← IGCSE Computer Science Paper 1

What a URL is

Uniform Resource Locator: a text-based address that identifies a unique web page or file, typed into the browser address bar. It is the address, not the page content.

Part of: IGCSE Computer Science 0478 — 5.1 The Internet and the World Wide Web — Module 7

Understanding What a URL is in IGCSE Computer Science Paper 1

What it does: Each URL points to one particular page. This one leads only to the news page of that site. The user types the URL in the address bar so the browser knows which page or file to fetch. A URL is a text address. The heading and photo are web page content, not the address. The address bar is where a URL is typed. History only records pages already visited. A URL is text-based and gives the location of the resource. The visible content is something else. URL stands for Uniform Resource Locator. It is typed or pasted into the address bar to find a page.

Common mistakes: The quotes make the program print the word address instead of the URL stored in the variable. It should be OUTPUT address. A URL is a unique address, so two different pages must have different URLs. Giving both the same URL means they are the same page. It should be url2 ← "https://shop.com/shoes".

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 What a URL is 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
What does URL stand for?
Universal Reading LanguageUniform Resource Locator
Matches
A URL is the content shown on a web page, such as its text and images
↓
A URL is only the address of the page, not its content. The text and images are the page content.
Applying
Meanings
Term
URL
Meaning
Uniform Resource Locator: a text-based address that identifies a unique web page or file, typed into the browser address bar. It is the address, not the page content.
Practice
https://www.cloodit.com/home.html
Testing
Gaps
// = Uniform Resource Locator
Check Answer
Spots
2OUTPUT "Address bar shows:"
3OUTPUT "address"

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

The 'Armadillo' badge — Shield Bearer, 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 URL stand for?
A. Universal Reading Language
B. Uniform Resource Locator ✓
URL stands for Uniform Resource Locator. It is a text-based address for a web page or file.
2. Which one is a URL?
A. A page with a blue heading and a photo
B. https://www.example.com/index.html ✓
A URL is a text address. The heading and photo are web page content, not the address.
3. A URL is the address of a web page, not the content shown on the page.
A. True ✓
B. False
The URL tells the browser where the page is. The text, images and layout are the page content.
4. Where do you normally type a URL to visit a web page?
A. The browser address bar ✓
B. The browser history list
The address bar is where a URL is typed. History only records pages already visited.
5. How many web pages or files can one URL point to?
A. One unique page or file ✓
B. Every page on the web
Each URL is a unique address, so it identifies one web page or file, like a house address.

Match the Pairs

https://www.example.com/index.html → A URL: a text-based address that identifies one web page or file
URL → Uniform Resource Locator, the address typed into the browser address bar
A URL is a unique address, so it takes you to one specific web page → https://www.bbc.co.uk/news
A URL is typed into the browser address bar to ask for a page → Address bar: https://www.school.org/maths.html
A URL is the content shown on a web page, such as its text and images → A URL is only the address of the page, not its content. The text and images are the page content.
Two different web pages can share exactly the same URL → Each URL is unique and identifies only one web page or file, so two pages cannot share one URL.

Key Term

URL
Uniform Resource Locator: a text-based address that identifies a unique web page or file, typed into the browser address bar. It is the address, not the page content.

Fill in the Blanks

1. // URL = Uniform Resource Locator
Hint: Type the three-letter abbreviation for a web address.
2. // URL = Uniform Resource Locator
Hint: Type the middle word of the full name. It means the web page or file being addressed.
3. address_bar ← "https://www.example.com"
Hint: Type the variable for the part of the browser where a URL is typed.
4. IF url1 ≠ url2 THEN OUTPUT "Different web pages" ENDIF
Hint: Type the comparison operator meaning not equal. Each web page has its own unique address.
5. url ← "www.example.com/news.html"
Hint: Type the assignment operator that stores the address text in the variable. The URL is only the address, not the page content.

Spot the Error

Question 1
A address ← "https://www.bbc.co.uk"
B OUTPUT "Address bar shows:"
C OUTPUT "address"
Line C — The quotes make the program print the word address instead of the URL stored in the variable. It should be OUTPUT address.
Question 2
A url1 ← "https://shop.com/cart"
B url2 ← "https://shop.com/cart"
C IF url1 ≠ url2 THEN
D OUTPUT "Different pages"
E ENDIF
Line B — A URL is a unique address, so two different pages must have different URLs. Giving both the same URL means they are the same page. It should be url2 ← "https://shop.com/shoes".
Question 3
A url ← https://example.com
B OUTPUT "Visiting:"
C OUTPUT url
Line A — A URL is text, so it must be written as a string in quotes. It should be url ← "https://example.com".
Question 4
A url ← "https://school.org/news"
B content ← "Welcome to school"
C OUTPUT "Address: " + url
D OUTPUT "Page text: " + url
Line D — The URL is the address, not the page content. The page text is stored in content, so it should be OUTPUT "Page text: " + content.
Question 5
A pageA ← "https://site.com/a.html"
B pageB ← "https://site.com/b.html"
C OUTPUT pageA = pageB
D // TRUE: two unique addresses
Line C — The two pages have different URLs because each URL is unique. Testing with = gives FALSE, so the comparison should use ≠ to give TRUE.

Student with a class code? Join your class →