Programming concepts

How variables, sequence, selection, repetition, inputs and outputs work together in a program

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Try each question. If you're stuck, leave it and come back. The answer key is on the last page.

1
Match each programming concept to what it does. Match each item on the left to one on the right. Left: Variable, Sequence, Selection, Repetition Right: Stores a value the program can use, Steps happen in order, Choose what to do using IF, Do something more than once using a loop
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2
Which programming concept lets a program use the SAME steps many times? A) Repetition (loops) B) Variables C) Selection D) Input
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3
True or false? A variable is a name that points to a value the program can read or change. A) True B) False
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4
Which is an example of INPUT in a program? A) Asking the user to type their name B) Showing 'Hello' on screen C) Drawing a circle D) Closing the program
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5
Put the steps of this simple program in order. The program asks the user's age and prints whether they are an adult. Put these in order: INPUT age, IF age >= 18 THEN OUTPUT 'Adult', ELSE OUTPUT 'Not an adult yet', END IF
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6
Which programming concepts does this code use? SET total TO 0 REPEAT 5 TIMES INPUT number SET total TO total + number END REPEAT OUTPUT total A) Variables, sequence, repetition, input and output B) Only output C) Only repetition D) Only variables
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7
True or false? A program can mix selection and repetition in the same code. A) True B) False
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8
A program asks for 3 marks, adds them up and shows the total. Which sentence best describes how the concepts work together? A) A variable stores the running total, a loop repeats input three times, and an output shows the result B) Only repetition is used C) Only inputs and outputs are needed D) Variables make the program slower
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9
Match each example with the concept. Match each item on the left to one on the right. Left: print('hi') print('bye'), if x > 5: print 'big', for i in 1..10: print i, score = score + 1 Right: Sequence, Selection, Iteration, Variable update
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10
What is the BEST description of a program? A) An algorithm written in code that a computer can run B) A type of file C) A printer D) A drawing
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Answer key

Programming concepts · for parents and teachers

1
Variable → Stores a value the program can use; Sequence → Steps happen in order; Selection → Choose what to do using IF; Repetition → Do something more than once using a loop
Variables store data, sequence runs steps in order, selection chooses paths with IF, repetition repeats with loops. These build every program.
2
Repetition (loops)
Repetition (loops) lets a program run the same steps many times without copying the code.
3
True
Yes. A variable is a labelled box in memory. You give it a name so the program can read or change the value inside it.
4
Asking the user to type their name
Input is data coming into the program from the user or another source - like typing, clicking, or a sensor reading.
5
INPUT age, IF age >= 18 THEN OUTPUT 'Adult', ELSE OUTPUT 'Not an adult yet', END IF
This program uses input, selection and output together in a clear sequence. The IF block is closed with END IF.
6
Variables, sequence, repetition, input and output
This code creates a variable (total), runs steps in order (sequence), repeats with a loop, takes input each pass, and finally outputs the total.
7
True
Yes. Loops can contain IFs and IFs can contain loops. Combining these concepts is how programs handle real, complicated tasks.
8
A variable stores the running total, a loop repeats input three times, and an output shows the result
Real programs use the concepts together. A variable holds data, a loop repeats input, sequence keeps it in order, and output shows the result.
9
print('hi') print('bye') → Sequence; if x > 5: print 'big' → Selection; for i in 1..10: print i → Iteration; score = score + 1 → Variable update
Each example shows one core concept in action.
10
An algorithm written in code that a computer can run
A program is the code that turns an algorithm into something a computer can run.