Memory (RAM)

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Date:

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Quick Questions

Shade in the A or B circle for each question.

1. Which describes RAM?

A Fast, temporary memory for data and programs currently in use

B Permanent memory that keeps your files for years

2. What happens to data in RAM when the power is turned off?

A It is kept safe

B It is lost

3. RAM is a type of volatile memory. What does volatile mean?

A Data can never be changed

B Data is lost when power is off

4. A computer with more RAM can usually...

A Run more programs at once

B Store more photos permanently

5. Where are your saved files kept when the computer is switched off?

A Storage (like an SSD or hard drive)

B RAM

Match the Pairs

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

Left column		Right column
1RAM		ARAM = temporary, storage = permanent
2volatile memory		BPhotos and games are kept permanently in storage, not RAM. RAM only holds data and programs currently in use.
3More RAM lets a computer keep more programs open and running at once		CRAM = 16 GB # can run more programs than 4 GB
4RAM is temporary working memory, while storage keeps files even when the power is off		DFast, temporary memory that holds the data and programs currently in use
5Turn off the computer and the files in RAM are saved forever		ERAM is volatile, so its contents are lost when the power is off. Files must be saved to storage to be kept.
6RAM is where all my photos and games are kept permanently		FMemory that loses everything stored in it when the power is turned off

Definitions

RAM

Fill in the Blanks

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

___ = Random Access Memory

RAM is ________: data is lost at power off

More RAM lets more programs run at ____

RAM is temporary; _______ keeps files saved

RAM is ____ memory for data in use now

Spot the Error

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

Question 1

A power_on = False

B ram_data = "open game"

C if power_on = False:

D ram_data = ""

E print(ram_data)

Question 2

A ram_gb 8

B programs = 4

C if ram_gb >= 8:

D print("Runs smoothly")

Question 3

A open_apps = []

B open_apps.add("browser")

C open_apps.append("music")

D print(len(open_apps))

Question 4

A ram = ["game", "music"]

B storage = ["photos", "files"]

C power_off = True

D if power_off: storage = []

E print(storage)

Question 5

A total = 8

B used = "3"

C free = total - used

D print(free)

Answer Key

Memory (RAM)

Section A: Quick Questions

A — Fast, temporary memory for data and programs currently in use

B — It is lost

B — Data is lost when power is off

A — Run more programs at once

A — Storage (like an SSD or hard drive)

Section B: Match the Pairs

RAM → Fast, temporary memory that holds the data and programs currently in use

volatile memory → Memory that loses everything stored in it when the power is turned off

More RAM lets a computer keep more programs open and running at once → RAM = 16 GB # can run more programs than 4 GB

RAM is temporary working memory, while storage keeps files even when the power is off → RAM = temporary, storage = permanent

Turn off the computer and the files in RAM are saved forever → RAM is volatile, so its contents are lost when the power is off. Files must be saved to storage to be kept.

RAM is where all my photos and games are kept permanently → Photos and games are kept permanently in storage, not RAM. RAM only holds data and programs currently in use.

Section C: Definitions

RAM — Random Access Memory: fast, temporary memory that holds the data and programs currently in use. It is volatile, so everything in it is lost when the power is turned off.

Section D: Fill in the Blanks

RAM = Random Access Memory

RAM is volatile: data is lost at power off

More RAM lets more programs run at once

RAM is temporary; storage keeps files saved

RAM is fast memory for data in use now

Section E: Spot the Error

C — A single = assigns a value, but an if statement needs to compare. It should be if power_on == False: to check whether the power is off, which is when RAM loses its data.

A — The line is missing the = assignment operator, so the amount of RAM is never stored in the variable. It should be ram_gb = 8.

B — Python lists have no add method. Use append to put another open program into the list, like open_apps.append("browser"). More programs in RAM means a longer list.

D — Storage is not volatile, so it keeps its data when the power is off. Only RAM is cleared, so the line should be if power_off: ram = [].

B — The used RAM is written as a string, so it cannot be subtracted from the number total. It should be the number used = 3.