Computer Networks MCQs (Part - 1) | 25 Practice Questions with Answers | CBSE Class 12 Computer Science
Class 12 · Computer Science
Computer Networks MCQs (25 Questions)
Practice these multiple-choice questions to strengthen your understanding of Computer Networks. Click Show Answer to reveal the correct answer and explanation.
Q1. What is a computer network?
A. A collection of software programs.
B. A group of interconnected computers that can communicate and share resources.
C. A collection of computer files.
D. A single standalone computer.
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Answer: B. A group of interconnected computers that can communicate and share resources.
Explanation: A computer network connects multiple computers to exchange data and share hardware, software, and other resources.
Q2. Which network is considered the predecessor of the modern Internet?
A. LAN
B. ARPANET
C. NSFNET
D. MAN
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Answer: B. ARPANET
Explanation: ARPANET, developed by the U.S. Department of Defense, laid the foundation for the modern Internet.
Q3. ARPANET was initially developed by:
A. Microsoft
B. Apple
C. U.S. Department of Defense (ARPA)
D. Google
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Answer: C. U.S. Department of Defense (ARPA)
Explanation: ARPANET was developed by the Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA) of the U.S. Department of Defense.
Q4. NSFNET was developed mainly to connect:
A. Schools only
B. Banks only
C. Universities and research institutions
D. Mobile phones
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Answer: C. Universities and research institutions.
Explanation: NSFNET connected universities and research organizations and later became the backbone of the Internet.
Q5. The Internet is best described as:
A. A single computer.
B. A collection of independent computers connected worldwide.
C. A programming language.
D. A database.
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Answer: B.
Explanation: The Internet is a global network of interconnected computer networks.
Q6. Which of the following is a component of data communication?
A. Sender
B. Receiver
C. Message
D. All of these
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Answer: D. All of these.
Explanation: Sender, receiver, message, communication media, and protocols are the five major components of data communication.
Q7. Which component sends the data in a communication system?
A. Receiver
B. Sender
C. Protocol
D. Router
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Answer: B. Sender
Explanation: The sender is responsible for transmitting data to the receiver.
Q8. Which component receives the transmitted data?
A. Sender
B. Receiver
C. Protocol
D. Switch
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Answer: B. Receiver
Explanation: The receiver accepts and processes the transmitted message.
Q9. What is called the information being transmitted?
A. Protocol
B. Media
C. Message
D. Bandwidth
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Answer: C. Message
Explanation: The message is the actual data or information being communicated.
Q10. Which component specifies the rules for communication?
A. Message
B. Protocol
C. Sender
D. Receiver
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Answer: B. Protocol
Explanation: Protocols define the rules that enable communication between network devices.
Q11. Which of the following is an example of communication media?
A. Optical Fiber Cable
B. Twisted Pair Cable
C. Radio Waves
D. All of these
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Answer: D. All of these.
Explanation: Communication media may be wired (twisted pair, coaxial, optical fiber) or wireless (radio waves, microwaves, satellite).
Q12. What is bandwidth?
A. The size of a computer monitor.
B. The maximum amount of data that can be transmitted through a communication channel in a given time.
C. The storage capacity of a hard disk.
D. The speed of the CPU.
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Answer: B.
Explanation: Bandwidth represents the capacity of a communication channel to transfer data.
Q13. Data transfer rate is generally measured in:
A. Bytes
B. Hertz
C. Bits per second (bps)
D. Pixels
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Answer: C. Bits per second (bps)
Explanation: Data transfer rate indicates how many bits are transmitted per second.
Q14. Which of the following is a valid IPv4 address?
A. 192.168.1.10
B. 500.20.10.1
C. 192.168.1.256
D. 192.168.10
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Answer: A. 192.168.1.10
Explanation: An IPv4 address contains four octets, each ranging from 0 to 255.
Q15. How many parts (octets) are there in an IPv4 address?
A. 2
B. 4
C. 6
D. 8
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Answer: B. 4
Explanation: An IPv4 address consists of four octets separated by dots.
Q16. Which switching technique establishes a dedicated communication path before data transmission begins?
A. Packet Switching
B. Circuit Switching
C. Message Switching
D. Broadcast Switching
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Answer: B. Circuit Switching
Explanation: Circuit switching creates a dedicated communication path before transmitting data.
Q17. Which switching technique divides data into small packets before transmission?
A. Circuit Switching
B. Packet Switching
C. Bus Switching
D. Ring Switching
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Answer: B. Packet Switching
Explanation: In packet switching, data is divided into packets that travel independently to the destination.
Q18. Which switching technique is used on the Internet?
A. Circuit Switching
B. Packet Switching
C. Ring Switching
D. Bus Switching
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Answer: B. Packet Switching
Explanation: The Internet uses packet switching because it is efficient and reliable for transmitting data.
Q19. Which statement is true about packet switching?
A. A dedicated path is established before communication.
B. Data is transmitted as small packets.
C. Only one user can use the channel at a time.
D. It cannot recover from network failures.
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Answer: B.
Explanation: Packet switching divides data into packets, allowing efficient sharing of network resources.
Q20. Which statement is true about circuit switching?
A. It does not require a dedicated path.
B. Data is always divided into packets.
C. A dedicated communication path is established before transmission.
D. It is mainly used for Internet communication.
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Answer: C.
Explanation: Circuit switching reserves a dedicated communication channel throughout the communication session.
Q21. Which of the following is an example of circuit switching?
A. Internet browsing
B. E-mail communication
C. Traditional telephone network
D. File downloading
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Answer: C. Traditional telephone network
Explanation: Traditional telephone systems use circuit switching by establishing a dedicated communication path before the conversation begins.
Q22. Which of the following is an example of packet switching?
A. Landline telephone call
B. Internet communication
C. Analog communication
D. Radio broadcasting
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Answer: B. Internet communication
Explanation: The Internet uses packet switching, where data is divided into packets and transmitted independently.
Q23. Which of the following statements is correct?
A. Circuit switching is more suitable for Internet communication.
B. Packet switching uses network resources more efficiently than circuit switching.
C. Packet switching requires a dedicated communication path.
D. Circuit switching divides data into packets.
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Answer: B.
Explanation: Packet switching efficiently utilizes network resources by sharing communication links among multiple users.
Q24. Which of the following is not a component of data communication?
A. Sender
B. Receiver
C. Compiler
D. Protocol
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Answer: C. Compiler
Explanation: A compiler translates source code into machine code and is not a component of a data communication system.
Q25. Which statement about computer networks is correct?
A. ARPANET was the foundation of the modern Internet.
B. IPv4 addresses consist of four octets.
C. Packet switching is used on the Internet.
D. All of these.
Show Answer
Answer: D. All of these.
Explanation: ARPANET was the precursor to the Internet, IPv4 addresses have four octets, and the Internet uses packet switching for data transmission.
Answer Key
| Q.No. | Answer | Q.No. | Answer | Q.No. | Answer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | B | 10 | B | 19 | B |
| 2 | B | 11 | D | 20 | C |
| 3 | C | 12 | B | 21 | C |
| 4 | C | 13 | C | 22 | B |
| 5 | B | 14 | A | 23 | B |
| 6 | D | 15 | B | 24 | C |
| 7 | B | 16 | B | 25 | D |
| 8 | B | 17 | B | ||
| 9 | C | 18 | B |
Practice Tips
- Remember the evolution of networking:
- ARPANET → First packet-switched network.
- NSFNET → Connected universities and research institutions.
- Internet → Global network of interconnected computer networks.
- Revise the five components of data communication:
- Sender
- Receiver
- Message
- Communication Media
- Protocol
- Remember:
- Bandwidth = Capacity of the communication channel.
- Data Transfer Rate = Number of bits transmitted per second (bps).
- Practice identifying valid IPv4 addresses. An IPv4 address contains four octets, each ranging from 0 to 255.
- Understand the difference between switching techniques:
- Circuit Switching → Dedicated communication path (e.g., traditional telephone system).
- Packet Switching → Data divided into packets; used on the Internet.
- Practice application-based questions comparing circuit switching and packet switching, as these are commonly asked in CBSE examinations.