Define an input device. (1)
Give two examples of output devices. (2)
Explain how a touchscreen acts as both input and output. (3)
State the purpose of a microphone in a video call. (1)
Describe how a printer and monitor differ in the output they provide. (2)
What is meant by the term "peripheral"? Give one example. (2)
Identify two dual-purpose devices and explain one benefit. (3)
Explain one way output devices support accessibility. (2)
Why is matching the right device to a user’s task important? (2)
Compare a graphics tablet to a mouse for drawing diagrams. (3)
Give one disadvantage of relying only on touchscreen devices. (1)
Name a device that uses sensors. Describe how it is used. (2)
Suggest one input and one output device for a student creating a podcast. (2)
A school is designing a media lab. Recommend one input and one output device and justify your choices. (4)
Evaluate the use of dual-function devices in classrooms. (4)
Define magnetic storage and give one example. (2)
What is the main feature of solid-state storage? (1)
Name two devices that use optical storage. (2)
Give two reasons why solid-state storage is useful in portable devices. (2)
Compare the durability of magnetic and optical storage. (2)
Explain one disadvantage of relying on optical discs for backup. (2)
Which storage type has the highest cost per GB? Explain why. (2)
What does non-volatile mean? (1)
A student is editing a short film. Recommend a suitable storage device and justify. (4)
Give one advantage and one disadvantage of each storage type. (6)
Why are SSDs faster than magnetic drives? (2)
Identify a real-life scenario where magnetic storage is still preferred. Explain. (2)
Which storage device would you recommend for transporting coursework? Justify. (2)
Describe one common mistake students make when comparing optical and magnetic storage. (2)
Evaluate the importance of storage speed for students using cloud-based platforms. (4)
What is the purpose of RAM in a computer? (2)
Define ROM and explain what it stores. (2)
What is meant by volatile memory? Give an example. (2)
Compare RAM and secondary storage. (3)
Give one reason why more RAM improves performance. (1)
Explain how virtual storage works. (3)
Give two risks of using virtual storage. (2)
Why is ROM used in embedded systems? (2)
Compare the speed and editability of RAM, ROM, and virtual storage. (4)
A student saves their project in Google Drive. Explain how this is virtual storage. (2)
State one reason cloud services are useful for collaboration. (1)
Why is cloud storage not truly “virtual”? (2)
Suggest two reasons schools use cloud storage over USB sticks. (2)
A laptop has low RAM. How will this affect multitasking? Explain. (2)
Evaluate the trade-offs of storing schoolwork in the cloud. (4)
Model answers show the facts that earn the points for each question BUT do not neccessarily show the correct format of the answer. Some questions may require a paragraph or full sentence to be written rather than a list of correct facts.
What is an input device?
A device used to send data into a computer. (1)
Give two examples of output devices.
Monitor (1)
Printer (1)
Explain how a touchscreen acts as both input and output.
It displays information to the user. (1)
It detects touch gestures like taps and swipes. (1)
It allows interaction and feedback in one device. (1)
State the purpose of a microphone in a video call.
It captures the user's voice as audio input. (1)
Describe how a printer and monitor differ in the output they provide.
A printer produces physical, printed output. (1)
A monitor displays digital visuals on a screen. (1)
What is meant by the term "peripheral"? Give one example.
An external device that connects to and communicates with a computer. (1)
Example: Mouse (1)
Identify two dual-purpose devices and explain one benefit.
Touchscreen (1)
VR headset (1)
Benefit: saves space and supports two-way interaction. (1)
Explain one way output devices support accessibility.
Screen readers convert text to speech to help visually impaired users. (2)
Why is matching the right device to a user’s task important?
Ensures efficiency, comfort, and task suitability. (2)
Compare a graphics tablet to a mouse for drawing diagrams.
Graphics tablets offer precision and pressure sensitivity. (1)
Mice are less accurate for freehand drawing. (1)
Tablets are better for detailed creative work. (1)
Give one disadvantage of relying only on touchscreen devices.
Typing may be slower or less accurate than using a keyboard. (1)
Name a device that uses sensors. Describe how it is used.
Smart thermostat (1)
It detects temperature changes and adjusts heating. (1)
Suggest one input and one output device for a student creating a podcast.
Input: Microphone (1)
Output: Headphones (1)
A school is designing a media lab. Recommend one input and one output device and justify your choices.
Input: High-quality microphone (1)
Output: Monitor with accurate colour (1)
Rationale: Suitable for audio and video editing (2)
Evaluate the use of dual-function devices in classrooms.
Benefit: saves space and cost. (1)
Supports interactivity (e.g. whiteboards). (1)
Drawback: May be harder to repair or upgrade. (1)
Best in shared learning environments. (1)
Define magnetic storage and give one example.
Data stored using magnetised regions on a disk. (1)
Example: Hard Drive (1)
What is the main feature of solid-state storage?
It has no moving parts. (1)
Name two devices that use optical storage.
DVD (1)
Blu-ray (1)
Give two reasons why solid-state storage is useful in portable devices.
Durable (1)
Lightweight and fast (1)
Compare the durability of magnetic and optical storage.
Magnetic: fragile due to moving parts (1)
Optical: more durable but scratches can affect reading (1)
Explain one disadvantage of relying on optical discs for backup.
Limited capacity and slower access speeds (2)
Which storage type has the highest cost per GB? Explain why.
Solid-state (1)
Due to advanced technology and performance (1)
What does non-volatile mean?
Data is retained even when power is off. (1)
A student is editing a short film. Recommend a suitable storage device and justify.
SSD (1)
Fast read/write (1)
Durable for portable editing (1)
Large enough capacity for video files (1)
Give one advantage and one disadvantage of each storage type.
Magnetic: High capacity (1), Fragile (1)
Optical: Cheap (1), Requires a reader (1)
Solid-state: Fast (1), Expensive (1)
Why are SSDs faster than magnetic drives?
No moving parts, data accessed electronically (2)
Identify a real-life scenario where magnetic storage is still preferred. Explain.
Server backups (1)
Large capacity needed at low cost (1)
Which storage device would you recommend for transporting coursework? Justify.
USB flash drive (1)
Lightweight and portable (1)
Describe one common mistake students make when comparing optical and magnetic storage.
Believing optical is obsolete, when it's still used for backups. (2)
Evaluate the importance of storage speed for students using cloud-based platforms.
Impacts upload/download times (1)
Slow speed disrupts real-time collaboration (1)
Fast SSDs help sync quickly (1)
Internet quality still affects experience (1)
What is the purpose of RAM in a computer?
Temporarily stores data and instructions in use (1)
Speeds up performance when multitasking (1)
Define ROM and explain what it stores.
Read-Only Memory (1)
Stores startup instructions like the bootstrap loader (1)
What is meant by volatile memory? Give an example.
Memory that loses data when power is off (1)
Example: RAM (1)
Compare RAM and secondary storage.
RAM is faster (1)
RAM is volatile (1)
Secondary storage holds files permanently (1)
Give one reason why more RAM improves performance.
Allows more programs to run at once (1)
Explain how virtual storage works.
Files saved to remote servers (1)
Accessed through internet (1)
Synced across multiple devices (1)
Give two risks of using virtual storage.
Data breaches (1)
Inaccessible without internet (1)
Why is ROM used in embedded systems?
Instructions must be permanent (1)
Devices run the same software reliably for years (1)
Compare the speed and editability of RAM, ROM, and virtual storage.
RAM: Fast, editable (1)
ROM: Medium, not editable (1)
Virtual: Depends on internet, editable through cloud access (2)
A student saves their project in Google Drive. Explain how this is virtual storage.
Stored remotely on a data centre (1)
Accessed online through their account (1)
State one reason cloud services are useful for collaboration.
Multiple users can edit the same file at once (1)
Why is cloud storage not truly “virtual”?
Files still exist on physical hard drives in data centres (2)
Suggest two reasons schools use cloud storage over USB sticks.
Files accessible from any location (1)
Automatically backed up (1)
A laptop has low RAM. How will this affect multitasking? Explain.
Programs may run slowly (1)
More likely to freeze with many tasks open (1)
Evaluate the trade-offs of storing schoolwork in the cloud.
Accessible and easy to share (1)
Dependence on internet (1)
Potential privacy risks (1)
No need for physical storage devices (1)