AQA GCSE Computer Science Computer Systems

CPU stands for...

• core processor unit

• central processing unit

• central processor unit

Main memory of RAM is used to...

• store programs while they are running and the data used by these programs

• temporarily store programs while they are running and the files used by these programs

• temporarily store programs while they are running and the data used by these programs

Cache is high speed memory in the CPU that is used to store a copy of frequently used instructions and data. It is used to...

• improve the performance of the CPU

• improve the performance of RAM

• improve the performance of ROM

Clock speed is measured in hertz or cycles per second. It represents...

• how many instructions per minute the processor can execute

• how many instructions per second the processor can execute

• how many bits of data per second the processor can execute

The fetch-execute cycle: the process by which a program is...

• run: instructions are stored in main memory, fetched by the processor one at a time, decoded and executed

• run: instructions are stored in main memory, fetched by the processor, decoded and executed

• run: instructions are stored in main memory, fetched by the processor one at a time and executed

Random Access Memory (RAM) is...

• a type of memory that is read-write and volatile. Used for main memory

• a type of memory that is read-only and non-volatile. Used for main memory

• a type of memory that is write only and volatile. Used for main memory

Read only memory (ROM) is...

• volatile memory that is hard-coded at the time of manufacture. Stores the start up programs, the boot strap-loader

• non-volatile memory that is hard-coded at the time of manufacture. Stores the start up programs, the boot strap loader

• memory that is hard-coded at the time of manufacture. Stores all programs, the boot strap loader

Volatile memory describes memory that...

• loses its contents when the power is turned off e.g. RAM

• loses its contents when the power is turned off e.g. ROM

• retains its contents when the power is turned off e.g. ROM

Non-volatile memory describes memory that...

• doesn't lose its contents when the power is turned off e.g. hard disk

• does lose its contents when the power is turned off e.g. hard disk

• doesn't lose its contents when the power is turned off e.g. RAM

Virtual memory is...

• part of the hard-disk that is configured to behave like an extension to main memory (ROM)

• part of the hard disk that is configured to behave like an extension to main memory (RAM)

• part of the hard-disk that is configured to replace main memory (RAM)