Question 1

Cybersecurity history: Identify the creator of PGP.  Pretty Good Privacy (PGP), a pioneering public-key encryption program, was created by which individual? Choose the correct name.

Accepted Answer

Given Software: PGP (Pretty Good Privacy). Concept/Approach PGP was authored and released by Phil Zimmermann in 1991, popularizing strong crypto for the public. Final Answer Phil Zimmermann.

Question 2

File formats: Recognize the purpose of the .TMP extension.  On operating systems and applications, the .TMP file extension typically indicates which kind of file? Choose the correct file type.

Accepted Answer

Given Extension: .TMP. Concept/Approach .TMP is conventionally used for temporary files created by programs during installation, editing, or caching, often to be deleted automatically. Final Answer Temporary file.

Question 3

Digital audio media (Red Book standard): According to the original Compact Disc (CD) specifications, how many minutes of audio can a standard CD hold? Include the standard continuous-play capacity defined by the CD-DA (audio CD) format. Choose the c…

Accepted Answer

Given data Asked: Standard audio capacity of an original-spec audio CD. Concept/Approach The Red Book (CD-DA) specification defines a standard playtime of approximately 74 minutes (about 74 min 33 s) for a 120 mm disc at 44.1 kHz/16-bit stereo. Reasoning • 80-minute discs exist but were introduced later as a higher-capacity variation.• The canonical original capacity is ~74 minutes. Final Answer 74 minutes

Question 4

Power continuity (IT/retail systems): In food marts, computers and cash registers are often connected to a UPS system. Expand the acronym UPS as used in electrical power backup for equipment. Choose the correct expansion.

Accepted Answer

Concept A UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) provides instantaneous backup power and power conditioning to keep critical equipment running during mains interruptions. Final Answer Uninterruptible Power Supply

Question 5

Operating systems history: Who co-created the UNIX operating system in 1969 along with Dennis Ritchie? Identify the Bell Labs engineer who partnered on the original UNIX. Choose the correct person.

Accepted Answer

Concept Ken Thompson and Dennis Ritchie led the creation of UNIX at Bell Labs in 1969–70. Final Answer Ken Thompson

Question 6

Radio communications: In broadcasting and electronics, the abbreviation AM stands for what? Identify the type of modulation referenced by AM in radio transmission. Choose the correct expansion.

Accepted Answer

Concept AM means Amplitude Modulation, where the carrier amplitude varies in proportion to the message signal. Final Answer Amplitude Modulation

Question 7

Databases (components): What is the part of a database that holds only one type of information (a single data item for a record)? Select the correct term for the atomic data holder. Choose the correct option.

Accepted Answer

Concept A field is an attribute/value slot holding one type of data per record; records are collections of fields; tables are collections of records. Final Answer Field

Question 8

RF/analog electronics (receiver performance): When characterizing a small-signal amplifier in a radio receiver, engineers often evaluate its noise ____. Fill the standard performance metric used to quantify degradation of signal-to-noise ratio. Choo…

Accepted Answer

Concept Noise figure (NF) quantifies how much an amplifier degrades SNR versus an ideal noiseless device (related to noise factor). Final Answer figure

Question 9

Television electronics: The transformer that develops the high voltage in a home CRT television is commonly called what? Use the colloquial service term for the line-output stage transformer. Choose the correct name.

Accepted Answer

Concept CRT TVs generate EHT (extra-high tension) using the flyback transformer, also called the Line Output Transformer (LOPT), driven by the horizontal deflection circuitry. Final Answer Flyback transformer (LOPT)

Question 10

Memory technology: Expand the acronym EPROM as used in semiconductor memories. Identify the standard full form used in computing. Choose the correct expansion.

Accepted Answer

Concept EPROM stands for Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory; it can be erased by UV light and reprogrammed. Final Answer Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory

Question 11

Electric machines (DC suitability): Which motor is NOT suitable for use as a DC machine? Identify the motor type designed for AC induction operation only. Choose the correct option.

Accepted Answer

Concept A squirrel-cage induction motor requires a time-varying AC magnetic field for induction and does not operate as a DC machine. Universal motors can run on AC or DC; PM and separately excited types are DC machines. Final Answer Squirrel-cage induction motor

Question 12

Digital audio (CD format): What is the sampling rate (samples per second) used for standard audio CDs? Refer to the Red Book CD-DA specification. Choose the correct sampling frequency.

Accepted Answer

Concept Standard CD-DA audio uses 44.1 kHz sampling at 16-bit, stereo (two channels). Higher rates like 48/96 kHz are used in other formats. Final Answer 44.1 kHz

Question 13

Industrial control: In automation, the abbreviation PLC stands for what? Give the standard expansion used in factory/industrial control systems. Choose the correct expansion.

Accepted Answer

Concept A Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) is a ruggedized industrial digital controller used for sequence, logic, timing, and process control. Final Answer Programmable Logic Controller

Question 14

History of computing: Who built the world’s first binary digital computer, the Z1? Identify the engineer/inventor behind the Z-series machines. Choose the correct person.

Accepted Answer

Concept Konrad Zuse built the Z1 (1936–38), an early binary programmable mechanical computer; he followed with electromechanical Z2/Z3. Final Answer Konrad Zuse

Question 15

Computer fundamentals: The abbreviation OS in computing usually stands for what? Provide the standard expansion used in software systems. Choose the correct expansion.

Accepted Answer

Concept An Operating System manages hardware, provides common services, and enables application execution. Final Answer Operating System

Question 16

Web history: Who developed Yahoo! (the web directory and portal) in the mid-1990s? Identify its two co-founders from Stanford University. Choose the correct pair.

Accepted Answer

Concept Jerry Yang and David Filo created the Yahoo! directory in 1994, which evolved into the Yahoo! portal. Final Answer Jerry Yang and David Filo

Question 17

Electrical safety (UK practice): In the UK, which type of installation requires a Fireman’s Switch (external emergency isolation)? Identify the common high-voltage lighting application that mandates this safety device. Choose the correct installatio…

Accepted Answer

Concept UK regulations require an externally accessible Fireman’s Switch for neon and other high-voltage discharge lighting so emergency services can isolate power quickly. Final Answer Neon/sign high-voltage discharge lighting installations

Question 18

Fluorescent lighting (tube light): What is the primary purpose of the choke (ballast) in a fluorescent lamp circuit? Consider both starting and steady-state operation. Choose the best description.

Accepted Answer

Concept The choke/ballast limits current through the discharge tube (negative resistance device) and, with the starter, provides a high-voltage kick to initiate the arc. Final Answer To limit lamp current (ballast) and aid starting

Question 19

File extensions (DOS/Windows): The '.BAT' extension usually refers to what type of file? Identify the kind of file executed by the command interpreter. Choose the correct option.

Accepted Answer

Concept .BAT files are batch command scripts executed by COMMAND.COM/cmd.exe, automating sequences of commands. Final Answer Batch file (command script)

Question 20

Computer networking (scope): A collection of two or more computers within a limited geographic area, connected directly or indirectly, is called what? Provide the standard networking term for this topology scope. Choose the correct term.

Accepted Answer

Concept A LAN interconnects devices over a limited area (e.g., office, campus floor) using switches, Wi-Fi, and structured cabling. Final Answer Local Area Network (LAN)

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