PCEP Practice Question: Data Types, Variables, Basic I/O and Operators
This PCEP practice question tests your understanding of data types, variables, basic i/o and operators. 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.
Exhibit
Refer to the exhibit.
name = input('Enter name: ')
age = input('Enter age: ')
print(name + ' is ' + age + ' years old.')
If the user enters 'Alice' and '25', what is the output?
A developer runs the script and enters 'Alice' and '25'. What does it print?
Refer to the exhibit.
name = input('Enter name: ')
age = input('Enter age: ')
print(name + ' is ' + age + ' years old.')
If the user enters 'Alice' and '25', what is the output?
A
Alice is 25.0 years old.
Why wrong: Incorrect: no float conversion.
B
Alice is Alice is 25 years old.
Why wrong: Incorrect: no repetition.
C
Alice is 25 years old. (with age as integer)
Why wrong: Incorrect: age is a string, not integer.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Alice is 25 years old.
Option D is correct because the input() function returns strings, and the print() function with commas inserts spaces between arguments. The age '25' is printed as a string, not an integer, so no decimal point appears. The output is 'Alice is 25 years old.'
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✗
Alice is 25.0 years old.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect: no float conversion.
✗
Alice is Alice is 25 years old.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect: no repetition.
✗
Alice is 25 years old. (with age as integer)
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect: age is a string, not integer.
✓
Alice is 25 years old.
Why this is correct
Correct: string concatenation.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Python Institute often tests the fact that input() returns a string, leading candidates to incorrectly assume numeric input is automatically converted to an integer or float, or that print() with commas adds no spaces.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The input() function in Python 3 always returns a string, regardless of whether the user enters numeric characters. When print() receives multiple arguments separated by commas, it automatically inserts a space between them. To treat the age as an integer, explicit conversion with int() is required, which would not affect the printed output unless formatted differently. This distinction is critical in Python because string and numeric types behave differently in operations like concatenation or arithmetic.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
→Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
→Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A practitioner preparing for the PCEP exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Data Types, Variables, Basic I/O and Operators — This question tests Data Types, Variables, Basic I/O and Operators — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Alice is 25 years old. — Option D is correct because the input() function returns strings, and the print() function with commas inserts spaces between arguments. The age '25' is printed as a string, not an integer, so no decimal point appears. The output is 'Alice is 25 years old.'
What should I do if I get this PCEP question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Question Discussion
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