Topic

Generations of Computers - Part 1 - Topic Guide and MCQs

Part of Computer > 03 Generations Of Computers - 25 questions, about 12.5 min, with an explanation after every answer.

25
Question count
about 12.5 min
Estimated time
Mixed
Difficulty
02 Nov 2026
Last updated
Quick answer

Generations of Computers - Part 1 is a topic inside Computer (03 Generations Of Computers). It runs 25 untimed MCQs - roughly 12.5 min - and the review explains every answer once you submit.

Topic introduction

What Generations of Computers - Part 1 covers

The shape of the set before you start it.

Generations of Computers - Part 1 sits inside Computer, under the 03 Generations Of Computers lane, and the portal keeps it as one self-contained set: 25 questions, four options each, no clock and a written explanation behind every answer.

Attempt it once to find the gaps, read why each distractor is wrong, then retake the same set a few days later. The questions you miss twice are the ones worth writing down.

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Question bank

Generations of Computers - Part 1: all 25 questions

Read the question, pick an option, then open the answer.

  1. A "Generation of Computers" refers to:

    1. A brand of computer manufacturer
    2. A stage in the development of computer technology
    3. The storage capacity of a computer
    4. A type of programming language
    Show answer

    Answer: (B) A stage in the development of computer technology

    Explanation: A Generation of Computers refers to a stage in the development of computer technology.

  2. What was the period of First Generation computers?

    1. 1959–1965
    2. 1965–1971
    3. 1946–1959
    4. 1971–1980
    Show answer

    Answer: (C) 1946–1959

    Explanation: First Generation computers: 1946–1959.

  3. Which was the main electronic component of First Generation computers?

    1. Vacuum Tubes
    2. Transistors
    3. Integrated Circuits
    4. Microprocessors
    Show answer

    Answer: (A) Vacuum Tubes

    Explanation: Vacuum tubes were used as the main electronic components in First Generation computers.

  4. Which were the input devices of First Generation computers?

    1. Keyboard and Mouse
    2. Scanner and Light Pen
    3. Punch Cards and Paper Tape
    4. Touch Screen and Joystick
    Show answer

    Answer: (C) Punch Cards and Paper Tape

    Explanation: First Generation input devices were Punch Cards and Paper Tape.

  5. Which internal storage was used in First Generation computers?

    1. Magnetic Core Memory
    2. Magnetic Drum
    3. Magnetic Disk
    4. Semiconductor Memory
    Show answer

    Answer: (B) Magnetic Drum

    Explanation: Internal storage of First Generation computers was the Magnetic Drum.

  6. Which programming language was used in First Generation computers?

    1. Assembly Language
    2. COBOL
    3. C
    4. Machine Language
    Show answer

    Answer: (D) Machine Language

    Explanation: First Generation computers used Machine Language.

  7. Machine Language is a binary language consisting of only:

    1. 0 to 9
    2. A to Z
    3. 0 to 7
    4. 0 and 1
    Show answer

    Answer: (D) 0 and 1

    Explanation: Machine Language is a binary language consisting of only 0 and 1.

  8. First Generation computers used a Batch Processing System. In such a system:

    1. Jobs were processed one after another without user interaction
    2. Many users shared the CPU interactively at the same time
    3. Jobs were processed instantly as data arrived
    4. Jobs were spread across many connected computers
    Show answer

    Answer: (A) Jobs were processed one after another without user interaction

    Explanation: In batch processing, jobs were processed one after another without user interaction.

  9. Which of the following is a First Generation computer?

    1. IBM 7094
    2. IBM 360
    3. DEC 10
    4. IBM-701
    Show answer

    Answer: (D) IBM-701

    Explanation: ENIAC, EDVAC, UNIVAC-I, IBM-701 and IBM-650 were First Generation computers.

  10. ENIAC belongs to which generation of computers?

    1. Second
    2. Third
    3. First
    4. Fourth
    Show answer

    Answer: (C) First

    Explanation: Exam Point: ENIAC belongs to the First Generation.

  11. What was the period of Second Generation computers?

    1. 1946–1959
    2. 1959–1965
    3. 1965–1971
    4. 1971–1980
    Show answer

    Answer: (B) 1959–1965

    Explanation: Second Generation computers: 1959–1965.

  12. Second Generation computers used which main technology?

    1. Vacuum Tubes
    2. Integrated Circuits
    3. Transistors
    4. VLSI
    Show answer

    Answer: (C) Transistors

    Explanation: Transistors replaced vacuum tubes in the Second Generation.

  13. The transistor was invented at:

    1. IBM
    2. Bell Laboratories
    3. C-DAC
    4. University of Cambridge
    Show answer

    Answer: (B) Bell Laboratories

    Explanation: The transistor was invented at Bell Laboratories.

  14. Which primary memory was used in Second Generation computers?

    1. Magnetic Drum
    2. Paper Tape
    3. Cache Memory
    4. Magnetic Core Memory
    Show answer

    Answer: (D) Magnetic Core Memory

    Explanation: Second Generation primary memory was Magnetic Core Memory.

  15. COBOL and FORTRAN were introduced in which generation?

    1. First
    2. Fourth
    3. Second
    4. Fifth
    Show answer

    Answer: (C) Second

    Explanation: Exam Point: COBOL and FORTRAN were introduced in the Second Generation.

  16. Which operating systems were used in Second Generation computers?

    1. Real-Time OS and Distributed OS
    2. Time Sharing and Remote Processing
    3. Real-Time OS and Time Sharing OS
    4. Batch Processing and Multiprogramming
    Show answer

    Answer: (D) Batch Processing and Multiprogramming

    Explanation: Second Generation operating systems: Batch Processing and Multiprogramming.

  17. Which of the following is a Second Generation computer?

    1. IBM-650
    2. IBM 370/168
    3. PDP 11
    4. IBM 7094
    Show answer

    Answer: (D) IBM 7094

    Explanation: IBM 1620, IBM 7094, CDC 1604, CDC 3600 and UNIVAC 1108 were Second Generation computers.

  18. What was the period of Third Generation computers?

    1. 1965–1971
    2. 1959–1965
    3. 1971–1980
    4. 1946–1959
    Show answer

    Answer: (A) 1965–1971

    Explanation: Third Generation computers: 1965–1971.

  19. Third Generation computers were based on:

    1. Integrated Circuits (ICs)
    2. Vacuum Tubes
    3. Transistors
    4. ULSI
    Show answer

    Answer: (A) Integrated Circuits (ICs)

    Explanation: In the Third Generation, ICs replaced transistors.

  20. Who invented the Integrated Circuit (IC)?

    1. Charles Babbage
    2. Douglas Engelbart
    3. Jack Kilby
    4. John W. Mauchly
    Show answer

    Answer: (C) Jack Kilby

    Explanation: The Integrated Circuit was invented by Jack Kilby.

  21. Keyboard and Monitor were introduced in which generation of computers?

    1. Third
    2. First
    3. Second
    4. Fifth
    Show answer

    Answer: (A) Third

    Explanation: Exam Point: Keyboard and Monitor were introduced in the Third Generation.

  22. Mini Computers were introduced in which generation?

    1. Third
    2. Second
    3. Fourth
    4. Fifth
    Show answer

    Answer: (A) Third

    Explanation: Exam Point: Mini Computers were introduced in the Third Generation.

  23. Remote Processing, along with Multiprogramming and Time Sharing, was an operating system feature of which generation?

    1. First
    2. Third
    3. Second
    4. Fifth
    Show answer

    Answer: (B) Third

    Explanation: Third Generation operating systems: Multiprogramming, Time Sharing and Remote Processing.

  24. The IBM 360 Series belongs to which generation of computers?

    1. First
    2. Third
    3. Second
    4. Fourth
    Show answer

    Answer: (B) Third

    Explanation: IBM 360 Series, IBM 370/168, Honeywell 6000, PDP and TDC-316 were Third Generation computers.

  25. What is the full form of PDP, a Third Generation computer?

    1. Programmed Data Processor
    2. Personal Data Processor
    3. Programmed Digital Processor
    4. Parallel Data Processor
    Show answer

    Answer: (A) Programmed Data Processor

    Explanation: PDP stands for Programmed Data Processor.

Why it matters

Why Generations of Computers - Part 1 is worth the hours

Where the marks actually come from.

Generations of Computers - Part 1 is factual rather than analytical: you either recall it in seconds or you lose the mark to somebody who did. That makes it one of the cheapest sections to convert - a handful of short sittings usually settles the whole cluster.

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Expected questions

Expected questions from Generations of Computers - Part 1

What an examiner usually reaches for in this cluster.

Expect one-line recall questions - definitions, stand-for expansions, identifiers and the ordering of things. Practise the wording as well as the concept: these papers test terminology, and the set above uses the same four-option shape they do.

Daily habit

Keep the Expected MCQs habit running

20 fresh mixed questions a day, plus the current-affairs sets examiners keep reusing.

Daily Quiz Expected MCQs
Previous year questions

Previous Year Questions

How this topic behaves in real papers.

Past papers reuse clusters like this almost verbatim across years and posts. Run the same set until every distractor is familiar - previous-year style questions stop being recall and start being free marks.

Where the previous-year sets live

The portal's previous-year practice runs through the General Knowledge lane and the daily mixed quiz.

Previous Year Questions Daily Quiz
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Related topics

Neighbouring sets in this subject, then the rest of the portal.

Start practising

Take the Generations of Computers - Part 1 quiz

25 questions, about 12.5 min, instant scoring and a full review at the end.

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Questions

Generations of Computers - Part 1 - common questions

Answered against the set as it is published today.

All questions →

How long is the Generations of Computers - Part 1 quiz?

Generations of Computers - Part 1 runs 25 untimed questions - about 12.5 min at a steady pace. The set clears at 40% and you can retake it as often as you like.

What kind of questions does Generations of Computers - Part 1 ask?

The set answers that: each question carries four options and a full explanation, so you learn the wording an examiner uses, not just the fact behind it.

Where else can I practise Computer?

Open the quiz page above, or start from the Computer subject page if you want to drill neighbouring lanes in the same sitting.

Do my scores save?

Scores, bookmarks and streaks need the optional Google sign-in. Opening the set and answering questions does not.