A computer is running an application. The application's data and instructions are transferred from secondary storage into RAM before the CPU processes them.
Identify the reason for this transfer.
Mark scheme
- B RAM is faster to access than secondary storage (1)
- The only correct answer is B. The correct answer is RAM is faster to access than secondary storage.
- A is not correct because RAM is volatile
- C is not correct because RAM has a smaller capacity than secondary storage
- D is not correct because RAM is more expensive than secondary storage
Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks1/1
B RAM is faster to access than secondary storage
Why: Selects the correct option: RAM is faster to access than secondary storage, so data and instructions can reach the CPU quickly (1).
No marks0/1
A RAM is non-volatile
Why: Near miss: RAM is volatile; this does not explain the transfer into RAM.
No marks0/1
C RAM has a larger capacity than secondary storage
Why: Misconception: assumes primary memory has a larger capacity, but RAM has a smaller capacity than secondary storage.