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ls will list the files in that folder
man ls will give more options for the ls command

cd will change directory eg
cd /home/myname
the short way to get to home is type cd ~
the short way to get to the root is cd /

To be sure you are typing the names correctly, to avoid too much typing and to give yourself clues on the path you want - use the tab key.

cd .. will go up one level
eg when in ~/Pictures/My-Birthday/
cd ..
would go to ~/Pictures/

to do a command as root you have choices;
sudo thiscommand
does the command with root privileges

to open a graphical application as root use gksu (not sudo) this is root access the graphical way.
eg gksu gedit or gksu synaptic

Always remember tab auto completion so
gksu syna<tab>