← ACARA Digital Technologies Years 5–6

Flowchart shapes: start, step and decision

A diagram that uses an oval for start and end, a rectangle for a step and a diamond for a yes or no question, all joined by arrows that show the order.

Part of: ACARA Digital Technologies Years 5–6 — Algorithms with Branching and Repetition — Module 27, ACARA Digital Technologies Years 7–8 — Algorithms, Flowcharts and Pseudocode — Module 27, ACARA Digital Technologies Years 7–8 — Tracing and Debugging Algorithms — Module 32, QCE Digital Solutions Unit 1 — Algorithms and Programming Techniques — Module 6, QCE Digital Solutions Unit 3 — Interactions Between Users, Data and Digital Systems — Module 19

Understanding Flowchart shapes: start, step and decision in ACARA Digital Technologies Years 5–6

What it does: The arrows (-->) link each shape to the next, so you know which step comes first and which comes last. A slanted input and output box shows data being typed in or shown on screen, with short words inside to say what it is. Ovals are used for Start and End. Diamonds are only for yes or no questions. A rectangle shows a step or action. A diamond is for a question. A diamond holds a yes or no question. The paths out of it are labelled Yes and No. Start and End both use ovals, so you can see where the flowchart begins and finishes.

Common mistakes: The end of a flowchart is drawn as an oval, not a rectangle. It should be OVAL: End. A yes or no question goes in a diamond, not a rectangle. It should be DIAMOND: Is it raining?

Class: _____________________ · Name: _____________________ · Date: _________

Free printable worksheet with full answer key — or add this module to a class and your students practise it interactively.

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This module's key terms are also in a printable crossword (Modules 106–119) and word search (Modules 106–132).

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Learning

Duo

Which shape shows where a flowchart starts?

An oval with the word Start insideA diamond with the word Start inside

Matches

[Is it raining?]

↓

A yes or no question is drawn in a rectangle. A rectangle is only for a step. Questions need a diamond.

Applying

Meanings

Term

flowchart

Meaning

A diagram that uses an oval for start and end, a rectangle for a step and a diamond for a yes or no question, all joined by arrows that show the order.

Practice

OVAL: Start

Testing

Gaps

: End

Check Answer

Spots

3RECTANGLE: Fill the cup

4RECTANGLE: End

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Quick Questions

1. Which shape shows where a flowchart starts?

A. An oval with the word Start inside ✓

B. A diamond with the word Start inside

Ovals are used for Start and End. Diamonds are only for yes or no questions.

2. Which shape is used for a step like 'Add 1 to score'?

A. A rectangle ✓

B. A diamond

A rectangle shows a step or action. A diamond is for a question.

3. Which shape is used for the question 'Is it raining?'

A. A diamond ✓

B. A rectangle

A diamond holds a yes or no question. The paths out of it are labelled Yes and No.

4. What do the arrows in a flowchart show?

A. How big each step is

B. The order to follow the shapes ✓

Arrows join the shapes and show which one comes next.

5. Which is the best text to put inside a decision diamond?

A. Add 5 to the score

B. Is the score over 10? ✓

A diamond holds a question that can be answered yes or no. 'Add 5 to the score' is a step, so it goes in a rectangle.

Match the Pairs

[Add 1 to count] → A rectangle: one step, or action, for the computer to do

<Is it raining?> → A diamond: a yes or no question that splits the path

Arrows join the shapes and show the order to follow, from start to end → (Start) --> [Ask name] --> (End)

An input and output box shows information going into or coming out of the algorithm → /Input: age/

[Is it raining?] → A yes or no question is drawn in a rectangle. A rectangle is only for a step. Questions need a diamond.

<Is it raining?> --> [Take umbrella] → The diamond has only one arrow coming out. A decision needs two arrows, one labelled Yes and one labelled No.

Key Term

flowchart

A diagram that uses an oval for start and end, a rectangle for a step and a diamond for a yes or no question, all joined by arrows that show the order.

Fill in the Blanks

1. Rectangle: Pack my bag Oval: End

Hint: Type the name of the shape used for start and end.

2. Oval: Start Rectangle: Get a pencil Diamond: Is it sharp?

Hint: Type the name of the shape used for a step.

3. Oval: Start Rectangle: Get a pencil Diamond: Is it sharp?

Hint: Type the name of the shape used for a yes or no question.

4. Start -> Get a pencil -> Sharpen it

Hint: Type the two-character symbol that shows the order between shapes.

5. Diamond: Is it raining? Yes -> Take an umbrella No -> Go outside

Hint: Type the other answer that comes out of a yes or no question.

Spot the Error

Question 1

A OVAL: Start

B RECTANGLE: Get a cup

C RECTANGLE: Fill the cup

D RECTANGLE: End

Line D — The end of a flowchart is drawn as an oval, not a rectangle. It should be OVAL: End.

Question 2

A OVAL: Start

B RECTANGLE: Is it raining?

C RECTANGLE: Take umbrella

D OVAL: End

Line B — A yes or no question goes in a diamond, not a rectangle. It should be DIAMOND: Is it raining?

Question 3

A OVAL: Start

B ARROW: down

C DIAMOND: Pack bag

D ARROW: down

E OVAL: End

Line C — Packing a bag is a step, so it goes in a rectangle. A diamond is only for yes or no questions. It should be RECTANGLE: Pack bag.

Question 4

A OVAL: Start

B PARALLELOGRAM: Input name

C OVAL: Output Hello

D OVAL: End

Line C — Input and output use the slanted input/output box (parallelogram). An oval is only for start and end. It should be PARALLELOGRAM: Output Hello.

Question 5

A DIAMOND: Is it dark?

B YES ARROW: RECTANGLE Light on

C MAYBE ARROW: OVAL End

Line C — A diamond asks a yes or no question, so its arrows must be labelled YES and NO. There is no MAYBE arrow. It should be NO ARROW: OVAL End.

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