Question 1

To convert analog sound to digital sound, several thousand samples-digital representations of the sound at a particular moment-are taken every second.

Accepted Answer

This statement is true. Analog sound is converted to digital sound through a process called analog-to-digital conversion (ADC), where the sound is sampled several thousand times per second and each sample is converted into a digital representation. This digital representation can then be stored or manipulated using digital audio software.

Question 2

The main circuit board inside the system unit is called the megaboard.

Accepted Answer

The main circuit board inside the system unit is actually called the motherboard.

Question 3

MIDI ports are used to receive wireless transmissions from devices.

Accepted Answer

MIDI ports are physical ports on devices that allow for communication between MIDI devices, they do not receive wireless transmissions. MIDI data is typically transferred over wired connections using MIDI cables.

Question 4

Each location in memory has an address.

Accepted Answer

This is true. Each location in memory is identified by a unique numerical address. This address is used by the computer to reference and access the data stored in that location.

Question 5

The decode unit coordinates and controls the operations and activities taking place within the CPU.

Accepted Answer

The control unit, not the decode unit, coordinates and controls the operations and activities within the CPU. The decode unit is responsible for interpreting instructions.

Question 6

As a hard drive begins to get full, it takes less time to locate and manipulate the data stored on the drive.

Accepted Answer

This statement is false. As a hard drive begins to get full, it actually takes more time to locate and manipulate the data stored on the drive, as the computer has to search through more data to find what it is looking for.

Question 7

Several of the original ports used with desktop computers-such as the parallel ports traditionally used to connect printers-are now considered standard ports.

Accepted Answer

Many of the original ports such as parallel ports are not considered standard anymore, as they have been replaced by newer technologies.

Question 8

Pipelining increases the number of machine cycles completed per second.

Accepted Answer

Pipelining allows different stages of instructions to be executed simultaneously, increasing the number of machine cycles completed per second.

Question 9

Each pixel in a monochrome graphic can be only one of two possible colors (such as black or white).

Accepted Answer

Monochrome graphics use only one color with the absence of others, and the color is typically black or white, resulting in two possible color options for each pixel.

Question 10

The number of bits being transmitted at one time is dependent on the bus width.

Accepted Answer

The bus width determines the number of data lines available for data transfer and therefore the number of bits transmitted at one time.

Question 11

USB ports are used to connect a computer to a phone outlet via telephone connectors.

Accepted Answer

USB ports are used to connect various peripherals such as smartphones, external hard drives, and printers to a computer. They are not used to connect a computer to a phone outlet via telephone connectors. This type of connection is typically done using a modem or Ethernet port.

Question 12

The backside bus (BSB) has been one of the most common types of expansion buses in past years.

Accepted Answer

The term "backside bus" typically refers to a connection between a CPU and its cache memory, rather than an expansion bus for adding peripherals or additional components to a computer system. Expansion buses include PCI, AGP, and ISA, among others.

Question 13

The control unit takes the instructions fetched by the prefetch unit and translates them into a form that can be understood by the control unit, ALU, and FPU.

Accepted Answer

The control unit takes the instructions fetched by the prefetch unit and decodes them into a form that can be understood by the control unit, ALU, and FPU.

Question 14

Traditionally, PC Cards were used for notebook expansion.

Accepted Answer

PC Cards were specifically designed for notebook expansion, allowing users to add additional functionality such as wireless connectivity or memory storage.

Question 15

The binary numbering system uses only two symbols-the digits 0 and 1-to represent all possible numbers.

Accepted Answer

The binary numbering system is a base-2 system that uses only two symbols-0 and 1-to represent numbers.

Question 16

ROM (read-only memory), also called main memory, is used to store the essential parts of the operating system while the computer is running.

Accepted Answer

ROM is not considered main memory; it is a type of memory that retains its contents even when the power is turned off, and is used to store firmware and other programs that are permanently installed on a computer's motherboard. Main memory typically refers to volatile memory, such as RAM, that is used for temporary storage while the computer is running.

Question 17

The process of representing data in digital form so it can be used by a digital computer is called decimal byte representation.

Accepted Answer

The process of representing data in digital form so it can be used by a digital computer is called digital data representation or binary data representation, not decimal byte representation.

Question 18

Typically, 3D chips are created by layering individual silicon wafers on top of one another.

Accepted Answer

This is the most common way to create 3D chips, known as 3D stacking or vertical stacking. However, there are other methods being developed such as through silicon vias (TSVs) and monolithic 3D integration.

Question 19

Early computers required programs to be written in machine language.

Accepted Answer

Early computers did not have high-level programming languages like we have today, so programs had to be written directly in the machine language of the computer.

Question 20

Unlike ASCII, Unicode is a universal coding standard designed to represent text-based data written in any language, including those with different alphabets.

Accepted Answer

Unicode is indeed a universal coding standard that can represent text-based data in any language, unlike ASCII, which can only represent text in the English language.

Quiz 2: The System Unit: Processing and Memory