Memory Name:

Computer Score: /
Architecture
GCSE Computer Science Questions
& Answers

Q1 Most computer systems have a main memory that consists of both RAM and ROM. [2 marks]

For each of the two statements below state if the statement is true or false.

1) ROM is volatile memory

2) In most desktop computers there is more ROM than RAM.

AQA (2016 Spec) - Specimen Question Paper - Paper 2 /2

Q2 An SD card is a type of solid state storage. [2 marks]

State two advantages of solid state storage compared to magnetic storage.

AQA (2016 Spec) - Specimen Question Paper - Paper 2 /2

Q3 Many modern desktop computers have both solid state drives and magnetic hard disk [2 marks]
drives.

Give two reasons why desktop computers have a magnetic hard disk drive and a solid
state drive instead of having just a solid state drive.

AQA (2016 Spec) - Specimen Question Paper - Paper 2 /2

Q4 Describe how data is stored on, and read from, a magnetic hard disk. [4 marks]

AQA (2016 Spec) - Specimen Question Paper - Paper 2 /4

Q5 In recent years, there has been a large growth in the use of cloud storage. [4 marks]

Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of using cloud storage.

In your answer you should include an explanation of the reasons for the large growth in
recent years and consider any legal, ethical and environmental issues related to the
use of cloud storage.
AQA (2016 Spec) - Specimen Question Paper - Paper 2 /4

Q6 Alexandra’s computer uses Virtual Memory. [3 marks]

Describe the purpose of Virtual Memory in Alexandra’s computer

OCR (2016 Spec) - Dec 17 Practice Question Paper - Paper 1 /3

Q7 Alexandra wants to improve the performance of her computer by increasing the amount [8 marks]
of RAM, installing a faster processor and replacing her magnetic hard disk drive with a
solid state drive.

Discuss the impact of making these changes on the performance of the computer.

In your answer you might consider the impact of:

• increasing the amount of RAM
• installing a faster processor
• using a solid state drive

OCR (2016 Spec) - Dec 17 Practice Question Paper - Paper 1 /8

Q8 William is creating a film for a school project using a digital video camera. [2 marks]

The digital video camera has a secondary storage device.

Explain why the digital video camera needs secondary storage

OCR (2016 Spec) - 2018 Question Paper - Paper 1 /2

Q9 The digital video camera uses solid state storage. [4 marks]

Explain why solid state storage is the most appropriate type of storage for the digital
video camera.

OCR (2016 Spec) - 2018 Question Paper - Paper 1 /4

Q10 The computer will only have 2GB of RAM, but Alicia says that virtual memory can be [3 marks]
used instead of adding more RAM.

Explain how virtual memory can compensate for the lack of RAM in Alicia’s computer.

OCR (2016 Spec) - 2018 Question Paper - Paper 1 /3

Q11 Explain why it would be beneficial for Alicia to get more RAM instead of relying on [2 marks]
 virtual memory.

OCR (2016 Spec) - 2018 Question Paper - Paper 1 /2

Q12 A student is asked to compare solid state drives, magnetic hard drives and optical [4 marks]
media such as CDs. This is the student’s answer:

“Both a solid state drive and a hard drive contain moving parts although the way they
store data is different. A solid state drive does not use a laser to read data but hard
drives and optical media both do. Both solid state drives and hard drives can have large
storage capacities but a hard drive’s capacity is commonly greater. Both can be greater
than standard CDs. Data is read more quickly from a hard drive than from a normal CD.
Data is also read more quickly from a hard drive than from a solid state drive.”.

The student has made factual errors in their answer. One error is stated and explained
below (the explanation contains the reason why it is an error):

Error 1 A solid state drive contains moving parts.

Explanation 1 A solid state drive is made of electrical circuits.

State and explain two further errors the student has made in their answer.

AQA (2013 Spec) - 2017 Question Paper - Paper 2 /4

Q13 Both a solid state drive and a hard drive are examples of secondary storage. Explain [2 marks]
why secondary storage is often needed as well as RAM in computer systems.

AQA (2013 Spec) - 2017 Question Paper - Paper 2 /2

Q14 Two typical secondary storage devices, with the same cost, are advertised as follows. [1 mark]

State one reason why Device B could be considered a better choice than Device A

AQA (2013 Spec) - 2016 Question Paper - Paper 2 /1

Q15 [2 marks]

State two reasons why Device A could be considered a better choice than Device B.

AQA (2013 Spec) - 2016 Question Paper - Paper 2 /2

Q16 State the difference between data and information [1 mark]

AQA (2013 Spec) - 2016 Question Paper - Paper 2 /1

Q17 The following are types of memory and storage (labelled A – F): [3 marks]
A. Cache memory
B. Magnetic media
C. Non-volatile memory
D. Optical media
E. ROM
F. Solid state media

For each of the descriptions in the table, write the label of the type of memory or
storage it best describes.

Description Label (A-F)

Uses a laser to read the data

Contents cannot be edited

Small and very fast storage found close to the

processor

AQA (2015 Spec) - Specimen Question Paper - Paper 2 /3

Q18 State one situation when virtual memory might be needed. [1 mark]

AQA (2015 Spec) - Specimen Question Paper - Paper 2 /1

Q19 Describe the difference between volatile and nonvolatile memory. [2 mark]

AQA WorkBook /2

Q20 Nigel runs a piece of software to analyse the performance of his computer. It [2 mark]
recommends that he should install more RAM in his computer.
Explain the purpose of RAM in a computer system.

AQA WorkBook /2

Q21 Nigel runs a piece of software to analyse the performance of his computer. It [2 mark]
recommends that he should install more RAM in his computer.
Give two reasons why Nigel may need to install more RAM in his computer.
AQA WorkBook /2

Q22 When a computer is switched on, the BIOS runs. The BIOS is stored in the computer’s [2 mark]
ROM.
State two functions of the BIOS.

AQA WorkBook /2

Q23 When a computer is switched on, the BIOS runs. The BIOS is stored in the computer’s [2 mark]
ROM.
Explain why the BIOS is stored in ROM instead of RAM.

AQA WorkBook /2

Q24 Compare the RAM and ROM requirements in: [4 mark]

An embedded system
A non-embedded system

AQA WorkBook /4

Q25 Give three characteristics to consider when choosing a suitable type of secondary [3 mark]
storage for a computer system.

AQA WorkBook /3

Q26 Give two reasons why flash memory is a suitable storage type for an action camera [2 mark]

AQA WorkBook /2

Q27 Explain why a magnetic hard disk would be an unsuitable storage type for an action [2 mark]
camera.

AQA WorkBook /2

Q28 Caley is getting a custom-built computer. She has a choice of two options for [4 mark]
secondary storage: A 500GB HDD (10,000 rpm) or a 128GB SSD. For each storage
option, give reasons why Caley may choose it over the other option.

AQA WorkBook /4
Q29 Every night a large law firm backs up roughly 600GB of data. At the end of each month, [1 mark]
one final backup is taken and stored permanently, and the daily backups are deleted.
After three weeks, how much data will they have from daily backups? Give your answer
in TB.

AQA WorkBook /1

Q30 Every night a large law firm backs up roughly 600GB of data. At the end of each month, [6 mark]
one final backup is taken and stored permanently, and the daily backups are deleted.
The law firm currently stores all of the backups on magnetic tape. Discuss the
advantages and disadvantages to the firm of switching to cloud storage.

AQA WorkBook /6

Q31 Jason has bought a new laptop. The laptop contains 3GB RAM and 128GB secondary [3 mark]
storage.
Explain why secondary storage is needed in addition to RAM.

AQA WorkBook /3

Q32 Jason has bought a new laptop. The laptop contains 3GB RAM and 128GB secondary [4 mark]
storage.
Jason wants to back up the data on his laptop twice a week. Give two advantages and
two disadvantages of storing his backup data on optical discs.

AQA WorkBook /4
Answers

Q1 1) False
2) False

Q2 Lighter;
Smaller;
Uses less power;
More robust;
Generates less heat;
Quieter;

Max 2

Q3 Using just solid state would cost much more;

Can get higher storage capacity by including magnetic hard disk;

Q4 On a hard disk binary data represented by tiny magnetised regions;

Where the magnetic orientation in one direction represent 0, and the other direction
represents 1;
When reading data the read/write head is moved (to be over correct track); and the
platter/disk spins round;
A whole sector/block read in one go (by the read/write head);

Q5 Guidance - Indicative Response (reasons for growth)

Higher bandwidth mobile networks (eg 4G);
Increased availability of mobile devices;
Reduction in cost of large capacity storage devices;
Improvements in network security;
People have a higher level of trust in cloud storage;
Improvements in web browser software;
Increased availability of supercomputers (for cloud processing);
Companies have managed to develop business models based on cloud computing that allow
them to make a profit;

Guidance - Indicative Response (advantages of cloud storage)

Enables user to access their data from more places/devices;
Enables user to more easily share data with others (can make parts of their cloud storage
publically available);
Increases the amount of storage available;
Reduced cost of computing devices for users as no need for as much built-in secondary
storage;

Guidance - Indicative Response (disadvantages of cloud storage)

Increased security risks;
Relies on access to high-bandwidth network connection;
Could potentially cost more due to ongoing costs;
Reliance on company providing the cloud service;
Increased chance of others accessing personal data (data privacy issues);

Q6 1 mark per bullet to max 3

- Allow user to run programs there is insufficient RAM for
- Move data not recently used to HDD to free up space in RAM
- … to be filled by new data required to be stored in RAM
- Allows her to run more programs simultaneously with less slow down.

Q7 1 mark per bullet to max 3 from each section (up until 8 total)

More RAM
 - More RAM can (temporarily) store more data in faster memory
- Allows more programs to be open at once without affecting performance.
- More RAM can avoid use of VM
- No memory intensive software being used so more RAM may not be required

Faster processor
- Faster processor allows more tasks to completed per second.
- …so software may respond faster
- Faster processor allows more instructions to be run per second
- …therefore performing more tasks in a specified time / performing a task in a shorter
time.
- No processor intensive software being run so faster processor may not be required.

Solid state drive

- Faster access than magnetic drive
- Quicker to boot up computer.
- Quicker to load programs
- Quicker to save / load files.
- Even with no intensive software running, speed increase possible

Q8 1 mark per bullet to max 2

- For long term/permanent/non-volatile storage // storing when the device is turned off
- To store the videos / data / files
- For transferring the videos (to another device)

Q9 1 mark per bullet to max 4

Max 3 if only stating features

e.g.
- Portable
- Lightweight
- ….e.g. device needs to be carried
- Small physical size
- …e.g. can fit in a small camera
- Durable
- No moving parts
- …e.g. device is moved so may be dropped // won’t be
- damaged when moving around
- Reliable
- …e.g. needs to work when out in the ‘field’
- Sufficient/large capacity
- …Videos are large file size // store more videos
- Fast access/read/write speed
- …e.g. the device will retrieve the videos without delay
- Efficient power consumption
- …e.g. run on battery // longer battery life

Q10 1 mark per bullet to max 3

- VM is used when RAM is full
- ...part of the secondary storage used as (temporary) RAM/VM
- Data from RAM is moved to the secondary storage/VM (to make space in RAM)
- RAM can then be filled with new data
- When data in VM is needed it is moved back to RAM

Q11 1 mark per bullet to max 2

- More RAM will improve the performance of the computer // More RAM will speed up
the access to data
- Excessive use can cause disk thrashing …
- …which decreases performance
- VM is slower to access than RAM direct (because it has to go back to RAM first)
- Moving data between RAM and VM takes processor time

Q12 One mark for each error (order is not important) and another mark for the associated
 explanation:

(Error) A hard drive reads data with a laser;

(Explanation) Hard drives use magnets to read data;

(Error) A hard drive reads data more quickly than a solid state drive
(Explanation) A hard drive has moving parts which make it slower to read data than a solid
state drive

Note for examiners: explanation must be more than just a restatement of the error.

Q13 Maximum two marks from:

data/instructions need to be stored permanently;

secondary storage is persistent/not volatile;
main memory/RAM is volatile/not persistent;

Q14 It has a larger storage capacity / it can hold more data;

Q15 Any creditworthy point to a maximum of two. Examples of typical advantages of solid state
over magnetic storage include:
It has a higher read/write speed;
It is smaller;
It is more robust;
It generates less heat;
It has a lower power consumption;
It is lighter;
It is quieter;

Q16 Information is data with context // meaning;

A. Information is data that has been processed

Q17 D (Optical media), E (ROM), A (Cache memory) 1 mark for each correct label
A. The terms written out in full instead of the labels (do not penalise spelling errors)

Q18 (When a computer system has) insufficient memory; When running a program / combination
of programs too large to fit into the memory; When the main memory is small / limited; When
the main memory is all in use;

Q19 Volatile memory is temporary memory - it requires power to retain its data content. [1 mark]
Non-volatile memory retains its data content even when there is no power. [1 mark]

Q20 RAM holds any data that is currently in use, e.g. programs / OS / files / documents. [1 mark]
It allows the CPU to directly access data much faster than if the data was on secondary
storage. [1 mark]

Q21 Any two reasons from:

● The current amount of RAM may not meet the requirements for the software he wants
to run. [1 mark]
● His computer may be running slowly. [1 mark]
● He may want to run more programs at once. [1 mark]
[2 marks available total]

Q22 E.g.
● It loads the operating system. [1 mark]
● It performs a variety of self-diagnostic tests on the hardware, e.g. testing RAM. [1
mark]
● It checks for hardware connected to the computer. [1 mark]
● It provides a basic user interface where some settings can be accessed, e.g changing
which storage device to load the OS from. [1 mark]
[2 marks available]

Q23 E.g. The BIOS must be stored in non-volatile memory, so its contents are not lost when the
computer is turned off. ROM is non-volatile memory, RAM is volatile. [1 mark] The contents
 of the BIOS should not be changed. ROM is read-only memory, but RAM is not and its
contents can be altered. [1 mark]

Notes: Be careful not to say ROM is the only non-volatile memory as other non-volatile
memories exist e.g. flash memory.

Q24 E.g.
Embedded systems normally have more ROM than RAM, [1 mark] as programs are usually
run from ROM [1 mark] and a little (if any) RAM is required [1 mark]
[max 2 marks]

Non-embedded systems usually have more RAM than ROM, [1 mark] as ROM is normally only
used for BIOS which doesn't require much memory, [1 mark] while RAM is needed to store
lots of data for applications while they’re running. [1 mark]
[max 2 marks]

[4 marks total, 2 from each definition]

Q25 Any three characteristics from:

● Capacity [1 mark]
● Reliability [1 mark]
● Cost [1 mark]
● Portability [1 mark]
● Data transfer speed [1 mark]
● Durability [1 mark]
[3 marks total]

Q26 Any two reasons, e.g

● Flash storage / solid state storage is resistant to impacts, so is unlikely to be damaged
when the action cam is in use. [1 mark]
● Flash storage can be very compact and lightweight. [1 mark]

Q27 E.g.
● Magnetic hard disks are much larger and heavier than flash storage devices, making
them unsuitable for a small, lightweight camera. [1 mark]
● Magnetic hard disks can be damaged greatly by impacts so they would be unsuitable
in an action camera. [1 mark]

Q28 E.g.
500GB HDD:
● The HDD has a much greater capacity than the SSD. [1 mark]
● If she intends to store lots of data, e.g. photos / music / videos and 128GB will not be
enough storage space. [1 mark]
● The HDD is likely to cost far less per GB than the SSD. [1 mark]
● HDDs are said to have a longer read / write life than SSDs, so the HDD should be
usable for longer. [1 mark]
128GB SSD:
● The SSD will have a higher read / write speed than the HDD. [1 mark]
● If she needs a high performance drive for gaming the fast read/ write speed may
improve performance. [1 mark]
● If she wants the OS and programs to open and run as quickly as possible. [1 mark]
● The SSD will also be silent, whereas the HDD will make some noise. [1 mark]
[4 marks available, 2 reasons for each point]

Q29 600 x 7 x 3 = 12 600 GB

= 12.6 TB [1 mark]

Q30 E.g.
Advantages
● The backups can be accessed from any device that can connect to the internet. [1
mark]
● It is easy to increase the amount of available storage.[1 mark]
● The firm do not need to hire their own IT staff to manage hardware. [1 mark]
 ● The backup will be safe in the event of a fire at the law firm’s building. [1 mark]
Disadvantages
● An internet connection would be required to upload and download backup files. [1
mark]
● The upload and download speeds are limited by the bandwidth of the firm’s internet
connection. [1 mark]
● The firm is reliant on the cloud storage service to keep the data safe and secure from
threats like hackers. [1 mark]
● If the firm is including clients’ personal data in the backup, then using cloud storage
may be against data protection laws. [1 mark]
● The service’s subscription fees may be expensive in the long term. [1 mark]
[6 marks available - both advantages and disadvantages must be covered for full marks]

Q31 E.g.
● Secondary storage is needed to store data and software in the long term. [1 mark]
● Secondary storage is non-volatile memory, so retains data when there is no power. [1
mark]
● Computers could not function without permanent data storage, as all software and
data would be lost when switched off. [1 mark]
● Secondary storage has a high capacity, so you can store a lot more data. [1 mark]
[3 marks available in total]

Q32 Any two advantages and two disadvantages, e.g.

Advantages
● Optical discs have a low cost per GB. [1 mark]
● They are highly portable. [1 mark]
● They are durable against shock and water damage. [1 mark]
Disadvantages
● They are very slow to write to. [1 mark]
● They require an optical drive to be read / written. [1 mark]
● They can be scratched easily. [1 mark]
● They have a low capacity compared to other forms of storage, e.g. flash memory
cards. [1 mark]
[4 marks in total]