Secondary Storage (AQA GCSE Computer Science): Exam Questions

Many new computers use solid-state storage for secondary storage rather than magnetic storage.

Explain why solid-state storage is not fitted to every new computer.

Many modern desktop computers have both solid state drives and magnetic hard disk drives.

Give two reasons why desktop computers have a magnetic hard disk drive and a solid state drive instead of having just a solid state drive.

Data is increasingly being stored ‘in the cloud’.

State two advantages of using cloud storage instead of local storage.

This description of how a magnetic hard disk drive works is partially correct but contains some errors:

‘A magnetic hard disk spins very quickly. The surface of the disk has a groove on it where data is stored. There is a needle that runs along the groove and detects bumps. One of the components of the drive is a read/write head.’

State one correct fact in the description.

Describe how data is stored on, and read from, a magnetic hard disk.

In recent years, there has been a large growth in the use of cloud storage.

Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of using cloud storage.

In your answer you should include an explanation of the reasons for the large growth in recent years and consider any legal, ethical and environmental issues related to the use of cloud storage.

This description of how a magnetic hard disk drive works is partially correct but contains some errors:

‘A magnetic hard disk spins very quickly. The surface of the disk has a groove on it where data is stored. There is a needle that runs along the groove and detects bumps. One of the components of the drive is a read/write head.’

Describe three factual errors in the description.