Search Engine Skills Quiz – Smart Internet Searching

Reviewed by Editorial Team
The ProProfs editorial team is comprised of experienced subject matter experts. They've collectively created over 10,000 quizzes and lessons, serving over 100 million users. Our team includes in-house content moderators and subject matter experts, as well as a global network of rigorously trained contributors. All adhere to our comprehensive editorial guidelines, ensuring the delivery of high-quality content.
Learn about Our Editorial Process
| By Kasilyn
K
Kasilyn
Community Contributor
Quizzes Created: 1 | Total Attempts: 255
| Attempts: 255
SettingsSettings
Please wait...
  • 1/10 Questions

    What is a search engine? 

    • A tool for searching the entire Internet.
    • A tool to find information on your computer.
    • A fast browser.
    • A tool for searching a specific website.
Please wait...
About This Quiz

This Internet Search Skills Quiz is designed to help students and professionals assess and improve their ability to search the web effectively. It covers search engine basics, keyword strategies, Boolean operators, advanced filters, and evaluating search results for credibility.

Ideal as a pre- or post-test in digital literacy or computer classes, this quiz reinforces best practices for fast, efficient, and accurate online research—whether you're completing an assignment or verifying sources on the job.

Disclaimer: This quiz is for educational use only and is not affiliated with any specific search engine provider.

Search Engine Skills Quiz Smart Internet Searching - Quiz

Quiz Preview

  • 2. 

    Boolean term ________ searches for all the key terms included in your search string.

    Explanation
    Connecting search terms with AND tells the search engine to retrieve web pages containing ALL the keywords.

    Rate this question:

  • 3. 

    When searching the Internet, you can add words to the search terms. How do you do this?

    • You can add a word from your search by putting a plus sign ("+") immediately in front of the term you want to include

    • You can add a word from your search by capitalizing it in the search string.

    • You can add a word from your search by putting a plus sign ("+") anywhere in the search string.

    • You can add a word from your search by putting a plus sign ("+") immediately behind the term you want to include

    Correct Answer
    A. You can add a word from your search by putting a plus sign ("+") immediately in front of the term you want to include
    Explanation
    In many search engines, the plus and minus symbols can be used as alternatives to full Boolean AND and AND NOT. The plus sign (“+”) is the equivalent of AND, and the minus sign (“-“) is the equivalent of AND NOT. There is no space between the plus or minus sign and the keyword.

    Rate this question:

  • 4. 

    When searching the Internet, you can exclude words from the search terms. How do you do this?

    • You can exclude a word from your search by putting a minus sign ("-") immediately behind the term you want to exclude

    • You can exclude a word from your search by putting a minus sign ("-") anywhere in the search string.

    • You can exclude a word from your search by not typing it in the search string.

    • You can exclude a word from your search by putting a minus sign ("-") immediately in front of the term you want to exclude.

    Correct Answer
    A. You can exclude a word from your search by putting a minus sign ("-") immediately in front of the term you want to exclude.
    Explanation
    You can exclude a word from your search by putting a minus sign (“-“) immediately in front of the term you want to exclude. Make sure you include a space before the minus sign.
    For example, the search : bass –music
    Will return pages about bass that does not contain the word “music”.

    Rate this question:

  • 5. 

    Boolean term ________ searches for all the terms included in your search string.

    Correct Answer
    or
    Explanation
    Linking search terms with OR tells the correct way to retrieve web pages containing ANY and ALL keywords.

    Rate this question:

  • 6. 

    Which of these is the correct way to search for a phrase?

    • How do I use a search engine?

    • “How do I use a search engine?”

    • How do I, “Use a search engine?"

    • Search engines, "How do I use one?"

    Correct Answer
    A. “How do I use a search engine?”
    Explanation
    Surrounding a group of words with double quotes tells the search engine to only retrieve documents in which those words appear side-by-side. Phrase searching is a powerful search technique for significantly narrowing your search results, and it should be used as often as possible.

    Rate this question:

  • 7. 

    What is the boolean phrase for finding the current time in Atlanta?

    Correct Answer
    time atlanta
    Explanation
    time atlanta is the shortest boolean phrase to find the time in atlanta

    Rate this question:

  • 8. 

    Within Google, you can search specific sites. These include education, countries, government etcetera. Which format would you use to search for finding government sites for silly laws?

    • Silly laws .gov

    • Silly government laws

    • Silly laws site gov

    • Silly laws site:gov

    Correct Answer
    A. Silly laws site:gov
    Explanation
    Go to this site, http://google.about.com/od/googlepowersearches/qt/sitesearchqt.htm to learn more.

    Rate this question:

  • 9. 

    When you search the internet, it is possible to get tens of thousands of results. You should think about refining your search after looking through _____ to _____ sites.

    Correct Answer
    20
    50
    Explanation
    Of you have not found what you are looking for in the first 20 to 50 sites, give it up and go no further. Either reformulate your search or try another search tool. Creativity is often the key to reformulating or rephrasing a search. http://hanlib.sou.edu/searchtools/searchtips.html

    Rate this question:

  • 10. 

    You have a research paper on George Washington. Create a search string to find an official biography from the US Government.

    Correct Answer
    “George Washington biography site:gov”
    Explanation
    “George Washington biography site:gov”

    Rate this question:

Quiz Review Timeline (Updated): Jun 26, 2025 +

Our quizzes are rigorously reviewed, monitored and continuously updated by our expert board to maintain accuracy, relevance, and timeliness.

  • Current Version
  • Jun 26, 2025
    Quiz Edited by
    ProProfs Editorial Team
  • Mar 30, 2010
    Quiz Created by
    Kasilyn
Back to Top Back to top
Advertisement
×

Wait!
Here's an interesting quiz for you.

We have other quizzes matching your interest.