Input and output shapes in a flowchart

Name:

Date:

Class:

Quick Questions

Shade in the A or B circle for each question.

1. Which shape shows an input or output step in a flowchart?

A Parallelogram

B Diamond

2. You want to show a step where the user types in their age. Which is the best label for the parallelogram?

A age

B Input age

3. Which step belongs in a parallelogram?

A Output total

B total <- 5 + 3

4. A flowchart needs to ask for a player's name. Which is correct?

A A rectangle labelled Input name

B A parallelogram labelled Input name

5. Which parallelogram label is an OUTPUT step?

A Output score

B Input score

Match the Pairs

Draw a line connecting each item on the left to its match on the right.

Left column		Right column
1Input age		AOutput average
2Output total		BA parallelogram step that shows the value of the variable total to the user
3An input step in a parallelogram names the variable that will store the user's answer		CInput score
4An output step in a parallelogram shows the user the value held in a variable		DA parallelogram step that asks the user to enter a value and stores it in the variable age
5Rectangle containing: Input age		EThe input step does not name a variable. It should say which variable stores the value, such as Input name.
6Parallelogram containing: Input		FInput is drawn in a rectangle. Input and output steps must go in a parallelogram, because rectangles are for processes like calculations.

Definitions

parallelogram

Fill in the Blanks

Complete each line of code by filling in the missing parts.

Shape for input or output: _____________

Parallelogram: _____ name

Parallelogram: Input _____ Diamond: score > 50?

Rectangle: total <- a + b Parallelogram: ______ total

Parallelogram: Input name Parallelogram: Output ____

Spot the Error

Shade in the letter of the line that contains an error.

Question 1

A Oval: Start

B Parallelogram: Input age

C Rectangle: next <- age + 1

D Rectangle: Output next

E Oval: End

Question 2

A Oval: Start

B Diamond: Input name

C Parallelogram: Output name

D Oval: End

Question 3

A Oval: Start

B Parallelogram: Input

C Parallelogram: Output score

D Oval: End

Question 4

A Oval: Start

B Parallelogram: Input price

C Rectangle: cost <- price * 2

D Parallelogram: Output total

E Oval: End

Question 5

A Oval: Start

B Parallelogram: Output temp

C Rectangle: hot <- temp > 30

D Parallelogram: Output hot

E Oval: End

Answer Key

Input and output shapes in a flowchart

Section A: Quick Questions

A — Parallelogram

B — Input age

A — Output total

B — A parallelogram labelled Input name

A — Output score

Section B: Match the Pairs

Input age → A parallelogram step that asks the user to enter a value and stores it in the variable age

Output total → A parallelogram step that shows the value of the variable total to the user

An input step in a parallelogram names the variable that will store the user's answer → Input score

An output step in a parallelogram shows the user the value held in a variable → Output average

Rectangle containing: Input age → Input is drawn in a rectangle. Input and output steps must go in a parallelogram, because rectangles are for processes like calculations.

Parallelogram containing: Input → The input step does not name a variable. It should say which variable stores the value, such as Input name.

Section C: Definitions

parallelogram — The flowchart shape for an input or output step, like getting a name from the user or showing a result. Write the action and variable inside, e.g. Input age.

Section D: Fill in the Blanks

Shape for input or output: parallelogram

Parallelogram: Input name

Parallelogram: Input score
Diamond: score > 50?

Rectangle: total <- a + b
Parallelogram: Output total

Parallelogram: Input name
Parallelogram: Output name

Section E: Spot the Error

D — Showing a result is an output step, so it needs a parallelogram, not a rectangle. Rectangles are for processing steps such as calculations. It should be 'Parallelogram: Output next'.

B — A diamond is used for decisions. Getting a name from the user is an input step, so it needs a parallelogram: 'Parallelogram: Input name'.

B — An input step must name the variable that will store the value. It should be 'Parallelogram: Input score' so the later output step can use it.

D — The output step must show a variable the flowchart has already set. The variable is cost, and total was never created. It should be 'Parallelogram: Output cost'.

B — The algorithm needs the user to give it temp before it can use it, so this must be an input step. Showing temp here would display a value that does not exist yet. It should be 'Parallelogram: Input temp'.