Computer Hardware & Architecture is one of 10 topics in the Grade 12 Information Technology CAPS syllabus, covered across 3 lessons on Study Vault. Below are real practice questions from this topic with full worked answers.
Sample practice questions
Easy
1. Which CPU component performs arithmetic calculations and logical comparisons?
The Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU)
The Control Unit (CU)
The motherboard
Random Access Memory (RAM)
Answer: The Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU) — The Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU) is the CPU component responsible for arithmetic calculations (such as addition) and logical comparisons (such as greater than).
Easy
2. What is the correct order of the fetch-execute cycle?
Fetch, decode, execute
Decode, fetch, execute
Execute, fetch, decode
Decode, execute, fetch
Answer: Fetch, decode, execute — The CPU first fetches an instruction from memory, then decodes what operation it requires, and finally executes that operation.
Medium
3. Name the small, very fast CPU storage locations that temporarily hold data, instructions and addresses currently being processed.
Answer: registers — Registers are small, extremely fast storage locations built into the CPU that hold data currently being processed.
