IPA IP 2025 Question 72

Topic: Human Interface

A question IPA Japan published in 令和7年度 ITパスポート試験 公開問題 問72, translated into English. ITPEC is based on the same exams.

Which of the following is the appropriate combination of words to be inserted into blanks A and B in the description below concerning the four principles for making a design that conveys its intent easily to the viewer?

[Four principles]

Proximity: Elements that are related to each other are placed close together to form a group.A: Elements are arranged based on an intended rule.Repetition: Design rules are repeated for each element.B: Differences between elements, such as in size and strength, are made clear.
OptionAB

Explanation

A: Alignment, B: Contrast — the four basic principles of design are proximity, alignment, repetition and contrast.

These four principles make a page, a slide or a screen easy to read at a glance:

  • •Proximity: related elements are put close together, so the viewer sees them as one group
  • •Alignment: every element is placed on an intended line or grid, so the layout looks ordered and connected
  • •Repetition: the same fonts, colours and styles recur across the elements, so the design is consistent
  • •Contrast: elements that differ are made clearly different, in size, weight or colour, so the viewer sees what matters most

Arranging elements by an intended rule is alignment, and making differences in size and strength clear is contrast.

Answer (b)

Why not others:

  • •(a) — alignment is right, but “value” is not one of the four principles: making differences clear is contrast
  • •(c) — neither word is one of the principles: arranging by a rule is alignment, and making differences clear is contrast
  • •(d) — contrast is right, but “operation” is about how a user works a system, not about arranging elements by a rule

Key rule: Proximity groups, alignment orders, repetition unifies and contrast emphasises.

Human Interface · AI-written, may contain errors

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This question comes from the past questions IPA Japan publishes, translated into English by ITPEC Practice. ITPEC Practice is an independent study tool and is not affiliated with IPA or ITPEC. See the original paper (PDF) or Report an issue.