical read-write heads. This lack of moving parts makes SSDs significantly faster, more durable, and quieter than HDDs. Because they store data electronically on chips, SSDs offer nearly instantaneous data access speeds, drastically improving system boot times and application loading.
Q18. Which of the following is an incorrect pair of hardware devices?
Explanation
Hardware devices are classified as input or output based on the direction of data flow relative to the computer. Scanners and barcode readers are input devices because they send data to the computer, while plotters are output devices that produce physical drawings. A microphone is an input device because it converts sound waves into digital signals for the computer to process.
Q19. What is the primary function of a computer’s motherboard?
Explanation
The motherboard acts as the central communication backbone for a computer system, providing the physical platform and electrical paths required for components to interact. It houses the CPU, memory modules, and expansion cards while offering ports for peripheral devices and storage. By facilitating data exchange between all hardware elements, the motherboard ensures the integrated functionality of the entire computer architecture.
Q20. When a computer runs out of physical RAM, which hardware mechanism allows it to temporarily use secondary storage as memory?
Explanation
Virtual memory is a management technique that allows a computer to compensate for physical RAM shortages by temporarily transferring data from RAM to disk storage. This process creates an illusion of larger memory capacity for applications, enabling the system to run more complex programs simultaneously. While slower than physical RAM, it prevents system crashes by managing memory resources more dynamically.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 11 | (d) Control Unit (CU) |
| 12 | (a) I and II only |
| 13 | (c) Dynamic ROM requires continuous refreshing to maintain data. |
| 14 | (d) Cache Memory |
| 15 | (a) Reduced virtual memory reliance |
| 16 | (b) Registers, Cache, RAM, Magnetic Disk |
| 17 | (b) Use of NAND flash memory |
| 18 | (a) Microphone - Output device |
| 19 | (c) Connects all hardware components |
| 20 | (d) Virtual Memory |
Key facts from Computers, Information and Communication Technology
- First-generation computers used vacuum tubes; the second generation moved to transistors.
- Analog computers work on continuous variable data rather than discrete binary data.
- The Control Unit directs and coordinates the operations of the CPU.
- Cache memory gives the fastest access to the CPU; the hierarchy from fastest to slowest is registers, cache, RAM and magnetic disk.
- Adding more RAM to a system with many page faults reduces its dependence on virtual memory.
- An SSD differs from an HDD by the use of NAND flash memory.
Frequently asked questions
How many RAS Prelims practice MCQs are there on Computers, Information and Communication Technology?
This page has 200 practice MCQs on Computers, Information and Communication Technology (Science and Technology). Each has the correct answer, and most have an explanation.
What was used in first-generation computers?
Vacuum tubes. They were large, used much power and produced heat. The second generation replaced them with transistors, which were smaller, faster and more reliable, and later generations moved to integrated circuits and microprocessors.
Which memory is fastest for the CPU?
Cache memory, apart from the registers inside the CPU. The memory hierarchy from fastest to slowest is registers, cache, RAM and magnetic disk, and capacity increases as speed falls.
How does an SSD differ from an HDD?
An SSD stores data in NAND flash memory with no moving parts, while a hard disk drive uses spinning magnetic platters. As a result an SSD is faster, quieter and more resistant to shock.