Lesson 4.9.1.1

4.9.1.1 Communication methods and basics Quiz: AQA Computer Science, Unit 9

20 questions

Written by Revision Ninja · Last reviewed 11 October 2026

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Lesson 4.9.1.1, Communication methods and basics: 20 multiple choice questions for the AQA Computer Science (7517), Unit 9: Fundamentals of communication and networking, written with Revision Ninja.

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The 20 questions

  1. What type of transmission sends data bits one after another over a single signal path?

    • Serial transmission
    • Parallel transmission
    • Simplex transmission
    • Duplex transmission

  2. Why is serial transmission preferred over parallel transmission for long-distance communication?

    • Avoids bit skew
    • Transmits multiple bits
    • Requires more wires
    • Uses parallel clocks

  3. What is required in synchronous data transmission to maintain device timing?

    • Parity check
    • Stop bits
    • Start bits
    • Shared clock signal

  4. In asynchronous data transmission, what is the purpose of start and stop bits?

    • Compress data bits
    • Encrypt transmission
    • Detect bit errors
    • Frame data bytes

  5. What term measures the number of signal changes per second in a communication channel?

    • Bit rate
    • Bandwidth
    • Latency
    • Baud rate

  6. What term describes the number of bits transmitted per second over a communication channel?

    • Latency
    • Baud rate
    • Bandwidth
    • Bit rate

  7. How can a communication channel's bit rate exceed its baud rate?

    • Multiple bits per signal
    • Larger packet size
    • Shorter cable length
    • Higher voltage levels

  8. A channel's signal changes 2000 times per second and each change encodes 3 bits. What is the bit rate?

    • 600 bits per second
    • 2000 bits per second
    • 6000 bits per second
    • 3000 bits per second

  9. Asynchronous transmission uses 1 start bit, 8 data bits and 1 stop bit for each byte. What fraction of the transmitted bits are data?

    • 80% (8 of 10 bits)
    • 8% (8 of 100 bits)
    • 90% (9 of 10 bits)
    • 100% (8 of 8 bits)

  10. A link has a bit rate of 10 Mbit/s. How long does it take to send a 5 MB file, ignoring overheads?

    • 50 seconds
    • 0.5 seconds
    • 4 seconds
    • 40 seconds

  11. What term defines the maximum data transfer capacity of a communication channel?

    • Bandwidth
    • Latency
    • Baud rate
    • Clock speed

  12. What term describes the time delay between sending data and receiving it?

    • Latency
    • Bit rate
    • Bandwidth
    • Baud rate

  13. What term describes an agreed set of rules governing data transmission between devices?

    • Bandwidth
    • Baud rate
    • Latency
    • Protocol

  14. What is the relationship between bit rate and bandwidth in data transmission?

    • Exponentially related
    • Inversely proportional
    • Directly proportional
    • Completely independent

  15. What type of data transmission operates without sharing a common clock signal?

    • Multiplexed
    • Parallel
    • Synchronous
    • Asynchronous

  16. What issue causes bits sent on parallel wires to arrive at slightly different times?

    • Skew
    • Attenuation
    • Latency
    • Crosstalk

  17. A protocol frame has a start bit, 7 data bits, a parity bit and a stop bit. How many bits are in each character?

    • 8
    • 9
    • 10
    • 11

  18. What metric measures the number of signal changes per second in a channel?

    • Baud rate
    • Bit rate
    • Bandwidth
    • Latency

  19. A link operates at 1200 baud and each signal change encodes 4 bits. What is the bit rate?

    • 1200 bits per second
    • 300 bits per second
    • 1600 bits per second
    • 4800 bits per second

  20. What bits frame each character in asynchronous serial data transmission?

    • Syn and ack
    • Start and stop
    • Parity and check
    • Header and trailer

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