Non-volatile memory is best described as:

• A. Permanent memory
• B. Temporary memory
• C. Stores running programs
• D. Cache memory

Answer: (A)

Non-volatile memory retains data even when power is removed, making it suitable for long-term storage of information, programs, and system settings. That persistence is why it’s described as permanent memory—the data remains intact without ongoing power.

Temporary memory, by contrast, is meant to lose its contents when power is off, which describes volatile memory like RAM. Storing running programs is primarily a function of volatile memory used for active processing, not the non-volatile storage that holds data long-term. Cache memory is a fast, small, usually volatile layer that accelerates data access, not a description of non-volatile storage.