Unit 1: A1 Computer fundamentals
Topic 1.1: Computer hardware and operation Questions
Practice 20 exam-style questions for IB Computer Science Topic 1.1. Review the question stems below, then unlock the full Question Bank to access markschemes, model answers, and AI grading.
3Distinguish3 marks
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Distinguish between RAM and ROM.
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Unlock Question4Define1 mark
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Define the term volatile as applied to memory.
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Unlock Question5Identify1 mark
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Identify the two main components of the CPU.
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Unlock Question6Outline2 marks
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Outline the role of the control unit.
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Unlock Question7Outline2 marks
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Outline the role of the arithmetic logic unit.
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Unlock Question8Describe2 marks
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Describe the purpose of a register in the CPU.
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Unlock Question9Explain3 marks
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Explain why registers are needed when main memory already stores data.
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Unlock Question10State1 mark
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State the purpose of the program counter.
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Unlock Question11State1 mark
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State the purpose of the memory address register.
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Unlock Question12Distinguish2 marks
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Distinguish between the memory address register and the memory data register.
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Describe the role of the accumulator.
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Unlock Question14Explain3 marks
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Explain why a computer needs RAM as well as secondary storage.
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Unlock Question15Explain3 marks
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Explain why a CPU with more registers may run a program faster.
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Unlock Question16Identify1 mark
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Identify the three buses that connect the CPU to main memory.
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Unlock Question17Distinguish2 marks
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Distinguish between the address bus and the data bus.
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Unlock Question18Describe2 marks
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Describe what happens to the contents of RAM when a computer is switched off.
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Unlock Question19Outline2 marks
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Outline the purpose of virtual memory.
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Unlock Question20Explain3 marks
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Explain one trade-off of integrated rather than dedicated graphics.
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