# functions
def string_check(question, valid_ans_list):
    """checks that users enter the full word or first letter of the word from a list of valid answers"""

    while True:

        response = input(question).lower()

        for item in valid_ans_list:

            # check if response is the entire word
            if response == item:
                return item

            # check if it's the "n" letters
            elif response == item[0]:
                return item

        print(f"Please choose an option from {valid_ans_list}")

# main routine
levels = ['easy', 'medium', 'hard']

like_coffee = string_check(question="Do you like coffee? ", valid_ans_list=['yes', 'no'])
print(f"You chose {like_coffee}")
choose_level = string_check(question="Choose a level: ", valid_ans_list=levels)
print(f"You chose {choose_level}")