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.

RAM, ROM and saved files

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

  1. Why does a typical desktop application load needed instructions into RAM?

    • To give the CPU fast access to running instructions
    • To make room by deleting the installed drive copy
    • To store document edits permanently in working RAM

  2. Which contents are normally lost when power is removed?

    • Firmware stored in ROM
    • Working data stored in RAM
    • Documents saved on an SSD

  3. Restarting can improve performance when unneeded running processes are using too much RAM.

    Circle one:   True   False

  4. Why does a game write progress to a saved file before its process ends?

    • To keep the same process running after it has ended
    • To let a later run read the stored progress
    • To change volatile RAM into nonvolatile memory

  5. An essay was saved yesterday. A new paragraph exists only in RAM, with no autosave or recovery copy. Power fails, but the drive is undamaged. What is expected?

    • Yesterday's file automatically gains the new paragraph
    • Yesterday's file and the new paragraph are both erased
    • Yesterday's file remains; the new paragraph is lost

  6. Two quoted drives have these ratings: the HDD costs less per GB; the SSD has shorter access time. Which buys more capacity for a fixed budget, and which provides shorter access time?

    • HDD for capacity; SSD for access time
    • SSD for capacity; HDD for access time
    • HDD for both capacity and access time

  7. A separate backup must hold 400 GB of existing files plus 100 GB of new files. Keep one uncompressed copy with no overhead. What minimum free space is needed?

    • 200 GB
    • 400 GB
    • 500 GB

  8. Because ROM retains contents without power, it is normally where you save changing essays.

    Circle one:   True   False

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Answer key

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

RAM, ROM and saved files W1-mt_AiXGJioO_S-s1

  1. To give the CPU fast access to running instructions · RAM and caches provide fast access to running instructions. Loading does not delete the installed application or make RAM nonvolatile.
  2. Working data stored in RAM · Ordinary RAM needs power to retain its working contents. ROM and SSD storage are nonvolatile.
  3. True · Restarting ends processes and can release their RAM. This does not fix every cause of slowness.
  4. To let a later run read the stored progress · Persistent storage lets a later process recover saved progress. The current process's working variables are not a lasting save.
  5. Yesterday's file remains; the new paragraph is lost · The saved version is on nonvolatile storage. Only the new paragraph depends on volatile RAM.
  6. HDD for capacity; SSD for access time · At the quoted lower cost per GB, the HDD buys more capacity for the same budget. The SSD has the quoted shorter access time.
  7. 500 GB · Add both file sets: 400 + 100 = 500 GB. Different version or compression settings could change the requirement.
  8. False · ROM normally holds firmware. Changing documents are usually saved to secondary storage.
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