← IGCSE Computer Science Paper 1

Browser function: multiple tabs

A browser feature that keeps several web pages open at once in one window, so you can open a new tab and switch between pages without losing your place.

Part of: IGCSE Computer Science 0478 — 5.1 The Internet and the World Wide Web — Module 22

Understanding Browser function: multiple tabs in IGCSE Computer Science Paper 1

What it does: One window holding three tabs shows the idea of one window, many pages. Clicking another tab changes the page you see, while the other pages stay open and unchanged. Opening a new tab leaves the first page open, so you keep your place on it. Switching tabs just brings a page that is already open to the front. You do not need to reload it. Using a new tab keeps the recipe open, so the student can switch back to it without losing their place. Multiple tabs is the function for keeping several pages open at once. Cookies store small pieces of data about a user.

Common mistakes: closeTab removes a page. To open another page in the same window you need window.openTab("bbc.com"). The text and the variable must be joined with &. It should be OUTPUT "Tabs open: " & tabs.

Class: _____________________  ·  Name: _____________________  ·  Date: _________

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

🖨 Print worksheet + answer key Add Browser function: multiple tabs to a class →

This module's key terms are also in a printable crossword (Modules 464–476) and word search (Modules 464–489).

Take this worksheet further — free with Cloodit

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

Learning
Duo
What does a browser's tabs feature let you do?
Keep several web pages open at once in one windowKeep only one web page open in the whole browser
Matches
To read a second page, close the first tab and then open a new one
↓
Tabs let you keep the first page open. You do not need to close it, so you would lose your place for no reason.
Applying
Meanings
Term
multiple tabs
Meaning
A browser feature that keeps several web pages open at once in one window, so you can open a new tab and switch between pages without losing your place.
Practice
new tab: opens another page
Testing
Gaps
<a href="news.html" target="">Go</a>
Check Answer
Spots
1window ← NEW Window()
2window.closeTab("bbc.com")

Cloodit turns curriculum-aligned coding content into journeys students work through one biome at a time.

The 'Space Turtle' badge — Speed in Zero-G, one of Cloodit's 106 collectible badges
Students earn collectable badges

Over 100 of them, across seven natural biomes.

Study Buddy
Students build a real study resource

Turns their work into revision material ready for Flash Cards and Exam study.

Diamond Dash — one of Cloodit's live, competitive Sprint games
Students lock in with Sprints

Live, competitive practice for the start of the lesson or a teacher-led lesson finisher.

A Cloodit certificate of achievement, ready to personalise and print
Custom printable certificates

Honour your top performers, or encourage a student who's trying hard — ready to print in seconds.

Add to class →

Quick Questions

1. What does a browser's tabs feature let you do?
A. Keep several web pages open at once in one window ✓
B. Keep only one web page open in the whole browser
Multiple tabs let you hold many pages open in a single browser window and switch between them.
2. You want to open a second web page without closing the first one. What do you do?
A. Open a new tab ✓
B. Delete your browsing history
Opening a new tab leaves the first page open, so you keep your place on it.
3. How do you move from one open page to another using tabs?
A. Type the same URL into the address bar again
B. Click the tab for the page you want ✓
Switching tabs just brings a page that is already open to the front. You do not need to reload it.
4. Which statement about tabs is true?
A. Many pages can be open in one window ✓
B. Each open page needs its own separate browser window
The point of tabs is one window, many pages. You do not need a new window for each page.
5. A student is reading a recipe and wants to check a video as well, without losing the recipe. Which is better?
A. Replace the recipe page with the video page
B. Open the video in a new tab and switch between the two ✓
Using a new tab keeps the recipe open, so the student can switch back to it without losing their place.

Match the Pairs

Ctrl + T → Opens a new tab so another web page can be loaded in the same browser window
Ctrl + Tab → Switches to the next open tab without closing or reloading the pages
A browser keeps many pages open in one window using tabs → Window 1: Tab 1 = school-email, Tab 2 = news, Tab 3 = revision-notes
Switching tabs lets you move between open pages and keep your place → click Tab 2 -> show news page, Tab 1 stays open
To read a second page, close the first tab and then open a new one → Tabs let you keep the first page open. You do not need to close it, so you would lose your place for no reason.
Each tab needs its own separate browser window → Tabs share one window. Several tabs sit in a single browser window, so no extra windows are needed.

Key Term

multiple tabs
A browser feature that keeps several web pages open at once in one window, so you can open a new tab and switch between pages without losing your place.

Fill in the Blanks

1. <a href="news.html" target="_blank">Go</a>
Hint: Type the target value that makes the link open in a new tab.
2. <a href="news.html" target="_blank">Go</a>
Hint: Type the attribute name that chooses where the linked page opens.
3. window.open("news.html", "_blank");
Hint: Type the window method that opens a page in a new tab.
4. let tabs = ["Maths", "News"]; tabs.push("Mail");
Hint: Type the array method that adds a new item to the end of the list, like opening a new tab.
5. <a href="news.html" target="_blank">Go</a>
Hint: Type the tag name for a hyperlink that opens a page in another tab.

Spot the Error

Question 1
A window ← NEW Window()
B window.closeTab("bbc.com")
C window.openTab("maps.com")
Line B — closeTab removes a page. To open another page in the same window you need window.openTab("bbc.com").
Question 2
A tabs ← 1
B OUTPUT "Page 1 open"
C tabs ← tabs + 1
D OUTPUT "Tabs open: " tabs
Line D — The text and the variable must be joined with &. It should be OUTPUT "Tabs open: " & tabs.
Question 3
A window.openTab("news.com")
B window.openTab("mail.com")
C window.switchTo("news.com"
Line C — The closing bracket is missing. It should be window.switchTo("news.com") to move back to the news tab.
Question 4
A window ← NEW Window()
B window.tabs ← ""
C window.tabs.add("shop.com")
Line B — A window with many tabs needs a list to hold many pages. A single empty string holds no list. It should be window.tabs ← [].
Question 5
A IF key = "Ctrl+T"
B window.openTab("")
C ENDIF
Line A — An IF statement must end its condition with THEN. It should be IF key = "Ctrl+T" THEN.

Student with a class code? Join your class →