Practice Test Geeks(APCSP) AP Computer Science Principles Practice Test
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Networks and the Internet Flashcards

7 cards from real APCSP practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.

Read the first 7 Networks and the Internet flashcards as text

  1. The internet is described as a 'network of networks.' What does this mean?

    Answer: The internet connects many individual networks together using agreed-upon protocols

    The internet is formed by interconnecting millions of smaller networks — home networks, corporate networks, ISP networks — using common protocols like TCP/IP.

  2. What does 'packet loss' mean in network communications?

    Answer: Some data packets fail to reach their destination and must be retransmitted

    Packet loss occurs when data packets traveling across a network fail to reach their destination, often due to congestion or hardware failure.

  3. Which layer of the internet model is responsible for addressing and routing packets between networks?

    Answer: Internet layer

    The internet (network) layer handles logical addressing via IP and routes packets across multiple networks toward their destination.

  4. A student connects to a public Wi-Fi network at a coffee shop. Which security risk is MOST relevant?

    Answer: An attacker on the same network could intercept unencrypted data

    On unsecured public Wi-Fi, attackers can use packet-sniffing tools to intercept unencrypted network traffic from other users on the same network.

  5. What is the function of TCP (Transmission Control Protocol)?

    Answer: To ensure reliable, ordered delivery of data by managing acknowledgments and retransmissions

    TCP provides reliable communication by requiring acknowledgment of received packets and retransmitting any lost packets to ensure complete, ordered delivery.

  6. How does a 'traceroute' utility help in diagnosing network problems?

    Answer: It lists every intermediate router a packet passes through on the way to a destination

    Traceroute maps the path packets take across networks, showing each router hop and the time taken, helping identify where delays or failures occur.

  7. Which statement best describes the difference between TCP and UDP?

    Answer: TCP guarantees delivery and order; UDP is faster but does not guarantee delivery

    TCP provides reliable, ordered delivery with error checking, while UDP sacrifices reliability for lower overhead and faster transmission, making it suitable for streaming or gaming.