Tick (✓) whether the following statements refer to Backing storage, RAM or ROM. 1 ROM (✓) RAM (✓) Backing storage (✓) This is temporary storage used for the application being executed. This is volatile memory. An example of this storage is an SSD. This stores the start-up instructions for the computer. [4]

1 Backing storage RAM ROM This is temporary storage used for the application being executed.  This is volatile memory.  An example of this storage is an SSD.  This stores the startup instructions for the computer.  4 To earn marks, a student must correctly tick the box corresponding to the correct storage type (ROM, RAM, or Backing storage) for each of the four given statements.

Tick (✓) the most appropriate storage medium that should be used in each scenario. 3 ROM (✓) RAM (✓) Magnetic tape (✓) Scenario To store the current instructions in use by a computer To back up data from a school network server To store data temporarily To store the start-up instructions of a computer [4]

3 Scenario Magnetic tape RAM ROM To store the current instructions in use by a computer  To back up data from a school network server  To store data temporarily  To store the start-up instructions of a computer  4 To earn marks, you must correctly tick the appropriate storage medium for each of the four given scenarios: RAM for current instructions, Magnetic tape for network backup, RAM for temporary data, and ROM for start-up instructions.

3 (a) Describe two disadvantages of using a tablet computer rather than a laptop computer. 1 … … 2 … … [2] (b) Modern computers often do not have an optical drive. State two ways music can be transferred onto a computer that does not contain an optical drive. 1 … … 2 … … [2]

3(a) Two from: Can be more expensive to run if the internet is accessed by mobile data networks Touch screen can be more error prone when typing the data Laptop computers support more file formats Does not have a physical keyboard therefore more difficult to type Has a smaller screen therefore can be more difficult to read 2 3(b) Two from: Streaming music from the internet Sent by Bluetooth from another device Plugging in an optical device/flash drive/HDD/SSD Downloading music from the cloud Direct input using a microphone Sent by email attachment 2 To earn marks for part (a), you must describe two distinct disadvantages of a tablet compared to a laptop. For part (b), you must state two distinct methods for transferring music to a computer without an optical drive.

Computer data can be stored on physical storage devices. Data can also be stored in the ‘cloud’. 10 Explain what is meant by the cloud, giving two advantages of storing data in the cloud compared with physical storage devices. (a) Explanation… … … … Advantage 1… … Advantage 2… … [4] Tick (✓) whether the following storage devices are examples of optical, magnetic or solid state storage. (b) solid state (✓) magnetic (✓) optical (✓) Flash drive Hard disk drive Blu-ray disc drive SSD [4]

10(a) Two from: Data is stored on offsite servers Many servers in many locations Data is stored on more than one server Uses data redundancy Cloud is an online service/data storage Two from: The cloud has greater storage capacity than other methods The data could be sent directly to the cloud from any device Access the data from any device/anywhere Easier to add storage capacity Lower capital outlay The owner would only pay for the storage they used Backup up tends to be automatic Cloud is more robust Cloud is more secure as it is password protected 4 10(b) optical magnetic solid state Flash drive ✓ Hard disk drive ✓ Blu-ray disc drive ✓ SSD ✓ 4

Magnetic tapes are used in organisations for backing up data. 14 Describe the advantages and disadvantages of using magnetic tapes rather than flash memory for backing up data. … … … … … … … … … … … … [6]

14 Six from: Advantages Less expensive per GB/gigabyte of memory Not as easily lost, as larger in size Disadvantages Data access time is slower Data transfer rate is slower Affected by magnetic fields They have moving parts therefore less robust Read and write is more noisy Less compact that flash memory Harder to transfer to other devices Requires a special reader To gain full marks there needs to be advantages and disadvantages 6 To earn marks, you must state at least six distinct advantages and disadvantages of magnetic tapes compared to flash memory for data backup, ensuring you cover both categories. Points are awarded for mentioning aspects like cost per GB, physical size, access/transfer speed, susceptibility to magnetic fields, robustness due to moving parts, noise, compactness, transfer difficulty, or the need for a special reader.

Cambridge IGCSE ICT · 0417

IGCSE ICT (0417) Storage devices and media past paper questions

Revise IGCSE ICT (0417) — Storage devices and media with real Cambridge past-paper questions grouped by topic, each shown with its marking scheme. Working one topic at a time targets exactly the skill each question tests.

31 free questions from 2016–2021, each with its marking scheme. Open the full topical bank to filter by subtopic, paper, and year.