Which statement about memory is true and commonly tested in basic computer basics?

Which statement about memory is true and commonly tested in basic computer basics?

• A. RAM is non-volatile and stores firmware.
• B. ROM is non-volatile and stores firmware.
• C. Cache memory is non-volatile and stores firmware.
• D. SSD is non-volatile and stores firmware.

Answer: (B)

Different memory types differ in whether they keep data when power is off and what they’re used for. Non-volatile memory retains information without power, which is essential for keeping firmware—the small programs that initialize hardware and start the system—available across reboots. That’s why ROM is described as non-volatile and stores firmware. RAM, by contrast, is volatile and holds active data and instructions only while the computer is powered on. Cache memory is also volatile and acts as a tiny, ultra-fast workspace for the CPU to speed up access to recently used data, not firmware storage. SSDs are non-volatile storage for files and programs, but firmware is not stored there as the primary function; it’s stored in ROM or similar non-volatile memory on the hardware. So ROM being non-volatile and containing firmware is the accurate statement.

Different memory types differ in whether they keep data when power is off and what they’re used for. Non-volatile memory retains information without power, which is essential for keeping firmware—the small programs that initialize hardware and start the system—available across reboots. That’s why ROM is described as non-volatile and stores firmware. RAM, by contrast, is volatile and holds active data and instructions only while the computer is powered on. Cache memory is also volatile and acts as a tiny, ultra-fast workspace for the CPU to speed up access to recently used data, not firmware storage. SSDs are non-volatile storage for files and programs, but firmware is not stored there as the primary function; it’s stored in ROM or similar non-volatile memory on the hardware. So ROM being non-volatile and containing firmware is the accurate statement.