(3/5) Introduction to Parsons Puzzles

Section 3 (3/5) Introduction to Parsons Puzzles

Welcome to the Parsons Puzzles practice session! In this section, you will get familiar with how Parsons Puzzles work before attempting the actual test puzzles.

🔗

A Parsons Puzzle presents you with all the lines of code needed to solve a programming task, but they are mixed up. Your job is to:

🔗

Drag the code blocks from the left side to the right side

🔗
Arrange them in the correct order

🔗
Set the proper indentation for each line

🔗

🔗

Let’s start with a simple practice puzzle to get you comfortable with the interface.

🔗

Subsection 3.1 Practice Puzzle 1: Simple Function

This is a simple warm-up problem. Try to arrange the code blocks in the correct order to create a function that prints a greeting message.

🔗

Question 3.1.1.

Arrange the following code blocks to create a function called greet that takes a name as a parameter and prints "Hello, [name]!"

🔗

def greet(name):
---
    message = "Hello, " + name + "!"
---
    print(message)

🔗

Tips for solving Parsons Puzzles:

🔗

Read the problem description carefully

🔗
Think about the logical flow of the program

🔗
Pay attention to indentation - it matters in Python!

🔗
Use the Check button to test your solution

🔗
Don’t worry if you make mistakes - you can try again

🔗

🔗

Subsection 3.2 Practice Puzzle 2: Conditional Statement

Now let’s try a slightly more complex problem that involves a conditional statement.

🔗

Question 3.2.1.

Arrange the code blocks to create a function called check_positive that takes a number as a parameter and returns True if the number is positive, and False otherwise.

🔗

def check_positive(num):
---
    if num > 0:
---
        return True
---
    else:
---
        return False

🔗

Subsection 3.3 Practice Puzzle 3: With Paired Distractors

This puzzle includes paired distractors. For some steps, you will be presented with a choice between a correct code block and an incorrect one. Your job is to identify and use only the correct block from each pair. This is what you’ll see in the test problems.

🔗

Question 3.3.1.

Arrange the code blocks to create a function called is_even that takes a number and returns True if it’s even, False if it’s odd.

🔗

def is_even(num):
---
    if num % 2 == 0:
---
    if num % 2 = 0: #paired
---
        return True
---
    else:
---
        return False
---
        return true #paired

🔗

Notice: You had to choose the correct line from pairs of correct and incorrect code. In the test, you’ll also need to identify which lines are correct and which are distractors.

🔗

Subsection 3.4 Are You Ready?

Great work on the practice problems! You should now be familiar with:

🔗

How to drag and drop code blocks

🔗
How to arrange blocks in the correct order

🔗
How to set proper indentation

🔗
How to check your solution and interpret feedback

🔗

🔗

Question 3.4.1.

Do you feel ready to proceed to the actual Parsons Puzzles test?

🔗

Yes, I’m ready to start the test
I need more practice (you can review the puzzles above)

🔗

When you’re ready, click the Next button to begin the test section.

🔗

Remember: In the test section, you will have four puzzles to solve. Take your time, read each problem carefully, and do your best!

🔗

Prev Top Next