A Level Computer Science OCR Practice Exam

What are control signals used for in a computer?

1. To determine the memory address

2. To transfer data between components

3. To execute the programming code

4. To send commands between components

The correct answer is: To send commands between components

Control signals play a crucial role in coordinating the operations of the computer's various components. They signal different parts of the computer to carry out specific tasks, ensuring that the hardware elements work together seamlessly. This means that control signals are responsible for telling each component, such as the CPU, memory, and input/output devices, what to do at any given moment. When a program is running, for instance, the control unit inside the CPU generates control signals that instruct other parts of the computer to execute particular operations, such as reading data from memory or writing data to a storage device. These signals are essential for managing the flow of information within the system and ensuring that operations occur in the correct sequence. The other choices involve aspects related to data handling and processing but do not capture the primary function of control signals as precisely. For example, while control signals may indirectly influence data transfer and the execution of code, they specifically function to send commands that maintain order and efficiency in the computational processes.