AsterQuiz Unit 1: Intro to Computer ScienceOnline version CS basics by David Dawson 1 How does the presentation define computer science? a The science of programming languages b The study of the principles and use of computers c The engineering of electronic hardware 2 What is an algorithm? a A random sequence of instructions b A type of computer c A step-by-step procedure to solve a problem 3 What is the difference between hardware and software? a Hardware is physical components; software is programs and data b Hardware stores data; software processes it c Hardware is faster than software 4 What is the purpose of an operating system? a Manage hardware resources and provide services b Render web pages c Compile code into executables 5 What is a computing agent? a A type of hardware device b A piece of software that can perform tasks c A human assistant 6 How is application software different from system software? a System software is only for servers b They are the same c Application software runs user programs; system software manages hardware 7 What is a user interface? a A type of network b The space where users interact with a computer c The main processor 8 What is a peripheral device? Give one possible example. a A device connected to a computer that is not part of its core components; e.g., printers b The central processing unit c A built-in monitor 9 What is a computer network? a A single standalone computer b A type of software c Two or more computers connected to share resources 10 How is the Internet related to computer networks? a The Internet is a programming language b The Internet is a hardware component c The Internet is a global network of networks 11 What is the purpose of a web browser? a Edit photos b Compile code c Retrieve and render web pages 12 Explain the difference between uploading and downloading a file. a Uploading sends a file from a client to a server; downloading retrieves from server to client b Downloading uploads to the cloud c Uploading copies a file within the same device 13 What does a sequential operation do in an algorithm? a Reverses the order of steps b Executes steps in a fixed order c Chooses steps randomly 14 How does a conditional operation determine what happens next? a Pops from a stack b Based on a condition being true or false c Always executes the next step 15 What makes an operation a primitive operation? a A speculative operation b An operation not decomposed into simpler steps c The most complex operation 16 What is an iterative operation, and why might it be useful in an algorithm? a Creates new data b Stores data permanently c Repeats steps until a condition; useful for repeating tasks 17 What does RAM stand for, and when is it used? a Read Access Memory; used for read-only data b Random Access Memory; used for active data and programs c Rapid Application Model; used for development 18 What does ROM stand for, and what type of information does it store? a Random Optical Memory; stores temporary data b Read-Only Memory; stores firmware and boot instructions c Readable Online Memory; stores user files 19 Explain one major difference between RAM and ROM. a RAM stores firmware; ROM stores active programs b RAM is volatile and writable; ROM is non-volatile and typically read-only c RAM is slower than ROM 20 How did the Mark I process and store data? a Using modern transistors b With cloud storage c Through mechanical relays and punched tape 21 What was significant about ENIAC according to the presentation? a It used quantum bits b It was one of the first general-purpose electronic computers c It had GUI 22 Describe two characteristics of first-generation computers. a Integrated circuits; portable b Wireless networking; multi-core CPUs c Vacuum tubes; bulky; punched card I/O 23 What technologies replaced vacuum tubes during the second generation of computing? a Transistors b Vacuum tubes remained c Optical processors 24 What three major developments occurred during the third generation of computing? a Quantum processors, AI, cloud computing b Vacuum tubes, magnetic tapes, punch cards c Integrated circuits, keyboards, monitors 25 Identify and explain three features associated with the fifth generation of computing. a Steam engines, mechanical gears, punch cards b Serial processing, CRT displays, floppy disks c AI, parallel processing, natural language interfaces
