MCQs for 'Making Choices' Python Lesson on Conditionals

MCQs below are intended for Python Lesson 5 Making Choices with focus on and, or, and if. Multiple answers are possible (tested with python 2.6.6 and 2.7.8).

MCQ 1.

Which of the following values/expressions are equivalent to True?

1. 0
2. 1
3. 2
4. 'word'
5. [1,2,3]
6. x and False
7. True or x

MCQ 2.

Given x = 3, which of the following will print out the value of x?

1. if x = 3:
      print x
   

2.

if x == 3:
print x

3.

if x == 3:
          print x

4.

if x == 3
   print x

5.

if x == '3'
   print x

6.

if (x==3):
   print x

7.

if 3 == x:
          print x

Notes on answers and distractors

1. Syntax error, == should be used.
2. Indentation error.
3. Ok.
4. Syntax error, : is missing.
5. Semantic error, comparison to a string yields False.
6. Ok, parentheses and white spaces are optional.
7. Ok.

The main focus is on getting the syntax correct as 1,2,4 are common novice mistakes and the error message is not very descriptive although it points to the culprit. Item 5 is more subtle as it doesn’t result in an error/exception.