Test your web searching knowledge! Here is a quiz for you to take, covering the most important points of this tutorial. I've put the answers on a separate page, so you at least have to read all of the questions and think about them before looking at the answer. Get a piece of paper and jot down your answers to these 10 questions.
1. Web databases like Yahoo, Alta Vista, and Lycos differ in what aspect?
a. Each one indexes a different set of pages.
b. Each one has a different way to allow users to search the database.
c. Each one is better at certain types of search requests.
d. All of the above.
2. Which is better?
a. A web database that indexes every single word on every single page.
b. A web database that only indexes important terms and phrases.
c. A web database that indexes by placing pages in pre-made directory
structure.
d. There are no way to tell without knowing the search request.
3. If you are wanting to find an introductory group of pages on football.
What type of tool is most suited to this?
a. A full-text indexed web database (like Alta Vista).
b. A keyword-indexed web database (like Lycos).
c. A pick-list, directory structured database (like Yahoo).
d. A Usenet News search tool (like DejaNews).
4. If you are wanting to find places on the web where the name "Scott
Nicholson" appears, where would you go?
a. A full-text indexed web database (like Alta Vista).
b. A keyword-indexed web database (like Lycos).
c. A pick-list, directory structured database (like Yahoo).
d. A gopher search tool(like Veronica).
5. Where would you look for information on Oklahoma History?
a. A full-text indexed web database (like Alta Vista).
b. A keyword-indexed web database (like Lycos).
c. A pick-list, directory structured database (like Yahoo).
d. Oklahoma. No, really. Pick one of the other three.
6. What is the most important step when deciding what to type in a search
engine?
a. Enter the search request in the way that you thought of it.
b. Make sure that proper nouns are capitalized.
c. Specify and simplify the search request.
d. Make sure you don't enter any homonyms.
7. Which of the following Boolean searches best fits the search request:
"I want pages about vaccinations for lockjaw, otherwise known as tetanus."
a. vaccination OR (lockjaw AND tetanus)
b. vaccination AND (lockjaw OR tetanus)
c. vaccination AND (lockjaw AND tetanus)
d. vaccination OR (lockjaw OR tetanus)
8. Which of the following natural language (or Pseudo-Boolean) searches
is the best for this: "I want to know where Cheap Trick is playing
in the next year, but I don't like one of their opening acts - Milli Vanilli,
so I want to find a date when they don't open with Milli Vanilli".
a. +Cheap Trick tour dates -Milli Vanilli
b. tour dates +"Cheap Trick" -Milli Vanilli
c. -"Milli Vanilli" +"Cheap Trick" "tour dates"
d. tour dates +"Cheap Trick" -"Milli Vanilli"
9. When typing in a search in a box at a pick-list site (like Yahoo),
you should:
a. Make sure and follow all of the guidelines for search engines.
b. Use phrases whenever possible.
c. Only use a single word.
d. Use Boolean constructs to join your search terms.
10. What does AskScott do for you?
a. Helps you decide which web database is best.
b. Gives you personalized tips for each search engine.
c. Keeps up with changes in the web databases so you don't have to.
d. All of the above.
Answered all the questions? Then you're ready to see the answers!