Digital Technologies Exam Paper: Hardware and Cloud Computing

Section A: Multiple Choice Questions (15 Marks)

Choose the correct answer for each question. Each question carries 1 mark.
1. What is the primary role of the chipset on a modern motherboard?
o a) Manage the interaction between CPU, RAM, and peripherals

o b) Provide power to the motherboard

o c) Connect external devices

o d) Store data

2. Which cloud computing characteristic allows for dynamic scaling of resources?

o a) Broad network access

o b) On-demand self-service

o c) Rapid elasticity

o d) Resource pooling

3. What does the Southbridge on a motherboard primarily manage?

o a) High-speed communication between CPU and RAM

o b) Peripheral and I/O functions

o c) Graphical processing

o d) Data storage

4. Which memory type is used for temporary data storage during program execution?
o a) ROM

o b) Hard drive

o c) RAM

o d) Cache

5. What is the Von Neumann bottleneck?

o a) The slow data transfer between CPU and peripherals

o b) The inability to execute multiple instructions simultaneously

o c) Limited capacity of storage devices

o d) Reduced graphics processing speed

6. Which type of cloud service model involves hosting applications?

o a) IaaS

o b) PaaS

o c) SaaS
 o d) DaaS

7. What is a key difference between DDR4 and DDR5 RAM?

o a) DDR5 has reduced latency compared to DDR4

o b) DDR4 is faster than DDR5

o c) DDR5 offers improved power efficiency and higher bandwidth

o d) DDR4 is more cost-effective for high-performance systems

8. What type of cloud deployment combines features of both private and public models?
o a) Community

o b) Private

o c) Public

o d) Hybrid

9. Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of cloud computing?

o a) On-demand self-service

o b) Resource pooling

o c) Limited elasticity

o d) Measured service

10.What function does Direct Memory Access (DMA) serve in a computer system?
o a) Speeds up CPU operations

o b) Allows peripherals to access memory without CPU intervention

o c) Enhances power management

o d) Provides additional storage

11.Which cloud service model primarily offers software tools over the internet?
o a) IaaS

o b) PaaS

o c) SaaS

o d) FaaS

12.What is the main purpose of a GPU in a computer system?

o a) Process audio data

o b) Manage data storage

o c) Render graphics and videos

o d) Enhance CPU performance

13.Which type of storage is typically used to speed up data access in cloud computing
environments?
 o a) Magnetic tape

o b) SSD

o c) Optical media

o d) Cloud storage

14.What technology underlies cloud computing and allows for the creation of virtualized IT
resources?
o a) Distributed computing

o b) Utility computing

o c) Virtualization

o d) Service-oriented architecture

15.Which deployment model is most suitable for organizations requiring tight control over their
data and privacy?
o a) Public Cloud

o b) Private Cloud

o c) Community Cloud

o d) Hybrid Cloud

16.Which component on a motherboard is primarily responsible for data flow between the CPU,
RAM, and GPU?
 a) CPU
 b) RAM
 c) Northbridge
 d) Southbridge
17. What is the primary function of RAM in a computer system?
 a) Store permanent data
 b) Execute instructions
 c) Store temporary data for quick access
 d) Manage power supply to components
18. Which of the following is not a type of primary memory?
 a) RAM
 b) ROM
 c) Cache memory
 d) Secondary storage
19. What type of extension slot is commonly used for connecting graphics cards to a
motherboard?
  a) eSATA
 b) PCIe
 c) AGP
 d) USB
20. Which statement about motherboards is true?
 a) Motherboards are responsible only for providing power to the computer
components.
 b) Motherboards house the CPU, RAM, and other essential components required for
a computer to function.
 c) Motherboards are not essential for the operation of a computer system.
 d) Motherboards do not vary in size or form factor.
21. What is a key benefit of virtualization in cloud computing?
 a) Simplified hardware configuration
 b) Increased hardware costs
 c) Efficient resource utilization
 d) Enhanced memory capacity
22. Which cloud service model enables users to develop applications without managing the
underlying infrastructure?
 a) SaaS
 b) IaaS
 c) PaaS
 d) DaaS
23. Which feature of cloud computing allows cost transparency?
 a) Metered service
 b) Broad network access
 c) Resource pooling
 d) Elastic scaling
24. Which type of RAM would you choose for high-performance systems?
 a) DDR3
 b) DDR4
 c) DDR5
 d) DDR2
25. What is the main purpose of a GPU?
 a) Render graphics and videos
  b) Manage CPU tasks
 c) Control memory access
 d) Enhance RAM performance
26. Which deployment model is suited for organizations with fluctuating computing needs?
 a) Public Cloud
 b) Private Cloud
 c) Hybrid Cloud
 d) Community Cloud
27. What technology underlies cloud computing and allows for creating virtual servers?
 a) Distributed computing
 b) Utility computing
 c) Virtualization
 d) Service-oriented architecture
28. Which service model provides hardware resources over the internet?
 a) SaaS
 b) PaaS
 c) IaaS
 d) None of the above
29. What is the primary advantage of using cloud-based services for a government agency?
 a) Reduced IT governance
 b) Lower initial capital expenditure
 c) Higher data security in public model
 d) Complex scalability options
30. What does the Harvard architecture primarily improve?
 a) Cost efficiency
 b) Memory capacity
 c) Processing speed by parallel instruction and data handling
 d) Data security

Section B: Descriptive Questions (30 Marks)

Each question has parts (a, b, c, d). Answer all parts for each question. Each part carries equal
marks.
1. Computer Hardware and Architectures (15 Marks)
 o a) Describe the Fetch-Decode-Execute cycle and its significance in CPU operations.
(5 Marks)
o b) Compare and contrast Von Neumann and Harvard architectures, including
diagrams to illustrate differences. (5 Marks)
o c) Discuss the role of the chipset on a modern motherboard, explaining how it
facilitates communication between the CPU, RAM, and peripherals. (5 Marks)
2. Cloud Computing (15 Marks)
o a) Define cloud computing and detail its essential characteristics. (3 Marks)

o b) Describe the different cloud service models (IaaS, PaaS, SaaS) and provide
examples of each. (4 Marks)
o c) Compare public and private cloud deployment models, discussing their
advantages and disadvantages, especially in terms of security and cost. (4 Marks)
o d) Given a scenario where a government agency needs to choose a cloud
deployment model, propose a suitable option. Justify your choice based on the
needs for efficiency and data security. (4 Marks)