Operating System — Questions and answers
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What was the biggest problem with the early computers like the IBM 704 mentioned on this page?
Choices
- They were too small to do much work.
- They made too much noise while computing.
- They spent too much time waiting for people to set them up between tasks. ✓
- They could only do one type of calculation.
Answer: They spent too much time waiting for people to set them up between tasks.
From page 1
What did Technician Anya Sharma compare the computer's setup process to?
Choices
- A fast train rushing down the tracks.
- A factory where the assembly line stops completely between every single item. ✓
- A chef quickly cooking many dishes at once.
- A person reading a book very slowly.
Answer: A factory where the assembly line stops completely between every single item.
From page 2
Which early system helped the IBM 704 computer work much better by automating tasks?
Choices
- The Human-Computer Interaction System
- The GM-NAA I/O system ✓
- The Manual Operations Supervisor
- The General Motors Car Controller
Answer: The GM-NAA I/O system
From page 4
What is the main job of the 'kernel' in an operating system?
Choices
- To tell jokes to the user.
- To manage the computer's most important parts like the CPU, memory, and how it talks to other devices. ✓
- To draw pretty pictures on the screen.
- To play music when the computer starts.
Answer: To manage the computer's most important parts like the CPU, memory, and how it talks to other devices.
From page 7
Who were the main people who developed the Unix operating system?
Choices
- Dr. Evelyn Reed and Engineer David Kim
- Robert Patrick and Sarah Chen
- Ken Thompson and Dennis Ritchie ✓
- Dr. Alice Sterling and Michael Chen
Answer: Ken Thompson and Dennis Ritchie
From page 8
How did new operating systems for personal computers change who could use computers?
Choices
- Only a few highly-trained experts could use them.
- Computers became bigger and harder to move.
- They made computing available to almost everyone, not just specialists. ✓
- They only allowed computers to play games.
Answer: They made computing available to almost everyone, not just specialists.
From page 9
Where can you find operating systems working invisibly today?
Choices
- Only in very old, large computers.
- Only on super complicated scientific equipment.
- In almost every piece of technology, like smartphones, cars, and even medical devices. ✓
- Nowhere, because they are no longer needed.
Answer: In almost every piece of technology, like smartphones, cars, and even medical devices.
From page 10