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The Context Course系统课程·英文原文 ↗原件 ↓仓库 ↗

Quiz 1: MCP Fundamentals ​

Test your understanding of MCP architecture and core concepts. Choose the best answer for each question.

Question 1: The M×N Integration Problem ​

选项

  • A. Without MCP, you need M agents × N tools separate integrations
  • B. Agents can only integrate with one tool at a time
  • C. MCP requires a different implementation for every agent
  • D. Modern APIs eliminate the need for MCP

答案解析

  • A（正确答案） — Correct! This is the integration complexity MCP solves. With MCP, you build N servers once, and any agent can use them.
  • B — Not the core issue. The M×N problem is about integration complexity across all agent-tool pairs.
  • C — Opposite! MCP is universal—one server works with all MCP-compatible agents.
  • D — APIs are part of the solution, but they don't standardize how agents discover and use capabilities. MCP does.

Question 2: Hosts, Clients, and Servers ​

选项

  • A. Host runs the agent, Client requests capabilities, Server provides them
  • B. Server runs the agent, Client provides data, Host makes requests
  • C. Client runs the agent, Server requests capabilities, Host provides them
  • D. All three are interchangeable roles

答案解析

  • A（正确答案） — Perfect! The Host is the agent's environment (Claude Code, Codex, OpenCode). The Client is the protocol handler requesting from servers. The Server exposes capabilities.
  • B — Incorrect roles. The Host runs the agent, not the Server.
  • C — No. The Client requests, not the Server. The Host runs the agent.
  • D — Each has a distinct responsibility. They're not interchangeable.

Question 3: Tools vs. Resources vs. Prompts ​

选项

  • A. Tools: callable functions | Resources: read-only data | Prompts: instruction templates
  • B. Tools: static data | Resources: callable functions | Prompts: configurations
  • C. All three are the same capability type
  • D. Resources and Prompts don't exist in modern MCP

答案解析

  • A（正确答案） — Exactly! Tools perform actions or queries. Resources provide static data. Prompts guide agent behavior.
  • B — Backwards. Tools are callable, Resources are data.
  • C — No. Each serves a different purpose and has different characteristics.
  • D — False. All three capability types are core MCP features.

Question 4: MCP Transport Mechanisms ​

选项

  • A. Stdio for local servers, Streamable HTTP for remote servers
  • B. HTTP+SSE is the only remote transport option
  • C. Always use Streamable HTTP—it's more powerful
  • D. Transport is irrelevant; MCP hides it from agents

答案解析

  • A（正确答案） — Correct! Stdio uses subprocess communication (fast, simple, local). Streamable HTTP is the current standard for remote connections, replacing the older HTTP+SSE transport.
  • B — HTTP+SSE is now deprecated. Streamable HTTP is the current standard remote transport in the MCP specification.
  • C — Streamable HTTP has network overhead. Use stdio for local development, which is simpler and faster.
  • D — Transport matters for deployment and performance, though the JSON-RPC protocol is the same regardless of transport.

Question 5: Skills vs. MCP ​

选项

  • A. Skills: static context. MCP: dynamic, real-time access to tools and data
  • B. MCP is just a newer name for Skills
  • C. MCP is only for APIs; Skills are for everything else
  • D. You have to choose between Skills and MCP

答案解析

  • A（正确答案） — Perfect! Skills are pre-written and bundled. MCP servers provide live access that changes without agent restart.
  • B — No. They're complementary but distinct. Skills teach how to think; MCP provides what to access.
  • C — MCP covers tools, resources, and prompts. Skills are for context teaching.
  • D — You use both together. Skills provide knowledge; MCP provides tools.

Summary ​

How did you do? If you got 4-5 questions correct, you have a solid grasp of MCP fundamentals. If you struggled, review "Key Concepts and Architecture" before moving to the next section.

Key concepts to remember:

  • MCP solves the M×N problem with universal server standard
  • Three roles: Host (agent location), Client (protocol handler), Server (capability provider)
  • Three capabilities: Tools (callable), Resources (data), Prompts (instructions)
  • Two transports: Stdio (local development), Streamable HTTP (remote/production)
  • Skills + MCP work together to teach and enable agent capabilities