Which term describes a set of instructions that must be followed one after another in a specific order?

• A. Decomposition
• B. Selection
• C. Flowchart
• D. Sequence

Answer: (D)

The main idea being tested is that instructions are carried out in a fixed order, one after another. This is the concept of a sequence. In programming and algorithms, a sequence means each step is executed in the exact order written, so the outcome depends on following those steps from start to finish without skipping or branching.

Think of a simple recipe: you first mix the batter, then bake, then let it cool. Each step must happen in that specific order, which is why it’s a sequence.

Decomposition is about breaking a problem into smaller parts, which helps manage complexity but isn’t about the order of steps. Selection involves choosing which path to take based on a condition, introducing branches. A flowchart is a diagram that shows steps and decisions, and it can depict sequences, branches, or loops, but the term that describes the idea of following steps strictly in a given order is sequence.