Consider that your cache is a direct mapped memory. It can hold up to $256$ bytes of data in $32-$bit MIPS architecture. This means $1$ word $(1$ memory cell$)$ is $32$ bits.

$($a$)$ Assuming that your block numbers, validity bits, and space allocated for tags are not included in the $256$ byte of available space $($because they are built$-$in in the hardware$),$ how many $1-$word blocks can this cache hav