Memory and Storage: RAM, ROM and the Backing Store · seed 1 · A4, ink-friendly. The answer key prints on its own page for grown-ups.

Fast now, safe forever

Computing · Computer Systems · ages 15-16
Name ______________________   Date ____________

  1. Why must a program sit in memory while it runs?

    • The processor works on what waits there
    • Memory enjoys company
    • Storage runs too fast

  2. What is lost when the power goes off?

    • Whatever sits in storage
    • Whatever sits in RAM
    • Whatever sits in the backup

  3. Restarting can speed a slow computer by freeing its RAM.

    Circle one:   True   False

  4. Why does a game save progress to a file?

    • Files load faster than RAM
    • Memory only lasts while the program runs
    • Players love folders

  5. An essay is typed but never saved when the laptop dies. What follows?

    • The words wait in storage
    • The words move to backup
    • The words are gone with RAM

  6. Which drive picks more room per coin, and which picks speed?

    • HDD for room, SSD for speed
    • SSD for room, HDD for speed
    • Both tie on both counts

  7. How big should a backup drive be for a full drive?

    • Exactly half the size, inside the machine
    • Any size, sharing the same disk
    • At least twice the size, on a separate device

  8. RAM keeps your files safe for weeks with no power.

    Circle one:   True   False

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Answer key

For grown-ups. Fold this page away before handing over the rest.

Fast now, safe forever W1-mt_AiXGJioO_S-s1

  1. The processor works on what waits there · Instructions and data must wait in memory to be worked on.
  2. Whatever sits in RAM · RAM forgets at power off, while storage never needed power.
  3. True · A restart sweeps leftover programs out of fast memory.
  4. Memory only lasts while the program runs · A file in storage outlives the program that wrote it.
  5. The words are gone with RAM · Unstored words lived only in memory, which died with power.
  6. HDD for room, SSD for speed · HDDs give more room per coin, SSDs read and write faster.
  7. At least twice the size, on a separate device · Room to grow on different storage survives a dead main drive.
  8. False · RAM forgets at power off. Storage is the keeper.
Worksheet · LightMySky