Writing exam answers about data storage
Name:
Date:
Class:
A
Quick Questions
Shade in the A or B circle for each question.
1. Which answer to 'Why does a computer need secondary storage?' gets the mark?
2. Which sentence uses the correct term for virtual memory?
3. Which answer explains virtual memory in the correct order?
4. Which answer correctly describes how an SSD stores data?
5. Which answer correctly describes magnetic storage?
B
Match the Pairs
Draw a line connecting each item on the left to its match on the right.
| Left column | Right column | |
|---|---|---|
| 1"An SSD is faster because it has no moving parts." | A"A laser reads the pits and lands on the disc surface because they reflect light differently." | |
| 2"Virtual memory is used when RAM is full, so pages move to the hard drive." | BA full-mark sentence: it names the device (SSD) and links the point to a reason using 'because'. | |
| 3Compare cloud and local storage by giving a point and a reason linked with 'because'. | C"Cloud storage lets me access files anywhere because they are stored on remote servers via the internet." | |
| 4Describe how optical storage works using the correct terms, not vague words. | DAn answer that explains virtual memory in the correct order: RAM fills, then pages are moved to secondary storage. | |
| 5"Virtual memory is extra RAM added to the computer." | EThis mixes up RAM and ROM. It describes RAM, which is volatile. ROM is non-volatile and keeps the start-up instructions. | |
| 6"ROM stores the data and programs currently being used and is wiped when the power is off." | FVirtual memory is not extra RAM hardware. It is part of secondary storage used as if it were RAM when RAM is full. |
C
Definitions
point because reason
D
Fill in the Blanks
Complete each line of code by filling in the missing parts.
1.
An SSD is faster _______ it has no
moving parts.
2.
RAM is ________ because it loses its data
when the power is turned off.
3.
Virtual memory is an area of _________
storage, not extra RAM hardware.
4.
ROM stores the _________ program because
it is non-volatile and keeps its data.
5.
Cloud storage needs an ________ connection,
so local storage is better offline.
E
Spot the Error
Shade in the letter of the line that contains an error.
Question 1
A
RAM is non-volatile memory
B
Data is lost without power
C
It holds running programs
Question 2
A
ROM is non-volatile
B
It loses data without power
C
so it can hold the bootstrap
Question 3
A
1 RAM becomes full
B
2 Idle pages move to ROM
C
3 Needed pages move back
Question 4
A
Cloud suits remote workers
B
because files are online
C
Local storage works offline
D
because data is on the server
Question 5
A
HDD is magnetic storage
B
Platters hold tracks, sectors
C
The head burns pits in disk
Answer Key
Writing exam answers about data storage
Section A: Quick Questions
Q1
A — Because RAM is volatile, secondary storage keeps data when the power is off
Q2
B — Virtual memory is part of the secondary storage used as if it were RAM
Q3
A — RAM fills up, so pages not in use move to virtual memory, and they are moved back when needed
Q4
A — It uses transistors as floating gates to trap electrons, which represent 1s and 0s
Q5
B — Electromagnets in the read/write head magnetise areas on the platter to store 1s and 0s
Section B: Match the Pairs
Q1
"An SSD is faster because it has no moving parts." → A full-mark sentence: it names the device (SSD) and links the point to a reason using 'because'.
Q2
"Virtual memory is used when RAM is full, so pages move to the hard drive." → An answer that explains virtual memory in the correct order: RAM fills, then pages are moved to secondary storage.
Q3
Compare cloud and local storage by giving a point and a reason linked with 'because'. → "Cloud storage lets me access files anywhere because they are stored on remote servers via the internet."
Q4
Describe how optical storage works using the correct terms, not vague words. → "A laser reads the pits and lands on the disc surface because they reflect light differently."
Q5
"Virtual memory is extra RAM added to the computer." → Virtual memory is not extra RAM hardware. It is part of secondary storage used as if it were RAM when RAM is full.
Q6
"ROM stores the data and programs currently being used and is wiped when the power is off." → This mixes up RAM and ROM. It describes RAM, which is volatile. ROM is non-volatile and keeps the start-up instructions.
Section C: Definitions
Q1
point because reason — A full-mark storage answer uses the correct term (e.g. virtual memory, ROM, SSD) and links each point to a reason with 'because', rather than just naming or listing things.Section D: Fill in the Blanks
Q1
An SSD is faster because it has no
moving parts.Q2
RAM is volatile because it loses its data
when the power is turned off.Q3
Virtual memory is an area of secondary
storage, not extra RAM hardware.Q4
ROM stores the bootstrap program because
it is non-volatile and keeps its data.Q5
Cloud storage needs an internet connection,
so local storage is better offline.Section E: Spot the Error
Q1
A — RAM is volatile because it loses its data when the power is off. It should say 'RAM is volatile memory'. Calling it non-volatile mixes up RAM and ROM.
Q2
B — ROM is non-volatile, so it keeps its data without power. This is the reason it can store the bootstrap. The line should be 'It keeps data without power'.
Q3
B — In virtual memory, idle pages move from RAM to secondary storage (the disk), not to ROM. ROM is read-only and cannot be used for swapping. It should be '2 Idle pages move to disk'.
Q4
D — Local storage works offline because the data is on the user's own device. Data on a server describes cloud storage. It should be 'because data is on the device'.
Q5
C — A magnetic HDD writes data by using an electromagnet in the head to magnetise areas of the platter. Burning pits is how optical discs work. It should be 'The head magnetises the disk'.