Storage Devices

Storage Devices
1. Draw four lines to match each storage medium to the most appropriate
use in this list.
2. Optical discs and magnetic tapes are both used to store computer data.
Give two uses of optical discs and for each use give a reason why they are
preferred to magnetic tapes.
Two matched pairs from:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Companies selling their software/games

Cheap method of production/quick to access data
Making personal backups/transferring data (from one computer to another)
Cheap to buy/quicker to retrieve data/expensive to buy tape drives
Downloading/Copying media such as films/music
Faster/Easier to access individual scenes/tracks/ better or higher quality
3. Use the most appropriate phrase from the list below to complete each
sentence.
store data in real time applications
store high definition films
store backups of file servers
store music for sale

store photographs in a digital camera
(i) A CD ROM is used to ..
(ii) A blu-ray disc is used to .
(iii) A magnetic tape is used to .
(iv) A flash memory card is used to..
(i) A CD ROM is used

(ii) A blu-ray disc is used
to store music for sale

to store high definition films
(iii) A magnetic tape is used

(iv) A flash memory card is used
to store backups of file servers

to store photographs in a digital camera
4. Describe four features of ROM.

Fourfrom:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Read only memory

Can be read from but not written to/cant be changed/edited
Used to store BIOS/start up programs for computer
Used to store software that must not change e.g. games
Non-volatile/permanent (memory)
5. Ring two items which are used to store data.
6. Tick whether the following statements apply to RAM or apply to ROM.
7. Ring two items which are used for storing data.
8. Use the most appropriate phrase from the list below to complete the
sentences.
retouch photographs.
print out photographs.
input candidate examination answers.
input data from a magnetic stripe.
store high definition copies of movies.
open windows in a greenhouse.
input data from a chip.
input temperature in a microprocessor controlled
greenhouse.
(i) A blu-ray disc is used to .
(ii) A graphics tablet is used to ..
(iii) An inkjet printer is used to ..
(iv) A motor is used to .
(v) An Optical Mark Reader is used to
9. Explain why computer systems have both backing storage and RAM.
Three from:
1. If computer is switched off work in RAM goes but backing storage

stores data for future use
2. More likely that data is accidentally deleted in RAM
3. RAM is more expensive than backing storage per unit of memory
4. RAM is bulkier than backing storage per unit of memory
5. RAM provides faster access than backing storage
6. Software package may be so large that it is physically impossible for
RAM to store it.
7. Data may need to be transferred from one computer to another and
cant do that with RAM
10. Draw four lines on the diagram to match the use to its most
appropriate storage medium.
11. Complete each sentence below using one item from the list.
12. Complete each sentence below using one item from the list.
13. Describe the differences between RAM and ROM.

Four from:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
ROM cannot be changed/RAM can be changed

RAM can be read from and written to
ROM is read only memory and RAM is random access memory
ROM holds instructions that need to be unchanged such as BIOS/program
cycles in a washing machine/program instructions in games
RAM holds the work that is being currently done by the user
ROM is non-volatile/RAM is volatile
14. A student wishes to store data on an optical storage medium. List two
optical media and give one advantage and one disadvantage of using
optical media when compared with fixed hard discs.
Two devices from:
1.
2.
3.
4.
CD
DVD
Blu-ray
DVD RAM
One advantage from:

1. More portable/less likely to spike/cheaper to buy
One disadvantage:
1. Limited capacity/slower access times/slower transfer rates/can be more
easily
2. lost/can be more easily stolen/can be more easily scratched
15. The main memory in computers is becoming very large. Give three
reasons why backing storage is still needed.
Three from:
1)
2)
3)
4)
Data in main memory can be lost if computer shuts down

Data in main memory can be corrupted
Data in main memory can be accidentally deleted
Data/software may need to be switched from machine to machine 16.
16. Students can use CDs or pen drives for storing their work. Give three
reasons why students may prefer to use pen drives.
Three from:
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
6)
7)
Pen drives have greater storage capacity

Pen drives are more portable
Not all machines have CD drives
Faster access to data
More robust
More secure as biometric data can be incorporated
Dont need specialist hardware/software for pen drives
17. Tick three reasons why optical media may be used to store data
rather than magnetic media.
18. All computers come with main memory as well as backing storage.
Give a reason why the following are needed.
RAM
ROM
Backing storage
RAM So that users are able to make changes to the data they are working on/to
store the program or data they are currently using
ROM So that programs/coding/software can be stored permanently/cannot be
changed
Backing storage So that users can have a permanent copy of the work they are
doing/can have a copy of their work when the computer is switched off
19. Most PCs come with a hard disc drive. Give a reason why each of the
following are also used with PCs.
Magnetic tape: To make backups
CD R: To transfer data/programs from computer to computer/to save user data
DVD ROM: For companies to distribute software/movies/For users to install
software/view multimedia
20. Explain why the following are used with PCs.

Pen drives
Blu-ray
Fixed hard disc drives
Pen drives - So that users can transfer data from one computer to another/to
backup files/security dongle
Blu-ray- To enable large high definition/quality video files to be recorded
Fixed hard disc drives - So that users can have quick access to their
data/software/so that software can be stored
21. RAM and ROM are types of storage.
Explain what RAM and ROM are used for.
ROM stores BIOS/program cycles in a washing machine/program instructions in
games
RAM holds the data currently being used by the user
22. Michael wishes to make a copy of his Geography coursework which is
stored on the school computer system. He wants to take it home to finish
it for homework.
He can borrow a CD RW from school but he has a 128 Mb memory stick of
his own.
(a)Give two advantages of using the CD RW.
(b)Give two advantages of using the memory stick.
(a)Two from:
1. can store more data than the memory stick
2. cheaper to replace (not just cheaper on its own)
3. not so easy to lose
(b)two from:
1. more compact / easier to carry
2. faster access to data
3. faster data transfer

4. more robust / difficult to damage
23. Complete the following sentences using the output devices listed
below.
(a)A garage using multi-part stationery with carbon copies would need
a
_____________________________________________________________________________________
(b)An architects office producing house plans using A0 size paper
would use a
_____________________________________________________________________________________
(c) A student printing out coursework needing high quality printouts
would use a
_____________________________________________________________________________________
(a) Dot matrix printer
(b) Graph plotter
(c) Laser printer

Storage Devices

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Storage Devices

Companies selling their software/games

store music for sale

(i) A CD ROM is used

to store music for sale

(iii) A magnetic tape is used

to store backups of file servers

4. Describe four features of ROM.

Read only memory

5. Ring two items which are used to store data.

6. Tick whether the following statements apply to RAM or apply to ROM.

7. Ring two items which are used for storing data.

1. If computer is switched off work in RAM goes but backing storage

13. Describe the differences between RAM and ROM.

ROM cannot be changed/RAM can be changed

One advantage from:

Data in main memory can be lost if computer shuts down

Pen drives have greater storage capacity

20. Explain why the following are used with PCs.

3. faster data transfer

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