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COS3721 Operating Systems and Architecture –
Exam Questions and Answers 2025 - 2026
An initial bootstrap program is in the form of random-access memory (RAM).
A) True
B) False
B) False
Google
"Alternatively referred to as bootstrapping, bootloader, or boot program, a bootstrap loader is a
program that resides in the computer's EPROM, ROM, or another non-volatile memory. It is
automatically executed by the processor when turning on the computer."
In what way is an operating system like a government?
A) It seldom functions correctly.
B) It creates an environment within which other programs can do useful work.
C) It performs most useful functions by itself.
D) It is always concerned primarily with the individual's needs.
B) It creates an environment within which other programs can do useful work.
p4 "An operating system is similar to a government. Like a government, it performs no useful
function by itself. It simply provides an environment within which other programs can do useful
work."
____ operating systems are designed primarily to maximize resource utilization.
A) PC
B) Handheld computer
C) Mainframe
D) Network
C) Mainframe
The most common secondary storage device is ____.
A) random access memory
B) solid-state disks
C) tape drives
D) magnetic disk
D) magnetic disk
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p13 "The most common secondary-storage devices are hard-disk drives (HDDs) and nonvolatile
memory (NVM) devices, which provide storage for both programs and data."
Hard disks, zip disks, and floppy disks are common examples of magnetic disks.
Which of the following would lead you to believe that a given system is an SMP-type system?
A) Each processor is assigned a specific task.
B) There is a boss-worker relationship between the processors.
C) Each processor performs all tasks within the operating system.
D) None of the above
C) Each processor performs all tasks within the operating system.
p16 "The most common multiprocessor systems use symmetric multiprocessing (SMP), in which
each peer CPU processor performs all tasks, including operating-system functions and user
processes."
A ____ can be used to prevent a user program from never returning control to the operating
system.
A) portal
B) program counter
C) firewall
D) timer
D) timer
p26 "We must ensure that the operating system maintains control over the CPU. We cannot allow
a user program to get stuck in an infinite loop or to fail to call system services and never return
control to the operating system. To accomplish this goal, we can use a timer."
Embedded computers typically run on a ____ operating system.
A) real-time
B) Windows XP
C) network
D) clustered
A) real-time
p46 "Embedded systems almost always run real-time operating systems. A real-time system is
used when rigid time requirements have been placed on the operation of a processor or the flow
of data; thus, it is often used as a control device in a dedicated application."
Bluetooth and 802.11 devices use wireless technology to communicate over several feet, in
essence creating a ____.
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A) local-area network
B) wide-area network
C) small-area network
D) metropolitan-area network
C) small-area network (?)
p36 "BlueTooth and 802.11 devices use wireless technology to communicate over a distance of
several feet, in essence creating a personal-area network (PAN) between a phone and a headset
or a smartphone and a desktop computer."
A clustered system ____.
A) gathers together multiple CPUs to accomplish computational work
B) is an operating system that provides file sharing across a network
C) is used when rigid time requirements are present
D) can only operate one application at a time
A) gathers together multiple CPUs to accomplish computational work
p19 "Another type of multiprocessor system is a clustered system, which gathers together
multiple CPUs."
Which of the following is a property of peer-to-peer systems?
A) Clients and servers are not distinguished from one another.
B) Separate machines act as either the client of the server but not both.
C) They do not offer any advantages over traditional client-server systems.
D) They suffer from the server acting as the bottleneck in performance.
A) Clients and servers are not distinguished from one another.
p43 "Another structure for a distributed system is the peer-to-peer (P2P) system model. In this
model, clients and servers are not distinguished from one another. Instead, all nodes within the
system are considered peers, and each may act as either a client or a server, depending on
whether it is requesting or providing a service. Peer-to-peer systems offer an advantage over
traditional client-server systems. In a client-server system, the server is a bottleneck; but in a
peer-to-peer system, services can be provided by several nodes distributed throughout the
network."
Two important design issues for cache memory are ____.
A) speed and volatility
B) size and replacement policy
C) power consumption and reusability
D) size and access privileges
COS3721 Operating Systems and Architecture –
Exam Questions and Answers 2025 - 2026
An initial bootstrap program is in the form of random-access memory (RAM).
A) True
B) False
B) False
"Alternatively referred to as bootstrapping, bootloader, or boot program, a bootstrap loader is a
program that resides in the computer's EPROM, ROM, or another non-volatile memory. It is
automatically executed by the processor when turning on the computer."
In what way is an operating system like a government?
A) It seldom functions correctly.
B) It creates an environment within which other programs can do useful work.
C) It performs most useful functions by itself.
D) It is always concerned primarily with the individual's needs.
B) It creates an environment within which other programs can do useful work.
p4 "An operating system is similar to a government. Like a government, it performs no useful
function by itself. It simply provides an environment within which other programs can do useful
work."
____ operating systems are designed primarily to maximize resource utilization.
A) PC
B) Handheld computer
C) Mainframe
D) Network
C) Mainframe
The most common secondary storage device is ____.
A) random access memory
B) solid-state disks
C) tape drives
D) magnetic disk
D) magnetic disk
,2|Page
p13 "The most common secondary-storage devices are hard-disk drives (HDDs) and nonvolatile
memory (NVM) devices, which provide storage for both programs and data."
Hard disks, zip disks, and floppy disks are common examples of magnetic disks.
Which of the following would lead you to believe that a given system is an SMP-type system?
A) Each processor is assigned a specific task.
B) There is a boss-worker relationship between the processors.
C) Each processor performs all tasks within the operating system.
D) None of the above
C) Each processor performs all tasks within the operating system.
p16 "The most common multiprocessor systems use symmetric multiprocessing (SMP), in which
each peer CPU processor performs all tasks, including operating-system functions and user
processes."
A ____ can be used to prevent a user program from never returning control to the operating
system.
A) portal
B) program counter
C) firewall
D) timer
D) timer
p26 "We must ensure that the operating system maintains control over the CPU. We cannot allow
a user program to get stuck in an infinite loop or to fail to call system services and never return
control to the operating system. To accomplish this goal, we can use a timer."
Embedded computers typically run on a ____ operating system.
A) real-time
B) Windows XP
C) network
D) clustered
A) real-time
p46 "Embedded systems almost always run real-time operating systems. A real-time system is
used when rigid time requirements have been placed on the operation of a processor or the flow
of data; thus, it is often used as a control device in a dedicated application."
Bluetooth and 802.11 devices use wireless technology to communicate over several feet, in
essence creating a ____.
, 3|Page
A) local-area network
B) wide-area network
C) small-area network
D) metropolitan-area network
C) small-area network (?)
p36 "BlueTooth and 802.11 devices use wireless technology to communicate over a distance of
several feet, in essence creating a personal-area network (PAN) between a phone and a headset
or a smartphone and a desktop computer."
A clustered system ____.
A) gathers together multiple CPUs to accomplish computational work
B) is an operating system that provides file sharing across a network
C) is used when rigid time requirements are present
D) can only operate one application at a time
A) gathers together multiple CPUs to accomplish computational work
p19 "Another type of multiprocessor system is a clustered system, which gathers together
multiple CPUs."
Which of the following is a property of peer-to-peer systems?
A) Clients and servers are not distinguished from one another.
B) Separate machines act as either the client of the server but not both.
C) They do not offer any advantages over traditional client-server systems.
D) They suffer from the server acting as the bottleneck in performance.
A) Clients and servers are not distinguished from one another.
p43 "Another structure for a distributed system is the peer-to-peer (P2P) system model. In this
model, clients and servers are not distinguished from one another. Instead, all nodes within the
system are considered peers, and each may act as either a client or a server, depending on
whether it is requesting or providing a service. Peer-to-peer systems offer an advantage over
traditional client-server systems. In a client-server system, the server is a bottleneck; but in a
peer-to-peer system, services can be provided by several nodes distributed throughout the
network."
Two important design issues for cache memory are ____.
A) speed and volatility
B) size and replacement policy
C) power consumption and reusability
D) size and access privileges
