01
Written response
1 point
What is the name for a group of bits that a processor handles as a unit?
Free Practice Quiz Question List
6 Computer Memory Online Quiz Questions
Use this free practice quiz with 20 questions to review 6 Computer Memory, test your knowledge, and prepare for your next test or exam.
20 questions
02
Choose one
1 point
In a byte-addressable system, an address contains 6 bits. How many byte locations can it identify?
- A
32 byte locations
- B
64 byte locations
- C
128 byte locations
- D
256 byte locations
03
Choose one
1 point
A computer stores files on an SSD. Compared with main memory, which description best fits this secondary storage?
- A
It is smaller, faster, and volatile.
- B
It is larger, faster, and volatile.
- C
It is much larger, non-volatile, and slower.
- D
It is the smallest and fastest storage inside the processor.
04
True or false
1 point
True or false: Calling RAM “random-access” means that its contents are temporary.
- A
True
- B
False
05
Fill in the blank
1 point
Complete both statements: is widely used for main memory because it provides high capacity at relatively low cost, while is faster and commonly used to build caches.
06
Choose all
1 point
Select all statements that accurately describe common computer memory use.
- A
Main RAM commonly loses its contents when power is removed.
- B
Random access means that memory must be temporary.
- C
ROM retains its contents without power.
- D
Every ROM technology is impossible to erase or rewrite.
07
True or false
1 point
True or false: Despite its name, some ROM technologies can be erased and rewritten.
- A
True
- B
False
08
Written response
1 point
What is the name for the tendency of a program to reuse data it accessed recently?
09
Choose one
1 point
After a program accesses one array element, nearby elements may already be available in the same cache block. Which principle best explains this?
- A
Temporal locality: recently accessed data is likely to be accessed again.
- B
Spatial locality: accesses tend to occur near recently accessed locations.
- C
Volatility: memory loses its contents when power is removed.
- D
Byte addressing: each address refers to one byte.
10
Fill in the blank
1 point
When requested data is absent from the cache, the access is a .
11
Choose one
1 point
Which sequence lists the typical memory hierarchy from closest to the processor to farthest?
- A
Registers → cache → main memory (DRAM) → secondary storage
- B
Cache → registers → secondary storage → main memory (DRAM)
- C
Main memory (DRAM) → registers → cache → secondary storage
- D
Registers → main memory (DRAM) → secondary storage → cache
12
Choose all
1 point
Select all statements that reflect the general speed, capacity, and cost tradeoffs in computer memory.
- A
Very fast storage is usually small and expensive.
- B
Larger storage is generally faster than smaller storage.
- C
Larger storage is generally slower than very fast storage.
- D
Memory systems can make all storage equally fast without increasing cost.
13
Open ended
1 point
Explain how temporal and spatial locality make a cache useful, and describe what happens when requested data is not in the cache.
14
Choose one
1 point
Which memory type is a small, fast store that keeps copies of data from a larger, slower memory level?
- A
A register is storage inside the processor and is typically the smallest and fastest level.
- B
A cache keeps copies of data from a larger, slower memory level in a smaller, faster one.
- C
DRAM is main memory that provides high capacity at relatively low cost.
- D
Secondary storage retains data without power and is larger and slower than main memory.
15
Written response
1 point
What is the name for a small, fast memory that keeps copies of data from a larger, slower level?
16
Choose one
1 point
In the context of RAM, what does “random access” mean?
- A
The memory loses its contents when power is removed.
- B
A location can be accessed without first passing through earlier locations.
- C
The memory can only be read, not written.
- D
Locations must be accessed in numerical order.
17
Choose one
1 point
A device must retain its startup firmware while switched off. Which memory type is suited to this purpose?
- A
RAM is commonly used for active, writable data and is volatile.
- B
A cache keeps copies of data from a larger, slower memory level.
- C
ROM retains firmware and other startup data without power.
- D
A register is the smallest and fastest storage inside the processor.
18
Written response
1 point
A byte-addressable system uses ten-bit addresses. How many byte locations can those addresses identify?
19
Choose one
1 point
Which statement best describes the typical roles of DRAM and SRAM in a computer?
- A
DRAM is commonly used for main memory, while SRAM is commonly used for caches.
- B
SRAM is commonly used for main memory because it is slower and cheaper than DRAM.
- C
DRAM is non-volatile and stores firmware, while SRAM is volatile.
- D
DRAM and SRAM are both secondary storage technologies.
20
True or false
1 point
In a byte-addressable system, addresses 120 and 121 refer to two different byte locations; each address identifies a location, not the value stored there. True or false?
- A
True
- B
False