O-LevelComputer ScienceHardware2210/11 · May/June 2025 · Q711 Marks

A student's computer has primary storage. One example of primary storage is random access memory (RAM).

(a)Identify one other example of primary storage.[1]
(b)Explain why RAM is an example of primary storage and not secondary storage.[3]
(c)The student is editing a large video file for a project and during this process the RAM becomes full. This makes the computer crash. Describe how virtual memory could be used in this process to stop the computer crashing.[3]
(d)(i)The computer uses solid-state (flash memory) storage. Give two features of solid-state (flash memory) storage. 1 2[2]
(d)(ii)Give two examples of solid-state (flash memory) storage. 1 2[2]

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (May/June 2025). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

[1] Any one from: • Read only memory // ROM • Cache
[3] Any three from: • RAM is directly accessed by the CPU. • ... whereas secondary storage is not directly accessed by the CPU. • All secondary storage is non-volatile storage. • ... whereas RAM is volatile storage.
[3] Any three from: • Virtual memory can act as an extension to the RAM . • The secondary storage device is partitioned to create the virtual memory. • Pages can be transferred from the RAM to the virtual memory ... • ... to stop the RAM getting full // ... when the RAM is full.
[2] Any two from: • It has no moving parts. • It uses semiconductor chips. • It uses NAND/NOR/Flip-flops technology. • It uses cells and transistors (that are laid out in a grid). • It uses control gates and floating gates. • Stores data as electrical charges.
[2] Any two from: • Solid-state drive // SSD • USB flash memory drive • SD card

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