Computer MCQs for Competitive Exams

Correct answer: CPU. The CPU fetches, decodes, and executes instructions.

• ALU: The ALU only performs arithmetic and logic operations inside the CPU.
• Hard Disk: A hard disk stores data.
• Software: Software is a set of instructions, not the part that executes them.

Correct answer: GUI. A GUI (Graphical User Interface) lets users interact using windows, icons, menus, and buttons.

• OS: An operating system manages the computer and may offer a graphical or a command-line interface.
• MacOS: MacOS is a specific operating system that uses a GUI, not the type of interface itself.
• All of the above: “All of the above” is incorrect because GUI is the only option that names a type of interface.

Correct answer: Spelling error correction. AutoCorrect automatically fixes common spelling and typing errors as you type.

• Format text: Formatting is done with the formatting tools.
• To create a table: Tables are inserted from the Insert tab.
• To print a document: Printing is done with the Print command.

Correct answer: 4.7 GB. A standard single-layer DVD-ROM holds 4.7 GB.

• 700 MB: 700 MB is the capacity of a CD-ROM.
• 1.44 MB: 1.44 MB is the capacity of a floppy disk.
• 25 GB: 25 GB is the capacity of a single-layer Blu-ray disc.

Correct answer: $. The dollar sign ($) fixes the row or column of a cell reference, such as $A$1.

• #: # appears in error values such as #REF!.
• @: @ is used in e-mail addresses and some references, but not absolute references.
• &: & joins text in a formula.

Correct answer: Content Management System. CMS stands for Content Management System, such as WordPress.

• Computer Management System: “Computer Management System” is not the standard meaning.
• Central Monitoring System: “Central Monitoring System” is not the standard meaning.
• Coding Management System: “Coding Management System” is not the standard meaning.

Correct answer: Recycle Bin. In Windows, deleted files go to the Recycle Bin, where they can be restored.

• My Documents: My Documents is a folder for saved files.
• Trash: Trash is the name used on macOS.
• Permanently Deleted: Files are permanently deleted only after the Recycle Bin is emptied or Shift + Delete is used.

Correct answer: Cache. Cache memory sits closest to the CPU and is the fastest of the options listed.

• RAM: RAM is slower than cache.
• Hard Disk: A hard disk is much slower than both.
• None of these: “None of these” is incorrect because cache is correct.

Correct answer: 32 bits. One byte is 8 bits, so 4 bytes = 4 × 8 = 32 bits.

• 8 bits: 8 bits is one byte.
• 16 bits: 16 bits is two bytes.
• 64 bits: 64 bits is eight bytes.

Correct answer: A single page of a presentation. A slide is a single page of a presentation.

• A collection of slides: A collection of slides is called a presentation.
• A sound file: A sound file is an audio file, not a slide.
• A video clip: A video clip is a media file that can be inserted in a slide.

Correct answer: To move to the previous sheet. Ctrl + Page Up moves to the previous worksheet in the workbook.

• To move up one screen: Page Up alone moves up one screen.
• To go to the top of the sheet: Ctrl + Home goes to the top of the sheet (cell A1).
• To move to the next sheet: Ctrl + Page Down moves to the next sheet.

Correct answer: Workbook. In Excel, a workbook is a file that contains one or more worksheets and charts.

• File: “File” is a general term and not the Excel-specific one.
• Document: “Document” is the term used in word processors.
• None of these: “None of these” is incorrect because workbook is correct.

Correct answer: Right click on column header > Column Width. Right-clicking a column header and choosing Column Width lets you enter an exact width.

• Double click on row: Double-clicking a row border adjusts row height, not column width.
• Home Tab > Font: The Font group formats text only.
• View Tab: The View tab changes the display and does not set column width.

Correct answer: Direct collection through a field survey. Data collected first-hand by the researcher, as in a field survey, is primary data.

• Published research articles: Published research articles are secondary sources.
• Census publication: A published census report is a secondary source.
• Government reports: Government reports are secondary sources.

Correct answer: Temporary and Permanent. Memory (RAM) holds data temporarily while the computer is on, whereas storage keeps data permanently.

• Fast and Slow: Speed differs, but it is a result of the difference, not the basic distinction.
• Big and Small: Size is not the defining difference.
• Input and output: Input and output describe devices, not memory and storage.

Correct answer: Browser. A web browser (such as Chrome or Edge) retrieves and displays website content.

• Hyperlink: A hyperlink is a clickable link to another page.
• Search Engine: A search engine finds web pages but is not what displays them.
• Server: A server stores and delivers website data.

Correct answer: To create documents. A word processor is mainly used to create, edit, format, and save documents.

• Make presentations: Presentations are made with presentation software such as PowerPoint.
• To print data: Printing is only one function of a word processor.
• Modify typewritten: Modifying typewritten text is not the primary purpose of a word processor.

Correct answer: Vacuum Tube. First-generation computers (1940s–50s) used vacuum tubes.

• Transistor: Transistors were used in the second generation.
• IC: Integrated circuits were used in the third generation.
• Microprocessor: Microprocessors were used in the fourth generation.

Correct answer: Sum from cell A1 to A10. =SUM(A1:A10) adds all the values from A1 through A10.

• Average of A1 to A10: The AVERAGE function finds the average.
• Count of A1 to A10: The COUNT function counts numeric cells.
• Maximum of A1 to A10: The MAX function finds the maximum.

Correct answer: Review Tab. The Compare command is in the Review tab.

• Home Tab: The Home tab is for formatting and editing.
• Insert Tab: The Insert tab adds objects such as tables and pictures.
• View Tab: The View tab changes how the document is displayed.

Correct answer: Fill Handle. The fill handle (the small square at the corner of the selected cell) is dragged to fill a range with a series or copied values.

• Formula Bar: The formula bar displays and edits a cell’s contents.
• Name Box: The name box shows the active cell’s address.
• Status Bar: The status bar shows information such as average and sum.

Correct answer: System Bus. The system bus links the CPU to main memory and peripherals, and consists of the data, address, and control buses.

• Control Bus: The control bus carries only control signals.
• Address Bus: The address bus carries only memory and device addresses.
• None of these: “None of these” is incorrect because the system bus is correct.

Correct answer: Compiler. A compiler translates the entire source program into machine code in one go.

• Interpreter: An interpreter translates and executes one line at a time.
• Assembler: An assembler converts assembly language to machine code.
• Debugger: A debugger helps find and fix errors in programs.

Correct answer: Index key. An index key identifies entries so records can be located quickly.

• Record: A record is a complete set of data about one item.
• Field: A field is a single column of data.
• Row: A row is another name for a record.

Correct answer: Charles Babbage. Charles Babbage designed the mechanical Difference Engine in the 1820s.

• Alan Turing: Alan Turing is known for theoretical computing and the Turing machine.
• Bill Gates: Bill Gates co-founded Microsoft.
• John Von Neumann: John von Neumann is known for the stored-program architecture.