CIS105 MIDTERM EXAM
2026 | Arizona State
University Earned
Admissions | 100% Correct
Q&A | Computer Information
Systems | Pass Guaranteed -
A+ Graded
* *Q1 (Hardware):** Which component temporarily stores data and instructions while the
computer is running, and loses its contents when power is turned off?
. Hard disk drive (HDD)
A
B. Solid-state drive (SSD)
C. Random access memory (RAM)
D. Read-only memory (ROM)
* *[CORRECT]** C
*Rationale: RAM is volatile memory used for active processing; it requires continuous power to
retain data. HDD and SSD are non-volatile storage devices that persist data after power off.
ROM is also non-volatile and contains firmware that does not change during normal operation.*
---
,* *Q2 (Hardware):** A user wants to upgrade their computer to improve boot times and
application loading speeds. Which upgrade would provide the most significant performance
improvement?
. Increasing RAM from 8 GB to 16 GB
A
B. Replacing an HDD with an SSD
C. Installing a faster CPU cooler
D. Adding a second monitor
* *[CORRECT]** B
*Rationale: SSDs use flash memory with no moving parts, dramatically reducing read/write
latency compared to HDDs, which directly improves boot and load times. While more RAM
helps multitasking, the HDD-to-SSD upgrade delivers the most noticeable speed improvement
for everyday tasks. A CPU cooler and second monitor do not directly affect storage
performance.*
---
* *Q3 (Hardware):** Which unit of measurement is commonly used to express the clock speed of
a CPU?
. Gigabytes (GB)
A
B. Gigahertz (GHz)
C. Megapixels (MP)
D. Terabytes (TB)
* *[CORRECT]** B
*Rationale: CPU clock speed measures how many cycles per second the processor executes,
expressed in gigahertz (billions of cycles per second). Gigabytes and terabytes measure
storage capacity, while megapixels measure image resolution. Students often confuse GHz with
GB because both use the "giga" prefix.*
---
**Q4 (Hardware):** The motherboard's chipset is responsible for:
. Displaying images on the monitor
A
B. Managing data flow between the CPU, memory, and peripherals
C. Storing the operating system permanently
D. Converting AC power to DC power for the CPU
* *[CORRECT]** B
*Rationale: The chipset acts as the motherboard's traffic controller, managing communication
between the CPU, RAM, storage, and expansion cards via buses. Display output is handled by
, the GPU, permanent OS storage by the hard drive/SSD, and power conversion by the PSU
(power supply unit).*
---
* *Q5 (Hardware):** Which port would you use to connect an external hard drive to achieve the
fastest data transfer rate?
. USB 2.0
A
B. USB 3.2 Gen 2×2
C. VGA
D. PS/2
* *[CORRECT]** B
*Rationale: USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 offers up to 20 Gbps, significantly faster than USB 2.0's 480
Mbps. VGA is an analog video port with no data transfer capability, and PS/2 is an older port for
keyboards and mice with very low bandwidth. Students may select USB 2.0 out of familiarity
without recognizing generational speed differences.*
---
**Q6 (Software):** Which of the following is an example of system software?
. Microsoft Word
A
B. Adobe Photoshop
C. Windows 11
D. Google Chrome
* *[CORRECT]** C
*Rationale: Windows 11 is an operating system, which is the core category of system software
that manages hardware resources and provides a platform for applications. Microsoft Word,
Photoshop, and Chrome are all application software designed for specific user tasks. Students
often confuse system and application software because both run on the computer.*
---
**Q7 (Software):** Open-source software is characterized by:
. Being free of charge only for educational institutions
A
B. Having source code that is publicly available and can be modified by anyone
C. Requiring a subscription license for all users
D. Being developed exclusively by Microsoft
**[CORRECT]** B
2026 | Arizona State
University Earned
Admissions | 100% Correct
Q&A | Computer Information
Systems | Pass Guaranteed -
A+ Graded
* *Q1 (Hardware):** Which component temporarily stores data and instructions while the
computer is running, and loses its contents when power is turned off?
. Hard disk drive (HDD)
A
B. Solid-state drive (SSD)
C. Random access memory (RAM)
D. Read-only memory (ROM)
* *[CORRECT]** C
*Rationale: RAM is volatile memory used for active processing; it requires continuous power to
retain data. HDD and SSD are non-volatile storage devices that persist data after power off.
ROM is also non-volatile and contains firmware that does not change during normal operation.*
---
,* *Q2 (Hardware):** A user wants to upgrade their computer to improve boot times and
application loading speeds. Which upgrade would provide the most significant performance
improvement?
. Increasing RAM from 8 GB to 16 GB
A
B. Replacing an HDD with an SSD
C. Installing a faster CPU cooler
D. Adding a second monitor
* *[CORRECT]** B
*Rationale: SSDs use flash memory with no moving parts, dramatically reducing read/write
latency compared to HDDs, which directly improves boot and load times. While more RAM
helps multitasking, the HDD-to-SSD upgrade delivers the most noticeable speed improvement
for everyday tasks. A CPU cooler and second monitor do not directly affect storage
performance.*
---
* *Q3 (Hardware):** Which unit of measurement is commonly used to express the clock speed of
a CPU?
. Gigabytes (GB)
A
B. Gigahertz (GHz)
C. Megapixels (MP)
D. Terabytes (TB)
* *[CORRECT]** B
*Rationale: CPU clock speed measures how many cycles per second the processor executes,
expressed in gigahertz (billions of cycles per second). Gigabytes and terabytes measure
storage capacity, while megapixels measure image resolution. Students often confuse GHz with
GB because both use the "giga" prefix.*
---
**Q4 (Hardware):** The motherboard's chipset is responsible for:
. Displaying images on the monitor
A
B. Managing data flow between the CPU, memory, and peripherals
C. Storing the operating system permanently
D. Converting AC power to DC power for the CPU
* *[CORRECT]** B
*Rationale: The chipset acts as the motherboard's traffic controller, managing communication
between the CPU, RAM, storage, and expansion cards via buses. Display output is handled by
, the GPU, permanent OS storage by the hard drive/SSD, and power conversion by the PSU
(power supply unit).*
---
* *Q5 (Hardware):** Which port would you use to connect an external hard drive to achieve the
fastest data transfer rate?
. USB 2.0
A
B. USB 3.2 Gen 2×2
C. VGA
D. PS/2
* *[CORRECT]** B
*Rationale: USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 offers up to 20 Gbps, significantly faster than USB 2.0's 480
Mbps. VGA is an analog video port with no data transfer capability, and PS/2 is an older port for
keyboards and mice with very low bandwidth. Students may select USB 2.0 out of familiarity
without recognizing generational speed differences.*
---
**Q6 (Software):** Which of the following is an example of system software?
. Microsoft Word
A
B. Adobe Photoshop
C. Windows 11
D. Google Chrome
* *[CORRECT]** C
*Rationale: Windows 11 is an operating system, which is the core category of system software
that manages hardware resources and provides a platform for applications. Microsoft Word,
Photoshop, and Chrome are all application software designed for specific user tasks. Students
often confuse system and application software because both run on the computer.*
---
**Q7 (Software):** Open-source software is characterized by:
. Being free of charge only for educational institutions
A
B. Having source code that is publicly available and can be modified by anyone
C. Requiring a subscription license for all users
D. Being developed exclusively by Microsoft
**[CORRECT]** B
