New
New
Year 10
AQA

2D lists challenge

I can create a game using two-dimensional lists.

New
New
Year 10
AQA

2D lists challenge

I can create a game using two-dimensional lists.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. A two-dimensional list allows you to hold a list as one element.
  2. Data in a 2D list can be held in rows and columns.
  3. A 2D list can be used to create a game board.

Keywords

  • Two-dimnsional - a list or array that has both columns and rows of values

  • Subroutine - a sequence of instructions with an identifiable name that performs a specific task

Common misconception

You cannot print a game board or table layout neatly in Python.

You can added spaces and | to format a game board or table in Python.


To help you plan your year 10 computer science lesson on: 2D lists challenge, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

This lesson requires knowledge of coordinates of items in 2D arrays.
Teacher tip

Equipment

All pupils requires access to devices that can edit and run Python programs. Starter code files are available to copy or use directly via the Raspberry Pi Code Editor.

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Prior knowledge starter quiz

Download quiz pdf

6 Questions

Q1.
A 2D list is a list that contains other , allowing us to store data in a row and column format.

Correct Answer: lists

Q2.
What will be the output of this subroutine?
1234
def greet(name): return "Hello, " + name + "!" print(greet("Alice"))
Code colour

When programmers write code, they use a special tool called an IDE (Integrated Development Environment). In an IDE, different colours are used to help programmers understand the code:


  • • Blue - numbers and boolean values
  • • Green - strings
  • • Purple - keywords

greet("Alice")
Correct answer: `Hello, Alice!`
"Hello, Alice!"

Q3.
Match the concept to the definition

Correct Answer:list,a collection of values stored in a single variable

a collection of values stored in a single variable

Correct Answer:2D list,a list that contains multiple lists inside it

a list that contains multiple lists inside it

Correct Answer:subroutine,a function or procedure that performs a task

a function or procedure that performs a task

Q4.
Which of the following correctly defines a subroutine in Python?

def myFunction:
function myFunction():
Correct answer: `def myFunction():`
subroutine myFunction():

Q5.
What will be the output of the following code?
12
my_list = [10, 20, 30, 40] print(len(my_list))
Code colour

When programmers write code, they use a special tool called an IDE (Integrated Development Environment). In an IDE, different colours are used to help programmers understand the code:


  • • Blue - numbers and boolean values
  • • Green - strings
  • • Purple - keywords

3
Correct answer: 4
5

Q6.
A list can contain mixed , e.g.
[1, "hello", 3.14]

variables
Correct answer: data types
strings
integers

Assessment exit quiz

Download quiz pdf

6 Questions

Q1.
What is a two-dimensional list?

a list with only one row of values
Correct answer: a list that has both columns and rows of values
a function in Python that creates lists automatically
a list containing only numbers

Q2.
In Python, how would you access the element in the third row and second column of a 2D list named 'board'?

Correct answer: `board[2][1]`
board[1][2]
board[3][2]
board[2,1]

Q3.
What is the purpose of the
int()
function when taking user input for coordinates in the game?

It converts the input into a string.
It strips out spaces from the input.
It randomly generates coordinates.
Correct answer: It converts the input into a number.

Q4.
Which statement correctly updates the user_board by placing an ‘X’ in row 1, column 3?

user_board[3][1] = "X"
Correct answer: `user_board[0][2] = "X"`
user_board[2][4] = "X"
user_board[3][2] = "X"

Q5.
A list is a list that contains other lists, allowing data to be organised in rows and columns.

Correct Answer: 2D, two-dimensional, two dimensional

Q6.
What will be the output of the following code?
12
grid = [[1, 2, 3], [4, 5, 6], [7, 8, 9]] print(grid[1][2])
Code colour

When programmers write code, they use a special tool called an IDE (Integrated Development Environment). In an IDE, different colours are used to help programmers understand the code:


  • • Blue - numbers and boolean values
  • • Green - strings
  • • Purple - keywords

2
4
Correct answer: 6
9