**Course Title:** Introduction to Programming with Scratch **Section Title:** User Input and Sensing **Topic:** Using the 'ask' and 'answer' blocks for user input. **Objective:** In this topic, we will explore the 'ask' and 'answer' blocks in Scratch, which allow your projects to receive user input through text-based responses. By the end of this topic, you will understand how to use these blocks to create interactive projects that respond to user input. **The 'ask' block:** The 'ask' block is a sensing block that prompts the user to input a response, which can be a word, phrase, or sentence. The block displays a pop-up window with a question or prompt, and the user's response is stored in the 'answer' variable. [Screen Shot: Example of the 'ask' block in Scratch] To use the 'ask' block, follow these steps: 1. Go to the 'Sensing' tab in the block palette and click on the 'ask' block. 2. Type your question or prompt in the text box, such as 'What is your name?' 3. Drag the 'ask' block into your script. **The 'answer' variable:** The 'answer' variable is a built-in variable in Scratch that stores the user's response to the 'ask' block. You can use this variable to display the user's response, store it in a list, or use it to make decisions in your project. [Screen Shot: Example of the 'answer' variable in Scratch] To use the 'answer' variable, follow these steps: 1. Go to the 'Variables' tab in the block palette and click on the 'answer' variable. 2. Use the 'answer' variable in your script, such as displaying it in a speech bubble or storing it in a list. **Example Project:** Let's create a simple project that uses the 'ask' and 'answer' blocks to ask the user for their name and then display a greeting. [Screen Shot: Example project using the 'ask' and 'answer' blocks] Here's the script: 1. Ask 'What is your name?' using the 'ask' block. 2. Store the user's response in the 'answer' variable. 3. Display a greeting using the 'answer' variable. **Key Concepts:** * The 'ask' block is used to prompt the user for input. * The 'answer' variable stores the user's response. * You can use the 'answer' variable to display the user's response, store it in a list, or make decisions in your project. **Practical Takeaways:** * Use the 'ask' block to create interactive projects that respond to user input. * Use the 'answer' variable to store and use the user's response in your project. **External Resources:** * Scratch Documentation: [https://scratch.mit.edu](https://scratch.mit.edu) * Scratch Wiki: [https://wiki.scratch.mit.edu/wiki/Ask\_and\_Answer\_Blocks](https://wiki.scratch.mit.edu/wiki/Ask_and_Answer_Blocks) **What's Next:** In the next topic, we will explore 'Creating games that respond to user input in real-time'. We will learn how to use the 'key pressed' block to create games that respond to user input in real-time. **Do you have any questions about using the 'ask' and 'answer' blocks? Please leave a comment or ask for help.**