← IGCSE Computer Science Paper 1

Hypertext and hyperlinks

Text that contains hyperlinks. Clicking a link takes you to another web page or file. Links join pages together, which is why the web is called a web.

Part of: IGCSE Computer Science 0478 — 5.1 The Internet and the World Wide Web — Module 4

Understanding Hypertext and hyperlinks in IGCSE Computer Science Paper 1

What it does: The words 'Contact us' are the hypertext, and the href tells the browser which page to go to when they are clicked. Each link connects one page to another. Many links between many pages form a network of connections like a spider's web. The anchor tag <a> with an href attribute creates a link. The href holds the address it points to. A hyperlink can also point to a file, such as a PDF or an image, which the browser can open or download. The padlock shows HTTPS is in use. Hypertext is clickable text containing hyperlinks. A hyperlink needs href to hold the destination, for example <a href="shop.html">Go to the shop page</a>.

Common mistakes: A hyperlink needs the href attribute to say which page to open. src is not used for links. It should be <a href="help.html">Help</a>. The link must be closed with the end tag </a>. Writing <a> opens a new link instead. It should be <a href="home.html">Home</a>.

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 Hypertext and hyperlinks to a class →

This module's key terms are also in a printable crossword (Modules 450–463) and word search (Modules 440–463).

Take this worksheet further — free with Cloodit

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

Learning

Duo

Which describes hypertext?

Text that contains hyperlinks to other pages or resourcesText that is written in a very large font size

Matches

↓

The link has no href attribute, so it does not say where to go. Clicking it will not take the user to another page.

Applying

Meanings

Term

hypertext

Meaning

Text that contains hyperlinks. Clicking a link takes you to another web page or file. Links join pages together, which is why the web is called a web.

Practice

Go to <a href="page2.html">page 2</a>

Testing

Gaps

< href="page2.html">Go to page 2</a>

Check Answer

Spots

2Read our guide:

3<a src="help.html">Help</a>

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

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. Which describes hypertext?

A. Text that is written in a very large font size

B. Text that contains hyperlinks to other pages or resources ✓

Hypertext is text containing hyperlinks. Clicking a link takes you to another page or resource.

2. What happens when you click a hyperlink on a web page?

A. You are taken to another page or resource ✓

B. The web page is deleted from the web server

A hyperlink takes the user to another web page or resource when clicked. It does not delete anything.

3. Which HTML tag is used to create a hyperlink to another page?

A. <link="page2.html">Next</link>

B. <a href="page2.html">Next</a> ✓

The anchor tag <a> with an href attribute creates a link. The href holds the address it points to.

4. A hyperlink can only take you to another web page, never to a file.

A. False ✓

B. True

A hyperlink can also point to a file, such as a PDF or an image, which the browser can open or download.

5. Why is the World Wide Web called a web?

A. Hyperlinks join pages together like a web of connections ✓

B. Spiders were used to design the first web servers

Pages link to other pages, which link to more pages. These connections form a web.

Match the Pairs

<a href="page2.html">Next page</a> → A hyperlink that takes the user to another web page when clicked

<a href="notes.pdf">Download notes</a> → A hyperlink that takes the user to a file instead of a web page

Hypertext is text that contains hyperlinks, so clicking the text takes you to another page → <a href="contact.html">Contact us</a>

Pages are joined together by hyperlinks, which is why the web is called a web → <a href="index.html">Home</a> <a href="about.html">About</a>

<a>Go to the shop page</a> → The link has no href attribute, so it does not say where to go. Clicking it will not take the user to another page.

<a href="page2.html"></a> → The link has no text between the tags, so there is no hypertext for the user to click on.

Key Term

hypertext

Text that contains hyperlinks. Clicking a link takes you to another web page or file. Links join pages together, which is why the web is called a web.

Fill in the Blanks

1. <a href="page2.html">Go to page 2</a>

Hint: Type the tag name used to create a hyperlink (the anchor tag).

2. <a href="about.html">About us</a>

Hint: Type the attribute that holds the destination the link takes the user to.

3. <a href="notes.pdf">Download notes</a>

Hint: Type the tag name that closes the hyperlink, matching the one that opened it.

4. <a href="notes.pdf">Notes (PDF file)</a>

Hint: Type the tag name that makes a link which opens a file instead of a page.

5. <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk">News</a>

Hint: Type the secure protocol at the start of the address, linking this page to another site on the web.

Spot the Error

Question 1

A

B Read our guide:

C <a src="help.html">Help</a>

D

Line C — A hyperlink needs the href attribute to say which page to open. src is not used for links. It should be <a href="help.html">Help</a>.

Question 2

A Our pages:

B <a href="home.html">Home<a>

C <a href="shop.html">Shop</a>

Line B — The link must be closed with the end tag </a>. Writing <a> opens a new link instead. It should be <a href="home.html">Home</a>.

Question 3

A <a link="notes.pdf">Notes</a>

B Click the link to open

C the PDF file.

Line A — The attribute that holds the link target is called href, not link. A hyperlink can point to a file such as a PDF: <a href="notes.pdf">Notes</a>.

Question 4

A <h1>Maths Club</h1>

B <a href="quiz.html"Quiz</a>

C Click the blue text.

Line B — The opening <a> tag is missing its closing > before the link text. It should be <a href="quiz.html">Quiz</a>.

Question 5

A <a href="map.png">Map

B Click to open the map.

C It is a file link.

Line A — A link opened with <a> must be closed with </a>, not . It should be <a href="map.png">Map</a>, which links to a file.

Student with a class code? Join your class →