Certified Animation Professional (CAP) Practice Test

How are x and y coordinates used in Scratch?

1. To define the speed of animation

2. To specify the color of sprites

3. To define the position of sprites or objects on stage

4. To create sound effects

The correct answer is: To define the position of sprites or objects on stage

In Scratch, x and y coordinates are fundamental in defining the position of sprites or objects on the stage. Each sprite has its own coordinate system where the center of the stage is considered the origin point, designated as (0, 0). The x-coordinate governs the horizontal position, where values to the right of the origin are positive and values to the left are negative. Conversely, the y-coordinate dictates the vertical position, where values above the origin are positive and below are negative. This coordinate system enables precise control over where sprites appear on the stage, allowing for movement and placement in any desired location. For example, changing the x and y values programmatically or through the user interface directly affects where the sprite is displayed during the project. Understanding this coordinate system is crucial for creating engaging and interactive animations and games in Scratch. The other options address aspects of animation that are unrelated to coordinate positioning. While speed, color, and sound are important elements in Scratch projects, they do not fundamentally rely on the coordinate system in the same way that positioning does.