1. Which of the following is a volatile memory?
a) ROM
b) Magnetic Tape
c) Disk
d) RAM
Answer: d) RAM
Explanation: RAM (Random Access Memory) is a volatile memory, meaning it loses its contents when the power is turned off.
2. Which secondary memory is most suitable for long-term archival storage?
a) Magnetic Tape
b) Disk
c) Optical Storage
d) Cache Memory
Answer: a) Magnetic Tape
Explanation: Magnetic tape is often used for long-term archival storage due to its low cost per unit of stored data and sequential access nature.
3. Cache memory is primarily used to:
a) Store data temporarily for quick access
b) Store data permanently
c) Increase the capacity of RAM
d) Enhance the performance of secondary memory
Answer: a) Store data temporarily for quick access
Explanation: Cache memory is a small-sized type of volatile computer memory that provides high-speed data storage and access to frequently used program instructions or data.
4. Which of the following mapping schemes is used in direct-mapped cache?
a) Associative mapping
b) Set-associative mapping
c) Fully associative mapping
d) Direct mapping
Answer: d) Direct mapping
Explanation: Direct mapping involves mapping each block of main memory to exactly one cache line.
5. The replacement algorithm used in cache memory helps in deciding:
a) Which block of data to replace when a new block needs to be loaded
b) Which cache line to store the data block
c) Which block of data to prioritize for loading
d) How many cache lines are available
Answer: a) Which block of data to replace when a new block needs to be loaded
Explanation: Replacement algorithms determine which cache block should be evicted when new data needs to be brought into the cache.
6. Which of the following is NOT a method for improving cache performance?
a) Increasing cache size
b) Using a faster cache memory technology
c) Increasing the block size
d) Decreasing associativity
Answer: d) Decreasing associativity
Explanation: Increasing associativity typically leads to better cache performance by reducing conflicts.
7. Virtual memory allows:
a) Direct access to secondary memory
b) Larger programs to run than can fit into main memory
c) Faster access times compared to cache memory
d) Access to ROM
Answer: b) Larger programs to run than can fit into main memory
Explanation: Virtual memory allows a computer to compensate for physical memory shortages by temporarily transferring data from RAM to disk storage.
8. Memory management hardware is responsible for:
a) Allocating CPU time to processes
b) Transferring data between CPU and memory
c) Managing the movement of data between main memory and secondary storage
d) Translating assembly language instructions to machine code
Answer: c) Managing the movement of data between main memory and secondary storage
Explanation: Memory management hardware controls the data transfer operations between main memory and secondary storage.
9. Which type of memory has the fastest access time?
a) ROM
b) Secondary Memory
c) Cache Memory
d) RAM
Answer: c) Cache Memory
Explanation: Cache memory provides the fastest access to frequently used data and instructions, as it is closer to the CPU than RAM or secondary memory.
10. What is the purpose of ROM in a computer system?
a) To store temporary data
b) To store frequently accessed data
c) To store the BIOS and firmware
d) To store program instructions temporarily
Answer: c) To store the BIOS and firmware
Explanation: ROM (Read-Only Memory) is used to store essential system software such as the BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) and firmware, which are necessary for booting up the computer and initializing hardware components.
11. Which memory is non-volatile?
a) RAM
b) Cache Memory
c) ROM
d) Virtual Memory
Answer: c) ROM
Explanation: ROM (Read-Only Memory) is non-volatile, meaning it retains its contents even when the power is turned off.
12. Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of cache memory?
a) Volatile
b) Larger in size compared to RAM
c) Faster access time than RAM
d) Stores frequently accessed data
Answer: b) Larger in size compared to RAM
Explanation: Cache memory is smaller in size compared to RAM but offers faster access times.
13. What is the primary function of secondary memory?
a) To store data temporarily for quick access
b) To store program instructions for execution
c) To provide long-term storage of data
d) To enhance CPU performance
Answer: c) To provide long-term storage of data
Explanation: Secondary memory devices like hard drives, SSDs, magnetic tapes, etc., are used for long-term storage of data and programs.
14. Which of the following is a characteristic of optical storage?
a) High-speed access
b) Volatile nature
c) Sequential access
d) Low storage density
Answer: c) Sequential access
Explanation: Optical storage devices typically offer sequential access to data, meaning data is accessed in a linear manner.
15. Which mapping scheme offers the most flexibility in placing blocks within the cache?
a) Direct mapping
b) Fully associative mapping
c) Set-associative mapping
d) Associative mapping
Answer: b) Fully associative mapping
Explanation: In fully associative mapping, a cache block can be placed in any cache line, offering maximum flexibility in placement.
16. Which replacement algorithm is commonly used in cache memory systems?
a) FIFO (First-In-First-Out)
b) LIFO (Last-In-First-Out)
c) MRU (Most Recently Used)
d) LFU (Least Frequently Used)
Answer: a) FIFO (First-In-First-Out)
Explanation: FIFO is a commonly used replacement algorithm in cache memory systems where the oldest accessed data is replaced first.
17. What does increasing cache size typically lead to?
a) Decreased hit rate
b) Increased hit rate
c) Increased miss penalty
d) Slower access times
Answer: b) Increased hit rate
Explanation: Increasing cache size generally leads to a higher hit rate, as more data can be stored in the cache.
18. What is the primary purpose of cache memory?
a) To provide long-term storage of data
b) To enhance CPU performance by storing frequently accessed data
c) To provide direct access to secondary storage
d) To increase the capacity of RAM
Answer: b) To enhance CPU performance by storing frequently accessed data
Explanation: Cache memory stores frequently accessed data and instructions to reduce the average time to access memory.
19. Which component of the memory management unit is responsible for address translation?
a) Cache memory
b) Translation lookaside buffer (TLB)
c) Secondary memory
d) RAM
Answer: b) Translation lookaside buffer (TLB)
Explanation: TLB is a cache of recently used virtual-to-physical address translations, speeding up address translation in virtual memory systems.
20. What is the primary advantage of virtual memory?
a) It increases the size of physical memory
b) It reduces the need for secondary storage
c) It allows for easier programming
d) It enables efficient utilization of physical memory
Answer: d) It enables efficient utilization of physical memory
Explanation: Virtual memory enables the efficient utilization of physical memory by allowing processes to use more memory than is physically available. It achieves this by temporarily transferring data between RAM and disk storage.