Operating Systems MCQs

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Operating Systems MCQs

Practice Operating System MCQs covering Windows, Linux, Android, booting, multitasking and multiprocessing concepts with answers and explanations.

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Practice Questions

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Question #21
What type of OS is designed to guarantee that critical actions or computing responses occur within precise, predictable time constraints?
A. Network Operating System
B. Time-Sharing Operating System
C. Real-Time Operating System (RTOS)
D. Batch Processing System
Discuss
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Correct Answer: Option C

Explanation:
A Real-Time Operating System (RTOS) is meant for environments where processing must happen within strict, predefined time margins (e.g., embedded systems, robotics).
This question belongs to: Computer Operating Systems
Question #22
Which of the following commands is used in Linux to change the read, write, and execute permissions of a specific file?
A. chown
B. chmod
C. mkdir
D. pwd
Discuss
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Correct Answer: Option B

Explanation:
The 'chmod' command stands for 'change mode' and is used to alter access permissions for files and directories in Unix-like systems.
This question belongs to: Computer Operating Systems
Question #23
In a symmetric multiprocessing (SMP) system, how are the processing responsibilities shared among available CPUs?
A. One primary CPU controls all other slave CPUs and handles all hardware input/output exclusively.
B. Processors are restricted to executing only application software, never OS tasks.
C. Only one processor can be active at any given minute while others stay idle.
D. All processors share the same physical memory space and run tasks simultaneously under equal peer status.
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Correct Answer: Option D

Explanation:
In Symmetric Multiprocessing (SMP), multiple peer processors share a common main memory and execute threads concurrently under equal standing.
This question belongs to: Computer Operating Systems
Question #24
Which system state preserves open documents and applications to the hard drive or SSD, and then shuts down power completely?
A. Sleep Mode
B. Hibernate Mode
C. Restart Mode
D. Log Off Mode
Discuss
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Correct Answer: Option B

Explanation:
Hibernate mode saves current system state data directly onto the hard disk (hiberfil.sys) and powers off the machine completely, consuming zero electricity.
This question belongs to: Computer Operating Systems
Question #25
What is the name of the default bootloader utility widely used by modern distributions of Linux, such as Ubuntu or Fedora?
A. NTLDR
B. BOOTMGR
C. LILO
D. GRUB
Discuss
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Correct Answer: Option D

Explanation:
GRUB (Grand Unified Bootloader) is the standard and most widely used bootloader across modern Linux distributions.
This question belongs to: Computer Operating Systems
Question #26
Which Linux command is used to display the full pathname of the current working directory?
A. pwd
B. cd
C. ls
D. whoami
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Correct Answer: Option A

Explanation:
The 'pwd' command stands for 'print working directory', which outputs the exact directory path that the user is currently interacting with.
This question belongs to: Computer Operating Systems
Question #27
Which component of the Android architecture contains core C/C++ libraries like WebKit, OpenGL ES, and SQLite?
A. Hardware Abstraction Layer
B. Applications Layer
C. Native C/C++ Libraries (and Android Runtime)
D. Java API Framework
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Correct Answer: Option C

Explanation:
Android includes a set of native C/C++ libraries providing core features like web rendering, graphics acceleration, and database engines.
This question belongs to: Computer Operating Systems
Question #28
What is the primary objective of a 'Cold Boot' procedure?
A. Starting up a computer system that was completely powered off, initializing hardware components anew.
B. Restarting the computer purely through terminal soft commands.
C. Running an offline antivirus scan.
D. Lowering the operational temperature of the CPU fan.
Discuss
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Correct Answer: Option A

Explanation:
A cold boot occurs when the power switch is flipped from 'Off' to 'On', triggering a complete hardware check and OS load from scratch.
This question belongs to: Computer Operating Systems
Question #29
Which of the following is an example of an open-source operating system?
A. Microsoft Windows 11
B. Apple macOS
C. Linux
D. MS-DOS
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Correct Answer: Option C

Explanation:
Linux is developed under an open-source license, allowing anyone to view, modify, and redistribute its underlying source code freely.
This question belongs to: Computer Operating Systems
Question #30
What happens during a page fault in virtual memory management?
A. The computer experiences a fatal hardware crash.
B. The processor attempts to access a page of memory that is not currently loaded in the physical RAM.
C. The system runs out of network bandwidth.
D. The hard disk sector becomes permanently corrupted.
Discuss
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Correct Answer: Option B

Explanation:
A page fault is an interrupt raised by hardware when a program tries to access a memory page mapped in virtual space but not loaded into the physical RAM.
This question belongs to: Computer Operating Systems
Question #31
Which structural type of kernel minimizes kernel responsibilities by running most non-essential services in user space?
A. Exokernel
B. Hybrid Kernel
C. Monolithic Kernel
D. Microkernel
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Correct Answer: Option D

Explanation:
A microkernel structure keeps the kernel minimal, implementing services like file systems and device drivers in user space to maximize stability.
This question belongs to: Computer Operating Systems
Question #32
Which file system format was introduced with Windows NT to support file permissions, encryption, and reliability features?
A. FAT32
B. FAT16
C. NTFS
D. HPFS
Discuss
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Correct Answer: Option C

Explanation:
NTFS (New Technology File System) added security features, access control lists, encryption, and file journaling which were missing in FAT file systems.
This question belongs to: Computer Operating Systems
Question #33
What is the name of the specialized Linux command used to search for a specific text string or pattern within files?
A. find
B. locate
C. cat
D. grep
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Correct Answer: Option D

Explanation:
The 'grep' command (Global Regular Expression Print) searches through files for lines matching a specified text pattern and prints them.
This question belongs to: Computer Operating Systems
Question #34
Which term describes the operational condition where a CPU is constantly swapping memory pages between RAM and disk, leading to massive system slowdown?
A. Paging
B. Multiprocessing
C. Thrashing
D. Caching
Discuss
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Correct Answer: Option C

Explanation:
Thrashing occurs when virtual memory resources are overused, causing the OS to spend more time moving data between disk and RAM than executing actual application instructions.
This question belongs to: Computer Operating Systems
Question #35
Which of the following is a classic example of a single-user, single-tasking operating system?
A. Android
B. Windows 95
C. MS-DOS
D. Linux Ubuntu
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Correct Answer: Option C

Explanation:
MS-DOS (Microsoft Disk Operating System) is a historical command-line operating system that natively supported only one user and one running task at a time.
This question belongs to: Computer Operating Systems
Question #36
What mechanism does an OS use to instantly notify the CPU that an event requiring immediate attention has occurred?
A. System Call
B. Spooling
C. Thread
D. Interrupt
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Correct Answer: Option D

Explanation:
An interrupt is a hardware or software signal sent to the CPU, causing it to temporarily suspend current tasks to execute an Interrupt Service Routine (ISR).
This question belongs to: Computer Operating Systems
Question #37
Which of the following describes cooperative multitasking?
A. Hardware automatically manages scheduling without any operating system code.
B. The operating system forcibly stops tasks using timer interrupts.
C. Each running process must explicitly yield control to let other processes run.
D. Tasks are shared across multiple physical computers on a local area network.
Discuss
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Correct Answer: Option C

Explanation:
In cooperative multitasking, the operating system never forces a context switch; instead, processes must manually yield CPU execution time back to the system scheduler.
This question belongs to: Computer Operating Systems
Question #38
What type of operating system kernel combines the architecture of both monolithic and microkernel designs to achieve a balance of performance and modularity?
A. Exokernel
B. Asymmetric Kernel
C. Hybrid Kernel
D. Nano-kernel
Discuss
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Correct Answer: Option C

Explanation:
A hybrid kernel layout (used by Windows NT family) balances performance and modularity by putting certain services in kernel space while keeping concepts modular.
This question belongs to: Computer Operating Systems
Question #39
Which of the following commands in Linux is used to create a completely new, empty directory?
A. rmdir
B. mkdir
C. mv
D. touch
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Correct Answer: Option B

Explanation:
The 'mkdir' (make directory) command is used across Unix-like environments to create fresh directory structures.
This question belongs to: Computer Operating Systems
Question #40
What is the primary function of the Master Boot Record (MBR) on a storage drive?
A. To run continuous hardware diagnostics while applications are open.
B. To hold user profile pictures and account settings.
C. To contain the initial boot sector code and partition table needed to locate and load the operating system.
D. To manage real-time internet connections.
Discuss
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Correct Answer: Option C

Explanation:
The MBR is the first sector of a partitioned storage device that contains the boot loader code and the partition table layout.
This question belongs to: Computer Operating Systems

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