1. The basic unit of memory is:
A) Bit
B) Byte
C) Nibble
D) Word
Answer: A
Explanation: A bit (binary digit) is the smallest memory unit representing 0 or 1.
2. 1 Byte = ?
A) 4 bits
B) 8 bits
C) 16 bits
D) 2 bits
Answer: B
Explanation: 1 byte = 8 bits, which can represent 256 (2⁸) values.
3. A nibble consists of:
A) 2 bits
B) 4 bits
C) 8 bits
D) 16 bits
Answer: B
Explanation: A nibble is half a byte, i.e., 4 bits.
4. Which of the following is volatile memory?
A) ROM
B) Hard Disk
C) RAM
D) Pen Drive
Answer: C
Explanation: RAM loses data when power is turned off, making it volatile.
5. ROM is used to store:
A) User data
B) Temporary files
C) BIOS/firmware
D) Cache memory
Answer: C
Explanation: ROM stores firmware like BIOS, essential for system startup.
6. Which memory is known as “primary memory”?
A) RAM
B) ROM
C) HDD
D) Both a and b
Answer: D
Explanation: RAM and ROM together form primary memory of a computer.
7. Which of the following is not a type of RAM?
A) DRAM
B) SRAM
C) PRAM
D) SDRAM
Answer: C
Explanation: PRAM (Phase-change RAM) is not a standard RAM type; DRAM, SRAM, SDRAM are.
8. Cache memory is located:
A) In the CPU
B) Between CPU and RAM
C) In secondary storage
D) On the motherboard only
Answer: B
Explanation: Cache acts as a high-speed buffer between CPU and main memory.
9. Virtual memory is implemented using:
A) RAM
B) ROM
C) Hard Disk
D) Flash drive
Answer: C
Explanation: Virtual memory uses disk storage to extend RAM capacity.
10. Which memory is permanent and non-volatile?
A) RAM
B) Cache
C) ROM
D) Registers
Answer: C
Explanation: Virtual memory uses disk storage to extend RAM capacity.
11. The full form of EEPROM is:
A) Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory
B) Electron Erased Programmable RAM
C) Effective Erasable Portable ROM
D) None
Answer: A
Explanation: EEPROM can be electrically erased and reprogrammed.
12. Which of the following memory is fastest?
A) RAM
B) Cache
C) Registers
D) Hard Disk
Answer: C
Explanation: Registers inside CPU are fastest, followed by cache and RAM.
13. The speed of memory access is measured in:
A) MHz
B) Nanoseconds
C) Bytes per second
D) Hertz
Answer: B
Explanation: Memory access time is often measured in nanoseconds (ns).
14. Which of these is secondary storage?
A) Pen Drive
B) RAM
C) Cache
D) Registers
Answer: A
Explanation: Pen drives are secondary storage, unlike RAM and cache.
15. Flash memory is a type of:
A) Volatile memory
B) Non-volatile memory
C) Register memory
D) Cache memory
Answer: B
Explanation: Flash memory retains data without power, used in SSDs and pen drives.
16. BIOS is stored in:
A) RAM
B) Hard Disk
C) ROM
D) Virtual memory
Answer: C
Explanation: BIOS is firmware stored in ROM.
17. Memory that can be both read and written quickly is:
A) RAM
B) ROM
C) PROM
D) EPROM
Answer: A
Explanation: RAM allows both read and write operations.
18. The memory hierarchy is based on:
A) Cost
B) Speed
C) Size
D) All of these
Answer: D
Explanation: Memory hierarchy is a balance between speed, cost, and size.
19. Which memory is known as “backup storage”?
A) Primary memory
B) Secondary memory
C) Cache memory
D) ROM
Answer: B
Explanation: Secondary memory like HDD/SSD is used for backup.
20. Which of the following is the largest memory size?
A) 1 TB
B) 1 PB
C) 1 GB
D) 1 MB
Answer: B
Explanation: 1 PB (Petabyte) > 1 TB > 1 GB > 1 MB.
21. The storage capacity of CD-ROM is usually:
A) 200 MB
B) 350 MB
C) 650–700 MB
D) 4.7 GB
Answer: C
Explanation: Standard CD-ROMs store about 650–700 MB.
22. The storage capacity of a DVD is:
A) 700 MB
B) 4.7 GB
C) 25 GB
D) 50 GB
Answer: B
Explanation: A standard single-layer DVD stores 4.7 GB.
23. Which is the memory unit next higher to GB?
A) MB
B) TB
C) PB
D) KB
Answer: B
Explanation: Memory units progress as KB → MB → GB → TB → PB.
24. Magnetic tapes are used for:
A) Random access
B) Sequential access
C) Both a and b
D) None
Answer: B
Explanation: Magnetic tapes allow only sequential access.
25. DRAM stores data using:
A) Flip-flops
B) Capacitors
C) Registers
D) ROM cells
Answer: B
Explanation: DRAM stores data in capacitors that must be refreshed.
26. Which type of RAM needs to be refreshed thousands of times per second?
A) SRAM
B) DRAM
C) ROM
D) PROM
Answer: B
Explanation: DRAM (Dynamic RAM) stores data in capacitors, which leak charge and require constant refreshing.
27. Which type of RAM is faster and more expensive?
A) DRAM
B) SRAM
C) SDRAM
D) VRAM
Answer: B
Explanation: SRAM (Static RAM) uses flip-flops, making it faster and costlier than DRAM.
28. SDRAM stands for:
A) Synchronous Dynamic Random-Access Memory
B) Static Dynamic RAM
C) Sequential Data RAM
D) Secondary Dynamic RAM
Answer: A
Explanation: SDRAM synchronizes with the CPU clock for faster data transfer.
29. Which memory type is commonly used in graphics cards?
A) DRAM
B) VRAM
C) Cache
D) EEPROM
Answer: B
Explanation: VRAM (Video RAM) is optimized for video and image processing in GPUs.
30. ROM can be:
A) Programmable
B) Erasable
C) Non-volatile
D) All of these
Answer: D
Explanation: ROM is non-volatile and can be PROM, EPROM, EEPROM depending on programmability.
31. PROM stands for:
A) Pre-Read Only Memory
B) Programmable Read-Only Memory
C) Primary ROM
D) Permanent RAM
Answer: B
Explanation: PROM can be programmed once by the user.
32. EPROM can be erased using:
A) Electrical signals
B) Magnetic fields
C) Ultraviolet light
D) Laser
Answer: C
Explanation: EPROM chips are erased by UV light exposure
33. EEPROM can be erased by:
A) Laser
B) Electrical signals
C) Heat
D) Magnetic signals
Answer: B
Explanation: EEPROM uses electrical signals for erasing and rewriting.
34. Which of the following is the fastest memory after CPU registers?
A) RAM
B) Cache
C) ROM
D) Hard Disk
Answer: B
Explanation: Cache memory is extremely fast and placed close to CPU.
35. Which cache memory is inside the CPU chip?
A) L1 cache
B) L2 cache
C) L3 cache
D) None
Answer: A
Explanation: L1 cache is the smallest, fastest cache directly built into the CPU core.
36. Which cache memory is shared by multiple CPU cores?
A) L1 cache
B) L2 cache
C) L3 cache
D) Register cache
Answer: C
Explanation: L3 cache is larger and shared among cores for better performance.
37. The purpose of cache memory is to:
A) Store backup data
B) Increase processing speed
C) Provide virtual storage
D) Replace RAM
Answer: B
Explanation: Cache stores frequently used instructions to speed up CPU access.
38. Virtual memory makes the system appear to have:
A) Less RAM
B) More RAM
C) More CPU cores
D) Larger hard disk
Answer: B
Explanation: Virtual memory uses disk space to extend RAM capacity.
39. Virtual memory is implemented using:
A) Paging
B) Segmentation
C) Both a and b
D) None
Answer: C
Explanation: Virtual memory uses paging and segmentation techniques.
40. Which of the following is not true about virtual memory?
A) It uses secondary storage
B) It increases effective memory
C) It is faster than RAM
D) It allows larger programs to run
Answer: C
Explanation: Virtual memory is slower than RAM because it relies on disk access.
41. The CPU register used to store the memory address of the next instruction is:
A) Instruction Register
B) Program Counter
C) Accumulator
D) MAR
Answer: B
Explanation: The Program Counter (PC) holds the address of the next instruction to execute.
42. Which register holds the address of data to be accessed in memory?
A) MDR
B) MAR
C) IR
D) PC
Answer: B
Explanation: Memory Address Register (MAR) stores the memory location being accessed.
43. Which register temporarily stores data read from or written to memory?
A) MDR
B) MAR
C) Accumulator
D) PC
Answer: A
Explanation: Memory Data Register (MDR) stores actual data being transferred.
44. The smallest and fastest memory in a computer is:
A) RAM
B) ROM
C) Registers
D) Cache
Answer: C
Explanation: Registers are inside CPU, making them the fastest memory.
45. Which register holds the currently executing instruction?
A) MDR
B) IR
C) MAR
D) PC
Answer: B
Explanation: The Instruction Register (IR) stores the current instruction being executed.
46. Which memory stores data temporarily during CPU execution?
A) ROM
B) Cache
C) RAM
D) Both b and c
Answer: D
Explanation: Both cache and RAM temporarily store data for processing.
47. Which is not a characteristic of RAM?
A) Volatile
B) Read/write
C) Permanent storage
D) Fast
Answer: D
Explanation: RAM is not permanent; data is lost when power is off.
48. Static RAM is mostly used in:
A) Hard disks
B) Cache memory
C) Optical disks
D) Virtual memory
Answer: B
Explanation: SRAM’s high speed makes it ideal for cache memory.
49. In memory hierarchy, the slowest storage is:
A) Registers
B) RAM
C) Hard disk
D) Cache
Answer: C
Explanation: Hard disks are slowest compared to RAM, cache, and registers.
50. Which of the following is true about registers?
A) They are slower than RAM
B) They are part of secondary storage
C) They are located inside CPU
D) They store large amounts of data
Answer: C
Explanation: Registers are small, fast storage inside CPU, used for immediate data processing.
51. Secondary memory is also called:
A) Primary storage
B) Permanent storage
C) Cache memory
D) Register memory
Answer: B
Explanation: Secondary memory (like HDD, SSD, optical disks) is non-volatile and used for long-term storage.
52. Which of the following is not a secondary storage device?
A) Hard Disk
B) Pen Drive
C) DVD
D) Cache
Answer: D
Explanation: Cache is part of primary memory, not secondary storage.
53. Hard disk stores data using:
A) Magnetic storage
B) Optical storage
C) electronic storage
D) Mechanical storage only
Answer: A
Explanation: Hard disks use magnetic platters to store data.
54. Data in hard disks is accessed using:
A) Laser beam
B) Magnetic heads
C) Electrical signals only
D) Optical sensors
Answer: B
Explanation: A read/write head magnetically accesses data on disk platters.
55. Access time of a hard disk is measured in:
A) Microseconds
B) Milliseconds
C) Nanoseconds
D) Seconds
Answer: B
Explanation: Hard disks have access times in milliseconds (slower than RAM).
56. Optical storage devices store data using:
A) Magnetic fields
B) Electrical charges
C) Laser technology
D) Capacitors
Answer: C
Explanation: Optical disks (CD, DVD, Blu-ray) use lasers to read/write data.
57. Primary storage is ___ as compared to secondary storage.
A) Slow and inexpensive
B) Fast and inexpensive
C) Fast and expensive
D) Slow and expensive
Answer: C
Explanation: Primary storage is fast and directly accessible by the CPU, but it is expensive per unit of storage
58. The Boot sector files of the system are stored in which computer memory?
A) ROM
B) Cache
C) RAM
D) Register
Answer: A
Explanation: ROM stores the program instructions required to initially boot the computer. It only allows reading.
59. Blu-ray disks can store up to:
A) 700 MB
B) 4.7 GB
C) 25–50 GB
D) 1 TB
Answer: C
Explanation: Blu-ray disks offer much higher capacity using blue laser technology.
60. Which of these is a sequential access device?
A) Hard disk
B) Magnetic tape
C) SSD
D) DVD
Answer: B
Explanation: Magnetic tapes allow only sequential access, unlike disks.
61. Magnetic tapes are mainly used for:
A) High-speed processing
B) Backup and archival
C) Cache memory
D) BIOS storage
Answer: B
Explanation: Tapes are cheap, reliable, and best for backups.
62. Flash memory is a type of:
A) Volatile memory
B) Non-volatile memory
C) ROM only
D) Register memory
Answer: B
Explanation: Flash memory retains data without power, used in SSDs and USB drives.
63. USB pen drives use:
A) Magnetic storage
B) Optical storage
C) Flash memory
D) Cache memory
Answer: C
Explanation: Pen drives store data using flash memory.
64. SSDs are based on:
A) Magnetic storage
B) Optical storage
C) Flash memory
D) Sequential access
Answer: C
Explanation: Solid State Drives use NAND flash chips instead of magnetic platters.
65. Which of the following is not true about SSDs?
A) They have no moving parts
B) They are faster than HDDs
C) They are cheaper than HDDs
D) They use flash memory
Answer: C
Explanation: SSDs are faster and more reliable but generally more expensive.
66. Average access time of SSDs is measured in:
A) Milliseconds
B) Microseconds
C) Seconds
D) Hours
Answer: B
Explanation: SSDs are much faster, with access times in microseconds.
67. Which storage is more durable and shock-resistant?
A) HDD
B) SSD
C) Magnetic Tape
D) DVD
Answer: B
Explanation: SSDs have no moving parts, making them durable.
68. Cloud storage depends on:
A) Local hard disks
B) Remote servers accessed via the internet
C) Cache memory
D) Optical disks
Answer: B
Explanation: Cloud storage keeps data on remote servers accessed online.
69. Which of these is not a cloud storage service?
A) Google Drive
B) Dropbox
C) OneDrive
D) BIOS
Answer: D
Explanation: BIOS is firmware, not a storage service.
70. Advantage of cloud storage is:
A) Accessibility from anywhere
B) Automatic backup
C) Easy sharing
D) All of these
Answer: D
Explanation: Cloud storage provides remote access, backup, and sharing.
71. Which is not a disadvantage of cloud storage?
A) Data security risk
B) Internet dependency
C) High local hardware cost
D) Privacy concerns
Answer: C
Explanation: Cloud reduces local storage cost but raises security/privacy concerns.
72. Which storage device uses concentric tracks and sectors?
A) Hard Disk
B) Magnetic Tape
C) Pen Drive
D) SSD
Answer: A
Explanation: Hard disks organize data in platters with tracks and sectors.
73. PC stands for in computer registers
A) Personal Computer
B) Personal Counter
C) Program counter
D) Programmable computer
Answer: C
Explanation: Program counter stores the memory address of the next instruction that needs to be fetched and executed by the CPU.
74. Hybrid drives (SSHD) combine:
A) SSD + RAM
B) HDD + SSD
C) Cache + ROM
D) Cloud + Local storage
Answer: B
Explanation: Hybrid drives combine HDD capacity with SSD speed.
75. Which is the fastest type of external storage?
A) USB 2.0 HDD
B) USB 3.0 Pen Drive
C) SSD with NVMe over USB-C
D) DVD
Answer: C
Explanation: NVMe-based SSDs connected via USB-C/Thunderbolt offer the highest speeds.
76. Memory management in operating systems involves:
A) Allocation of memory
B) Protection of memory
C) Deallocation of memory
D) All of these
Answer: D
Explanation: Memory management includes allocation, protection, and deallocation of memory.
77. Why RAM is so called?
A) Because it is read and write memory
B) Because it is a volatile memory
C) Because it can be selected directly for storing and retrieving data and instructions of any location of chip
D) Because it is a non-volatile memory
Answer: C
Explanation: RAM is so called because it allows for random access to any data stored within it, meaning the processor can access any memory location in roughly the same amount of time, regardless of its physical location.
78. RAM is _ _ _ _ _ _ and _ _ _ _ _.
A) volatile, temporary
B) non-volatile, temporary
C) volatile, permanent
D) non-volatile, permanent
Answer: A
Explanation: RAM is volatile which means its data are lost when the device is powered off.
79. Swapping in memory management means:
A) Moving processes between RAM and secondary memory
B) Replacing cache lines
C) Allocating registers
D) Virtualizing memory
Answer: A
Explanation: Swapping transfers processes in/out of RAM to free memory.
80. The term “thrashing” in memory management refers to:
A) High CPU utilization
B) Excessive paging/swapping
C) Cache replacement
D) ROM corruption
Answer: B
Explanation: Thrashing occurs when too much paging reduces system performance.
81. The main purpose of a memory hierarchy is:
A) Reduce cost
B) Improve speed
C) Balance cost & performance
D) Increase CPU cores
Answer: C
Explanation: Memory hierarchy balances speed, cost, and capacity.
82. Which memory unit is the smallest in memory hierarchy?
A) Cache
B) Register
C) RAM
D) Hard Disk
Answer: B
Explanation: Registers are the smallest and fastest memory.
83. Which is slower but cheaper per GB?
A) Cache
B) RAM
C) HDD
D) SSD
Answer: C
Explanation: HDDs are cheap but slower than SSD and RAM.
84. Which principle is the basis of cache memory?
A) Principle of parallelism
B) Principle of locality
C) Principle of segmentation
D) Principle of virtual memory
Answer: C
Explanation: Cache works on temporal and spatial locality (recent & nearby data).
85. Where are saved files stored in computer?
A) RAM
B) Hard disk
C) Cache
D) Any of above
Answer: B
Explanation: Hard disk (or other secondary storage like an SSD): When you actively choose to “save” a file (e.g., in a word processor), The hard disk retains this data even when the computer is turned off.
86. A memory access that finds the data in cache is called:
A) Cache miss
B) Cache hit
C) Page fault
D) Swap
Answer: B
Explanation: Cache hit means data is found in cache, speeding up access.
87. A memory access that does not find data in cache is called:
A) Page fault
B) Cache miss
C) Swap
D) Interrupt
Answer: B
Explanation: Cache miss requires fetching from slower memory.
88. Page fault occurs when:
A) Page is not in RAM
B) Page is in cache
C) CPU instruction fails
D) Disk is full
Answer: A
Explanation: Page fault happens when a required page is absent in RAM.
89. How many Bytes make a Megabyte?
A) 1024
B) 128
C) 1048576
D) 512
Answer: C
Explanation: 1 Megabyte (MB) = 1,048,576 bytes. This is calculated as 1024 X1024 bytes (or 220bytes).
90. In memory hierarchy, which is highest in speed?
A) RAM
B) Cache
C) Registers
D) SSD
Answer: C
Explanation: Registers are fastest, followed by cache, RAM, SSD, HDD.
91. In memory hierarchy, which is lowest in cost per bit?
A) Registers
B) Cache
C) RAM
D) Magnetic tape
Answer: D
Explanation: Tapes are slowest but cheapest per bit.
92. What is the unit of memory bandwidth?
A) Bytes per second
B) Bits per second
C) Instructions per second
D) Hertz
Answer: A
Explanation: Memory bandwidth is data transfer rate, measured in bytes/sec.
93. The term “latency” in memory means:
A) Total capacity
B) Delay in accessing data
C) Speed of CPU
D) Virtual memory size
Answer: B
Explanation: Latency is the delay between a request and data delivery.
94. A ____ approximately one billion Bytes.
A) Kilo Byte
B) bit
C) Giga Byte
D) Mega Byte
Answer: C
Explanation: A Gigabyte (GB) is approximately one billion bytes. Kilobyte (KB): 1 thousand bytes, Megabyte (MB): 1 million bytes, Gigabyte (GB): 1 billion bytes, Terabyte (TB): 1 trillion bytes
95. The highest unit of information, computer can understand and process, is known as a
A) ZETTA BYTE
B) YOTTA BYTE
C) BRONTO BYTE
D) GEOP BYTE
Answer: D
Explanation: GEOP BYTE
96. Which is the fastest among these?
A) DDR3 RAM
B) DDR4 RAM
C) DDR2 RAM
D) SDRAM
Answer: B
Explanation: DDR4 offers higher speed and efficiency than earlier generations.
97. The memory size of 4 GB RAM equals:
A) 2³⁰ bytes
B) 2³² bytes
C) 2²⁰ bytes
D) 2¹⁰ bytes
Answer: B
Explanation: 4 GB = 4 × (2³⁰) = 2³² bytes.
98. Which of the following best describes BIOS memory?
A) Volatile, user-programmable
B) Non-volatile, system firmware
C) Volatile, cache
D) Secondary storage
Answer: B
Explanation: BIOS is stored in non-volatile ROM/flash memory.
99. The technology used in SSDs is:
A) Magnetic
B) Optical
C) NAND flash
D) Registers
Answer: C
Explanation: SSDs use NAND flash chips for storage.
100. Which is the correct memory hierarchy (fastest to slowest)?
A) Registers → Cache → RAM → Secondary Storage
B) Cache → Registers → RAM → Secondary Storage
C) RAM → Registers → Cache → Secondary Storage
D) Secondary Storage → RAM → Cache → Registers
Answer: A
Explanation: Registers → Cache → RAM → Secondary Storage, This is the correct order of speed in memory hierarchy.