Utility software Practice Questions

Question 1

A user complains that their computer is running slowly. Which utility program could help identify which processes are using the most CPU and memory?

Accepted Answer

System monitor — A system monitor (like Task Manager on Windows or Activity Monitor on macOS) shows real-time information about CPU, memory, and running processes. Disk defragmenter optimizes disk storage, file compression reduces file size, and backup utility creates copies of data. None of these directly show process resource usage.

Question 2

Consider a program that automatically defragments your hard drive to improve performance. This is an example of:

Accepted Answer

Utility Software — Utility software is designed to help manage, maintain, and optimize the computer system. Disk defragmentation is a classic example of a utility function that improves storage efficiency and system performance. Application software is for user tasks, system software manages the computer, and middleware connects different software components.

Question 3

Which of the following best describes 'utility software'?

Accepted Answer

Software designed to help manage and maintain the computer system. — Utility software, such as antivirus programs, disk defragmenters, and file compression tools, are all designed to support the optimal functioning of a computer system. Application software (distractor 1) is for end-user tasks, system software (distractor 2) is the operating system, and open-source software (distractor 4) is a licensing model, not a functional classification.

Question 4

A utility program is best described as software that:

Accepted Answer

Performs maintenance tasks for the computer system — Utility software helps manage and maintain the computer system, such as disk cleanup, antivirus, and backup tools. Creating documents is application software, translating code is a compiler/interpreter, and controlling hardware directly is the OS's job.

Question 5

What is the purpose of a utility program?

Accepted Answer

To perform maintenance tasks on the computer system — Utilities are system software designed for specific maintenance tasks like disk cleanup, defragmentation, and antivirus scanning. The OS provides the platform, compilers are for development, and memory management is an OS function.

Question 6

Which of the following is a utility program?

Accepted Answer

Disk defragmenter — Utility programs perform maintenance tasks like disk defragmentation, which reorganizes files for faster access. A compiler translates code, and word processors and web browsers are application software.

Utility software

Subtopics in this area

Utility software Revision Guide

Learning Objectives

Sample Exam Questions

Related Topics in OCR GCSE Computer Science

Additional programming techniques

Boolean logic

Programming fundamentals

Primary storage (memory)