PCEP Control Flow, Loops, Lists and Logic Practice Question
A junior developer needs to write code that processes a list of student scores and stops processing when a score of 100 is encountered, as that score represents a perfect score that should be treated separately. Which loop construct is most appropriate?
⚠ Common exam trap
Python Institute often tests the distinction between `break`, `continue`, and `pass` in loops, and the trap here is that candidates may confuse `continue` (which skips only the current iteration) with `break` (which exits the loop entirely), leading them to choose option D incorrectly.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
for score in scores: if score == 100: break ... further processing
The `break` statement immediately exits the loop when a score of 100 is encountered, which matches the requirement to stop processing further scores. The `for` loop iterates over the list naturally, and the `if` condition checks for the perfect score, making this the most straightforward and efficient construct for this scenario.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
for score in scores: if score == 100: pass ...
Why it's wrong here
pass does nothing; loop continues.
- ✓
for score in scores: if score == 100: break ... further processing
Why this is correct
Correct; break stops the loop.
- ✗
for i in range(len(scores)): if scores[i] == 100: exit() ...
Why it's wrong here
exit() terminates the program, not just the loop.
- ✗
while scores: score = scores.pop(); if score == 100: continue ...
Why it's wrong here
continue skips the perfect score but does not stop processing.
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