Q241. In the binary number system, what does a single "bit" represent?
Science and Technology: RAS Prelims MCQs
1113 RAS Prelims practice MCQs on science and technology are on this page, in 6 chapters. They cover the basics of everyday science, computers and information technology, defence and space technology in India, genetics, biotechnology and nanotechnology, science and technology policies and government programmes, and recent advances with Indian contributors and indigenisation. Each question has an answer and an explanation.
Practice questions based on the RPSC RAS Prelims syllabus. They follow the exam pattern but are not past-paper questions.
Showing 241–250 of 1113 questions
Browse Science and Technology chapters
Q242. How many bits constitute a ‘nibble’ in data representation?
Explanation
A nibble is a data unit that consists of exactly 4 bits, representing half of a standard 8-bit byte. Because a nibble contains four binary digits, it can represent sixteen distinct values, ranging from 0 to 15. This unit is particularly useful in hexadecimal representation, as each hexadecimal digit corresponds directly to the value of a single nibble in binary.
Q243. Given below are two statements regarding character encoding.
Statement I: ASCII is an encoding standard used to represent text in computers.
Statement II: Unicode was developed because ASCII did not have enough capacity to represent characters of all world languages.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Statement I: ASCII is an encoding standard used to represent text in computers.
Statement II: Unicode was developed because ASCII did not have enough capacity to represent characters of all world languages.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
ASCII was the early standard for character encoding, but its limited capacity could only represent English characters and basic symbols. As computing became global, Unicode was developed to provide a unique number for every character across all world languages. Both standards are essential for text representation, with Unicode effectively expanding upon the foundation laid by ASCII to ensure universal compatibility.
Q244. Given below are two statements: one is labelled as Assertion (A) and the other is labelled as
Reason (R).
Assertion (A): The binary number system uses base 2.
Reason (R): Digital computer circuits are constructed using electronic switches that can only exist in two states: on or off.
Reason (R).
Assertion (A): The binary number system uses base 2.
Reason (R): Digital computer circuits are constructed using electronic switches that can only exist in two states: on or off.
Explanation
Digital computers utilize the binary number system because it perfectly aligns with the physical reality of electronic circuits. These circuits are built using transistors that function as switches, which are either conducting electricity or not. By using base 2, computers can reliably represent data and perform logical operations using these two fundamental states, making the binary system the most efficient architecture.
Q245. Why is the hexadecimal system frequently used in computer science alongside binary?
Explanation
Hexadecimal is used in computer science as a convenient way to represent long strings of binary digits. Since one hexadecimal digit represents exactly four bits, it significantly reduces the length of data strings, making them easier for humans to read and debug. This shorthand is commonly seen in memory addresses, color codes, and various low-level programming tasks where binary clarity.
Q246. Identify the incorrect statement regarding computer data storage units.
Explanation
Computer data storage units follow a hierarchical structure based on powers of two. While 8 bits form a byte and 1024 bytes form a kilobyte, the progression continues to megabytes, gigabytes, and terabytes. The assertion that one megabyte equals 1024 gigabytes is mathematically incorrect; in reality, it takes 1024 megabytes to constitute a single gigabyte, reflecting the increasing scale of storage.
Q247. What is the binary equivalent of the decimal number 13?
Explanation
Converting the decimal number 13 to binary involves dividing by two and tracking the remainders. Dividing 13 by 2 gives a remainder of 1, 6 by 2 gives 0, 3 by 2 gives 1, and 1 by 2 gives 1.
Q248. Match List I with List II.
| Unit | Value in Bytes |
|---|---|
| A. Kilobyte | i. 220 bytes |
| B. Megabyte | ii. 210 bytes |
| C. Gigabyte | iii. 240 bytes |
| D. Terabyte | iv. 230 bytes |
Explanation
Data storage units are based on binary multipliers where each level increases by a factor of 2 to the power of 10. A kilobyte is 2 to the 10th power, a megabyte is 2 to the 20th power, a gigabyte is 2 to the 30th power, and a terabyte is 2 to the 40th power. This exponential scale allows for precise measurement.
Q249. Identify the odd one out among the numerical systems used in computing.
Explanation
Binary, octal, and hexadecimal are all positional numeral systems used in computing to represent data and memory addresses. Each has a specific base--2, 8, and 16, respectively--that facilitates efficient machine processing and human interpretation. "Algorithmic" refers to a set of step-by-step instructions for solving problems rather than a numerical system, making it the distinct outlier in this categorization.
Q250. Which pair represents correct character encoding schemes used in computing?
Explanation
Character encoding schemes are essential for translating human-readable text into digital format. ASCII is the most widely recognized standard for English characters, while EBCDIC is an older encoding scheme primarily used on IBM mainframe systems. These standards ensure that text is stored and transmitted consistently across different hardware platforms, unlike networking protocols or file systems which serve entirely different technical purposes.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 241 | (c) A discrete value of either 0 or 1 |
| 242 | (b) 4 bits |
| 243 | (a) Both Statement I and II are correct |
| 244 | (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A. |
| 245 | (c) Human-friendly shorthand for binary |
| 246 | (d) One Megabyte (MB) equals 1024 Gigabytes (GB). |
| 247 | (a) 1101 |
| 248 | (a) A-ii, B-i, C-iv, D-iii |
| 249 | (b) Algorithmic |
| 250 | (a) ASCII and EBCDIC |
Key facts from Science and Technology
- The RPSC paper is General Knowledge and General Science, so science questions come with a strong dose of applied and recent topics.
- Everyday science questions test the laws and terms of physics, chemistry and biology through examples.
- Defence and space questions pair a missile, satellite or mission with its year and organisation.
- Policy questions ask for the year, the body and the aim of schemes like STIP, the National Quantum Mission and BioE3.
- Health, environment and agriculture are on a separate page, with their own chapters.
Frequently asked questions
How many RAS Prelims practice MCQs are there on Science and Technology?
This page has 1113 practice MCQs on Science and Technology. Each has the correct answer, and most have an explanation.
Which chapters does the science and technology set cover?
Six chapters: basics of everyday science; computers, information and communication technology; defence and space technology in India; genetics, biotechnology and nanotechnology; science and technology policies and government programmes; and recent advances, Indian contributors and indigenisation.
Is science and technology part of the RAS Prelims syllabus?
Yes. The RPSC paper is called General Knowledge and General Science, and its syllabus lists science and technology topics along with environment, health, agriculture and government programmes, so questions can come from any of these areas.
How should I prepare science for RAS Prelims?
Revise the concepts by examples, then learn the missions, schemes and scientists with their year and organisation. Attempt each chapter, read the explanations and keep a list of the facts you missed.