100 multiple-choice questions (MCQs) on basic computer concepts

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Below are 100 multiple-choice questions (MCQs) on basic computer concepts, along with answers. These cover hardware, software, operating systems, networking, and fundamental terminology.

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### **Basic Computer MCQs (1-100)**

1. **What is the primary function of a computer?**
A) Data processing
B) Internet browsing
C) Gaming
D) Video playback
**Answer: A**

2. **Which component is called the “brain” of the computer?**
A) RAM
B) CPU
C) GPU
D) Hard drive
**Answer: B**

3. **What does RAM stand for?**
A) Random Access Memory
B) Read-Only Memory
C) Rapid Application Module
D) Remote Access Machine
**Answer: A**

4. **Which device is used to input text into a computer?**
A) Mouse
B) Printer
C) Keyboard
D) Monitor
**Answer: C**

5. **What is the main purpose of an operating system?**
A) Create documents
B) Manage hardware/software resources
C) Browse the internet
D) Play audio files
**Answer: B**

6. **Which of these is an output device?**
A) Scanner
B) Microphone
C) Speaker
D) Keyboard
**Answer: C**

7. **What does “www” stand for in a URL?**
A) World Wide Web
B) Web World Wide
C) Wide World Web
D) World Web Wide
**Answer: A**

8. **1 kilobyte (KB) is equal to:**
A) 1000 bytes
B) 1024 bytes
C) 100 bytes
D) 8 bits
**Answer: B**

9. **Which software protects against viruses?**
A) Firewall
B) Compiler
C) Antivirus
D) Browser
**Answer: C**

10. **What is the binary equivalent of decimal “10”?**
A) 1010
B) 1001
C) 1100
D) 1110
**Answer: A**

11. **Which port is commonly used to connect a printer?**
A) HDMI
B) USB
C) VGA
D) Ethernet
**Answer: B**

12. **What does CPU stand for?**
A) Central Processing Unit
B) Computer Processing Unit
C) Central Program Unit
D) Control Processing Unit
**Answer: A**

13. **GUI stands for:**
A) Graphical User Interface
B) General User Input
C) Guided User Interface
D) Graphics Unit Integration
**Answer: A**

14. **Which key deletes text to the left of the cursor?**
A) Delete
B) End
C) Backspace
D) Shift
**Answer: C**

15. **A collection of 8 bits is called a:**
A) Nibble
B) Byte
C) Word
D) Kilobyte
**Answer: B**

16. **Which of these is a volatile memory?**
A) ROM
B) Hard Disk
C) RAM
D) SSD
**Answer: C**

17. **What does “HTTP” stand for?**
A) HyperText Transfer Protocol
B) High-Level Text Protocol
C) Hyper Transfer Text Protocol
D) High Transfer Text Process
**Answer: A**

18. **Which device converts physical documents into digital images?**
A) Printer
B) Plotter
C) Scanner
D) Monitor
**Answer: C**

19. **What is the default file extension for Microsoft Word documents?**
A) .txt
B) .xls
C) .docx
D) .ppt
**Answer: C**

20. **Which shortcut key is used to paste copied text?**
A) Ctrl + C
B) Ctrl + X
C) Ctrl + V
D) Ctrl + P
**Answer: C**

21. **Which component stores data permanently?**
A) RAM
B) CPU
C) Hard Drive
D) Cache
**Answer: C**

22. **What does “PDF” stand for?**
A) Printable Document Format
B) Portable Document Format
C) Personal Data File
D) Public Document Format
**Answer: B**

23. **The internet is an example of a:**
A) LAN
B) WAN
C) PAN
D) MAN
**Answer: B**

24. **What does “OS” stand for?**
A) Operating Software
B) Open System
C) Operating System
D) Output Source
**Answer: C**

25. **Which program translates high-level code into machine code?**
A) Interpreter
B) Compiler
C) Assembler
D) Debugger
**Answer: B**

26. **Which key opens the Start menu in Windows?**
A) Alt
B) Ctrl
C) Shift
D) Windows (⊞)
**Answer: D**

27. **What is the primary purpose of a spreadsheet?**
A) Text editing
B) Numerical calculations
C) Graphic design
D) Presentation creation
**Answer: B**

28. **Which protocol is used for sending emails?**
A) HTTP
B) FTP
C) SMTP
D) TCP
**Answer: C**

29. **What is a “cookie” in web browsing?**
A) A type of malware
B) A small text file storing user data
C) A hardware component
D) A programming language
**Answer: B**

30. **What does BIOS stand for?**
A) Basic Input/Output System
B) Binary Input/Output Setup
C) Boot Input/Output System
D) Basic Integrated Operating Software
**Answer: A**

31. **Which of these is not an operating system?**
A) Linux
B) macOS
C) Python
D) Windows
**Answer: C**

32. **The smallest unit of data in a computer is a:**
A) Byte
B) Bit
C) Nibble
D) Kilobyte
**Answer: B**

33. **Ctrl + Z is used to:**
A) Redo
B) Undo
C) Copy
D) Paste
**Answer: B**

34. **Which topology connects all devices in a circular chain?**
A) Star
B) Bus
C) Mesh
D) Ring
**Answer: D**

35. **”Pixels” are associated with:**
A) Printer resolution
B) Screen resolution
C) Processor speed
D) Storage capacity
**Answer: B**

36. **What is the function of a modem?**
A) Converts digital signals to analog and vice versa
B) Stores data
C) Processes graphics
D) Manages memory
**Answer: A**

37. **Which software is used to access websites?**
A) Browser
B) Compiler
C) Editor
D) OS
**Answer: A**

38. **What is the full form of “URL”?**
A) Universal Resource Locator
B) Uniform Resource Locator
C) United Resource Link
D) Universal Reference Link
**Answer: B**

39. **Which key combination forces a program to close?**
A) Alt + F4
B) Ctrl + S
C) Shift + Delete
D) Alt + Tab
**Answer: A**

40. **Which memory is non-volatile?**
A) RAM
B) Cache
C) ROM
D) DRAM
**Answer: C**

41. **What does “LAN” stand for?**
A) Local Area Network
B) Long Antenna Network
C) Large Access Node
D) Linked Area Nodes
**Answer: A**

42. **Which device connects multiple networks?**
A) Hub
B) Switch
C) Router
D) Modem
**Answer: C**

43. **Microsoft Excel is used for:**
A) Word processing
B) Presentations
C) Spreadsheets
D) Database management
**Answer: C**

44. **What is the shortcut to save a file?**
A) Ctrl + S
B) Ctrl + P
C) Ctrl + C
D) Ctrl + V
**Answer: A**

45. **Which programming language is used for web development?**
A) Java
B) C++
C) HTML
D) Python
**Answer: C**

46. **A megabyte is approximately:**
A) 1,000 bytes
B) 1,000,000 bytes
C) 1,024 kilobytes
D) 1,024 gigabytes
**Answer: B**

47. **What does “IP” stand for?**
A) Internet Protocol
B) Integrated Program
C) Internal Processor
D) Input Port
**Answer: A**

48. **Which storage device has no moving parts?**
A) HDD
B) SSD
C) DVD
D) Floppy disk
**Answer: B**

49. **Which of these is an input device?**
A) Projector
B) Headphones
C) Joystick
D) Printer
**Answer: C**

50. **What is the function of an ALU?**
A) Store data
B) Control input/output
C) Perform arithmetic/logic operations
D) Manage power supply
**Answer: C**

51. **Which command is used to refresh a webpage?**
A) F1
B) F5
C) F12
D) Ctrl + R
**Answer: B**

52. **What is “Bluetooth” used for?**
A) Long-range internet access
B) Short-range wireless communication
C) Wired data transfer
D) Power transmission
**Answer: B**

53. **Which symbol is used in an email address?**
A) #
B) @
C) &
D) %
**Answer: B**

54. **What does “VPN” stand for?**
A) Virtual Private Network
B) Visual Processing Node
C) Verified Public Network
D) Virtual Protocol Network
**Answer: A**

55. **Which file format is used for images?**
A) .mp3
B) .avi
C) .jpg
D) .docx
**Answer: C**

56. **Ctrl + A is used to:**
A) Select all
B) Save
C) Copy
D) Undo
**Answer: A**

57. **Which protocol provides secure internet communication?**
A) HTTP
B) FTP
C) HTTPS
D) SMTP
**Answer: C**

58. **What is “cloud computing”?**
A) Storing data on local servers
B) Using remote servers over the internet
C) Processing data on physical hardware
D) Using weather data for computing
**Answer: B**

59. **Which component controls data flow between CPU and RAM?**
A) GPU
B) Motherboard
C) Northbridge
D) Power Supply
**Answer: C**

60. **What does “USB” stand for?**
A) Universal Serial Bus
B) Unified System Bus
C) United Serial Board
D) Universal System Board
**Answer: A**

61. **Which key moves the cursor to the start of a line?**
A) End
B) Home
C) Page Up
D) Insert
**Answer: B**

62. **What is the purpose of a firewall?**
A) Block unauthorized network access
B) Speed up internet
C) Store passwords
D) Manage files
**Answer: A**

63. **Which is a read-only file?**
A) Can be edited and saved
B) Can be viewed but not modified
C) Can be executed but not viewed
D) Requires a password to open
**Answer: B**

64. **What is an “ISP”?**
A) Internet Service Provider
B) Internal System Protocol
C) Integrated Software Package
D) International Standards Protocol
**Answer: A**

65. **Which device broadcasts Wi-Fi signals?**
A) Modem
B) Router
C) Hub
D) Switch
**Answer: B**

66. **What does “Open Source” mean?**
A) Software with source code freely available
B) Software that costs money
C) Hardware without patents
D) Free hardware designs
**Answer: A**

67. **Which is an example of system software?**
A) Microsoft Word
B) Windows OS
C) Google Chrome
D) Adobe Photoshop
**Answer: B**

68. **What is the function of a GPU?**
A) Manage memory
B) Render graphics
C) Store data
D) Control input devices
**Answer: B**

69. **Which shortcut opens the Task Manager?**
A) Ctrl + Alt + Delete
B) Ctrl + Shift + Esc
C) Alt + F4
D) Windows + L
**Answer: B**

70. **What is phishing?**
A) A type of hardware failure
B) Stealing data through deceptive emails
C) A programming error
D) A network protocol
**Answer: B**

71. **Which file system is used by Windows?**
A) ext4
B) HFS+
C) NTFS
D) APFS
**Answer: C**

72. **What does “SSD” stand for?**
A) Solid State Drive
B) Super Speed Disk
C) System Storage Device
D) Secure Storage Drive
**Answer: A**

73. **Which unit measures processor speed?**
A) MB
B) GHz
C) Volts
D) Watts
**Answer: B**

74. **What is a “driver” in computing?**
A) A storage device
B) Software that controls hardware
C) A type of virus
D) A programming language
**Answer: B**

75. **Ctrl + F is used to:**
A) Open a file
B) Find text
C) Format text
D) Create a folder
**Answer: B**

76. **Which is not a programming language?**
A) Java
B) Linux
C) Python
D) C#
**Answer: B**

77. **What is the function of cache memory?**
A) Long-term storage
B) High-speed temporary storage
C) Backup power
D) Network security
**Answer: B**

78. **Which protocol is used for file transfer?**
A) HTTP
B) SMTP
C) FTP
D) TCP
**Answer: C**

79. **What is the default port for HTTP?**
A) 21
B) 25
C) 80
D) 443
**Answer: C**

80. **Which key toggles between insert and overwrite mode?**
A) Caps Lock
B) Num Lock
C) Insert
D) Scroll Lock
**Answer: C**

81. **What is an “intranet”?**
A) A global network
B) A private network within an organization
C) A type of malware
D) An internet service
**Answer: B**

82. **Which is a volatile storage device?**
A) ROM
B) Hard Disk
C) RAM
D) CD-ROM
**Answer: C**

83. **What is “ASCII”?**
A) A programming language
B) A character encoding standard
C) A file format
D) A network protocol
**Answer: B**

84. **Which tool removes temporary files?**
A) Disk Cleanup
B) Disk Defragmenter
C) System Restore
D) Task Manager
**Answer: A**

85. **What does “HTML” stand for?**
A) HyperText Markup Language
B) High-Level Machine Language
C) Hardware Testing Module
D) Hyper Transfer Markup Link
**Answer: A**

86. **Which device amplifies network signals?**
A) Router
B) Repeater
C) Switch
D) Modem
**Answer: B**

87. **Ctrl + P is used to:**
A) Print
B) Paste
C) Open a new tab
D) Close a window
**Answer: A**

88. **What is “spam”?**
A) A hardware error
B) Unwanted junk email
C) A type of virus
D) A programming bug
**Answer: B**

89. **Which is an example of an optical storage device?**
A) USB Drive
B) SSD
C) DVD
D) Hard Disk
**Answer: C**

90. **What is the shortcut to open a new browser tab?**
A) Ctrl + T
B) Ctrl + N
C) Ctrl + W
D) Ctrl + Tab
**Answer: A**

91. **Which topology uses a central hub?**
A) Bus
B) Star
C) Ring
D) Mesh
**Answer: B**

92. **What does “DNS” stand for?**
A) Domain Name System
B) Dynamic Network Service
C) Data Naming Standard
D) Digital Network Security
**Answer: A**

93. **Which key combination copies text?**
A) Ctrl + X
B) Ctrl + C
C) Ctrl + V
D) Ctrl + Z
**Answer: B**

94. **What is “malware”?**
A) Hardware malfunction
B) Software designed to harm systems
C) Outdated software
D) A type of firewall
**Answer: B**

95. **Which symbol represents a directory in file paths?**
A) \
B) :
C) >
D) |
**Answer: A**

96. **What is the primary function of a router?**
A) Connect devices in a LAN
B) Route data between networks
C) Amplify signals
D) Convert digital to analog signals
**Answer: B**

97. **Which key displays the right-click context menu?**
A) Alt
B) Ctrl
C) Shift
D) Application key (▤)
**Answer: D**

98. **What is “bandwidth”?**
A) Data storage capacity
B) Data transfer rate
C) Screen resolution
D) Processor speed
**Answer: B**

99. **Which program is used to compress files?**
A) Disk Cleanup
B) WinRAR/Zip
C) Notepad
D) Paint
**Answer: B**

100. **What does “BIOS” do?**
A) Manages internet connections
B) Boots the operating system
C) Runs applications
D) Stores user files
**Answer: B**

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### **Key Topics Covered**
– **Hardware:** CPU, RAM, ROM, storage devices, input/output devices.
– **Software:** OS, applications, compilers, open-source.
– **Networking:** LAN/WAN, routers, modems, protocols (HTTP, FTP, TCP/IP).
– **Security:** Antivirus, firewall, phishing, malware.
– **Basic Operations:** Keyboard shortcuts, file management, troubleshooting.
– **Terminology:** Bits/bytes, binary, ASCII, cloud computing.

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