Memory and storage
OCR GCSE Computer Science revision on Memory and storage. Aligned to the OCR GCSE Computer Science J277 specification. This bank has 29 practice questions on this topic.
Sample questions (3 of 29)
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Question 1
RAM is described as VOLATILE memory because...
- A) It can be damaged easily
- B) Its contents are lost when power is off
- C) It changes data automatically
- D) It explodes if used too much
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Answer: Its contents are lost when power is off
RAM holds the OS, running programs, and open files WHILE the computer is on. Switch off = contents gone. Compare with NON-volatile storage (ROM, SSD, HDD) which keeps data without power. This is why you 'save your work' — moves it from RAM to non-volatile storage.
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Question 2
Which secondary storage type has NO moving parts?
- A) Hard disk drive (HDD)
- B) Optical disc (DVD)
- C) Solid state drive (SSD)
- D) Magnetic tape
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Answer: Solid state drive (SSD)
Pros of SSDs: faster reads/writes, more durable (no moving parts to break if dropped), silent, lower power. Cons: more expensive per GB, finite write cycles (each cell can only be written ~10,000+ times). HDDs still common for cheap bulk storage (films, backups).
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Question 3
ROM (Read Only Memory) typically stores...
- A) User photos
- B) The boot-up firmware
- C) Browser history
- D) Game saves
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Answer: The boot-up firmware
Pre-installed by the manufacturer; persists when power is off (non-volatile). The BIOS/UEFI checks hardware, then loads the OS off the hard drive into RAM. Some embedded systems are entirely ROM-resident. Modern 'ROM' is usually rewritable flash (firmware updates possible) but the term sticks.
Want to test yourself on the remaining cards for this topic?
26 more questions on Memory and storage — plus mistakes tracking and spaced repetition across the whole Computer Science spec.