Identify what is fetched from RAM during the fetch stage.
Mark scheme
- A The next instruction (1)
- The only correct answer is A. The correct answer is the next instruction.
- B is not correct because data is fetched during the execute stage
- C is not correct because an instruction is decoded after it is fetched
- D is not correct because the program counter holds the address used to fetch the instruction
Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks1/1
A The next instruction
Why: The next instruction is fetched from RAM during the fetch stage (1).
No marks0/1
B The data at a memory address
Why: Near miss: data is not fetched during the fetch stage; data is used during the execute stage.
No marks0/1
C The decoded instruction
Why: Misconception: an instruction is decoded after it is fetched, in the decode stage.