Question

_____, which is nonvolatile, holds data when the computer is off or during the course of a program's operation, and it is also used to store large volumes of data for long periods.

a. Random access memory
b. Read-only memory
c. Secondary memory
d. Programmable read-only memory

Answer 1

Secondary memory is the correct answer as it holds data persistently, thus retaining information even when the computer is turned off, and it's designed to store large volumes of data long-term.

Step-by-step explanation:

The correct answer to the student's question is c. Secondary memory. Secondary memory, or storage, is the computer hardware that stores data persistently or non-volatilely, meaning the information is retained even when the computer is powered off. This type of memory is used to maintain large volumes of data safe for an extended period and is not directly accessible by the CPU - it includes hard drives, solid-state drives, and other forms of data storage that do not require constant power to retain data. RAM (Random Access Memory) is volatile and loses its data when power is lost, whereas ROM (Read-Only Memory) and PROM (Programmable Read-Only Memory) typically contain firmware or system-level information that is not intended for user storage of personal files and large volumes of data.