Search Algorithm — Questions and answers

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According to Dr. Eleanor Vance, what was happening to people because of the web's growth?

Choices

  1. They were finding everything they needed easily.
  2. They were getting buried in too much information that was hard to understand. ✓
  3. They were learning new mathematical equations every day.
  4. They were discovering new types of languages.

Answer: They were getting buried in too much information that was hard to understand.

From page 3

What new idea did Larry Page and Sergey Brin have for finding important web pages?

Choices

  1. They thought the pages with the most pictures were most important.
  2. They looked at how web pages linked to each other, like 'votes'. ✓
  3. They asked people to decide which pages were important.
  4. They focused only on the words written on the web pages.

Answer: They looked at how web pages linked to each other, like 'votes'.

From page 4

What was the special idea that made 'Backrub' (later PageRank) a breakthrough, beyond just counting links?

Choices

  1. They added more pictures to the web pages.
  2. They counted only the links from very unimportant pages.
  3. They made sure web pages had no links at all.
  4. They decided that links from important pages should count more. ✓

Answer: They decided that links from important pages should count more.

From page 5

What imaginary 'character' does the PageRank algorithm use to help calculate a page's importance?

Choices

  1. A helpful librarian.
  2. A 'random surfer' who clicks on links. ✓
  3. A busy chef.
  4. A super fast runner.

Answer: A 'random surfer' who clicks on links.

From page 7

When did Google officially start, and how were its first search results compared to others?

Choices

  1. In 1990, and they were the same as other search engines.
  2. In 1998, and they were much better and faster than competitors. ✓
  3. In 2005, and they were sometimes wrong.
  4. In 1995, and they were only for experts.

Answer: In 1998, and they were much better and faster than competitors.

From page 8

Besides PageRank, what other things do modern search engines use to help you find information?

Choices

  1. Only how many links a page has.
  2. The color of the website and the font used.
  3. Your location, search history, and how fast a page loads. ✓
  4. How many people like the website on social media.

Answer: Your location, search history, and how fast a page loads.

From page 9

What is one good thing the search algorithm has done for people?

Choices

  1. It made libraries disappear.
  2. It made it harder to find news.
  3. It gave everyone easier access to lots of information and knowledge. ✓
  4. It stopped all misinformation from spreading.

Answer: It gave everyone easier access to lots of information and knowledge.

From page 10