Introduction to Operating Systems: A Comprehensive Guide for Beginners

Question 1

What is the primary function of an operating system?

Accepted Answer

Managing computer resources and facilitating program execution

Answer

Executing programs exclusively

Answer

Storing data permanently

Answer

Connecting to the internet only

Question 2

Which method of process scheduling prioritizes executing shorter processes first?

Accepted Answer

Shortest job first

Answer

First-come, first-served

Answer

Round-robin

Answer

Priority-based

Question 3

What is the primary purpose of a file system?

Accepted Answer

Organizing and managing data on storage devices

Answer

Controlling user access and permissions

Answer

Encrypting data for increased security

Answer

Providing data backup and recovery

Question 4

Which type of operating system is predominantly used on personal computers?

Accepted Answer

Desktop

Answer

Mainframe

Answer

Minicomputer

Answer

Mobile

Question 5

What software interface allows users to interact with an operating system conveniently?

Accepted Answer

Graphical user interface

Answer

Command line

Answer

Shell

Answer

Interpreter

Question 6

Which option is not a widely used operating system kernel?

Accepted Answer

Java

Answer

Linux

Answer

Windows

Answer

Android

Question 7

What is the term for a program that converts high-level programming code into machine code?

Accepted Answer

Compiler

Answer

Interpreter

Answer

Assembler

Answer

Linker

Question 8

Which process management technique gives priority to completing short-duration processes quickly?

Accepted Answer

Shortest Job First (SJF)

Answer

First-In-First-Out (FIFO)

Answer

Priority Scheduling

Answer

Round Robin

Question 9

Which of the following accurately describes the structure of a file system?

Accepted Answer

A hierarchical structure where files are organized within directories

Answer

A flat structure where all files are stored at the same level

Answer

A complex network structure with multiple connections between files

Answer

A simple list of files without any organization

Question 10

Which of the following is NOT a core responsibility of an operating system?

Accepted Answer

Application development

Answer

Process management

Answer

Memory management

Answer

File system management

Question 11

What is the primary objective of a process scheduler in an operating system?

Accepted Answer

To allocate CPU time to processes efficiently

Answer

To allocate memory to processes

Answer

To manage file system access

Answer

To facilitate network communication

Question 12

Which memory management technique divides memory into fixed-size segments?

Accepted Answer

Segmentation

Answer

Paging

Answer

Virtual memory

Answer

Cache memory

Question 13

What is the fundamental purpose of a file system?

Accepted Answer

To organize and manage data storage on a storage device

Answer

To provide access to network resources

Answer

To execute programs

Answer

To manage memory allocation

Question 14

Which of the following is NOT typically considered a file system attribute?

Accepted Answer

Executable code

Answer

File name

Answer

File size

Answer

Creation timestamp

Question 15

Which of the following is a primary advantage of using a multi-user operating system?

Accepted Answer

Resource sharing

Answer

Enhanced security

Answer

Improved performance

Answer

Reduced hardware costs

Question 16

What is the primary function of a device driver in an operating system?

Accepted Answer

To act as an intermediary between the operating system and hardware devices

Answer

To manage memory allocation for hardware devices

Answer

To execute user programs

Answer

To establish network connectivity

Question 17

Which of the following is NOT a prevalent type of operating system kernel?

Accepted Answer

Virtual machine

Answer

Monolithic kernel

Answer

Microkernel

Answer

Hybrid kernel

Question 18

Which of the following is NOT a primary function of an operating system?

Accepted Answer

Writing software applications

Answer

Managing system resources

Answer

Memory management

Answer

File system management

Question 19

What is the role of a process scheduler in an operating system?

Accepted Answer

Determines the order and timing of process execution

Answer

Allocates memory to processes

Answer

Manages file access

Answer

Controls input and output devices

Question 20

Which memory management technique divides memory into fixed-size blocks and translates logical addresses to physical addresses?

Accepted Answer

Paging

Answer

Segmentation

Answer

Dynamic memory allocation

Answer

Virtual memory

Question 21

What is the purpose of a file system?

Accepted Answer

To organize and store data on storage devices in a structured manner

Answer

To manage the execution of programs

Answer

To handle input and output operations

Answer

To provide a graphical user interface for the operating system

Question 22

What is the fundamental difference between a process and a thread?

Accepted Answer

Processes are independent units of execution, while threads share the same memory space and resources within a process.

Answer

Threads are independent units of execution, while processes share the same memory space and resources.

Answer

Processes and threads are essentially the same thing.

Answer

Threads are always more efficient than processes.

Question 23

Which of the following is an advantage of using a virtual memory system?

Accepted Answer

Extending the available memory beyond physical capacity

Answer

Improving performance by reducing disk access

Answer

Enhancing security by isolating processes

Answer

Reducing the cost of hardware

Question 24

What is the primary function of a device driver in an operating system?

Accepted Answer

To provide an interface between hardware devices and software applications

Answer

To manage user accounts and permissions

Answer

To execute user programs

Answer

To store and organize data

Question 25

Which of the following is NOT a core function of an operating system?

Accepted Answer

Word processing

Answer

Process management

Answer

Memory management

Answer

File management

Question 26

Which of the following is a key advantage of using a multi-user operating system?

Accepted Answer

Resource sharing

Answer

Increased security

Answer

Improved performance

Answer

Enhanced ease of use

Question 27

Which type of software is designed to perform specific tasks for users?

Accepted Answer

Word processor

Answer

Web browser

Answer

Operating system

Answer

Firmware

Question 28

Which of the following is a characteristic of a real-time operating system?

Accepted Answer

Responding to events within strict time constraints

Answer

Providing a rich graphical user interface

Answer

Being suitable for general-purpose applications

Answer

Supporting multitasking

Question 29

Which of the following is a disadvantage of distributed operating systems?

Accepted Answer

Single point of failure

Answer

Increased reliability

Answer

Resource sharing

Answer

Improved performance

Question 30

Distinguish between real-time operating systems and general-purpose operating systems based on their defining characteristics:

Accepted Answer

Real-time operating systems emphasize determinism and timely response, while general-purpose operating systems prioritize abstraction and virtualization.

Answer

Real-time operating systems offer extensive file management capabilities, unlike general-purpose operating systems.

Question 31

In a practical setting, what are the benefits of using a multi-user operating system?

Accepted Answer

Enhances collaboration and resource utilization by enabling data sharing among multiple users.

Accepted Answer

Optimizes resource allocation by eliminating the need for multiple hardware setups for each user.

Answer

Ensures fairness in resource distribution by automatically assigning equal priority to all users.

Answer

Guarantees complete data security, making it suitable for storing sensitive information.

Question 32

Which of the following is NOT a primary responsibility of an operating system?

Accepted Answer

Performing complex mathematical computations

Answer

Scheduling tasks

Answer

Managing hardware resources

Answer

Providing a user interface

Question 33

Which component of an operating system is responsible for allocating and deallocating memory to running programs?

Accepted Answer

Memory management unit

Answer

Device manager

Answer

Job scheduler

Answer

File system

Question 34

What is the primary purpose of a process in an operating system?

Accepted Answer

To represent an executing program

Answer

To manage hardware devices

Answer

To store user data

Answer

To provide a graphical user interface

Question 35

Which scheduling algorithm prioritizes completing shorter-duration processes before longer-duration processes?

Accepted Answer

Shortest Job First

Answer

First Come, First Served

Answer

Round Robin

Answer

Priority Scheduling

Question 36

What is the distinction between a logical file and a physical file?

Accepted Answer

A logical file is a file as perceived by the user, whereas a physical file is the actual file stored on a storage device.

Answer

A logical file is typically larger than a physical file.

Question 37

What is a primary purpose of a device driver in an operating system?

Accepted Answer

To enable the operating system to communicate with and control hardware devices.

Answer

To store data

Answer

To manage memory

Question 38

Which of the following is an advantage of using a multi-user operating system?

Accepted Answer

It allows multiple users to simultaneously access and use the same computer.

Answer

It is easier to use than single-user operating systems.

Answer

It is more efficient than single-user operating systems.

Question 39

What is the primary function of the kernel in an operating system?

Accepted Answer

To provide low-level access to hardware and manage system resources.

Answer

To provide a user interface

Answer

To manage files

Question 40

Which process management algorithm assigns priorities to processes and schedules them based on those priorities?

Accepted Answer

Priority scheduling

Answer

First-come, first-served (FCFS)

Answer

Shortest job first (SJF)

Answer

Round-robin scheduling

Question 41

Which file system organizes files and directories into a tree-like structure, with a single root directory from which all other directories and files descend?

Accepted Answer

Hierarchical file system

Answer

Network file system (NFS)

Answer

Flat file system

Answer

Object-oriented file system

Question 42

Which component of an operating system interfaces with hardware devices and translates application requests into low-level device-specific commands?

Accepted Answer

Device driver

Answer

Shell

Answer

File manager

Answer

Kernel

Question 43

What is the primary purpose of virtualization in operating systems?

Accepted Answer

To create multiple isolated operating systems or virtual machines on a single physical machine

Answer

To improve security by isolating different applications and environments

Answer

To speed up the performance of a single operating system

Question 44

Which type of operating system is specifically designed for use on handheld devices, such as smartphones and tablets?

Accepted Answer

Mobile operating system

Answer

Server operating system

Answer

Embedded operating system

Answer

Desktop operating system

Question 45

What is the main responsibility of the kernel in an operating system?

Accepted Answer

To manage hardware resources, provide system services, and control access to hardware and software resources

Answer

To execute application programs

Answer

To provide a user interface for interacting with the operating system

Question 46

Which advantage is commonly associated with using a graphical user interface (GUI) in an operating system?

Accepted Answer

Easier and more intuitive user interaction and navigation

Answer

Reduced system resource consumption

Answer

Faster processing speeds

Answer

Enhanced security

Question 47

What is the primary function of a file system in an operating system?

Accepted Answer

To organize, store, retrieve, and manage data on storage devices

Answer

To schedule and execute processes

Answer

To manage memory resources

Question 48

What is the primary responsibility of the process scheduler in an operating system?

Accepted Answer

To determine the order of execution and duration of processes

Answer

To allocate and manage physical memory

Answer

To translate assembly code into machine code

Question 49

Which memory management technique splits memory into variable-sized segments?

Accepted Answer

Segmentation

Answer

Paging

Answer

Virtual memory

Answer

Swapping

Question 50

What is the main function of a file system in an operating system?

Accepted Answer

To organize and manage files and directories on storage devices

Answer

To execute user commands and programs

Answer

To manage access to system resources

Question 51

Which of the following is a key advantage of multi-threaded programming?

Accepted Answer

Enhanced responsiveness and concurrent execution of tasks

Answer

Improved security

Answer

Simplified code development

Answer

Reduced memory consumption

Question 52

What is the primary role of a BIOS (Basic Input/Output System)?

Accepted Answer

To initialize hardware components and load the operating system

Answer

To provide a graphical interface for user interaction

Answer

To manage memory and process scheduling

Question 53

Which operating system model allows multiple users and processes to run simultaneously?

Accepted Answer

Multiuser, multitasking

Answer

Single-user, multitasking

Answer

Multiuser, single-tasking

Answer

Single-user, single-tasking

Question 54

What is the fundamental distinction between a kernel and a shell in an operating system?

Accepted Answer

The kernel handles core system tasks, while the shell provides a user interface

Answer

The kernel authenticates users, and the shell allocates memory

Answer

The shell manages file systems, and the kernel handles process management

Question 55

What is the purpose of virtualization in computing?

Accepted Answer

To create an isolated virtual environment that mimics a physical computer

Answer

To protect the host system from malicious software

Answer

To enhance system speed by caching frequently used data