Module 3: Operating System

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In this post, I provide complete, accurate, and detailed explanations for the answers to Module 3: Operating System of Course 1: Technical Support Fundamentals – Google IT Support Professional Certificate.

Whether you’re preparing for quizzes or brushing up on your knowledge, these insights will help you master the concepts effectively. Let’s dive into the correct answers and detailed explanations for each question!

Binary

Practice Quiz

1. What are the two main parts that make up an operating system?

  • Kernel and Userspace ✅
  • Kernel and Packages
  • Windows and Mac
  • Users and Software

Explanation:

  • The Kernel is the core of the OS that manages hardware and system resources.
  • The Userspace is where applications and user interactions take place.
  • Windows and Mac are different operating systems, not OS components.
  • Users and Software are related to the OS but are not its core components.

2. What are the main components of file management? Check all that apply.

  • File system ✅
  • File data ✅
  • NTFS
  • Metadata ✅

Explanation:

  • File system organizes and manages data storage (e.g., NTFS, FAT32).
  • File data contains the actual information stored in files.
  • Metadata includes information about files (size, date modified, permissions).
  • NTFS is a specific file system, not a component of file management itself.

3. What is the last step in booting a computer?

  • User space is launched. ✅
  • Load up drivers.
  • Perform a POST.
  • Execute the bootloader.

Explanation:

  1. Power-On Self-Test (POST) checks hardware.
  2. Bootloader executes to load the OS.
  3. Drivers are loaded to enable hardware functionality.
  4. User space is launched – this is the final step where the OS starts the user interface and applications.

4. Which of these is a GUI? Check all that apply.

  • iOS ✅
  • MS-DOS
  • BASH
  • Chrome OS ✅

Explanation:

  • GUI (Graphical User Interface) uses icons, windows, and a visual layout.
  • iOS and Chrome OS are GUI-based operating systems.
  • MS-DOS and BASH are command-line interfaces (CLI), not GUIs.

5. Which of these are considered I/O devices? Check all that apply.

  • Webcams ✅
  • Speakers ✅
  • Monitors ✅
  • CPU

Explanation:

  • I/O devices (Input/Output devices) allow communication between users and the computer.
    • Webcams (input)
    • Speakers (output)
    • Monitors (output)
  • CPU is not an I/O device; it’s the central processing unit that processes instructions.

Installing an Operating System

Practice Quiz

6. True or false: If you have a 32-bit CPU architecture, it's recommended to use a 64-bit operating system.

  • TRUE
  • FALSE ✅

Explanation:

  • A 32-bit CPU cannot run a 64-bit OS because it lacks the necessary architecture to support 64-bit instructions.
  • If you have a 32-bit CPU, you must install a 32-bit OS.
  • However, if you have a 64-bit CPU, you should install a 64-bit OS for better performance.

7. If you want to boot into a USB drive, how do you change your boot settings?

  • Replace the CPU.
  • Wipe the computer.
  • Go into the BIOS settings and change the boot settings ✅
  • Login to the machine.

Explanation:

  • The BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) or UEFI allows you to configure the boot sequence.
  • You can change the boot order to prioritize booting from a USB drive.
  • Other options are incorrect:
    • Replacing the CPU is unnecessary.
    • Wiping the computer has nothing to do with boot settings.
    • Logging in happens after the OS loads, not before.

8. What is the file manager in macOS called?

  • Finder ✅
  • File Explorer
  • Konqueror
  • Midnight Commander

Explanation:

  • Finder is the default file manager in macOS. It helps users navigate files, folders, and applications.
  • Other options:
    • File Explorer is for Windows.
    • Konqueror is used in Linux (KDE).
    • Midnight Commander is a command-line file manager.

9. What command can you use to create a file using bash?

  • 1 cat
  • 1 ls
  • 1 touch ✅
  • 1 mkfile

Explanation:

  • touch filename creates a new empty file in Bash.
  • Other options:
    • cat is used to view or concatenate files but doesn’t create an empty file.
    • ls lists files but doesn’t create them.
    • mkfile exists in macOS but is not a general Linux/Bash command.

10. A ____ is an emulation of a physical machine.

  • BIOS
  • virtual machine ✅
  • driver
  • kernel

Explanation:

  • A virtual machine (VM) simulates a physical computer and allows multiple OSes to run on the same hardware.
  • Other options:
    • BIOS manages basic hardware initialization.
    • Driver helps the OS communicate with hardware.
    • Kernel is the core part of the OS.

Module 3 challenge: Installing and Using Operating Systems

Graded Assignment

11. You’re entering data in a spreadsheet. You open a menu that you haven’t opened in several weeks. Then, you notice that the spreadsheet program slows down. Which of the following is the likely cause?

  • Your kernel has scheduled its processes inefficiently and you should restart your computer.
  • Your computer needs to load the page for that menu from RAM into virtual memory.
  • Your computer does not have enough RAM to load the menu.
  • Your computer needs to load the page for that menu from virtual memory into RAM. ✅

Explanation:

  • If a menu hasn’t been used for a long time, the system may have moved it to virtual memory (swap space) to free up RAM.
  • When you open it again, the OS moves it back from virtual memory to RAM, causing a delay.

12. What is a virtual machine (VM)?

  • A physical computer that can run multiple operating systems at once.
  • An application used to install Linux
  • A Linux distribution.
  • An application that uses physical resources like memory, CPU, and storage, but offers the added benefit of running multiple operating systems at once. ✅

Explanation:

  • A VM is software that emulates a physical computer, allowing multiple operating systems to run on the same hardware.

13. Complete the Qwiklab Creating a Folder with Linux or follow along with the exemplar before answering this question. Which of the following commands would you use to create a folder called Folder1 in Linux?

  • touch Folder1
  • mkdir FOLDER1
  • Folder1 nwdir
  • mkdir Folder1 ✅

Explanation:

  • The mkdir command (Make Directory) is used to create a new folder in Linux.
  • Incorrect options:
    • touch Folder1 creates an empty file, not a folder.
    • Folder1 nwdir is an invalid command.
    • mkdir FOLDER1 works but creates a folder with uppercase letters.

14. What is Ubuntu’s main screen called?

  • Desktop ✅
  • System environment
  • Search pane
  • Background

Explanation:

  • Ubuntu uses a desktop environment like GNOME, which provides the main screen where users interact with applications and files.

15. Which part of a file’s metadata tells a user what type of file it is?

  • Its data block.
  • Its name.
  • Its file extension. ✅
  • Its storage location.

Explanation:

  • The file extension (e.g., .txt, .jpg, .pdf) indicates the file type.
  • Incorrect options:
    • Data block stores actual file content.
    • Name is just an identifier.
    • Storage location tells where the file is saved, not its type.

16. Which of the following functions are carried out by an operating system’s kernel? Select all that apply.

  • Managing system resources by creating, scheduling, and managing processes.  ✅
  • Managing the input and output of external devices. ✅
  • File storage and file management.  ✅
  • Allowing humans to interact with the operating system through a GUI or CLI shell.

Explanation:

  • The kernel manages system processes, resources, file storage, and I/O operations.
  • The shell (not the kernel) handles user interactions through CLI or GUI.

17. Which of the following operating systems is open source?

  • ChromeOS
  • Linux ✅
  • Windows
  • Mac OS

Explanation:

  • Linux is open source, meaning its source code is freely available.
  • Other options:
    • Windows, macOS, and Chrome OS are closed-source proprietary systems.

18. Which of the following is true of Chrome OS?

  • It has high hardware resource requirements.
  • It is very popular with gamers who play video games that require powerful computers.
  • It is designed for simplicity, security, and speed. ✅
  • Because it is cloud-based, it is particularly susceptible to malware and security hacks.

Explanation:

  • Chrome OS is lightweight and cloud-based, making it fast and secure for web-based applications.
  • Incorrect options:
    • It has low hardware requirements.
    • It is not ideal for gaming due to limited support for high-end applications.
    • It is actually more secure, not vulnerable to malware.

19. Which of the following devices can be used to store the OS that is booted on a computer? Select all that apply.

  • CD drive ✅
  • USB drive ✅
  • Kernel
  • Hard drive ✅

Explanation:

  • A computer boots the OS from a storage device, like a hard drive or USB drive.
  • Incorrect options:
    • The kernel is part of the OS, not a storage device.

20. You want to create a file called START_HERE. Which of the following commands would you use?

  • start_here touch
  • touch START_HERE ✅
  • mkdir START_HERE
  • mkfile START_HERE

Explanation:

  • touch creates an empty file in Linux.
  • Incorrect options:
    • mkdir START_HERE creates a folder, not a file.
    • mkfile START_HERE is not a standard Linux command.

21. You’re writing a report in a word processor. You open a menu that you haven’t opened in several weeks. You then notice that the word processor slows down. Which of the following is the likely cause?

  • Your computer needs to load the page for that menu from virtual memory into RAM. ✅
  • Your kernel has scheduled its processes inefficiently and you should restart your computer.
  • Your computer’s CPU has been maxed out.
  • Your computer needs to load the page for that menu from RAM into virtual memory.

Explanation: If you haven’t opened the menu in a while, the system may have moved it to virtual memory (swap space) to free up RAM. When you access it again, it has to be reloaded into RAM, causing a slight slowdown.

22. Complete the Qwiklab Creating a Folder with Linux or follow along with the exemplar before answering this question. Which of the following commands can be used to create a folder in Linux?

  • touch
  • mkdir ✅
  • create_folder
  • dir

Explanation: The mkdir (make directory) command is used to create new directories (folders) in Linux.

23. What is Windows’ main screen called?

  • System environment
  • Desktop ✅
  • Search pane
  • Background

Explanation: In Windows, the main screen you see after logging in, where icons, files, and shortcuts are placed, is called the Desktop.

24. Which of the following are components of file handling? Select all that apply.

  • Metadata ✅
  • Hard disks
  • Data ✅
  • File Systems ✅

Explanation:

  • Metadata: Information about files (e.g., size, creation date, permissions).
  • Data: The actual content stored in the file.
  • File Systems: The structure used by the OS to store, organize, and access files.
  • Hard disks are storage devices but are not a direct component of file handling.

25. What process does the BIOS/UEFI run to ensure a computer is in proper working order before it runs the bootloader?

  • POST ✅
  • REVIEW
  • PIVOT
  • TEST

Explanation: Power-On Self-Test (POST) is a diagnostic process run by BIOS/UEFI to check hardware components before booting the operating system.

26. An IT support specialist works at a small company that provides Mac (Apple) computers to its employees. An employee wants to use a program that only runs in Windows and asks the IT support specialist for help. The company’s policy states that employees cannot have more than one company computer and this employee already has a Mac. What should the IT support specialist do?

  • Tell the employee that the program will not run on their current computer, but offer to let them trade their current computer for a PC that will run the program.
  • Provision a VM with Windows OS on the employee’s computer so they’re able to use the program. ✅
  • Apologize to the employee and explain that they cannot help because the program is incompatible with Mac OS.
  • Offer to let the employee use the program on their company computer.

Explanation:
 A virtual machine (VM) allows running Windows within macOS, enabling the employee to use the required program without violating company policy.

27. Complete the Qwiklab Creating a Folder with Linux or follow along with the exemplar before answering this question. Which of the following commands would you use to create a folder called Super-Secret-Folder in Linux?

  • newdir Super-Secret-Folder
  • mkdir Super-Secret-Folder  ✅
  • touch Super-Secret-Folder
  • mkdir Super Secret Folder

Explanation:
The mkdir (make directory) command is used to create new folders in Linux. The correct syntax is: mkdir Super-Secret-Folder

28. Data is written to the hard drive in the form of _____.

  • Data blocks ✅
  • File extensions
  • Data fragments
  • Files

Explanation:
Data on a hard drive is stored in blocks. Files are split into data blocks for efficient storage and retrieval.

29. Ubuntu is a distribution of which of the following operating systems?

  • Windows
  • Mac OS
  • ChromeOS
  • Linux ✅

Explanation:
Ubuntu is a popular Linux distribution known for its ease of use and community support.

30. You want to create a file called Secret_document in Linux. Which of the following commands would you use?

  • TOUCH Secret_document
  • touch Secret_document ✅
  • Secret_document touch
  • mkdir Secret_document

Explanation:
The touch command creates an empty file in Linux. Correct syntax:

bash
touch Secret_document
  • TOUCH (commands in Linux are case-sensitive).
  • mkdir creates a folder, not a file.

31. What does an operating system’s User Space do?

  • Breaks stored files into data blocks to increase accessibility and storage space efficiency.
  • Allows humans to interact with the operating system through a GUI or CLI shell. ✅
  • Manages system resources by creating, scheduling, and managing processes.
  • Manages the input and output of external devices.

Explanation:
The User Space in an OS provides an interface for users to interact with the system using a Graphical User Interface (GUI) or Command Line Interface (CLI).

32. Which of the following is a defining characteristic of Chrome OS?

  • Each computer that runs Chrome OS must be set up by pre-installing various software applications.
  • It has a robust local file management system.
  • It has extensive offline functionality.
  • It relies on cloud-based services and applications that run primarily through the Google Chrome browser. ✅

Explanation:
Chrome OS is designed for cloud computing, where most applications and data storage occur online via Google services.

Related contents:

Module 1: Introduction to IT
Module 2: Hardware
Module 4: Networking
Module 5: Software
Module 6: Troubleshooting

You might also like:

Course 2: The Bits and Bytes of Computer Networking
Course 3: Operating Systems and You: Becoming a Power User
Course 4: System Administration and IT Infrastructure Services
Course 5: IT Security: Defense against the digital dark arts

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