PCEP Practice Question: Functions, Tuples, Dictionaries and Exceptions

Exhibit

def func(a, b, *args, **kwargs):
    print(a, b, args, kwargs)

func(1, 2, 3, 4, x=5, y=6)

Refer to the exhibit. What is the output?

⚠ Common exam trap

The PCEP exam often tests the distinction between data types in output, and the trap here is that candidates mistakenly think print() unpacks or flattens compound objects like tuples and dictionaries into individual elements, rather than printing them as single objects.

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

✓

1 2 (3, 4) {'x': 5, 'y': 6}

The code uses a tuple (3, 4) and a dictionary {'x': 5, 'y': 6} as arguments to the print() function. The print() function outputs each argument separated by a space, so the tuple is printed as (3, 4) and the dictionary as {'x': 5, 'y': 6}, preceded by 1 and 2. Option D correctly shows this output.

Answer analysis

Option-by-option breakdown

For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.

✗
1 2 [3, 4] {'x': 5, 'y': 6}
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect; args are a tuple, not a list.
✗
1 2 (3, 4) {}
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect; kwargs should contain x and y.
✗
1 2 3 4 5 6
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect; the print separates them.
✓
1 2 (3, 4) {'x': 5, 'y': 6}
Why this is correct
Correct; args are in a tuple, kwargs in a dict.

Go deeper

PCEP Practice Question: Functions, Tuples, Dictionaries and Exceptions

Exhibit

Why each option matters

Option-by-option breakdown

Related to this question