Resource Management [51 marks]
1. [Maximum mark: 2]
Outline what is meant by an interrupt. [2]
2. [Maximum mark: 3]
Explain how the microprocessor can deal with this interrupt. [3]
3. [Maximum mark: 2]
Suggest the type of memory that could be used to store the control
program in the microprocessor. [2]
4. [Maximum mark: 2]
Outline one advantage of the use of virtual memory. [2]
5. [Maximum mark: 3]
Explain how increasing the size of the central processing unit (CPU)
cache improves the performance of a computer. [3]
6. [Maximum mark: 3]
State three operating system resource management techniques. [3]
7. [Maximum mark: 4]
A company produces and sells domestic floor-cleaning robots.
The floor-cleaning robots can clean different surfaces like wood and carpet. The
floor‑cleaning robots can also avoid obstacles or stairs.
Sensors are used by the processor that controls the floor-cleaning robot so that it
can move safely.
A computerized security system for the company’s headquarters protects against
unauthorized access using a swipe-card system. Each door has a swipe-card
reader that is connected to the central computer. A database stores the IDs of all
employees and the rooms they are allowed to access.
Compare polling and interrupts as mechanisms for the swipe-card
readers to interact with the central computer. [4]
8. [Maximum mark: 3]
Describe how an operating system uses paging when running a
program. [3]
9. [Maximum mark: 4]
A washing machine manufacturer has created its website to be viewed on
standard desktop computers as well as mobile devices. The mobile browsing
experience differs from desktop browsing.
Different devices such as desktop computers and mobile devices have different
operating systems.
Explain the role of the operating system (OS) in terms of managing the
hardware resources. [4]
10. [Maximum mark: 4]
A washing machine manufacturer has created its website to be viewed on
standard desktop computers as well as mobile devices. The mobile browsing
experience differs from desktop browsing.
Describe two issues resulting from the website being viewed on
various devices, such as desktops and smartphones. [4]
11. [Maximum mark: 1]
A washing machine manufacturer has created its website to be viewed on
standard desktop computers as well as mobile devices. The mobile browsing
experience differs from desktop browsing.
Define the term screen resolution. [1]
12. [Maximum mark: 2]
Outline what is meant by virtual memory. [2]
13. [Maximum mark: 3]
Distinguish between the use of time slicing and priorities in the
scheduling of processes by an operating system. [3]
14. [Maximum mark: 2]
A business has a range of different computers within the organization, including
laptops, desktops and file servers. Wherever possible the organization uses a
common operating system on its computers.
Memory requirements and processor speed will vary depending on the tasks
required of the computer.
Contrast the processor speed requirements of a laptop computer and a
file server. [2]
15. [Maximum mark: 2]
A business has a range of different computers within the organization, including
laptops, desktops and file servers. Wherever possible the organization uses a
common operating system on its computers.
Memory requirements and processor speed will vary depending on the tasks
required of the computer.
Contrast the memory requirements of a laptop computer and a file
server. [2]
16. [Maximum mark: 2]
A business has a range of different computers within the organization, including
laptops, desktops and file servers. Wherever possible the organization uses a
common operating system on its computers.
Memory requirements and processor speed will vary depending on the tasks
required of the computer.
Contrast the processor speed requirements of a laptop computer and a
file server. [2]
17. [Maximum mark: 2]
A business has a range of different computers within the organization, including
laptops, desktops and file servers. Wherever possible the organization uses a
common operating system on its computers.
Outline one way the operating system hides the complexity of the
hardware from the computer user. [2]
18. [Maximum mark: 4]
A business has a range of different computers within the organization, including
laptops, desktops and file servers. Wherever possible the organization uses a
common operating system on its computers.
Outline two resource management techniques that are likely to be
carried out by the operating system of a desktop computer. [4]
19. [Maximum mark: 3]
A mobile phone has been developed with its own dedicated operating system
and is to be used as part of a smart home system in Singapore. The smart home
system includes a centralized air conditioning system, a burglar alarm and a
surveillance system.
Explain one benefit of using a dedicated operating system on the
mobile phone instead of a generic operating system. [3]
© International Baccalaureate Organization, 2024
