AS Level Computer Science chapter 2: Communication MCQs with answers
By Team Megalecture · Updated 4 Nov 2026
28 exam-style questions on Communication, each with the answer and a short explanation. Ten of them are below to try. The chapter test draws ten fresh questions each time and is marked the moment you finish, with your score by topic.
Try each one, then open the answer. These ten stay the same; the test draws new ones every time.
1. What does a modem do when a computer connects to the internet over a PSTN telephone line?
A
assigns IP addresses to each device on the LAN
B
stores copies of web pages locally to speed up access
C
converts digital data to analogue signals and back
D
translates the URLs typed by users into IP addresses
Show answer
Answer: C. The telephone line carries analogue signals, so the modem modulates the computer's digital data and demodulates incoming signals.
2. What happens in a bus topology if the main backbone cable breaks?
A
only the host nearest the break is affected
B
traffic is automatically rerouted around the break
C
the central switch sends data by another path
D
the network fails because hosts share one cable
Show answer
Answer: D. All hosts share the single backbone, so a break stops communication across the network. There is no central switch or alternative route in a bus.
3. What is a benefit of dividing a large organisation's network into subnets?
A
every device on the network gets its own public IP address
B
IPv4 addresses are converted into IPv6 so more are available
C
traffic stays local and each part is easier to manage
D
the network no longer needs routers to connect departments
Show answer
Answer: C. Subnetting splits one network into smaller logical networks, so broadcast traffic stays within each subnet and access between departments can be controlled.
4. Which describes a private cloud?
A
storage that any member of the public can rent
B
a hard disk shared on a peer-to-peer network
C
cloud infrastructure used by one organisation only
D
a backup kept on removable media off site
Show answer
Answer: C. A private cloud is computing and storage provided over a network for the exclusive use of one organisation. A public cloud is shared by many customers of a provider.
5. A video is streamed at a bit rate higher than the viewer's broadband speed. What is most likely to happen?
A
the buffer empties and playback keeps pausing
B
the video plays at double speed
C
the video is converted to lossless format
D
the video downloads faster than normal
Show answer
Answer: A. Data arrives more slowly than it is played, so the buffer runs out and playback stalls while it refills.
6. A small office has four computers and wants to share files cheaply without buying dedicated hardware. Which model suits it best?
A
client-server, because it is cheaper to set up
B
peer-to-peer, because no dedicated server is needed
C
peer-to-peer, because security is centrally managed
D
client-server, because all computers have equal status
Show answer
Answer: B. In peer-to-peer each computer shares its own resources, so no server is bought. Central management of security is a feature of client-server, not peer-to-peer.
7. Why might a mesh topology be used to connect the routers at the core of a large network?
A
several routes exist, so one failed link does not stop traffic
B
it needs the least cabling of any topology, so it is cheapest
C
all data passes through one central device that can be secured
D
its design prevents data collisions between any of the routers
Show answer
Answer: A. Mesh gives multiple paths between nodes, so data can be rerouted if a link fails. The cost is a lot of cabling, not the least.
8. Which is an advantage of fibre-optic cable over copper cable?
A
it has more bandwidth and no electrical interference
B
it is cheaper to buy and easier to bend around corners
C
it can carry electric current to power remote devices too
D
its shorter range means it picks up less interference
Show answer
Answer: A. Fibre carries light pulses, giving very high bandwidth over long distances with no electromagnetic interference. It is more expensive and less flexible than copper.
9. Why can a device with the private IP address 192.168.0.5 not be reached directly from the internet?
A
it is too short to be a valid IPv4 address
B
it is a dynamic address that changes every second
C
it is an IPv6 address, which the internet does not use
D
private address ranges are not routed across the internet
Show answer
Answer: D. Private ranges can be reused inside many LANs, so internet routers do not forward them. The LAN's router uses its public IP address for outside traffic, which also hides internal devices.
10. Which is an example of on-demand bit streaming?
A
a live football match as it happens
B
a video call with a friend
C
a live radio broadcast online
D
a film stored on a streaming service
Show answer
Answer: D. On-demand content is already stored on a server and can be watched at any time, paused or rewound. Live events and calls are real-time streaming.
28, each with the answer and a short explanation, across 2 topics: Networks and network models, Network hardware and the internet. Every chapter test draws ten of them, so you can take it many times.
Is the AS Level Computer Science chapter 2 test free?
Yes. The test, the answers and the explanations are free and need no sign-up. Sign in only if you want your scores kept across devices.
How is the chapter test marked?
The moment you press Finish: your score, the right answer and an explanation for every question, and the ones you got wrong saved in My mistakes to retry.
