What is a linear harmonic oscillator and a non-linear harmonic oscillator?

$A$ particle of mass $m$ is under the influence of a force $F$ which varies with the displacement $x$ according to the relation $F = -kx + F_0$,where $k$ and $F_0$ are constants. The particle,when disturbed,will oscillate:

Equations $y = 2A \cos^2 \omega t$ and $y = A (\sin \omega t + \sqrt{3} \cos \omega t)$ represent the motion of two particles.

Why is the periodic time $T = \frac{2\pi}{\omega}$ taken for the function $f(t) = A \cos \omega t$?

The equation of simple harmonic motion may not be expressed as (each term has its usual meaning):

When a particle of mass $m$ moves on the $x$-axis in a potential of the form $V(x)=kx^2$,it performs simple harmonic motion. The corresponding time period is proportional to $\sqrt{\frac{m}{k}}$,as can be seen easily using dimensional analysis. However,the motion of a particle can be periodic even when its potential energy increases on both sides of $x=0$ in a way different from $kx^2$ and its total energy is such that the particle does not escape to infinity. Consider a particle of mass $m$ moving on the $x$-axis. Its potential energy is $V(x)=\alpha x^4$ $(\alpha>0)$ for $|x|$ near the origin and becomes a constant equal to $V_0$ for $|x| \geq X_0$ (see figure).
$1.$ If the total energy of the particle is $E$,it will perform periodic motion only if
$(A)$ $E < 0$
$(B)$ $E > 0$
$(C)$ $V_0 > E > 0$
$(D)$ $E > V_0$
$2.$ For periodic motion of small amplitude $A$,the time period $T$ of this particle is proportional to
$(A)$ $A \sqrt{\frac{m}{\alpha}}$
$(B)$ $\frac{1}{A} \sqrt{\frac{m}{\alpha}}$
$(C)$ $A \sqrt{\frac{\alpha}{m}}$
$(D)$ $A \sqrt{\frac{\alpha}{m}}$
$3.$ The acceleration of this particle for $|x|>X_0$ is
$(A)$ proportional to $V_0$
$(B)$ proportional to $\frac{V_0}{mX_0}$
$(C)$ proportional to $\sqrt{\frac{V_0}{mX_0}}$
$(D)$ zero
Give the answer for questions $1, 2$ and $3$.