A computer stores files on a hard disk drive.
A computer stores files on a hard disk drive.
Identify what the drive uses to read and write data.
Mark scheme
- A A drive head that moves over the spinning platters (1)
- The only correct answer is A. The correct answer is a drive head.
- B is not correct because a laser that measures reflected light is used by optical media such as a CD or Blu-ray Disc
- C is not correct because trapping electric charges is how solid state (flash) storage stores data
- D is not correct because pits and lands are burnt or pressed onto optical media, not onto a hard disk drive
Example answers and how they were marked
Full marks1/1
A A drive head that moves over the spinning platters
Why: Correct option (1): a hard disk drive uses a drive head that moves over the spinning platters to read and write data.
No marks0/1
D A pit and land pattern burnt onto the surface
Why: Near miss scoring 0: pits and lands are an optical feature, as line D of the mark scheme says. Only A is credited.
No marks0/1
C A memory chip that traps electric charges
Why: Misconception scoring 0: this confuses a hard disk drive with solid state storage, which stores data as trapped electric charges (line C).