Module 3 challenge: Installing and Using Operating Systems

1. Your computer is running slowly while multitasking. What could be the cause? (Select all that apply)

✅ Your computer does not have enough RAM to load all of the processes you’re trying to run.
✅ Your computer’s CPU is being maxed out because one of the processes you’re running is taking up too many time slices.
❌ Your kernel is managing its I/O inefficiently.
✅ Your computer’s CPU is being maxed out because too many processes want CPU time and the CPU can’t keep up.

✅ Correct Answers:

Your computer does not have enough RAM
CPU maxed out by heavy process
CPU maxed out by many processes

Explanation:
Slowdowns during multitasking often occur due to low RAM or a CPU under high load, either because one process is hogging resources or many are competing for attention. The kernel’s I/O management is a more advanced and rare cause.

2. What is a virtual machine (VM)?

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

✅ Correct Answer: 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 a software-based computer that runs on a host machine. It uses real hardware resources but simulates separate operating environments.

3. Which of the following commands would you use to create a folder called Folder1 in Linux?

❌ Folder1 nwdir
❌ touch Folder1
❌ mkdir FOLDER1
✅ mkdir Folder1

✅ Correct Answer: mkdir Folder1

Explanation:
The mkdir command is used to create directories (folders) in Linux. Case matters — Folder1 and FOLDER1 would be two different folders.

4. What is Ubuntu’s main screen called?

❌ Background
❌ Search pane
✅ Desktop
❌ System environment

✅ Correct Answer: Desktop

Explanation:
Just like Windows and macOS, Ubuntu’s main interface is called the Desktop. It’s where you launch applications and interact with open windows.

5. Which of the following are components of file handling? (Select all that apply)

✅ Metadata
✅ Data
❌ Hard disks
✅ File Systems

✅ Correct Answers:

Metadata
Data
File Systems

Explanation:
File handling involves both the actual content (data), descriptive information (metadata), and the file system that organizes them. Hard disks are physical devices, not a file handling component.

6. Which part of an operating system interacts with a system’s hardware?

✅ The kernel
❌ The application
❌ The User Space
❌ The BIOS

✅ Correct Answer: The kernel

Explanation:
The kernel is the core of the OS that interacts directly with hardware. It manages system resources and facilitates communication between hardware and software.

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

❌ Mac OS
❌ ChromeOS
✅ Linux
❌ Windows

✅ Correct Answer: Linux

Explanation:
Ubuntu is one of the most popular Linux distributions, widely used for both desktop and server environments.

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

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

✅ Correct Answer: It is designed for simplicity, security, and speed

Explanation:
Chrome OS is lightweight and optimized for web-based applications, making it fast, secure, and efficient, especially on low-end devices.

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

✅ POST
❌ TEST
❌ PIVOT
❌ REVIEW

✅ Correct Answer: POST

Explanation:
POST (Power-On Self-Test) checks the computer’s hardware — like RAM, CPU, and keyboard — to ensure everything works before booting the OS.

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

❌ mkfile START_HERE
✅ touch START_HERE
❌ mkdir START_HERE
❌ start_here touch

✅ Correct Answer: touch START_HERE

Explanation:
The touch command in Linux creates an empty file named START_HERE (or updates its timestamp if it already exists). mkdir is for folders, and mkfile isn’t typically used in Linux.

✅ Final Thoughts

This assignment covers foundational concepts in:

Multitasking and system performance
Linux commands and file systems
Ubuntu and Chrome OS basics
Virtual machines and the boot process

💡 Pro Tip: Practicing these commands and concepts in a Linux terminal or virtual machine will give you hands-on experience that solidifies your understanding.