Practice A1.3 Operating systems and control systems with authentic IB Computer Science (First Exam 2027) exam questions for both SL and HL students. This question bank mirrors Paper 1, 2, 3 structure, covering key topics like programming concepts, algorithms, and data structures. Get instant solutions, detailed explanations, and build exam confidence with questions in the style of IB examiners.
A gaming company is developing a new mobile game.
Compare the suitability of ARM and x86 processors for mobile gaming devices.
The game uses RGB color representation with 8 bits per channel. Calculate how many different colors can be displayed.
Explain how the mobile operating system manages memory allocation for the game.
A multi-user database server implements various memory management strategies.
Complete the memory management strategy comparison table.
| Strategy | Page Size | Allocation Method | Fragmentation Type | Overhead | Best Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fixed Partitioning | N/A | Internal | Low | ||
| Dynamic Partitioning | N/A | First Fit | Medium | ||
| Paging | 4 KB | None | |||
| Segmentation | Variable | External | High |
Evaluate virtual memory advantages/disadvantages for database servers.
A hospital implements a patient monitoring system with multiple real-time requirements.
Complete real-time scheduling priority table.
| Process | Execution Time | Period | Deadline | Priority Level | System Response |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heart Monitor | 5 ms | 10 ms | 10 ms | ||
| Blood Pressure | 20 ms | 60 ms | 50 ms | ||
| Temperature | 10 ms | 30 ms | 30 ms | ||
| Alarm System | 2 ms | 5 ms | 3 ms | ||
| Data Logging | 50 ms | 300 ms | 300 ms |
Evaluate Rate Monotonic vs Earliest Deadline First scheduling.
A data center operates thousands of servers continuously.
Explain why redundant power supplies and cooling systems are essential in data centers.
The servers process data using parallel computing. Outline how parallel processing differs from sequential processing.
Describe how virtualization technology allows multiple operating systems to run on a single physical server.
A smart city traffic management system coordinates multiple intersection controllers.
Design a distributed system architecture table for traffic coordination:
| System Component | Processing Power | Communication Protocol | Response Time | Fault Tolerance | Primary Function |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Central Controller | High | ||||
| Intersection Node | Low | <100 ms | Medium | Emergency Override | |
| <10 ms | Critical | Data Analytics | |||
| High | Low |
Explain how the system maintains coordination when communication links between intersections fail.
A hospital uses a real-time control system for patient monitoring.
Define what is meant by a "real-time system".
Distinguish between hard real-time and soft real-time systems.
State three characteristics that make real-time systems suitable for medical applications.
A manufacturing control system coordinates multiple robotic assembly lines.
Design a process synchronization table for coordinating assembly line operations:
| Assembly Line | Operation Type | Duration | Dependencies | Shared Resources | Synchronization Method |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Line A | Part Assembly | 45 sec | Conveyor Belt | ||
| Line B | Quality Check | 30 sec | Line A Complete | Testing Station | |
| Line C | Packaging | 20 sec | Line B Complete | ||
| Line D | Material Supply | 60 sec | Raw Materials |
Analyze how semaphores and mutexes would be used to prevent resource conflicts and ensure proper sequencing of operations.
Process scheduling is essential for efficient system operation.
Define the term "process scheduling" in operating systems.
Compare First Come First Served (FCFS) and Shortest Job First (SJF) scheduling algorithms.
Explain why priority-based scheduling might lead to starvation.
File management is a crucial function of operating systems.
Outline the purpose of a file allocation table (FAT).
Compare hierarchical and flat file systems.
Explain why defragmentation may be necessary for hard disk drives.
A multi-user database system requires careful resource management.
Explain the concept of deadlock in operating systems and how it can occur.
Describe three techniques that operating systems use to prevent or resolve deadlocks.
Outline how semaphores can be used to control access to shared resources.