← Years 9–10 Data & Information

Markdown: lightweight markup for structure

A way to mark structure in plain text using symbols, like # for a heading, - for a list item and ** for bold. The text is later converted into HTML.

Part of: 9-10 Digital Technologies: Representing online documents — Module 20, ACARA Digital Technologies Years 9–10 — Content, Structure and Presentation — Module 8

Understanding Markdown: lightweight markup for structure in Years 9–10 Data & Information

What it does: The - symbol at the start of a line marks a list item, which becomes an <li> inside a <ul> in HTML. Two asterisks on each side mark strong (bold) text. One asterisk on each side marks italic (emphasis) text. Markdown uses simple symbols in a plain text file. A converter turns those symbols into HTML tags such as h1, li and strong. The number of # symbols sets the heading level. Two # symbols make an h2. Markdown is quicker to type, but it must be converted to HTML before a browser can display it as a web page.

Common mistakes: In Markdown, the # symbols must be followed by a space to make a heading. It should be '## Monday'. Bold text needs ** at both the start and the end. The closing marker only has one asterisk. It should be '**twice**'.

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 17–51) and word search (Modules 6–132).

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Each concept is reinforced from every angle — learned, then applied, then tested.

Learning
Duo
Which Markdown line creates a main heading?
# My School Blog<h1> My School Blog
Matches
#My Trip
↓
There is no space after the #, so many converters will not treat it as a heading. It should be # My Trip.
Applying
Meanings
Term
Markdown
Meaning
A way to mark structure in plain text using symbols, like # for a heading, - for a list item and ** for bold. The text is later converted into HTML.
Practice
Our **garden** grows *fresh* food.
Testing
Gaps
Our School Website
Check Answer
Spots
1# My Study Plan
2##Monday

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Quick Questions

1. Which Markdown line creates a main heading?
A. <h1> My School Blog
B. # My School Blog ✓
In Markdown a single # at the start of a line marks a top-level heading. When it is converted to HTML it becomes an h1 element.
2. Which Markdown line creates a list item?
A. # Pencil case
B. - Pencil case ✓
A hyphen followed by a space marks a list item. A # would make a heading instead.
3. Which Markdown makes the word 'Due' bold (strong text)?
A. **Due** Friday ✓
B. *Due* Friday
Two asterisks on each side mark strong (bold) text. One asterisk on each side marks italic (emphasis) text.
4. Which Markdown makes the word 'always' italic?
A. Check *always* for typos ✓
B. Check **always** for typos
A single asterisk on each side gives italic text. Double asterisks give bold text.
5. True or false: Markdown is plain text that can be converted into HTML later.
A. True ✓
B. False
Markdown uses simple symbols in a plain text file. A converter turns those symbols into HTML tags such as h1, li and strong.

Match the Pairs

# My School Trip → A top-level heading in Markdown. It converts to an h1 element in HTML.
**Bring a hat** → Strong (bold) text in Markdown. It converts to a strong element in HTML.
A list item in Markdown starts with a hyphen and a space → - Water bottle
Markdown can mark italic (emphasised) text using single asterisks → Please *do not* run
#My Trip → There is no space after the #, so many converters will not treat it as a heading. It should be # My Trip.
**Bring a hat* → The bold text starts with two asterisks but ends with only one, so it is not closed properly. It should end with **.

Key Term

Markdown
A way to mark structure in plain text using symbols, like # for a heading, - for a list item and ** for bold. The text is later converted into HTML.

Fill in the Blanks

1. # Our School Website
Hint: Type the single symbol that marks a top-level heading in Markdown.
2. - Laptop - Tablet - Phone
Hint: Type the symbol that starts a list item in Markdown.
3. Study **hard** for the test
Hint: Type the pair of symbols that opens bold text. The same pair closes it.
4. Read the *notes* first
Hint: Type the single symbol that opens italic text. The same symbol closes it.
5. Markdown: # Title HTML: <h1>Title</h1>
Hint: Type the HTML tag name that a single # heading is converted into.

Spot the Error

Question 1
A # My Study Plan
B ##Monday
C - Maths homework
D - Read chapter 4
Line B — In Markdown, the # symbols must be followed by a space to make a heading. It should be '## Monday'.
Question 2
A # Pet Care
B Dogs need exercise.
C - Walk them daily
D - Feed them **twice* a day
Line D — Bold text needs ** at both the start and the end. The closing marker only has one asterisk. It should be '**twice**'.
Question 3
A # Class Rules
B # Be on time
C - Listen to others
Line B — A # makes a heading, but this line should be a list item. It should start with '- ', giving '- Be on time'.
Question 4
A <ul>
B <li>Bring a mouse</li>
C <li>Bring a laptop<li>
D </ul>
Line C — When Markdown list items are converted to HTML, each becomes <li>...</li>. The closing tag is missing its slash. It should be '</li>'.
Question 5
A <body>
B <h1>Space Facts</h2>
C <p>Mars is red.</p>
D </body>
Line B — The Markdown heading '# Space Facts' converts to an h1 element. The closing tag must match the opening tag, so it should be '</h1>'.

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