Chapter 03Pre-Quiz : Hardware: Input, Processing, Output, and Storage Devices

True / False

1. When making hardware decisions, the overriding considerations of a business should be technology cost and currency.
a. True
b. False

2. People involved in selecting their organization’s computer hardware need not understand current and future business
requirements.
a. True
b. False

3. Regardless of how data gets into the computer, it should be captured and edited at its destination.
a. True
b. False

4. Each central processing unit (CPU) produces a series of electronic pulses at a predetermined rate, called the clock
speed, which affects machine cycle time.
a. True
b. False

5. Primary memory, which holds program instructions and data, is not associated with the central processing unit (CPU).
a. True
b. False

6. RAM stands for random access memory, a form of memory that holds its contents even if the current is turned off or
disrupted.
a. True
b. False

7. A terabyte is about one billion bytes of data.

a. True
b. False

8. A coprocessor speeds processing by executing specific types of instructions while the central processing unit
(CPU) works on another processing activity.
a. True
b. False

9. Massively parallel processing systems are a form of multiprocessing that speeds processing by linking hundreds or
thousands of processors to operate at the same time.
a. True
b. False

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Chapter 03Pre-Quiz : Hardware: Input, Processing, Output, and Storage Devices

10. Secondary storage can store large amounts of data, instructions, and information more permanently than allowed with
main memory.
a. True
b. False

11. Compared to main memory, secondary storage has the advantages of volatility, lowered capacity, and higher costs.
a. True
b. False

12. Devices used to sequentially access secondary storage data are called direct access storage devices (DASDs).
a. True
b. False

13. Virtual tape technology can decrease data access time, lower the total cost of ownership, and reduce the amount of
floor space consumed by tape operations.
a. True
b. False

14. A redundant array of independent/inexpensive disks (RAID) is a method of storing data so that data can be accessed
more quickly.
a. True
b. False

15. There are a number of compact disk devices including read-only, recordable, and rewritable.
a. True
b. False

16. Disk mirroring is a method of storing data that generates extra bits of data from existing data, allowing the system to
create a "reconstruction map" so that if a hard drive fails, it can rebuild lost data.
a. True
b. False

17. Sequential access storage devices (SASDs) allow data to be accessed more quickly than direct access storage devices
(DASDs).
a. True
b. False

18. A digital video disc (DVD) looks like a compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM) but has a greater storage capacity
and can transfer data at a faster rate.
a. True
b. False

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Chapter 03Pre-Quiz : Hardware: Input, Processing, Output, and Storage Devices

19. Solid state storage devices (SSDs) store data in hard disk drives or optical media rather than memory chips.
a. True
b. False

20. Magnetic ink character recognition technology codes data on the bottom of a check or other form using special
magnetic ink, which is readable by people and computers.
a. True
b. False

21. A liquid crystal display (LCD) functions by exciting organic compounds with electric current to produce bright and
sharp images.
a. True
b. False

22. Chip-and-PIN cards employ a computer chip that communicates with a card reader using infrared frequencies so that
the cards do not need to be swiped at a terminal.
a. True
b. False

23. One of the advantages of handheld computers is that they require little power relative to their size.
a. True
b. False

24. Like netbook computers, nettop computers are designed to be portable.

a. True
b. False

25. Moore’s Law is a rule of thumb that states that transistor densities on a single chip will reduce to half every two years.
a. True
b. False

26. A tablet computer is a low-cost, centrally managed computer with no internal or external attached drives for data
storage.
a. True
b. False

27. The need for additional data storage capacity is one of the factors driving the growth in data centers.
a. True
b. False

28. Thin client computers are a type of portable single-user computers.

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Chapter 03Pre-Quiz : Hardware: Input, Processing, Output, and Storage Devices
a. True
b. False

29. As the difference among computer manufacturers in the arenas of price and performance narrows, support for
green computing is emerging as a new business strategy for these companies to distinguish themselves from the
competition.
a. True
b. False

30. The scope of green computing is limited to the efficient and environmentally responsible design and manufacture of
all types of computers.
a. True
b. False

Multiple Choice

31. _____ is used to temporarily hold small units of program instructions and data immediately before, during, and after
execution by the central processing unit (CPU).
a. Main memory b. A register
c. The control unit d. The motherboard

32. A _____ is a climate-and-access-controlled building or a set of buildings that houses the computer hardware that
delivers an organization’s data and information services.
a. data mart b. data warehouse
c. data center d. data mine

33. The central processing unit (CPU) and the primary storage of a computer are housed in the same box call the _____.
a. processing b. motherboard
c. chip set d. system unit

34. A type of memory whose contents are not lost if the power is turned off or interrupted is said to be _____.
a. unarbitrary b. nonvolatile
c. inaccessible d. nonadjacent

35. _____ is the use of a collection of computers, often owned by many people or different organizations, to work in a
coordinated manner to solve a common problem.
a. Cloud computing b. Grid computing
c. Parallel computing d. Web computing

36. _____ is a program concerned with the efficient and environmentally responsible design, manufacture, operation, and
disposal of IS-related products.
a. Green computing b. Grid computing
c. Cloud computing d. Utility computing
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Chapter 03Pre-Quiz : Hardware: Input, Processing, Output, and Storage Devices

37. Compared with main memory, secondary storage:

a. is faster. b. is less expensive.
c. is more volatile. d. has less capacity.

38. Which of the following is a multiple-user system?

a. Mainframe computers b. Thin client computers
c. Workstations d. Nettop computers

39. _____ is the backbone of a computer, connecting all of its components including the central processing unit (CPU)
and primary
storage and providing connectors for peripheral devices such as printers, external hard drives, sound cards, and video
cards.
a. The motherboard b. A register
c. A bus d. The microprocessor

40. _____ is a storage technology for less frequently needed data that makes it appear to be stored entirely on tape
cartridges, although some parts may be stored on faster hard disks.
a. Magnetic disk b. Compact disc
c. Virtual tape d. Cache memory:

41. Which of the following is related to Moore’s Law?

a. Data security b. Chip manufacturing
c. Secondary storage d. Database administration

42. Which of the following statements is true of the European Union’s Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directive?
a. The directive enables purchasers to evaluate, b. The directive ranks products according to three
compare, and select electronic products based on a tiers of environmental performance: bronze, silver,
total of 51 environmental criteria. and gold.
c. The directive implements a plan to manage products d. The directive implements a plan to manage
at the beginning of their life cycle in an products at the beginning of their life cycle in an
environmentally safe manner. environmentally safe manner.

43. _____ is an advanced optical disc technology that can store up to 3.9 terabytes, roughly 75–150 times more data
than the Blu-ray optical disc system although it is the same size and shape as a regular digital video disc (DVD).
a. The holographic versatile disc b. The motherboard
c. A compact disc read-only memory d. A magnetic disc

44. A(n) _____ bus enables the central processing unit (CPU) to communicate with a system’s primary storage.
a. back-side b. expansion
c. internal d. input/output

45. _____ are used in standardized tests, including the SAT and GMAT tests, and to record votes in elections.
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Chapter 03Pre-Quiz : Hardware: Input, Processing, Output, and Storage Devices
a. Magnetic Ink Character Recognition (MICR) devices b. Optical mark recognition (OMR) systems
c. Speech recognition devices d. Optical character recognition (OCR) systems

46. _____ is a type of high-speed memory that a processor can access more rapidly than main memory.
a. Virtual memory b. Cloud memory
c. Volatile memory d. Cache memory

47. _____ is a computing model in which an organization outsources the equipment used to support its business
operations, including storage, hardware, servers, and networking components.
a. Storage as a service b. Grid computing
c. Cloud computing d. Infrastructure as a Service

48. A _____ is a computer employed by many users to perform a specific task, such as running network or Internet
applications.
a. cache b. register
c. server d. bus

49. Which of the following statements is true of organic light-emitting diode (OLED)?
a. It enables improved contrast than a liquid crystal b. It consumes more power than a light-emitting
display (LCD). diode (LED).
c. It employs a backlight. d. It produces dull images.

50. The process of converting human-readable data into machine-readable form is called _____.
a. source data automation b. data input
c. data entry d. data conversion

51. _____ are used to support engineering and technical users who perform heavy mathematical computing, computer-
assisted design (CAD), video editing, and other applications requiring a high-end processor.
a. Desktops b. Netbooks
c. Workstations d. Notebooks

52. A _____ is a low-cost, centrally managed computer with no internal or external attached drives for data storage with
limited capabilities.
a. nettop computer b. cloud computer
c. thin client d. workstation

53. _____ are the most powerful computers with the fastest processing speed and highest performance.
a. Blade servers b. Workstations
c. Mainframe computers d. Supercomputers

54. The faster the clock speed of the central processing unit (CPU), _____.
a. the more memory is required for processing b. the more heat the processor generates
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Chapter 03Pre-Quiz : Hardware: Input, Processing, Output, and Storage Devices
c. the larger the chip size required d. the slower the machine cycle time

55. _____ is a hard disk drive storage device that is set up with its own network address and provides file-based storage
services to other devices on the network.
a. The motherboard b. A thin client
c. A storage area network (SAN) d. Network-attached storage (NAS)

Completion
56. The __ALU__ unit of the central processing unit (CPU) performs mathematical calculations and makes logical
comparisons.

57. Clock speed of the central processing unit (CPU) is often measured in billions of cycles per second also known as
__GIGAHERTZ___.

58. A(n) __BLADE SERVER___ is a server that houses many individual computer motherboards that include one or
more processors, computer memory, computer storage, and computer network connections.

59. The ability to increase the processing capability of a computer system so that it can handle more users, more data, or
more transactions in a given period is known as __SCALABILITY___.

60. __MULTI PROCESSING___ involves the simultaneous execution of two or more computer instructions at the same
time.

61. Key to the success of grid computing is a(n) __CENTRAL SERVER___ that acts as a grid leader and traffic monitor.

62. ___DIRECT ACCESS__ means that data can be retrieved without the need to pass by other data in sequence.

63. Eight bits together form a(n) __BYTE___.

64. A(n) ___HARD DISK DRIVE__ is a direct access storage device used to store and retrieve data from rapidly rotating
disks coated with magnetic material.

65. A(n) __DIGITAL CAMERA___ is an input device used with a personal computer to record and store images and
video in digital form.

66. A universal serial bus (USB) __FLASH___ drive is one example of a commonly used solid state secondary storage
device (SSD).

67. __MOORE’S LAW___ is a hypothesis stating that transistor densities on a single chip will double every two years.

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Chapter 03Pre-Quiz : Hardware: Input, Processing, Output, and Storage Devices
68. Optical mark recognition (OMR) and optical character recognition (OCR) are the two categories of a(n) _OPTICAL
DATA READER____.

69. The __COMPUTER GRAPHICS CARD___ takes binary data from the central processing unit (CPU) and
translates it into an image a user sees on his or her display device.

70. Paper output from a printer is known as __HARD COPY___.

71. ___MP3__ is a popular format for compressing a sound sequence into a very small file while preserving the original
level of sound quality when it is played.

72. The digital media equivalent of a conventional printed book is called a(n) __E-BOOK___.

73. ___SMART CARDS__ are credit cards embedded with computer chips containing key consumer and account data.

74. The ___CONTROL UNIT__ is the part of the central processing unit (CPU) that sequentially accesses
program instructions, decodes them, and coordinates the flow of data in and out of the arithmetic/logic unit (ALU).

75. A(n) __BLADE SERVER___ is a server that houses many individual computer motherboards that include one or
more processors, computer memory, computer storage, and computer network connections.

76. _PARALLEL COMPUTING____ is the simultaneous execution of the same task on multiple processors to obtain
results faster.

77. ___RADIO FREQUENCY IDENTIFICATION (RFID)__ is a technology that employs a microchip with an
antenna to broadcast its unique identifier and location to receivers.

78. ___SOURCE DATA AUTOMATION__ involves capturing and editing data where it is originally created and in a
form that can be directly entered into a computer, thus ensuring accuracy and timeliness.

79. A(n) __LAPTOP___ is a personal computer designed for use by mobile users, being small and light enough to sit
comfortably on a user’s lap.

80. A(n) __DATA CENTER___ is a climate-and-access-controlled building or a set of buildings that houses the
computer hardware that delivers an organization’s data and information services.

Essay
81. Briefly explain the three associated elements of a central processing unit (CPU).
82. Explain the primary difference between random access memory (RAM) and read-only memory (ROM).
83. What is grid computing? How does it work?
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Chapter 03Pre-Quiz : Hardware: Input, Processing, Output, and Storage Devices
84. Identify three advantages of the use of solid state secondary storage devices (SSDs) over magnetic or optical media.
85. Describe Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool (EPEAT).

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