# answering machine blocks activity
Learn to create an answering machine on the @boardname@
### ~avatar avatar
Let's learn how to create an answering machine!
### ~
We will use `show string` to show text on the LED screen. *String* is a common name for *text* in programming languages. The function `show string` scrolls the text column by column at a *150* milliseconds interval.
```blocks
basic.showString("ASK ME A QUESTION")
```
### ~avatar boothing
Excellent, you're ready to continue with the [challenges](/lessons/answering-machine/challenges)!