1 - Theory of Computer Science / Memory & Storage
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Exam Questions - Memory / Storage
Example Question 1
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11
(a) Question 11 (a) requires you to show your knowledge of optical memory. Here you must tick each row to identify the features that 4 different types of disks have.
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(a) Question 11 (a) requires you to show your knowledge of optical memory. Here you must tick each row to identify the features that 4 different types of disks have.
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(b)
(i) Question (b) (i) is essentially asking you to explain why SSD is better than HDD. Each of the following points would get you a mark (Max 3)
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(ii) Question (b) (ii) asks you to explain why server farms might still use HDDs over SSDs. Each of the following points would be worth 1 mark each (Max 2)
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(i) Question (b) (i) is essentially asking you to explain why SSD is better than HDD. Each of the following points would get you a mark (Max 3)
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- They do not need to get up to speed to work properly / No latency
- Less power consumption / More energy efficient
- Run cooler
- run quieter
- Data access is faster
- Occupies less physical space - more compact
- Lighter, so suitable for portable computer / laptop
- No moving parts so more reliable / durable in a portable computer / laptop
(ii) Question (b) (ii) asks you to explain why server farms might still use HDDs over SSDs. Each of the following points would be worth 1 mark each (Max 2)
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- HDD is cheaper for larger amounts of storage space
- HDD has greater longevity for read / write functions
- Expensive to change technology / HDD is trusted technology
- No requirement for the increased speed of SSD
Example Question 2
Example Question 3
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13
(a) This question requires you to give an explanation of Primary, secondary and Offline storage. You are also expected to provide an example of each. 1 mark is provided for each explanation and 1 mark is provided for each example.
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Primary storage
Explanation - Main memory inside a computer that is directly accessed by the CPU
Example - ROM / RAM
Secondary storage
Explanation - Non-volatile / persistent memory that is accessed by a device that is part of computer system . not directly accessed by the CPU.
Example - HDD / SSD
Off-line storage
Explanation - Non-volatile memory that can be removed from a computer system
Example - DVD / Blue-ray/ Cd / USB flash memory / Removable or external HDD or SSD
(b)
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Maximum capacity - 125 Megabytes
Medium - CD / Low capacity flash memory
Reason - Good for mailing / inexpensive to buy
(a) This question requires you to give an explanation of Primary, secondary and Offline storage. You are also expected to provide an example of each. 1 mark is provided for each explanation and 1 mark is provided for each example.
Answers
Primary storage
Explanation - Main memory inside a computer that is directly accessed by the CPU
Example - ROM / RAM
Secondary storage
Explanation - Non-volatile / persistent memory that is accessed by a device that is part of computer system . not directly accessed by the CPU.
Example - HDD / SSD
Off-line storage
Explanation - Non-volatile memory that can be removed from a computer system
Example - DVD / Blue-ray/ Cd / USB flash memory / Removable or external HDD or SSD
(b)
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Maximum capacity - 125 Megabytes
Medium - CD / Low capacity flash memory
Reason - Good for mailing / inexpensive to buy
Example Question 4
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6
Question 6 does not just contain memory terms but also two components of the CPU. It is a good example of how terms from different topics can be mixed together.
In this question you need to match the terms to the descriptions. Each term may connect to more than one description but each description will only connect to one term.
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Question 6 does not just contain memory terms but also two components of the CPU. It is a good example of how terms from different topics can be mixed together.
In this question you need to match the terms to the descriptions. Each term may connect to more than one description but each description will only connect to one term.
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Example Question 5
Example Question 6
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2
Question 2 is testing your understanding of the terms Primary, Secondary and Offline storage. You are given a list of 6 storage mediums and you need to write which storage category they are.
1 mark per storage device / medium
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HDD = Secondary
RAM = Primary
ROM = Primary
CD - Rom = Off Line
SSD = Secondary
DVD - RAM = Off Line
Question 2 is testing your understanding of the terms Primary, Secondary and Offline storage. You are given a list of 6 storage mediums and you need to write which storage category they are.
1 mark per storage device / medium
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HDD = Secondary
RAM = Primary
ROM = Primary
CD - Rom = Off Line
SSD = Secondary
DVD - RAM = Off Line
Example Question 7
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8
(a) Question 8 (a) tells you that a computer has 2048 MB of RAM and then asks how many Gigabytes it has.
To answer this correctly you need to know that 1 Gigabyte = 1024 megabytes.
2048 / 1024 = 2
Answer
2 Gigabytes (GB)
(b) Question 8 b asks you to describe one item that is stored in RAM
Answer
Instructions / Programs / Data that are currently in use
(c) For question 8 (c) you need to explain the difference between RAM and ROM. As it is a three mark question you should give at least three points.
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(a) Question 8 (a) tells you that a computer has 2048 MB of RAM and then asks how many Gigabytes it has.
To answer this correctly you need to know that 1 Gigabyte = 1024 megabytes.
2048 / 1024 = 2
Answer
2 Gigabytes (GB)
(b) Question 8 b asks you to describe one item that is stored in RAM
Answer
Instructions / Programs / Data that are currently in use
(c) For question 8 (c) you need to explain the difference between RAM and ROM. As it is a three mark question you should give at least three points.
Answers
- RAM is Volatile, ROM is non-volatile
- RAM is temporary, ROM is (semi) permanent
- RAM normally has a larger capacity that ROM
- RAM can be edited ROM cannot be edited // RAM can be read from and written to, ROM can only be read from.
Example Question 8
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9
(a) Question 9 (a) tests your knowledge of optical media by asking how data is read from a Compact Disk (CD)
4 marks are available here. Each of the following points are worth one mark.
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(a) Question 9 (a) tests your knowledge of optical media by asking how data is read from a Compact Disk (CD)
4 marks are available here. Each of the following points are worth one mark.
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- (red) laser is used
- laser beams) shines onto the surface of the disk)
- It is rotated at a constant speed to be read
- Surface is covered in a track (That spirals from the center)
- Data is represented on the surface using pits and lands
- Pits and lands represent binary values
- Pits reflect light back differently (to the area between/ land)
- Optical device can determine the binary value from the light reflection
Example Question 9
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(c)
(i) Question (c)(i) asks you to circle the most suitable type of storage for a camera attached to a drone.
Answer
Solid State
(ii) Part (ii) now asks you to explain why solid state memory was the most suitable choice. This question is worth 2 marks so two points should be given.
Each of the following points are worth 1 mark (2 marks)
Answer
(i) Question (c)(i) asks you to circle the most suitable type of storage for a camera attached to a drone.
Answer
Solid State
(ii) Part (ii) now asks you to explain why solid state memory was the most suitable choice. This question is worth 2 marks so two points should be given.
Each of the following points are worth 1 mark (2 marks)
Answer
- It has no moving parts so it will be durable
- It is small / compact so it can be easily fit onto the device
- It is light so it will not be difficult to lift for the drone
- It can hold the large amount of data needed for video / film footage
- Uses less power so drone battery will last longer.