Grade 11 Theory I — The Motherboard & Memory

Question 1

What is the general purpose and role of the motherboard?

Accepted Answer

It's the main circuit board that connects and allows communication between all the computer's core components

Question 2

What is the purpose and role of the BIOS chip?

Accepted Answer

It runs a basic set of startup instructions that initialise hardware before the operating system loads

Question 3

Which of these describes ROM (Read-Only Memory) as opposed to RAM?

Accepted Answer

ROM is non-volatile — its contents are retained even without power, and are normally not user-editable

Question 4

What is the purpose and role of cache memory?

Accepted Answer

A small, very fast memory store that holds frequently-used data close to the CPU to speed up access

Question 5

Web caching, similar in principle to CPU caching, works by:

Accepted Answer

Storing recently-visited web content locally so it loads faster next time

Question 6

What is the purpose and role of an expansion card, e.g. a dedicated graphics card?

Accepted Answer

It plugs into the motherboard to add or improve a specific capability of the computer

Question 7

What does it mean to describe modern computer design as 'modular'?

Accepted Answer

Components like RAM, storage and expansion cards can be added, removed or upgraded independently

Question 8

USB Plug-and-Play (PnP) support means:

Accepted Answer

A device can be connected and used immediately, without manually installing drivers or restarting

Question 9

Which of these best describes a 'point-to-point' connection between hardware components?

Accepted Answer

A dedicated link directly connecting two specific components, rather than a shared bus

Question 10

Which type of memory is described as 'volatile'?

Accepted Answer

RAM — its contents are lost when power is removed

Question 11

Which of these correctly orders memory/storage from FASTEST to SLOWEST, in general?

Accepted Answer

Cache, RAM, SSD, HDD

Question 12

What is the purpose of RAM in a computer system?

Accepted Answer

To temporarily hold the programs and data currently in use, for fast access by the CPU

Question 13

Which of these is an example of solid state memory, with no moving mechanical parts?

Accepted Answer

An SSD (solid state drive)

Question 14

Disk caching, applied to a hard drive, works on the same underlying principle as CPU caching by:

Accepted Answer

Keeping frequently-accessed disk data in faster memory to speed up repeated access

Question 15

What is a 'bus', in the context of a motherboard's data flow?

Accepted Answer

A shared pathway that carries data, addresses or control signals between multiple components

Question 16

What does U3 (as in a 'U3 smart drive') refer to?

Accepted Answer

A USB flash drive standard that lets portable applications run directly from the drive, without installing them on the host computer

Question 17

Which of these best distinguishes 'temporary' memory from 'permanent' memory in a computer system?

Accepted Answer

Temporary memory (like RAM) loses its contents without power; permanent memory (like ROM or a hard drive) retains them

Question 18

What is the general purpose of the slots found on a motherboard?

Accepted Answer

To let expansion cards be physically plugged in, adding or improving specific capabilities