Lesson 1.2.1a

1.2.1a Operating systems and memory management Quiz: OCR Computer Science, Unit 2

20 questions

Written by Revision Ninja · Last reviewed 11 October 2026

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Lesson 1.2.1a, Operating systems and memory management: 20 multiple choice questions for the OCR Computer Science (H446), Unit 2: Software and software development, written with Revision Ninja.

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The 20 questions

  1. What memory management technique divides physical memory into equal, fixed-size blocks?

    • Virtual memory
    • Segmentation
    • Paging
    • Partitioning

  2. What issue occurs when a computer spends more time swapping memory pages than executing instructions?

    • Segmentation fault
    • Deadlock
    • Thrashing
    • Starvation

  3. Which operating system type guarantees execution of critical tasks within a strict, deterministic time frame?

    • Real-time OS
    • Embedded OS
    • Distributed OS
    • Multi-user OS

  4. Which operating system coordinates multiple independent computers to present them as a single system?

    • Multi-user OS
    • Real-time OS
    • Network OS
    • Distributed OS

  5. Which processor scheduling algorithm assigns each process a fixed time slice cyclically?

    • Shortest Job First
    • Round Robin
    • First Come First Served
    • Multi-Level Feedback

  6. Which non-pre-emptive scheduling algorithm can delay short jobs indefinitely?

    • Multilevel Queue
    • Shortest Remaining Time
    • Round Robin
    • First Come First Served

  7. Which process scheduling algorithm uses multiple priority queues to dynamically adapt priorities?

    • Multi-Level Feedback Queue
    • Shortest Job First
    • First Come First Served
    • Round Robin

  8. What software routine is executed to handle a specific hardware or software interrupt request?

    • Interrupt Service Routine
    • Bootloader
    • Context switcher
    • Device driver

  9. Where are CPU register contents saved when an interrupt pauses current process execution?

    • Accumulator
    • Cache memory
    • Call stack
    • Hard drive

  10. Which section of secondary storage is used as a temporary extension when RAM is full?

    • Buffer pool
    • ROM partition
    • Swap space
    • Cache line

  11. What event occurs when a requested data page is not found in main RAM memory?

    • Deadlock
    • Stack overflow
    • Page fault
    • Segment fault

  12. Where is the computer BIOS firmware permanently stored on a modern motherboard?

    • Hard disk
    • SRAM cache
    • DRAM
    • Flash ROM

  13. Which hardware self-test routine does the BIOS execute immediately upon powering on a computer?

    • ISR
    • FDE cycle
    • DMA check
    • POST

  14. What software enables an operating system to communicate directly with a specific hardware device?

    • Device driver
    • Kernel API
    • Compiler
    • Utility software

  15. Which operating system type is permanently stored on microchips inside dedicated appliances like washing machines?

    • Embedded OS
    • Distributed OS
    • Real-time OS
    • Desktop OS

  16. What software emulation layer allows code compiled for one OS architecture to run on another?

    • Device driver
    • Assembler
    • Operating system
    • Virtual machine

  17. What data structure maps virtual memory page addresses to physical RAM frame addresses?

    • Interrupt vector table
    • Page table
    • Segment table
    • Symbol table

  18. Which pre-emptive scheduling algorithm selects the task with least processing time left?

    • First Come First Served
    • Shortest Job First
    • Shortest Remaining Time
    • Round Robin

  19. What signal pauses CPU execution so that an urgent internal or external event can be handled?

    • Polling
    • Interrupt
    • System call
    • Quantum expired

  20. Which operating system type allows multiple users to access resources on a single computer concurrently?

    • Multi-tasking OS
    • Distributed OS
    • Multi-user OS
    • Embedded OS

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