Computer Networks Basics MCQs | 25 Practice Questions with Answers | CBSE Class 12 Informatics Practices (IP)
Class 12 · Informatics Practices
Computer Networks Basics 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 share data and resources
C. A type of operating system
D. A computer virus
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Answer: B. A group of interconnected computers that share data and resources.
Explanation: A computer network connects two or more computers so they can communicate and share information.
Q2. What is the main purpose of a computer network?
A. To install software
B. To share resources and exchange information
C. To increase monitor size
D. To replace the operating system
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Answer: B.
Explanation: Networks allow computers to share files, printers, internet connections, and other resources.
Q3. Which of the following is an advantage of computer networking?
A. Resource sharing
B. Faster communication
C. Easy data sharing
D. All of these
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Answer: D. All of these.
Explanation: Computer networks improve communication and enable efficient sharing of data and hardware resources.
Q4. Which type of network covers the smallest geographical area?
A. WAN
B. MAN
C. LAN
D. PAN
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Answer: D. PAN
Explanation: A Personal Area Network (PAN) covers only a few meters around an individual.
Q5. PAN stands for:
A. Public Area Network
B. Personal Area Network
C. Private Access Network
D. Personal Access Node
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Answer: B. Personal Area Network
Explanation: PAN is used for connecting personal devices such as smartphones, laptops, and smartwatches.
Q6. Which network type is commonly used within a school or office building?
A. WAN
B. MAN
C. LAN
D. PAN
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Answer: C. LAN
Explanation: A Local Area Network (LAN) connects devices within a limited area such as a school, office, or home.
Q7. LAN stands for:
A. Local Area Network
B. Long Area Network
C. Large Access Network
D. Logical Area Network
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Answer: A. Local Area Network
Explanation: LAN connects computers within a limited geographical area.
Q8. Which type of network covers an entire city?
A. PAN
B. LAN
C. MAN
D. WAN
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Answer: C. MAN
Explanation: A Metropolitan Area Network (MAN) spans a city or a large campus.
Q9. MAN stands for:
A. Main Area Network
B. Metropolitan Area Network
C. Multi Access Network
D. Maximum Area Network
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Answer: B. Metropolitan Area Network
Explanation: MAN connects multiple LANs within a city or metropolitan area.
Q10. Which network type covers the largest geographical area?
A. PAN
B. LAN
C. MAN
D. WAN
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Answer: D. WAN
Explanation: A Wide Area Network (WAN) connects computers across countries and continents.
Q11. WAN stands for:
A. Wide Area Network
B. Wireless Area Network
C. World Access Network
D. Wired Area Network
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Answer: A. Wide Area Network
Explanation: WAN connects networks over very large geographical distances.
Q12. Which of the following is the best example of a WAN?
A. School Computer Lab
B. Home Wi-Fi Network
C. Bluetooth Connection
D. Internet
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Answer: D. Internet
Explanation: The Internet is the largest example of a Wide Area Network.
Q13. Which network is commonly created using Bluetooth?
A. WAN
B. MAN
C. PAN
D. LAN
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Answer: C. PAN
Explanation: Bluetooth is commonly used to establish Personal Area Networks.
Q14. Which network type is generally owned by a single organization?
A. LAN
B. WAN
C. Internet
D. MAN only
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Answer: A. LAN
Explanation: A LAN is usually owned and managed by one organization, school, or office.
Q15. Which statement is TRUE about computer networks?
A. They enable communication between computers.
B. They support resource sharing.
C. They improve collaboration among users.
D. All of these.
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Answer: D. All of these.
Explanation: Computer networks provide communication, resource sharing, and collaboration among connected devices.
Q16. A student connects a laptop to a smartphone using Bluetooth to transfer files. Which type of network is formed?
A. LAN
B. MAN
C. WAN
D. PAN
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Answer: D. PAN
Explanation: Bluetooth connects nearby personal devices, forming a Personal Area Network (PAN).
Q17. A school has connected all computers in its computer laboratory to share files and printers. Which type of network is being used?
A. PAN
B. LAN
C. MAN
D. WAN
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Answer: B. LAN
Explanation: A Local Area Network (LAN) connects computers within a limited area such as a school or office.
Q18. A company has offices located at different places within the same city and connects them through a network. Which type of network is most suitable?
A. PAN
B. LAN
C. MAN
D. WAN
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Answer: C. MAN
Explanation: A Metropolitan Area Network (MAN) connects multiple locations within a city.
Q19. A multinational company connects its offices in India, the USA, and the UK. Which type of network is used?
A. PAN
B. LAN
C. MAN
D. WAN
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Answer: D. WAN
Explanation: A Wide Area Network (WAN) connects computers and networks across countries and continents.
Q20. Which network type generally provides the highest data transfer speed because it covers the smallest area?
A. WAN
B. MAN
C. LAN
D. PAN
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Answer: C. LAN
Explanation: LANs typically provide high-speed communication because devices are located within a limited geographical area.
Q21. Arrange the following networks in increasing order of geographical coverage.
A. WAN → MAN → LAN → PAN
B. PAN → LAN → MAN → WAN
C. LAN → PAN → MAN → WAN
D. PAN → MAN → LAN → WAN
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Answer: B. PAN → LAN → MAN → WAN
Explanation: PAN covers the smallest area, followed by LAN, MAN, and WAN, which covers the largest area.
Q22. Which statement correctly compares LAN and WAN?
A. LAN covers a smaller area than WAN.
B. WAN connects networks over larger geographical distances.
C. LAN generally offers higher speed than WAN.
D. All of these.
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Answer: D. All of these.
Explanation: LANs cover smaller areas and usually provide higher speeds, while WANs connect distant locations.
Q23. Which of the following is NOT a type of computer network included in the CBSE Class 12 IP syllabus?
A. PAN
B. LAN
C. MAN
D. SAN
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Answer: D. SAN
Explanation: The prescribed CBSE syllabus includes PAN, LAN, MAN, and WAN. SAN (Storage Area Network) is not included in this unit.
Q24. Which of the following statements about computer networks is TRUE?
A. Networks enable resource sharing.
B. Networks improve communication between users.
C. Networks facilitate data sharing among connected devices.
D. All of these.
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Answer: D. All of these.
Explanation: Computer networks make communication, collaboration, and resource sharing efficient and convenient.
Q25. Which statement best summarizes Computer Networks?
A. Networks connect multiple devices for communication.
B. Different network types are selected based on geographical coverage.
C. PAN, LAN, MAN, and WAN serve different networking requirements.
D. All of these.
Show Answer
Answer: D. All of these.
Explanation: Computer networks enable communication and resource sharing, while different network types are designed to meet different geographical and organizational needs.
Answer Key
| Q.No. | Answer | Q.No. | Answer | Q.No. | Answer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | B | 11 | A | 21 | B |
| 2 | B | 12 | D | 22 | D |
| 3 | D | 13 | C | 23 | D |
| 4 | D | 14 | A | 24 | D |
| 5 | B | 15 | D | 25 | D |
| 6 | C | 16 | D | ||
| 7 | A | 17 | B | ||
| 8 | C | 18 | C | ||
| 9 | B | 19 | D | ||
| 10 | D | 20 | C |
Practice Tips
- Remember the full forms:
- PAN → Personal Area Network
- LAN → Local Area Network
- MAN → Metropolitan Area Network
- WAN → Wide Area Network
- Geographical coverage (smallest to largest):
- PAN → A few meters (Bluetooth, smartwatch, mobile)
- LAN → Building, home, school, office
- MAN → City or metropolitan area
- WAN → Country, continent, worldwide (Internet)
- Real-life examples:
- PAN → Bluetooth between a phone and laptop
- LAN → School computer lab
- MAN → University campuses across a city
- WAN → Banking network, Internet, multinational companies
- Comparison to remember:
- PAN has the smallest coverage.
- WAN has the largest coverage.
- LAN usually provides higher speed than WAN because it covers a smaller area.
- Exam Tip: Many CBSE competency-based questions describe a real-life situation (such as a school, office, city, or international company) and ask you to identify the appropriate type of network. Focus on the geographical area covered to select the correct answer.