Mr.

Mahmoud Moussa IGCSE ICT 0983

Homework #03 - Questions

Chapter 03 Storage Devices and Media Question 01:
Explain why computer systems have both backing storage and RAM. [3]

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Question 02:

Explain why the pen drives, Blu-ray and Fixed hard disc are used with PCs. [2]

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Question 03:

What is meant by the term ‘backup’? Why is it needed? [3]

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Question 04:

Joanne has to choose between using magnetic disc or magnetic tapes to make her backups.
Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of using each of these media. [6]

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Mr. Mahmoud Moussa IGCSE ICT 0983

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Question 05:

Flash memories and CD-RWs are used as backing media for computers. Give two differences
between these two media. [3]

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Question 06:

Solid state drives (SSD) are replacing hard disc drives (HDD) in some computers. Give three
reasons why this is happening. [3]
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Explain why many web servers still use hard disc drive (HDD) technology. [2]

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Mr. Mahmoud Moussa IGCSE ICT 0983

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Question 07:
Laptop computers are often equipped with Solid State Drives (SSD) or Hard Disk Drives
(HDD). Give four advantages of SSD compared to HDD. [4]
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Question 08:
Ananya is a student who is considering buying a new laptop computer. She visits the local
store and is offered the choice of a laptop with an internal solid state drive (SSD) or a laptop
where she can store her data in the cloud. Describe the benefits and drawbacks of using an
SSD rather than the cloud to store her data [8]
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Mr. Mahmoud Moussa IGCSE ICT 0983

Question 09:
Susan uses a memory stick to transfer her work from school to home. Give three reasons why
memory sticks are often preferred to CDs for storing work. [3]

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Question 10:
A member of the sports department will use a computer to produce a magazine of the
competition. He will include photographs stored in a digital camera as well as printed
photographs. Identify the methods he would use to transfer the photographs to the computer
[6]

Digital camera photograph

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Printed photograph

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Question 11:

Describe two disadvantages of a pen drive compared to a CD. [2]

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Question 12:

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Mr. Mahmoud Moussa IGCSE ICT 0983

A student has completed some work at school and wishes to take it home. He could use a pen
drive or a CD R disc to transport the files. Give two error messages that could appear to stop
him saving his work. [2]
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Compare and contrast the use of a pen drive rather than a CD R. [4]
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Question 13:

Give two advantages of a fixed magnetic hard disc compared to an optical disc to store data.
[2]

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Question 14:

Compare and contrast the use of magnetic tapes with removable magnetic disks to make
network server backups.[6]

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Mr. Mahmoud Moussa IGCSE ICT 0983

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Question 15:
Describe the differences between RAM and ROM. [3]
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Question 16:

Most computers have backing storage as well as main/internal memory (RAM/ROM). Explain
why backing storage is needed. [3]
More likely that data is accidentally deleted in RAM
RAM is more expensive than backing storage per unit of memory
Software package may be so large that it is physically impossible for RAM to store it.
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Describe why main/internal memory is needed. [3]

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Memory is needed which cannot be changed – ROM
Memory is needed which can be changed – RAM
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Mr. Mahmoud Moussa IGCSE ICT 0983

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Question 17:
Data in RAM is accessed more quickly than from a fixed hard disk. Give two reasons why
fixed hard disks are still necessary. [2]

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… Data in RAM can be lost if computer shuts down……………………
……Data in RAM can be accidentally deleted……………
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Question 18:
Describe the characteristics and uses of different types of DVD. [8]

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DVDs are used to hold very large files several Gb
DVDs discs can be used to store computer data
DVD ROM used for applications which require the prevention of deletion of data
DVD ROMs used by film/movie distributors
DVDs have between five and ten times the capacity of CDs
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Question 19:
Compare and contrast the use of optical discs and the use of fixed magnetic disks to store
data. [6]

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Optical discs such as CDs DVDs and Blu-ray discs are read from and written to using a laser beam

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Mr. Mahmoud Moussa IGCSE ICT 0983

Magnetic disks are read from and written to using read

Optical discs are more portable

Magnetic disks are more likely to spike

Optical discs are cheaper to buy

Magnetic disks store more data

Optical discs have slower access times

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Question 20:

Magnetic tapes are traditionally used for backing up data on large computer systems. Liu
works from home and is considering either backing up her data on to magnetic tape or a pen
drive. Give three reasons why she may prefer to use a pen drive. [3]
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Pen drives work on most computer systems magnetic tape drives may not
Pen drives are more robust
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Pen drives are less susceptible to magnetic fields
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