Answer all the questions.

1. Gareth has a satellite navigation system (Sat Nav) in his car that uses RAM and ROM.

Fig. 2 lists some characteristics of computer memory. Tick (✓) one box in each row to show whether each of the
statements is true for the RAM or ROM in Gareth's Sat Nav.

[3]

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2(a). Bob's computer has 512 kilobytes of ROM and 8 gigabytes of RAM.

(i) Describe the purpose of the ROM in Bob's computer.

(ii) Describe the purpose of the RAM in Bob's computer.

[4]

(b). State one difference between ROM and RAM, other than the size and the purpose.

[1]
3. A computer has 1024 megabytes of RAM.

State two items that will be stored in the RAM.

[2]

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4(a). Dipesh is thinking of buying a tablet computer to replace his old desktop computer.

Describe how the CPU and RAM work together to enable the tablet computer to operate.

[3]
(b). The tablet computer also uses cache memory. Describe the purpose of cache memory.

[2]

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(c). * Describe how the advances in memory technology have allowed significant improvement in the performance of
devices such as tablet computers.

The quality of your written communication will be assessed in your answer.

[6]

END OF QUESTION PAPER

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 Question Answer/Indicative content Marks Part marks and guidance

1 RAM ROM 3 Award 1 mark for each

correct tick.
Stores ✓
the boot
No marks should be
up sequ
awarded if ticks are in both
ence of
boxes in a given row.
the Sat
Nav.
The ✓
content
s are
lost
when
the Sat
Nav is
turned
off.
Holds ✓
copies
of open
maps
and
routes.

Total 3

2 a i ROM 4 ?Examiner's
Comments??

Stores the boot Many candidates

program / bootstrap demonstrated a good
loader / BIOS knowledge of facts about
Used to start the the RAM and ROM, but
computer / Loads the some of these failed to
operating system. score well by being less
discerning about the facts
that are relevant to
answering the question.
This part asked for the
purpose of ROM and RAM,
but several candidates
listed the characteristics.

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 Question Answer/Indicative content Marks Part marks and guidance

ii RAM

Stores the parts of the

OS / programs that are
running…
Stores the data
currently in use
… for access by the
CPU

(2 for each)

b eg 1 ?Examiner's Comments

ROM is non-volatile and Many candidates

RAM is volatile demonstrated a good
RAM is easily knowledge of facts about
expandable, ROM size the RAM and ROM, but
is (usually) fixed for a some of these failed to
given computer score well by being less
Contents of RAM discerning about the facts
change frequently, that are relevant to
contents of ROM never answering the question. In
(hardly ever) change. this part where candidates
needed to give one
difference between RAM
and ROM, candidates fared
better.

Total 5

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 Question Answer/Indicative content Marks Part marks and guidance

3 Operating system 2 Accept examples for the

Other programs that are second and third bullet
running / in current use points as long as it is clear
Data in current use that the programs / data are
currently in use

Accept instructions for

programs

Examiner's Comments

The most common error

made by candidates was
that they did not specify that
programs and data/files are
in RAM while they are in
use.

Total 2

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 Question Answer/Indicative content Marks Part marks and guidance

4 a Instructions / 3 If the candidate has

programs(currently described the functions of
running) / data are RAM and the CPU
stored in the RAM… separately, only award the
these are fetched from 2nd bullet if it is clearly
the RAM by the CPU / stated that instructions are
Processor fetched from RAM.
… where the
instructions are Mention of the fetch –
executed / instructions execute cycle in the CPU is
are processed / data is enough to award bullet 3.
processed

b To store instructions / 2
data that is frequently
used / previously used /
next to be used
Data does not need to
be fetched from RAM
Speeds up access

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 Question Answer/Indicative content Marks Part marks and guidance

c E.g. 6 Higher Level Response

Memory; (5–6)
Candidates will describe the
advances in memory and
Smaller in size how these have impacted
Faster access computers. Points made
Larger capacity about the memory are
More durable detailed and linked to the
Costs less per byte / kb advances
etc There will be few if any
errors in spelling, grammar
Technology can; and punctuation. Technical
terms will be used
appropriately and correctly.
be smaller
be more mobile / Medium level Response
portable (3–4) Candidates will
have similar capacity describe some advances in
memory and improvements
in performance. Points
made about the memory
lack detail or may not be
linked to the advances.
There may be occasional
errors in spelling, grammar
and punctuation. Technical
terms will be mainly correct.

Low level Response (0–2)

Candidates may identify
changes in technology or
changes in memory.
Information will be poorly
expressed and there will be
a limited, if any, use of
technical terms. Errors of
grammar, punctuation and
spelling may be intrusive.

Total 11

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