1. Android and iOS are operating systems for:
- supercomputers only
- mainframes only
- mobile devices
- printers
Answer: C) mobile devices
Explanation: They run smartphones and tablets.
MCQs / Computer Science / Operating System and User Interfaces
Operating System and User Interfaces MCQs — Computer Science
39 multiple-choice questions on Operating System and User Interfaces from Computer Science, each with the correct answer and, where available, a teacher's explanation. Read through them to revise the chapter, then practise the same questions one by one to test yourself.
2. Which is an example of a GUI operating system?
- UNIX shell only
- Microsoft Windows
- Novell NetWare menu
- MS-DOS
Answer: B) Microsoft Windows
Explanation: Windows uses windows, icons and a pointer.
3. The easiest interface for a new computer user is generally:
- assembly language
- GUI
- CLI
- machine language
Answer: B) GUI
Explanation: Icons and mouse are intuitive.
4. Creating, renaming, copying and deleting files is handled by:
- file management
- process management
- the ALU
- memory management
Answer: A) file management
Explanation: The OS manages the file system.
5. Loading the operating system into memory when the computer starts is called:
- scanning
- booting
- compiling
- formatting
Answer: B) booting
Explanation: The bootstrap loader loads the OS.
6. Keeping print jobs in a queue on disk so the CPU can continue other work is called:
- spooling
- paging
- booting
- defragmenting
Answer: A) spooling
Explanation: SPOOL = Simultaneous Peripheral Operations On-Line.
7. User accounts, passwords and permissions are part of the OS's:
- compiling function
- security function
- printing function
- memory function
Answer: B) security function
Explanation: The OS protects data from unauthorised access.
8. UNIX is a(n):
- multi-user, multitasking operating system
- utility program only
- single-user game
- word processor
Answer: A) multi-user, multitasking operating system
Explanation: UNIX supports many users and tasks at once.
9. Which is an example of a CLI operating system?
- Android home screen
- Windows 11 desktop
- macOS Finder
- MS-DOS
Answer: D) MS-DOS
Explanation: DOS used typed commands.
10. The OS acts as an interface between:
- two printers
- the Internet and electricity
- the user and the hardware
- the monitor and keyboard only
Answer: C) the user and the hardware
Explanation: It lets users and programs use hardware.
11. The OS controls hardware devices through:
- compilers
- web pages
- device drivers
- spreadsheets
Answer: C) device drivers
Explanation: Drivers allow device management.
12. The operating system is a type of:
- system software
- application software
- hardware
- utility only
Answer: A) system software
Explanation: It manages hardware and software resources.
13. DOS stands for:
- Digital Output System
- Disk Operating System
- Data Operating Software
- Direct Online Service
Answer: B) Disk Operating System
Explanation: MS-DOS was Microsoft's Disk Operating System.
14. NTFS, FAT32 and ext4 are types of:
- RAM
- operating systems
- file systems
- printers
Answer: C) file systems
Explanation: File systems organise data on disks.
15. The core part of an operating system that always stays in memory is the:
- shell script
- device icon
- desktop wallpaper
- kernel
Answer: D) kernel
Explanation: The kernel manages CPU, memory and devices.
16. GNOME and KDE are desktop environments for:
- MS-DOS
- BIOS
- Linux
- ProDOS
Answer: C) Linux
Explanation: They give Linux a GUI.
17. Using part of the hard disk as if it were RAM is called:
- cache memory
- a register
- virtual memory
- ROM
Answer: C) virtual memory
Explanation: Virtual memory extends RAM using disk space.
18. In a menu-driven interface the user:
- writes programs
- selects options from a list displayed on screen
- uses only voice
- types long commands
Answer: B) selects options from a list displayed on screen
Explanation: Options are presented as menus.
19. UNIX was developed at:
- Apple
- Bell Labs
- IBM's Hollerith office
- Microsoft
Answer: B) Bell Labs
Explanation: Ken Thompson and Dennis Ritchie developed UNIX in 1969.
20. ProDOS was an operating system for:
- IBM mainframes
- Android phones
- Supercomputers
- Apple II computers
Answer: D) Apple II computers
Explanation: ProDOS = Professional Disk Operating System for Apple II.
21. Restarting a computer that is already on is called a:
- warm boot
- cold boot
- hibernation
- shutdown
Answer: A) warm boot
Explanation: A cold boot starts from power off.
22. A main disadvantage of CLI is that:
- it needs very powerful graphics
- users must remember commands and syntax
- it uses too much memory
- it cannot run on old computers
Answer: B) users must remember commands and syntax
Explanation: Commands must be typed exactly.
23. Running several programs at the same time is called:
- multitasking
- booting
- compiling
- formatting
Answer: A) multitasking
Explanation: The OS switches the CPU among programs.
24. Which DOS command lists the contents of a directory?
- RD
- DIR
- CD
- MD
Answer: B) DIR
Explanation: DIR shows files and folders.
25. In UNIX/Linux, the program that reads and runs typed commands is called the:
- shell
- BIOS
- kernel
- compiler
Answer: A) shell
Explanation: Bash is a common shell.
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Practise Operating System and User Interfaces MCQs
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