This PCAP practice question tests your understanding of strings. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
Refer to the exhibit.
```
s = "Hello World"
print(s.find('o'))
print(s.index('o'))
```What is the output?
Refer to the exhibit.
```
s = "Hello World"
print(s.find('o'))
print(s.index('o'))
```4 followed by error
Why wrong: index() does not raise an error because 'o' exists.
4 and -1
Why wrong: index() never returns -1; it raises an exception if not found.
4 and 4
Both return 4.
-1 and error
Why wrong: find() returns -1 only if not found, but 'o' is found.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
4 and 4
The `find()` method returns the lowest index where the substring is found, or -1 if not found. The string 'Python' contains 'th' starting at index 4 (0-based), so `'Python'.find('th')` returns 4. The string 'Python' does not contain 'xyz', so `'Python'.find('xyz')` returns -1. Thus the output is '4' and '-1', making option C correct.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
4 followed by error
Why it's wrong here
index() does not raise an error because 'o' exists.
4 and -1
Why it's wrong here
index() never returns -1; it raises an exception if not found.
4 and 4
Why this is correct
Both return 4.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
-1 and error
Why it's wrong here
find() returns -1 only if not found, but 'o' is found.
Common exam traps
Python Institute often tests the difference between `find()` (returns -1 on failure) and `index()` (raises ValueError), and the trap here is that candidates mistakenly think `find()` raises an error when the substring is absent, leading them to choose options with 'error'.
Detailed technical explanation
The `str.find(sub[, start[, end]])` method performs a linear search from left to right, returning the lowest index where `sub` is found, or -1 if not found. It does not raise a ValueError like `index()` does when the substring is missing. This distinction is critical in PCAP questions: `find()` is safe for conditional checks, while `index()` is used when you expect the substring to exist and want an exception on failure. In real-world string parsing (e.g., log analysis), `find()` is preferred to avoid try-except blocks.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
A cloud solutions architect for a retail company is evaluating services for a new workload. The correct answer here reflects best practice for the specific scenario described — not a general cloud recommendation. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Cloud exam questions reward reading the constraint carefully: the same technology can be right or wrong depending on the use case.
What to study next
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Strings — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
Strings practice questions
Targeted practice on this topic area only
All PCAP questions
511 questions across all exam domains
Certified Associate Python Programmer PCAP study guide
Full concept coverage aligned to exam objectives
PCAP practice test guide
How to use practice tests most effectively before exam day
Related practice questions
Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.
Practise PCAP questions linked to Modules and Packages.
Practise PCAP questions linked to Strings.
Practise PCAP questions linked to Object-Oriented Programming.
Practise PCAP questions linked to Exceptions and File I/O.
Practise PCAP questions linked to PCAP fundamentals.
Practise PCAP questions linked to PCAP scenario.
Practise PCAP questions linked to PCAP troubleshooting.
Practice this exam
Short sessions build daily habit. Longer sessions build exam-day stamina. Try a timed session to simulate real conditions.
FAQ
Strings — This question tests Strings — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: 4 and 4 — The `find()` method returns the lowest index where the substring is found, or -1 if not found. The string 'Python' contains 'th' starting at index 4 (0-based), so `'Python'.find('th')` returns 4. The string 'Python' does not contain 'xyz', so `'Python'.find('xyz')` returns -1. Thus the output is '4' and '-1', making option C correct.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Last reviewed: Jun 30, 2026
This PCAP practice question is part of Courseiva's free Python Institute certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the PCAP exam.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.