Operating System MCQs in English | SET – 01
What is an Operating System?
An Operating System (OS) is a crucial software component that manages computer hardware and software resources, enabling users and applications to interact with the computer system. It acts as an intermediary between the hardware and software, ensuring that programs can run efficiently and securely.
Types of Operating Systems
There are various types of operating systems, each catering to specific computing environments and devices. Some common types include:
Windows OS: Developed by Microsoft, Windows is one of the most popular operating systems for personal computers.
macOS: Exclusive to Apple’s Mac computers, macOS provides a user-friendly interface and seamless integration with Apple hardware.
Linux: An open-source operating system that comes in various distributions, offering flexibility, security, and customization.
Android: Designed for mobile devices, Android OS powers millions of smartphones and tablets worldwide.
iOS: Developed by Apple, iOS is the operating system behind iPhones and iPads, known for its smooth performance and app ecosystem.
Mastering the Multiple Choice Questions
Now, let’s dive into the core aspect of this guide – mastering operating system multiple-choice questions. We’ll present you with some common OS-related questions and provide detailed explanations for each answer.
Get ready to embrace the challenges, excel in your exams, and take your knowledge of operating systems to new heights. Good luck on your journey to success!
Here are 20 multiple-choice questions about Operating System MCQs in English along with their answers and explanations:
Question 1: What is the primary purpose of an operating system?
a) To manage hardware resources
b) To manage software applications
c) To provide a user interface
d) To connect to the internet
Answer: a) To manage hardware resources
Explanation: The primary purpose of an operating system is to manage hardware resources, such as the CPU, memory, disk space, and peripherals, and provide an interface for software applications to run on the hardware.
Question 2: Which component of the operating system is responsible for managing memory?
a) Kernel
b) Shell
c) File System
d) Device Drivers
Answer: a) Kernel
Explanation: The kernel is the core component of the operating system responsible for managing memory, process scheduling, and other low-level system tasks.
Question 3: What is virtual memory?
a) A memory area that is reserved for virtual machines
b) A memory area used to store temporary files
c) An extension of the computer’s physical memory using secondary storage
d) A dedicated memory area for graphics processing
Answer: c) An extension of the computer’s physical memory using secondary storage
Explanation: Virtual memory is a technique used by the operating system to extend the computer’s physical memory by using secondary storage (such as the hard disk) to temporarily store data when the RAM is full.
Question 4: Which scheduling algorithm ensures that each process gets an equal amount of CPU time?
a) First-Come, First-Served (FCFS)
b) Shortest Job Next (SJN)
c) Round Robin (RR)
d) Priority Scheduling
Answer: c) Round Robin (RR)
Explanation: Round Robin is a CPU scheduling algorithm that assigns an equal time slice to each process in a circular manner. This ensure that each process receives an equal amount of CPU time.
Question 5: What is the purpose of an interrupt in the context of an operating system?
a) To stop the execution of a process
b) To request additional resources from the OS
c) To allow a process to voluntarily release the CPU
d) To signal an event that requires immediate attention from the OS
Answer: d) To signal an event that requires immediate attention from the OS
Explanation: Interrupts are signals sent to the processor by hardware devices or software processes to request immediate attention from the operating system. They are used to handle events that need to be dealt with promptly.
Question 6: Which file system is commonly used in Windows operating systems?
a) EXT4
b) NTFS
c) HFS+
d) FAT32
Answer: b) NTFS
Explanation: NTFS (New Technology File System) is the file system commonly used in Windows operating systems. It supports features like file and folder permissions, encryption, and compression.
Question 7: What is the function of a device driver?
a) To manage the file system hierarchy
b) To provide a graphical user interface
c) To control and communicate with hardware devices
d) To allocate memory to running processes
Answer: c) To control and communicate with hardware devices
Explanation: Device drivers are software programs that allow the operating system to communicate and control hardware devices, such as printers, keyboards, and graphics cards.
Question 8: Which mode of the operating system has unrestricted access to hardware resources?
a) User mode
b) Kernel mode
c) Supervisor mode
d) Admin mode
Answer: b) Kernel mode
Explanation: Kernel mode (also known as privileged mode or supervisor mode) has unrestricted access to hardware resources and performs critical system tasks. User mode, on the other hand, has limited access to hardware resources and runs applications.
Question 9: What is the purpose of the “spooler” in an operating system?
a) To manage the print queue
b) To handle disk I/O operations
c) To allocate CPU time to processes
d) To manage user accounts
Answer: a) To manage the print queue
Explanation: The spooler (spooling system) in an operating system is responsible for managing the print queue, allowing multiple print jobs to be queued and processed efficiently.
Question 10: Which operating system is based on the Linux kernel and is widely used in mobile devices?
a) Windows Mobile
b) iOS
c) Android
d) BlackBerry OS
Answer: c) Android
Explanation: Android is an operating system based on the Linux kernel and is widely used in mobile devices, particularly smartphones and tablets.
Question 11: What is the main advantage of multiprogramming in an operating system?
a) Increased security
b) Faster boot times
c) Improved resource utilization
d) Enhanced graphics performance
Answer: c) Improved resource utilization
Explanation: Multiprogramming allows multiple programs to be loaded into memory simultaneously, which improves resource utilization by keeping the CPU and other resources busy even if some programs are waiting for I/O operations.
Question 12: Which command is used to shut down a computer running on UNIX/Linux operating systems?
a) exit
b) shutdown
c) close
d) power off
Answer: b) shutdown
Explanation: The “shutdown” command is used in UNIX/Linux operating systems to shut down the system gracefully. For example, “shutdown -h now” will shut down the system immediately.
Question 13: What is the purpose of the BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) in a computer?
a) To manage software applications
b) To provide a user interface
c) To load the operating system from the hard drive into memory
d) To manage hardware resources
Answer: c) To load the operating system from the hard drive into memory
Explanation: The BIOS is firmware that initializes hardware during the boot process and loads the operating system from the hard drive into memory so that it can start running.
Question 14: Which command is used to list files and directories in a directory in UNIX/Linux operating systems?
a) dir
b) ls
c) list
d) show
Answer: b) ls
Explanation: The “ls” command is used in UNIX/Linux operating systems to list files and directories in a given directory.
Question 15: What is the purpose of the “Task Manager” in Windows operating systems?
a) To manage user accounts
b) To install and update device drivers
c) To monitor system performance and manage running processes
d) To control power settings
Answer: c) To monitor system performance and manage running processes
Explanation: The “Task Manager” in Windows allows users to monitor system performance, view and manage running processes, and end tasks or applications that are not responding.
Question 16: Which type of operating system allows multiple users to access and use the system simultaneously?
a) Single-user, single-task
b) Single-user, multi-task
c) Multi-user, single-task
d) Multi-user, multi-task
Answer: d) Multi-user, multi-task
Explanation: A multi-user, multi-tasking operating system allows multiple users to access and use the system simultaneously while also allowing each user to run multiple tasks or applications concurrently.
Question 17: What is the role of the “Registry” in Windows operating systems?
a) To manage user accounts and passwords
b) To store configuration settings and system information
c) To manage disk partitions and file systems
d) To handle device driver installations
Answer: b) To store configuration settings and system information
Explanation: The “Registry” in Windows is a centralized database that stores configuration settings and system information related to hardware, software, user preferences, and more.
Question 18: Which type of file system uses an inode-based structure to store data?
a) FAT32
b) NTFS
c) ext4
d) HFS+
Answer: c) ext4
Explanation: ext4 is a popular file system used in Linux operating systems. It uses an inode-based structure to store data and metadata about files and directories.
Question 19: What is the purpose of the “Safe Mode” in Windows operating systems?
a) To boot the system without loading unnecessary drivers and startup programs
b) To enable advanced graphics and multimedia features
c) To restrict access to critical system settings
d) To create a backup of important files
Answer: a) To boot the system without loading unnecessary drivers and startup programs
Explanation: “Safe Mode” in Windows allows the operating system to boot with only essential drivers and startup programs, making it easier to troubleshoot and fix issues that may arise due to problematic software or drivers.
Question 20: Which process scheduling algorithm aims to minimize the average waiting time for all processes?
a) Shortest Job Next (SJN)
b) First-Come, First-Served (FCFS)
c) Priority Scheduling
d) Shortest Remaining Time (SRT)
Answer: d) Shortest Remaining Time (SRT)
Explanation: The Shortest Remaining Time (SRT) scheduling algorithm selects the process with the shortest remaining burst time, aiming to minimize the average waiting time for all processes, making it an optimal scheduling algorithm.
Conclusion:
Operating System MCQs in English are a vital aspect of various exams, and excelling in them requires diligent preparation and a thorough understanding of OS concepts. With our comprehensive guide, you are equipped with valuable insights and strategies to conquer these MCQs and achieve success
Remember that the explanations provided here are concise, and the topic of operating systems can be vast and complex.
Please note that these questions cover some operating system concepts in computer science. I hope the explanations help clarify the concepts for you. If you have any specific topics or areas you’d like to explore further, feel free to ask!