Memory and Storage Devices MCQs

Computer

Memory and Storage Devices MCQs

Practice Memory and Storage Devices MCQs with answers and detailed explanations covering RAM, ROM, cache memory, hard disk, SSD, CD/DVD, pen drive and memory units frequently asked in computer awareness exams.

438
Total Questions

Practice Questions

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Question #41
What type of storage is a computer's main memory (RAM) categorized as?
A. Tertiary Non-volatile Storage
B. Secondary Volatile Storage
C. Primary Non-volatile Storage
D. Primary Volatile Storage
Discuss
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Correct Answer: Option D

Explanation:
RAM is directly accessible by the CPU (making it primary memory) and requires power to maintain data (making it volatile).
This question belongs to: Computer Memory and Storage Devices
Question #42
Which ROM type can be completely erased by exposing its internal semiconductor die to strong ultraviolet (UV) light waves?
A. EPROM
B. PROM
C. Flash ROM
D. EEPROM
Discuss
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Correct Answer: Option A

Explanation:
EPROM (Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory) chips feature a distinctive transparent quartz window over the die through which ultraviolet light is applied to erase data.
This question belongs to: Computer Memory and Storage Devices
Question #43
What does the abbreviation 'SSD' stand for in modern computer hardware technology?
A. Synchronous System Drive
B. Solid State Drive
C. Silicon State Device
D. Static Storage Drive
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Correct Answer: Option B

Explanation:
SSD stands for Solid State Drive. It is called 'solid state' because it contains no moving mechanical components, relying instead on solid-state electronics.
This question belongs to: Computer Memory and Storage Devices
Question #44
Which unit of storage represents exactly $2^{40}$ bytes of data?
A. 1 Petabyte
B. 1 Gigabyte
C. 1 Megabyte
D. 1 Terabyte
Discuss
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Correct Answer: Option D

Explanation:
$2^{10}$ is Kilobyte, $2^{20}$ is Megabyte, $2^{30}$ is Gigabyte, and $2^{40}$ is Terabyte. Thus, $2^{40}$ bytes equals 1 Terabyte (TB).
This question belongs to: Computer Memory and Storage Devices
Question #45
What is the memory cache 'miss' penalty?
A. The financial cost of manufacturing faster cache chips.
B. The reduction in processing speed when multiple applications compete for CPU space.
C. The extra time needed to fetch data from the slower main memory when it is not found in the cache.
D. The permanent loss of data due to system power fluctuations.
Discuss
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Correct Answer: Option C

Explanation:
When the CPU looks for data in the cache and fails to find it (a cache miss), it suffers a time delay penalty because it must fetch that data from the slower system RAM.
This question belongs to: Computer Memory and Storage Devices
Question #46
Which of the following storage devices has the absolute slowest random data access speed?
A. Solid State Drive
B. Magnetic Tape Drive
C. Internal RAM
D. Hard Disk Drive
Discuss
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Correct Answer: Option B

Explanation:
Magnetic tape drives use sequential access mechanics, meaning they must physically wind through a tape spool to reach specific data, making random access extremely slow.
This question belongs to: Computer Memory and Storage Devices
Question #47
What technology allows a computer system to read data from multiple hard drives simultaneously to improve performance or provide fault tolerance?
A. RAID
B. SATA
C. DMA
D. NVMe
Discuss
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Correct Answer: Option A

Explanation:
RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks) is a data storage virtualization technology that combines multiple physical hard drive components into a single logical unit for redundancy or performance.
This question belongs to: Computer Memory and Storage Devices
Question #48
In a computer system, where is the BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) firmware permanently stored?
A. Cache Memory
B. RAM
C. ROM Chip
D. Hard Disk Drive
Discuss
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Correct Answer: Option C

Explanation:
The BIOS firmware is stored on a non-volatile ROM or flash memory chip on the motherboard to ensure it is always available during the boot process.
This question belongs to: Computer Memory and Storage Devices
Question #49
Which memory type serves as the main storage location for high-performance graphics processing units (GPUs)?
A. EEPROM
B. L1 Cache
C. VRAM / GDDR
D. DDR4 RAM
Discuss
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Correct Answer: Option C

Explanation:
VRAM (Video RAM) or GDDR (Graphics Double Data Rate) is specialized memory designed to handle the massive bandwidth required by graphics processors.
This question belongs to: Computer Memory and Storage Devices
Question #50
What is the term used to describe the organization of matching tracks across all physical platter surfaces in a multi-platter hard disk drive?
A. Block Group
B. Sector Array
C. Cylinder
D. Cluster
Discuss
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Correct Answer: Option C

Explanation:
A cylinder consists of the exact same track number intercepted vertically across all available platter surfaces in a hard disk drive assembly.
This question belongs to: Computer Memory and Storage Devices
Question #51
How many bits are there in a single byte of data?
A. 8 bits
B. 4 bits
C. 16 bits
D. 32 bits
Discuss
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Correct Answer: Option A

Explanation:
By universal definition in computer architecture, one byte is comprised of exactly eight bits.
This question belongs to: Computer Memory and Storage Devices
Question #52
Which of the following optical formats can be written to only once but read many times?
A. BD-RE
B. CD-RW
C. DVD-R
D. DVD-RAM
Discuss
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Correct Answer: Option C

Explanation:
The '-R' designation in optical formats stands for 'Recordable'. These discs use organic dye that can be altered by a laser only once, preventing rewriting (WORM - Write Once, Read Many).
This question belongs to: Computer Memory and Storage Devices
Question #53
Which structural component of flash memory traps electrons to represent binary ones and zeros?
A. Floating Gate Transistor
B. Magnetic core
C. Capacitor bank
D. Mechanical relay
Discuss
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Correct Answer: Option A

Explanation:
Flash memory uses floating gate transistors to trap electrical charges (electrons). The presence or absence of charge alters voltage thresholds, representing 0 or 1.
This question belongs to: Computer Memory and Storage Devices
Question #54
What is the typical storage capacity of a standard, single-sided Compact Disc (CD-ROM)?
A. 1.44 MB
B. 25 GB
C. 700 MB
D. 4.7 GB
Discuss
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Correct Answer: Option C

Explanation:
Standard commercial and recordable compact discs generally have a maximum data storage ceiling of 700 Megabytes (MB) or 80 minutes of audio.
This question belongs to: Computer Memory and Storage Devices
Question #55
Which memory module form factor is exclusively used in space-constrained laptop computers and mini-PCs?
A. DIMM
B. SO-DIMM
C. SIMM
D. RIMM
Discuss
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Correct Answer: Option B

Explanation:
SO-DIMM (Small Outline Dual In-line Memory Module) is a compact alternative to standard DIMMs, designed specifically for laptops and small form factor devices.
This question belongs to: Computer Memory and Storage Devices
Question #56
What is the primary risk associated with traditional hard disk drives that does not exist in solid state drives?
A. Capacitor charge leakage
B. Head crash due to mechanical shock
C. Data corruption via solar flares
D. Software driver obsolescence
Discuss
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Correct Answer: Option B

Explanation:
Because HDDs rely on a physical read/write head hovering nanometers above a spinning platter, sudden impacts can cause the head to strike the platter, causing a destructive 'head crash'.
This question belongs to: Computer Memory and Storage Devices
Question #57
Which memory metric describes the time interval between a memory controller issuing a command and the data becoming available on the output pins?
A. Clock Rate
B. Bandwidth
C. Refresh rate
D. CAS Latency
Discuss
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Correct Answer: Option D

Explanation:
CAS (Column Address Strobe) Latency indicates the delay cycle count between an internal data request command and when the first bit of data is delivered.
This question belongs to: Computer Memory and Storage Devices
Question #58
Which storage device class connects externally to a computer via a universal serial interface and uses flash memory?
A. Zip Drive
B. Floppy Disk
C. USB Pen Drive
D. Internal HDD
Discuss
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Correct Answer: Option C

Explanation:
A USB pen drive (or flash drive) is an external plug-and-play storage device that uses non-volatile NAND flash memory to interface via USB ports.
This question belongs to: Computer Memory and Storage Devices
Question #59
What does the term 'Memory Footprint' refer to in software and systems administration?
A. The physical dimensions of a RAM chip.
B. The total amount of main memory (RAM) a program consumes while running.
C. The amount of carbon emission produced during memory manufacturing.
D. The historical layout of old memory tracks on a legacy drive.
Discuss
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Correct Answer: Option B

Explanation:
The memory footprint represents the quantity of physical or virtual memory runtime space an active application requires or occupies while executing operations.
This question belongs to: Computer Memory and Storage Devices
Question #60
Which storage unit is exactly equal to 1024 Exabytes?
A. 1 Petabyte
B. 1 Zettabyte
C. 1 Yottabyte
D. 1 Terabyte
Discuss
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Correct Answer: Option B

Explanation:
In binary data scaling progression, 1 Zettabyte (ZB) is composed of precisely 1024 Exabytes (EB).
This question belongs to: Computer Memory and Storage Devices

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