Variables, Constants and Assignment

Quest Briefing

Use a short top-to-bottom Python program to practise variables, constants and assignment. CodeQuest supplies the starting values; you change the statements that calculate and print the result.

By the end of this quest, you can...

Read supplied variables and predict what a short program will display.

Apply the lesson concept to a fresh scenario and repair a relevant fault.

Explain how the statements use the supplied variables to produce a consistent result.

Stage 2 · Learn

Understand the idea

Ready to inspect

Open each concept below to revise the key ideas.

Stage 2 · Learn · OCR J277 2.2.1

Variables, Constants and Assignment

Use a short top-to-bottom Python program to practise variables, constants and assignment. CodeQuest supplies the starting values; you change the statements that calculate and print the result.

Ready to inspect

What the code should demonstrate

This lesson demonstrates variables, constants and assignment using ordinary variables, selection, loops and output. Start with the supplied values, follow each statement from top to bottom, store the final answer in result and display it with print(result).

Worked example

Trace an analogous program before the assessed task

Python · safe example

01Predict
Read the starting point first

Predict what the supplied values and statements will produce before inspecting the complete model.
Starting point
```
# This is a different scenario from Guided practice.
# Predict the output before reading the complete model.
```
02Trace
Analogous transfer example
```
SERVICE_RATE = 0.1
base_fee = 30
service_fee = base_fee * SERVICE_RATE
total_fee = base_fee + service_fee
print(total_fee)
```
What to notice
Follow the program from top to bottom. Trace the example from top to bottom, then transfer the same reading process to the different rule in Guided practice.
03Run

Check your prediction
The starting values and program are shown above.

Output will appear here.

Stage 3 · Apply

Use it in context

Ready to practise

Stage 3 · Apply · OCR J277 2.2.1

Code, check and repair

Complete an assisted task, solve a fresh task, then diagnose a faulty program.

Guided workspace ready

Practical route

Three required coding rounds

Read the fresh scenario and task contract for the current round.
Use the supplied variables rather than copying the visible result.
Compare the visible output with the expected result, then submit for CodeQuest to check other supplied values.

This practice run

Start fresh, keep your progress

Your saved lesson completion is unchanged. Each visit gives you a fresh copy. CodeQuest checks the shown case and additional supplied values.

0 / 3 rounds complete this visit

Round 1 · Guided

0 / 3 verified

Guided walkthrough

Understand it before you edit it

Hide guidance Show guidance

The task

Your job

Starting values

What each variable means

Variable	Value	Plain-English meaning

Read the program

What every line does

Your edit

Change one unfinished line

Edit pattern

How you know it worked

Independent brief

Your task

Read the starting values

Write the required logic

Run your code

For this example, the output should be .

Need help with the variable names?

Variable	Value in this example	What it means

Rules to remember

Starting values supplied to your code

Expected:

Python workspace — write the algorithm only

Run the visible example to inspect its output.

Guided coding ready

Follow the walkthrough, complete the program, run the example and then check the round.

Program checks passed

A reusable version

Stage 4 · Mission

Complete the challenge

Ready to prove

Stage 4 · Final challenge · OCR J277 2.2.1

Variables, Constants and Assignment verification

Complete one coding challenge, review your approach, then finish with an OCR-style written response.

Private checks

Your mission

Mission: organise a simple game state

A game separates its fixed lives limit from the player's current lives.

Task: Keep MAX_LIVES as a fixed constant, store the supplied starting_lives in a changing variable and display that variable.

1 Run the shown example
2 Check your program and review choice
3 Write the exam response

Python mission workspace

Write only the required logic. CodeQuest has already loaded the example values shown in the task card—do not type their assignment lines again.

Task card

What your program must do

Keep MAX_LIVES as a fixed constant, store the supplied starting_lives in a changing variable and display that variable.

Expected output from these values 3

Already loaded—do not enter these again CodeQuest sets these example values before your program runs. Use the variable names in your logic without assigning new values to them.

Values CodeQuest has already loaded

starting_lives: 3the starting value stored in starting lives

Test before you submit Previewing does not complete the challenge.

Run the shown example to inspect its output.

Progressive support Need a clue? 0 of 4 hints unlocked

Unlock one targeted hint only when you need it.

Which advice helps this program work when the supplied values change?

01 Use the supplied variables in a general rule so CodeQuest can supply different values without changing the code. 02 Replace the calculation with the answer from this one shown example. 03 Remove print(result), so the output can no longer be checked.

Ready for the private checks? Your code is tested with values you have not seen.

Mission workspace ready

Build the program, run the shown example, choose a review answer and then validate the mission.

OCR-style question

A café program calculates bills using a fixed tax rate. Explain suitable variables, constants and assignments. [6 marks]

1

Changing quantity valueExplain this area in the context of the question.

2

Changing price or bill valueExplain this area in the context of the question.

3

Fixed tax rateExplain this area in the context of the question.

4

Purpose of assignmentExplain this area in the context of the question.

5

Calculation using stored valuesExplain this area in the context of the question.

6

Use of the calculated resultExplain this area in the context of the question.

Completion threshold: demonstrate at least 4 of the 6 published criteria.

Your developed response

Exam checkpoint ready

Write a developed response using the concept, scenario evidence and linked explanation.

Stage 5 · Complete

Review your progress

Lesson summary

Quick Check

Can you trace the program from its starting values to its displayed result?

Preview Completion Work through the five stages to experience the full lesson. Create an account when you want progress, XP and teacher feedback to be saved.

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Variables, Constants and Assignment

Understand the idea

Variables, Constants and Assignment

Trace an analogous program before the assessed task

Read the starting point first

Check your prediction

Use it in context

Code, check and repair

Three required coding rounds

Start fresh, keep your progress

Understand it before you edit it

Your job

What each variable means

What every line does

Change one unfinished line

Your task

Guided coding ready

A reusable version

Three coding rounds verified

Complete the challenge

Variables, Constants and Assignment verification

Mission: organise a simple game state

Create a program that works with the supplied values

Check the quality of your approach

Mission workspace ready

Turn the practical skill into a developed answer

Exam checkpoint ready

Practical and written mastery verified

Review your progress