Computer Knowledge

Computer Knowledge: Practice Questions with Answers

112 practice questions on Computer Knowledge, with answers; most also have an explanation or a worked solution. Try each one before you open its answer.

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1. Q.51

   How many bits make one byte?

   1. A 8
   2. B 4
   3. C 16
   4. D 2
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   Correct answer: (A) 8

   One byte is defined as 8 bits, the standard unit for representing a single character.

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2. Q.52

   Which of these is an example of application software?

   1. A Microsoft Word
   2. B Windows
   3. C Linux
   4. D BIOS
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   Correct answer: (A) Microsoft Word

   Microsoft Word is application software, used to perform a specific task (word processing); the others are system software/firmware.

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3. Q.53

   What is 'RAID', a technique used to combine multiple hard drives for data redundancy or performance?

   1. A Redundant Array of Independent Disks
   2. B Rapid Access Internal Drive
   3. C Random Array of Integrated Devices
   4. D Remote Access Indexed Disk
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   Correct answer: (A) Redundant Array of Independent Disks

   RAID stands for Redundant Array of Independent Disks; it combines multiple physical drives into one logical unit to improve performance, provide redundancy, or both.

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4. Q.54

   What is an IP address used for?

   1. A To uniquely identify a device on a network
   2. B To measure a computer's processing speed
   3. C To store a user's saved passwords
   4. D To indicate a file's size
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   Correct answer: (A) To uniquely identify a device on a network

   An IP address uniquely identifies a device connected to a network, allowing data to be routed to and from it.

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5. Q.55

   What does BIOS, the firmware that initialises hardware during a computer's startup, stand for?

   1. A Basic Input/Output System
   2. B Binary Input Output Software
   3. C Basic Internal Operating System
   4. D Built-In Operating System
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   Correct answer: (A) Basic Input/Output System

   BIOS stands for Basic Input/Output System, firmware that initialises hardware before the operating system loads.

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6. Q.56

   Which keyboard shortcut is universally used to open the 'Find' function in most applications?

   1. A Ctrl+F
   2. B Ctrl+A
   3. C Ctrl+P
   4. D Ctrl+N
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   Correct answer: (A) Ctrl+F

   Ctrl+F is the universal keyboard shortcut for opening the Find function to search within a document or page.

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7. Q.57

   Convert the hexadecimal number FB into decimal.

   1. A 252
   2. B 250
   3. C 251
   4. D 267
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   Correct answer: (C) 251

   Hexadecimal FB = decimal 251 (sum of each digit x 16^position, from the right starting at 16^0).

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8. Q.58

   Third-generation computers (mid-1960s to early 1970s) were primarily built using which technology?

   1. A Integrated circuits
   2. B Transistors
   3. C Vacuum tubes
   4. D Microprocessors
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   Correct answer: (A) Integrated circuits

   Third-generation computers used integrated circuits (ICs), which combined multiple transistors onto a single chip.

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9. Q.59

   What does GUI stand for?

   1. A Graphical User Interface
   2. B General User Interface
   3. C Graphical Unified Interface
   4. D General Unified Interconnect
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   Correct answer: (A) Graphical User Interface

   GUI stands for Graphical User Interface - a visual way of interacting with a computer using icons and windows.

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10. Q.60

    What is the main advantage of a CPU's cache memory (L1, L2, L3)?

    1. A It stores frequently used data close to the processor, reducing the time needed to access it
    2. B It permanently stores the operating system
    3. C It increases the physical size of the processor
    4. D It replaces the need for RAM entirely
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    Correct answer: (A) It stores frequently used data close to the processor, reducing the time needed to access it

    Cache memory stores frequently accessed data very close to the CPU, significantly speeding up data retrieval compared to fetching from main memory.

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11. Q.61

    What is the main purpose of antivirus software?

    1. A To detect and remove malicious software
    2. B To increase internet speed
    3. C To manage computer memory
    4. D To compress large files
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    Correct answer: (A) To detect and remove malicious software

    Antivirus software is designed to detect, prevent, and remove malicious software (malware) from a computer.

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12. Q.62

    What is 'phishing' in the context of cybersecurity?

    1. A A fraudulent attempt to obtain sensitive information by posing as a trustworthy source, often via email
    2. B A technique for speeding up internet connections
    3. C A method of compressing large files
    4. D A type of antivirus software
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    Correct answer: (A) A fraudulent attempt to obtain sensitive information by posing as a trustworthy source, often via email

    Phishing is a cyberattack where attackers impersonate a trustworthy entity, typically through email or fake websites, to trick victims into revealing sensitive information.

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13. Q.63

    What does DBMS stand for?

    1. A Database Management System
    2. B Data Backup Management System
    3. C Digital Base Management System
    4. D Data Block Management System
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    Correct answer: (A) Database Management System

    DBMS stands for Database Management System - software used to create, manage, and query databases.

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14. Q.64

    What is the main difference between HTTP and HTTPS?

    1. A HTTPS encrypts data exchanged between a browser and a website, while HTTP does not
    2. B HTTP is faster but less reliable than HTTPS
    3. C HTTPS is used only for email, while HTTP is used for web pages
    4. D HTTP works only on mobile devices
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    Correct answer: (A) HTTPS encrypts data exchanged between a browser and a website, while HTTP does not

    HTTPS adds encryption (via SSL/TLS) to protect data exchanged between a browser and a website; plain HTTP does not encrypt this data.

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15. Q.65

    What does URL stand for?

    1. A Uniform Resource Locator
    2. B Universal Resource Link
    3. C Uniform Reference Locator
    4. D United Resource Locator
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    Correct answer: (A) Uniform Resource Locator

    URL stands for Uniform Resource Locator - the address used to locate a resource on the internet.

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16. Q.66

    In a database table, what is the purpose of a 'primary key'?

    1. A To uniquely identify each record (row) in the table
    2. B To store the largest value in the table
    3. C To encrypt the entire table
    4. D To sort the table alphabetically
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    Correct answer: (A) To uniquely identify each record (row) in the table

    A primary key is a column (or set of columns) whose value uniquely identifies each row in a database table, preventing duplicate records.

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17. Q.67

    A WAN (Wide Area Network) connects computers across which kind of area?

    1. A A large geographical area, such as across cities or countries
    2. B A single room only
    3. C Two computers directly connected by a cable
    4. D A single building only
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    Correct answer: (A) A large geographical area, such as across cities or countries

    A WAN spans a large geographical area, connecting computers across cities or even countries, unlike a LAN which covers a small local area.

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18. Q.68

    Which type of computer memory is typically faster but more expensive, and is used to build CPU cache?

    1. A SRAM (Static RAM)
    2. B DRAM (Dynamic RAM)
    3. C ROM
    4. D Hard disk
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    Correct answer: (A) SRAM (Static RAM)

    SRAM (Static RAM) is faster and more expensive than DRAM, which is why it is used for small, high-speed CPU caches rather than main memory.

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19. Q.69

    Second-generation computers (around the late 1950s to mid-1960s) primarily used which technology instead of vacuum tubes?

    1. A Transistors
    2. B Integrated circuits
    3. C Microprocessors
    4. D Vacuum tubes
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    Correct answer: (A) Transistors

    Second-generation computers replaced bulky, unreliable vacuum tubes with smaller, more efficient transistors.

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20. Q.70

    RAM loses its data when the computer is switched off. What type of memory is this?

    1. A Volatile memory
    2. B Non-volatile memory
    3. C Permanent memory
    4. D Read-only memory
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    Correct answer: (A) Volatile memory

    RAM (Random Access Memory) is volatile memory - its contents are lost once power is removed.

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21. Q.71

    Convert the hexadecimal number FE into decimal.

    1. A 255
    2. B 270
    3. C 253
    4. D 254
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    Correct answer: (D) 254

    Hexadecimal FE = decimal 254 (sum of each digit x 16^position, from the right starting at 16^0).

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22. Q.72

    What does GPU stand for?

    1. A Graphics Processing Unit
    2. B General Processing Unit
    3. C Graphical Program Utility
    4. D Graphics Protocol Unit
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    Correct answer: (A) Graphics Processing Unit

    GPU stands for Graphics Processing Unit, a specialised processor designed to accelerate the rendering of images, video and 3D graphics.

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23. Q.73

    In digital logic, an AND gate produces a true (1) output only when which condition is met?

    1. A All of its inputs are true (1)
    2. B At least one of its inputs is true (1)
    3. C None of its inputs are true (1)
    4. D Exactly one input is true (1)
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    Correct answer: (A) All of its inputs are true (1)

    An AND gate outputs true only when every one of its inputs is true; if any input is false, the output is false.

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24. Q.74

    Convert the hexadecimal number CF into decimal.

    1. A 208
    2. B 207
    3. C 206
    4. D 223
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    Correct answer: (B) 207

    Hexadecimal CF = decimal 207 (sum of each digit x 16^position, from the right starting at 16^0).

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25. Q.75

    Which generation of computers primarily used vacuum tubes?

    1. A First generation
    2. B Second generation
    3. C Third generation
    4. D Fourth generation
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    Correct answer: (A) First generation

    First-generation computers (1940s-1950s) used vacuum tubes for circuitry and memory.

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26. Q.76

    What does an IP address identify on a network?

    1. A A device connected to the network
    2. B A software license key
    3. C A file's creation date
    4. D A user's password
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    Correct answer: (A) A device connected to the network

    An IP (Internet Protocol) address uniquely identifies a device on a network so data can be routed to it.

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27. Q.77

    What does PDF stand for?

    1. A Portable Document Format
    2. B Personal Document File
    3. C Printable Document Format
    4. D Portable Data File
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    Correct answer: (A) Portable Document Format

    PDF stands for Portable Document Format, a file format that preserves document layout across devices.

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28. Q.78

    Which of these is an example of a web browser?

    1. A Google Chrome
    2. B Google
    3. C Wikipedia
    4. D Windows
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    Correct answer: (A) Google Chrome

    Google Chrome is a web browser, used to access websites; Google is a search engine, Wikipedia is a website, and Windows is an operating system.

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29. Q.79

    Which of these is an example of primary memory?

    1. A RAM
    2. B Hard disk
    3. C Pen drive
    4. D CD-ROM disc
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    Correct answer: (A) RAM

    RAM is primary (main) memory, directly accessible by the CPU; the others are secondary storage.

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30. Q.80

    What does CPU stand for?

    1. A Central Processing Unit
    2. B Central Program Unit
    3. C Computer Processing Unit
    4. D Central Peripheral Unit
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    Correct answer: (A) Central Processing Unit

    CPU stands for Central Processing Unit, the primary component that executes instructions.

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31. Q.81

    What is the main advantage of an SSD over a traditional HDD?

    1. A Faster data access speed
    2. B Lower cost per gigabyte
    3. C Larger physical size
    4. D Uses magnetic storage
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    Correct answer: (A) Faster data access speed

    SSDs (Solid State Drives) use flash memory with no moving parts, making them significantly faster than HDDs at reading and writing data.

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32. Q.82

    Who co-founded Google in 1998?

    1. A Larry Page and Sergey Brin
    2. B Bill Gates and Paul Allen
    3. C Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak
    4. D Mark Zuckerberg and Eduardo Saverin
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    Correct answer: (A) Larry Page and Sergey Brin

    Google was co-founded in 1998 by Larry Page and Sergey Brin while they were PhD students at Stanford University.

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33. Q.83

    Convert the hexadecimal number EC into decimal.

    1. A 237
    2. B 235
    3. C 236
    4. D 252
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    Correct answer: (C) 236

    Hexadecimal EC = decimal 236 (sum of each digit x 16^position, from the right starting at 16^0).

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34. Q.84

    Which of these is an operating system?

    1. A Windows
    2. B Microsoft Word
    3. C Google Chrome
    4. D Adobe Photoshop
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    Correct answer: (A) Windows

    Windows is an operating system; Word, Chrome, and Photoshop are application software that run on top of one.

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35. Q.85

    Which file extension is commonly used for a compressed (archived) file?

    1. A .zip
    2. B .exe
    3. C .txt
    4. D .jpg
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    Correct answer: (A) .zip

    The .zip extension indicates a compressed archive file; .exe is an executable program, .txt is plain text, and .jpg is an image.

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36. Q.86

    In digital logic, an OR gate produces a true (1) output when which condition is met?

    1. A At least one of its inputs is true (1)
    2. B All of its inputs are true (1)
    3. C None of its inputs are true (1)
    4. D Only when both inputs are false
    Show answer

    Correct answer: (A) At least one of its inputs is true (1)

    An OR gate outputs true if at least one of its inputs is true; it outputs false only when all inputs are false.

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37. Q.87

    Which keyboard shortcut is commonly used to save a file?

    1. A Ctrl+S
    2. B Ctrl+F
    3. C Ctrl+P
    4. D Ctrl+O
    Show answer

    Correct answer: (A) Ctrl+S

    Ctrl+S is the standard shortcut for saving the current file in most applications.

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38. Q.88

    What is the full form of CAPTCHA?

    1. A Completely Automated Public Turing test to tell Computers and Humans Apart
    2. B Read Only Memory
    3. C Cascading Style Sheets
    4. D Uniform Resource Locator
    Show answer

    Correct answer: (A) Completely Automated Public Turing test to tell Computers and Humans Apart

    CAPTCHA stands for Completely Automated Public Turing test to tell Computers and Humans Apart.

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39. Q.89

    What is the primary function of a firewall in computer security?

    1. A To monitor and control incoming and outgoing network traffic based on security rules
    2. B To physically cool down an overheating processor
    3. C To compress files to save storage space
    4. D To automatically back up files to the cloud
    Show answer

    Correct answer: (A) To monitor and control incoming and outgoing network traffic based on security rules

    A firewall monitors and filters incoming and outgoing network traffic according to a defined set of security rules.

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40. Q.90

    Arrange these computer memory units from smallest to largest: KB, GB, MB, TB.

    1. A KB, MB, GB, TB
    2. B KB, GB, MB, TB
    3. C MB, KB, GB, TB
    4. D GB, MB, KB, TB
    Show answer

    Correct answer: (A) KB, MB, GB, TB

    The correct order from smallest to largest is Kilobyte, Megabyte, Gigabyte, Terabyte.

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41. Q.91

    Which of the following is an output device?

    1. A DVD
    2. B Printer
    3. C Keyboard
    4. D Memory Card
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    Correct answer: (B) Printer

    Printer is an output device; the other options belong to different device categories.

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42. Q.92

    Fifth-generation computers are primarily associated with which technology?

    1. A Artificial Intelligence
    2. B Vacuum tubes
    3. C Transistors
    4. D Integrated circuits
    Show answer

    Correct answer: (A) Artificial Intelligence

    Fifth-generation computers are based on Artificial Intelligence, aiming to process natural language and learn from experience.

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43. Q.93

    What is the primary circuit board that holds and connects all major components of a computer, such as the CPU and memory?

    1. A Motherboard
    2. B Expansion card
    3. C Power supply unit
    4. D Heat sink
    Show answer

    Correct answer: (A) Motherboard

    The motherboard is the main circuit board that houses and interconnects the CPU, memory and other core components.

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44. Q.94

    A web browser is used primarily to do what?

    1. A Access and display web pages on the internet
    2. B Compile computer programs
    3. C Manage a database
    4. D Print documents
    Show answer

    Correct answer: (A) Access and display web pages on the internet

    A web browser (such as Chrome or Firefox) is application software used to access and display web pages.

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45. Q.95

    The introduction of the microprocessor marks which generation of computers?

    1. A Fourth generation
    2. B First generation
    3. C Second generation
    4. D Third generation
    Show answer

    Correct answer: (A) Fourth generation

    Fourth-generation computers introduced the microprocessor, integrating an entire CPU onto a single chip.

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46. Q.96

    Which of the following is a storage device?

    1. A Projector
    2. B Blu-ray Disc
    3. C Mouse
    4. D Headphones
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    Correct answer: (B) Blu-ray Disc

    Blu-ray Disc is a storage device; the other options belong to different device categories.

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47. Q.97

    What does SMTP, the protocol used to send email, stand for?

    1. A Simple Mail Transfer Protocol
    2. B Secure Mail Transmission Process
    3. C Standard Message Transport Protocol
    4. D System Mail Transfer Path
    Show answer

    Correct answer: (A) Simple Mail Transfer Protocol

    SMTP stands for Simple Mail Transfer Protocol; it is the standard protocol used to send email messages between mail servers.

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48. Q.98

    Which device converts digital signals to analog signals (and vice versa) to enable internet connectivity over telephone lines?

    1. A Modem
    2. B Router
    3. C Switch
    4. D Scanner
    Show answer

    Correct answer: (A) Modem

    A modem (modulator-demodulator) converts between digital and analog signals for network transmission.

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49. Q.99

    Which network topology connects all devices to a single central hub or switch?

    1. A Star topology
    2. B Bus topology
    3. C Ring topology
    4. D Mesh topology
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    Correct answer: (A) Star topology

    In a Star topology, every device connects individually to a central hub or switch, so a single cable failure affects only that one device.

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50. Q.100

    What does WAN stand for?

    1. A Wide Area Network
    2. B World Area Network
    3. C Wide Access Network
    4. D Wireless Area Network
    Show answer

    Correct answer: (A) Wide Area Network

    WAN stands for Wide Area Network - a network that spans a large geographic area, such as across cities or countries.

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