Difficulty: Easy
Correct Answer: To find the word or phrase in a document
Explanation:
Introduction / Context:
Keyboard shortcuts help users perform common tasks quickly without relying only on menus and mouse clicks. In applications such as Microsoft Word, web browsers, and many other programs, certain shortcut keys are widely standardised. Ctrl+F is one of the most frequently used shortcuts and is extremely useful when working with long documents or web pages. This question tests whether you know what task Ctrl+F performs in Microsoft Word and similar software.
Given Data / Assumptions:
Concept / Approach:
In Microsoft Word and other popular applications, Ctrl+F opens the Find dialog or activates the navigation pane for searching within the document. It allows you to type a word or phrase and quickly jump to its occurrences. Redo is typically mapped to Ctrl+Y or Ctrl+Shift+Z. Select all is usually Ctrl+A. Center text often uses Ctrl+E in Word. Opening a file commonly uses Ctrl+O. Because these mappings are widely used and taught, the correct approach is to match Ctrl+F with the Find function rather than with these other commands.
Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that when you press Ctrl+F in Word, a search box or navigation pane appears on the screen.Step 2: Recognise that this box allows you to type a word or phrase to locate within the current document.Step 3: Remember that redo actions are associated with different shortcuts, such as Ctrl+Y, not Ctrl+F.Step 4: Note that Ctrl+A selects all content, and Ctrl+E centers the selected paragraph, so these also do not match Ctrl+F.Step 5: Observe that Ctrl+O opens the file dialog to load documents, which again differs from Ctrl+F.Step 6: Conclude that Ctrl+F is used to find words or phrases in the document.
Verification / Alternative check:
To verify, think of using Ctrl+F in a web browser or PDF reader. In almost all these programs, pressing Ctrl+F brings up a search box that highlights matching text on the page. This cross application consistency demonstrates how strongly Ctrl+F is associated with finding content. If the shortcut were meant for redo, select all, or opening files, such behaviour would be seen across many programs, but that is not the case. The universal use of Ctrl+F for finding confirms that the find task is the correct answer.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Re do is mapped to other shortcuts such as Ctrl+Y, so option A does not match Ctrl+F. Select all uses Ctrl+A, making option C incorrect. Center text uses Ctrl+E in Microsoft Word, so option D is wrong. Opening a file is associated with Ctrl+O, so option E is also incorrect. Only option B accurately describes the function triggered by Ctrl+F in Microsoft Word and many other applications.
Common Pitfalls:
Beginners sometimes mix up keyboard shortcuts because they are trying to memorise them all at once. Another pitfall is assuming that shortcuts are random and not noticing patterns; for example, F in Ctrl+F stands for Find, A in Ctrl+A stands for All, and O in Ctrl+O stands for Open. Recognising such patterns helps fix the correct shortcuts in memory and reduces confusion during exams and real life use.
Final Answer:
In Microsoft Word, the shortcut Ctrl+F is used To find the word or phrase in a document.
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