JUMP123 – Joke Machine

Predict, evaluate, and reflect

Read (don’t run yet) and predict what the starter code will output. Then evaluate quality and potential issues.

What does the program do?
(What happens when it runs?)

What could make it better?
(Is there anything you would change or add?)

Why was it made like this?
(What do you think the programmer wanted it to do?)

Why might the program not work?
(What could stop it from running properly?)

What kind of mistake or error could happen?
(Is it a typing error, logic error, or input problem?)

Your answer:

Investigate the program features

Run/investigate the Joke Machine program. Capture findings for each focus area.

Loads an interactive Python demo from trinket.io

Focus Area	Question	Answers
Variables	What variable is used to keep track of the score? (Where is it created, and how does it change?)	The program uses the variable `score`. It is created with `score = 0` and increases with `score = score + 1` whenever the user gets a joke correct.
Input	How does the program get answers from the user? (Look for input() and how it’s stored.)	It uses `input("> ")` to ask the player and stores the result in `guess`, for example `guess = input("> ").strip().lower()`.
String Methods	Why does the program use .strip().lower() after input? (Think about spaces and capital letters.)	`.strip().lower()` removes extra spaces and turns the answer into lowercase so that things like `" Pink Fluff "` still match `"pink fluff"` in the `if` statement.
If Statement	How does the program check if the user is right or wrong? (What line of code compares their answer?)	It uses `if` statements such as `if guess == "pink fluff":` and `if guess == "a brown stick":`. If the guess matches the punchline, it prints a “correct” message and updates the score; otherwise it shows the real answer.
Repetition	What parts of the program are repeated for each joke? (How do the jokes follow the same pattern?)	For each joke the program: prints the question, gets input into `guess`, normalises it with `.strip().lower()`, checks it with an `if/else`, and (if correct) adds 1 to `score`. This pattern repeats for every joke.
Score Update	How does the score change when the player gets an answer right? (Find where score increases.)	When the player’s answer is correct, the line `score = score + 1` runs to increase the score by 1.
Output (f-string)	How does the program show the final score at the end? (Look at the print line with {score}.)	It uses an f-string at the end: `print(f"\nYour final score: {score}/3")`. The `{score}` part is replaced with the current value of the `score` variable.

Improve and extend the Joke Machine

Modify your Joke Machine program following these tasks. Tick when complete.

Loads an interactive Python demo from trinket.io

Focus	Task	✓
Change your program so that…	It asks the player for their name and uses it in messages. (Use input() and an f-string: `print(f"Hello, {name}!")`)
What happens when you alter your program so that…?	Each correct answer gives 2 points instead of 1. (Change how score increases in each if statement.)
Add to the program so that…	It has two more jokes following the same pattern. (Copy one joke block and change the text and punchline.)
Improve your program.	Make it more user-friendly by adding blank lines, emojis, or dividers (use \n or print("-" * 20)).
Extension (Challenge)	Show the player’s score after each joke instead of only at the end.

Guess the Missing Word Quiz

This one is ideal for practising strings, input, variables, and if statements.

Create a global variable to track the score.
Display a welcome message that explains what to do.
Ask the first fill-in-the-blank question (e.g., “An apple a day keeps the _____ away”).
Use lower() and strip() on the answer.
Use an if statement to check the answer and update the score.
Add two more questions using the same pattern.
Show the player’s final score at the end.
Give friendly feedback based on their score.

Loads an interactive Python demo from trinket.io

JUMP123 Assessment

Level 1	Level 2	Level 3
Tick	Tick	Tick
The program uses basic code we’ve learned before. Some parts work, but there are mistakes or things missing. It doesn’t fully do what it should yet.	The program has the main idea working (like a loop, input, or if statement). It mostly works, but might still have a few small errors or need clearer output.	The program works perfectly and does everything the task asked for. It’s clear, correct, and easy to use — maybe even has extra features or nice touches.

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Tick

The program uses basic code we’ve learned before.

Some parts work, but there are mistakes or things missing.

It doesn’t fully do what it should yet.

The program has the main idea working (like a loop, input, or if statement).

It mostly works, but might still have a few small errors or need clearer output.

The program works perfectly and does everything the task asked for.

It’s clear, correct, and easy to use — maybe even has extra features or nice touches.