1. What is the primary function of an operating system?
- a) Manage hardware and software resources
- b) Provide internet connectivity
- c) Create documents and spreadsheets
- d) Design graphical user interfaces
Answer: A - The OS acts as an intermediary between users/applications and computer hardware.
2. Which of these is NOT an operating system?
- a) Oracle
- b) Windows 11
- c) macOS
- d) Linux
Answer: A - Oracle is a database software, not an OS.
3. What is the main purpose of virtual memory?
- a) To compensate for physical RAM shortages
- b) To increase CPU clock speed
- c) To store BIOS settings
- d) To improve graphics performance
Answer: A - Virtual memory uses disk space as an extension of RAM.
4. In process scheduling, what does FIFO stand for?
- a) First In First Out
- b) Fast Input Fast Output
- c) File Index File Order
- d) Flexible Interface For Operations
Answer: A - FIFO is a scheduling algorithm where the first process to arrive is the first to be executed.
5. Which component manages file operations in an OS?
- a) File System
- b) Memory Manager
- c) Device Driver
- d) Kernel
Answer: A - The file system handles creation, deletion, and organization of files.
6. What is a deadlock in operating systems?
- a) When processes block each other permanently
- b) A security breach in the kernel
- c) Corruption of system files
- d) Sudden shutdown of the OS
Answer: A - Deadlock occurs when two or more processes wait indefinitely for resources held by each other.
7. Which of these is a real-time operating system?
- a) VxWorks
- b) Windows 10
- c) Ubuntu
- d) macOS
Answer: A - VxWorks is used in time-critical systems like aerospace and medical devices.
8. What is the role of the kernel?
- a) Core component managing system resources
- b) Graphical user interface
- c) Application installer
- d) Web browser engine
Answer: A - The kernel handles memory, processes, and hardware communication.
9. Which scheduling algorithm allocates CPU in fixed time slices?
- a) Round Robin
- b) Shortest Job First
- c) Priority Scheduling
- d) First Come First Serve
Answer: A - Round Robin assigns each process a time quantum before switching.
10. What does GUI stand for?
- a) Graphical User Interface
- b) General Utility Interface
- c) Global User Integration
- d) Graphics Unified Interpreter
Answer: A - GUI allows users to interact with visual elements like icons and windows.
11. Which of these is NOT a memory management technique?
- a) Disk formatting
- b) Paging
- c) Segmentation
- d) Swapping
Answer: A - Disk formatting prepares storage devices but doesn't manage active memory.
12. What is thrashing in OS?
- a) Excessive paging causing performance degradation
- b) Rapid file deletion
- c) CPU overheating
- d) Network congestion
Answer: A - Thrashing occurs when the system spends more time handling page faults than executing processes.
13. Which Windows component handles hardware detection?
- a) Plug and Play
- b) DirectX
- c) Windows Explorer
- d) Registry Editor
Answer: A - Plug and Play automatically configures hardware devices.
14. What is the purpose of an interrupt?
- a) To signal the CPU about urgent events
- b) To shut down the system
- c) To encrypt data
- d) To format disks
Answer: A - Interrupts alert the CPU to high-priority tasks like hardware requests.
15. Which file system is native to Windows?
- a) NTFS
- b) ext4
- c) HFS+
- d) APFS
Answer: A - NTFS (New Technology File System) is Windows' primary file system.
16. What does BIOS stand for?
- a) Basic Input/Output System
- b) Binary Input Operating Service
- c) Boot Initialization Order System
- d) Byte Interrupt Output Standard
Answer: A - BIOS initializes hardware during the boot process.
17. Which command displays running processes in Linux?
- a) ps
- b) ls
- c) grep
- d) chmod
Answer: A - The ps command lists active processes.
18. What is a zombie process?
- a) A terminated process waiting for parent acknowledgment
- b) A virus-infected program
- c) A frozen application
- d) A background system service
Answer: A - Zombie processes remain in the process table until the parent reads their exit status.
19. Which permission allows file execution in Linux?
Answer: A - x grants execute permission (e.g., chmod +x file.sh).
20. What is the Windows equivalent of a Linux "terminal"?
- a) Command Prompt
- b) Control Panel
- c) Task Manager
- d) Device Manager
Answer: A - Command Prompt (cmd.exe) is Windows' text-based command interpreter.