RAM and storage compared

Name:

Date:

Class:

Quick Questions

Shade in the A or B circle for each question.

1. You switch off a computer without saving. What happens to the work in RAM?

A It is wiped and lost

B It stays in RAM until next time

2. Which one keeps your files for later, even when the power is off?

A RAM

B Storage

3. Which one is like a desk, holding what you are using right now?

A RAM

B Storage

4. You double-click a game file to open it. What happens first?

A The file is copied from storage into RAM

B The file is moved out of storage and deleted

5. You type a story but the power cuts out before you press Save. What is true?

A Your work is safe because it was in RAM

B Your unsaved work is lost

Match the Pairs

Draw a line connecting each item on the left to its match on the right.

Left column		Right column
1RAM = desk		Apower off: RAM = empty, storage = files kept
2storage = cupboard		BUnsaved work lives only in RAM, so it is lost when the power cuts out. You must save it to storage first.
3To open a file, the computer copies it from storage into RAM so you can work on it		Copen("story.doc"): storage -> RAM
4The power-off test: after the power goes off, RAM is empty but storage still has its files		DRAM holds what you are using right now, and it is wiped when the power goes off
5power off: RAM keeps my files for later		ERAM does not keep files when the power goes off. It is wiped. Storage is what keeps files for later.
6Power cut before saving: unsaved work is still safe in RAM		FStorage keeps your files for later, even when the power is off

Definitions

RAM vs storage

Fill in the Blanks

Complete each line of code by filling in the missing parts.

IF power is off THEN RAM is _____

Files for later are kept in _______

COPY file FROM storage TO ___

IF power is off AND file not saved THEN work is ____

RAM is like a ____, storage is a cupboard

Spot the Error

Shade in the letter of the line that contains an error.

Question 1

A open homework.doc

B copy file from storage to RAM

C edit the copy in storage

D save to storage

Question 2

A RAM = cupboard for work now

B storage = cupboard for files

C power off -> RAM is wiped

Question 3

A type story, do not save

B power goes off, RAM keeps it

C story is lost

Question 4

A storage holds photos

B turn the tablet off

C photos are wiped from storage

Question 5

A click game icon

B copy game from storage to RAM

C CPU runs the game from RAM

D power off: RAM keeps the game

Answer Key

RAM and storage compared

Section A: Quick Questions

A — It is wiped and lost

B — Storage

A — RAM

A — The file is copied from storage into RAM

B — Your unsaved work is lost

Section B: Match the Pairs

RAM = desk → RAM holds what you are using right now, and it is wiped when the power goes off

storage = cupboard → Storage keeps your files for later, even when the power is off

To open a file, the computer copies it from storage into RAM so you can work on it → open("story.doc"): storage -> RAM

The power-off test: after the power goes off, RAM is empty but storage still has its files → power off: RAM = empty, storage = files kept

power off: RAM keeps my files for later → RAM does not keep files when the power goes off. It is wiped. Storage is what keeps files for later.

Power cut before saving: unsaved work is still safe in RAM → Unsaved work lives only in RAM, so it is lost when the power cuts out. You must save it to storage first.

Section C: Definitions

RAM vs storage — RAM holds what you are using now and is wiped when the power goes off. Storage keeps files for later. RAM is like a desk, storage is like a cupboard.

Section D: Fill in the Blanks

IF power is off THEN
    RAM is wiped

Files for later are kept in storage

COPY file FROM storage TO RAM

IF power is off AND file not saved THEN
    work is lost

RAM is like a desk, storage is a cupboard

Section E: Spot the Error

C — When you open a file, a copy goes into RAM and you work on that copy there. The line should be: edit the copy in RAM.

A — RAM is like a desk, where you keep what you are using now. A cupboard is the picture for storage. The line should be: RAM = desk for work now.

B — RAM is wiped when the power goes off, so unsaved work is lost. The line should be: power goes off, RAM is wiped.

C — Storage keeps files even when the power is off, so the photos are still there. The line should be: photos are still in storage.

D — RAM is wiped when the power goes off, so it cannot keep the game. The game is still saved in storage. The line should be: power off: RAM is wiped.