Writing an algorithm as numbered steps
Name:
Date:
Class:
A
Quick Questions
Shade in the A or B circle for each question.
1. Which is a well-written algorithm step?
2. How many actions should one step have?
3. Which list of steps is numbered correctly?
4. Which step starts with a command word?
5. Which step has only ONE action?
B
Match the Pairs
Draw a line connecting each item on the left to its match on the right.
| Left column | Right column | |
|---|---|---|
| 11. Get a bowl | AStep 3 starts with the command word Show and tells the computer to display something | |
| 23. Show the score | BStep 1 starts with the command word Get and tells you to do one action | |
| 3Each step has only one action, so every action gets its own numbered line | CThe step numbers are out of order. They must go 1, 2, 3 in order. | |
| 4Steps are numbered 1, 2, 3 in order, and each one starts with a command word | D1. Get the milk 2. Add the milk to the bowl | |
| 51. Get a cup and add water | EThis step has two actions in one line. Split it into 1. Get a cup and 2. Add water. | |
| 61. Get a plate 3. Add toast 2. Show the plate | F1. Get a cup 2. Add water 3. Show the cup |
C
Definitions
1. Get a bowl
D
Fill in the Blanks
Complete each line of code by filling in the missing parts.
1.
1. ___ a bowl
2.
1. Get a bowl
_. Add the cereal
3.
1. Get a cup
2. ___ water
3. Show the full cup
4.
1. Get a cup
2. Add water
3. ____ the full cup
5.
1. Get a bowl
2. Add milk
_. Show the bowl
E
Spot the Error
Shade in the letter of the line that contains an error.
Question 1
A
1. Get a bowl
B
2. Add the cereal
C
4. Add the milk
D
4. Show the breakfast
Question 2
A
1. A cup
B
2. Add water
C
3. Add a tea bag
D
4. Show the tea
Question 3
A
1. Get two slices of bread
B
2. Add butter and then add jam
C
3. Add jam
D
4. Show the sandwich
Question 4
A
Get the player's score
B
2. Add 10 to the score
C
3. Show the score
Question 5
A
1. Get a bowl
B
2. Add the pasta
C
2. Add the sauce
D
4. Show the meal
Answer Key
Writing an algorithm as numbered steps
Section A: Quick Questions
Q1
A — 2. Get the milk
Q2
B — One action per step
Q3
B — 1. Get a bowl 2. Add cereal 3. Show the bowl
Q4
A — 3. Add the milk
Q5
A — 1. Get a cup
Section B: Match the Pairs
Q1
1. Get a bowl → Step 1 starts with the command word Get and tells you to do one action
Q2
3. Show the score → Step 3 starts with the command word Show and tells the computer to display something
Q3
Each step has only one action, so every action gets its own numbered line → 1. Get the milk
2. Add the milk to the bowl
Q4
Steps are numbered 1, 2, 3 in order, and each one starts with a command word → 1. Get a cup
2. Add water
3. Show the cup
Q5
1. Get a cup and add water → This step has two actions in one line. Split it into 1. Get a cup and 2. Add water.
Q6
1. Get a plate
3. Add toast
2. Show the plate → The step numbers are out of order. They must go 1, 2, 3 in order.
Section C: Definitions
Q1
1. Get a bowl — A written algorithm step. Each line has one number and one action, and starts with a command word like Get, Add or Show. Steps go 1, 2, 3 in order.Section D: Fill in the Blanks
Q1
1. Get a bowlQ2
1. Get a bowl
2. Add the cerealQ3
1. Get a cup
2. Add water
3. Show the full cupQ4
1. Get a cup
2. Add water
3. Show the full cupQ5
1. Get a bowl
2. Add milk
3. Show the bowlSection E: Spot the Error
Q1
C — The steps must be numbered 1, 2, 3 in order. This step skips from 2 to 4, so it should start with 3.
Q2
A — Every step must start with a command word. '1. A cup' does not tell the computer what to do. It should be '1. Get a cup'.
Q3
B — Each step should have only one action. This line has two actions, so it should be split. Step 2 should be just '2. Add butter'.
Q4
A — Each step needs a number at the start. This line is missing its number. It should be '1. Get the player's score'.
Q5
C — Two steps are numbered 2. Numbers must go 1, 2, 3, 4 with no repeats. This step should be numbered 3.