Lesson T4.2.1

T4.2.1 How instructions are stored and executed Quiz: KS3 Computing, Unit 4

20 questions

Written by Revision Ninja · Last reviewed 11 October 2026

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Lesson T4.2.1, How instructions are stored and executed: 20 multiple choice questions for the KS3 Computing (National Curriculum), Unit 4: Computer systems, written with Revision Ninja.

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The 20 questions

  1. What is the repeated CPU process of getting, translating and carrying out instructions called?

    • Read-write cycle
    • Fetch-decode-execute cycle
    • Store-load routine
    • Input-process-output loop

  2. Which internal CPU component holds the memory address of the next instruction?

    • Accumulator
    • Program counter
    • Arithmetic unit
    • Data register

  3. What is held in the instruction register?

    • Next address
    • Accumulator value
    • Current instruction
    • Memory data

  4. Which part of the processor carries out mathematical calculations and comparisons?

    • Control unit
    • Cache memory
    • Arithmetic logic unit
    • Clock generator

  5. What is the name of the temporary storage register that holds results of calculations?

    • Program counter
    • Bus controller
    • Memory address register
    • Accumulator

  6. What is the primary function of a computer bus?

    • Storing files
    • Executing instructions
    • Processing arithmetic
    • Transferring signals

  7. What language must high-level code be translated into for a processor?

    • Unicode text
    • HTML markup
    • Machine code
    • Assembly language

  8. Which translator converts source code into machine code line by line?

    • Interpreter
    • Linker
    • Compiler
    • Assembler

  9. What is the direct instruction set of a processor called?

    • High-level code
    • Source code
    • Machine code
    • Assembly code

  10. What unit is used to measure the clock speed of a processor?

    • Bytes
    • Bits
    • Joules
    • Hertz

  11. Which register temporarily holds data just read from or waiting to be written to memory?

    • Clock speed
    • Program counter
    • Memory data register
    • Control unit

  12. Which low-level language uses short mnemonics like ADD and MOV?

    • Python
    • Assembly language
    • HTML
    • Machine code

  13. Which instruction copies data from a memory address into a register?

    • Store instruction
    • Branch instruction
    • Fetch instruction
    • Load instruction

  14. Which hardware component carries memory locations for read and write operations?

    • Accumulator
    • Address bus
    • Control bus
    • Data bus

  15. What allows a multi-core processor to run multiple tasks simultaneously?

    • Faster clock
    • Multiple cores
    • Larger cache
    • Higher voltage

  16. Which processor component directs the flow of data and control signals?

    • ALU
    • Accumulator
    • Control unit
    • Cache

  17. What is the main benefit of cache memory inside a processor?

    • Very fast access
    • Permanent storage
    • Massive capacity
    • Low power use

  18. Why must instructions be stored in memory rather than typed repeatedly?

    • Permanent file backup
    • Graphics rendering speed
    • Automatic sequential execution
    • Manual keyboard input

  19. What is a tiny, extremely fast storage location inside a processor called?

    • Bus line
    • Register
    • Hard drive
    • RAM stick

  20. Which list shows the stages of the fetch-decode-execute cycle in the correct order?

    • Fetch, execute, decode
    • Fetch, decode, execute
    • Decode, fetch, execute
    • Execute, fetch, decode

All KS3 Computing quizzes