ACARA Digital Technologies Years 7–8 Word Scramble: Algorithms, Flowcharts and Pseudocode and Tracing and Debugging Algorithms (Modules 420–481)
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Word scramble
Unscramble the letters and write each key term on the line.
1
ETACR LTEBA
A table with one row per loop repeat. Record the IF condition result, change only the variables the branch updates, copy the rest down, and note any output.
2
DOICIONTN OMNLUC
A trace table column headed by a condition, such as age >= 13, that records TRUE or FALSE on each row so you can see which path the algorithm took and why.
3
EON OWR ERP ASPS
Trace an IF inside a loop with one row for each pass, showing the condition result (true or false) and any variables that change. The final row gives the output.
4
COIERPNDTI AEBLT
A table listing each flowchart shape you visit in order, the Yes or No answer at each diamond, the variable values after each step, and any output.
5
OALK-OCPB ORARW
An arrow that returns to a decision diamond. Each time you follow it, add a new row to the trace table so every pass of the loop is recorded, until you take the exit arrow.
6
ILCGO ORRRE
A mistake in an algorithm's steps. It still runs to the end with no warning, but gives the wrong output. Only tracing or testing shows it, unlike a syntax error that breaks the writing rules.
7
BOY-EF-NOF RRERO
A bug where a repeat count or stop test is wrong by one, such as count > 5 instead of count = 5, so the loop body runs one time too many or one time too few.
8
APDWSEP ABNHCRES
The THEN and ELSE paths are the wrong way round, so the algorithm gives the opposite result for every input. Fix it by swapping the two paths or by flipping the condition.
9
OOPL MLATNECEP RORER
A bug where a step sits in the wrong place around a loop. A SHOW inside repeats every pass, and an update outside runs only once. Indentation shows which steps are inside the loop.
10
CA-RRETE
After a fix, trace the algorithm again with the same failing input, then other inputs, to check the output now matches what was expected.
Answer Key
ACARA Digital Technologies Years 7–8 · Modules 420–481
1ETACR LTEBA → trace table — A table with one row per loop repeat. Record the IF condition result, change only the variables the branch updates, copy the rest down, and note any output.
2DOICIONTN OMNLUC → condition column — A trace table column headed by a condition, such as age >= 13, that records TRUE or FALSE on each row so you can see which path the algorithm took and why.
3EON OWR ERP ASPS → one row per pass — Trace an IF inside a loop with one row for each pass, showing the condition result (true or false) and any variables that change. The final row gives the output.
4COIERPNDTI AEBLT → prediction table — A table listing each flowchart shape you visit in order, the Yes or No answer at each diamond, the variable values after each step, and any output.
5OALK-OCPB ORARW → loop-back arrow — An arrow that returns to a decision diamond. Each time you follow it, add a new row to the trace table so every pass of the loop is recorded, until you take the exit arrow.
6ILCGO ORRRE → logic error — A mistake in an algorithm's steps. It still runs to the end with no warning, but gives the wrong output. Only tracing or testing shows it, unlike a syntax error that breaks the writing rules.
7BOY-EF-NOF RRERO → off-by-one error — A bug where a repeat count or stop test is wrong by one, such as count > 5 instead of count = 5, so the loop body runs one time too many or one time too few.
8APDWSEP ABNHCRES → swapped branches — The THEN and ELSE paths are the wrong way round, so the algorithm gives the opposite result for every input. Fix it by swapping the two paths or by flipping the condition.
9OOPL MLATNECEP RORER → loop placement error — A bug where a step sits in the wrong place around a loop. A SHOW inside repeats every pass, and an update outside runs only once. Indentation shows which steps are inside the loop.
10CA-RRETE → re-trace — After a fix, trace the algorithm again with the same failing input, then other inputs, to check the output now matches what was expected.