PCEP Control Flow, Loops, Lists and Logic Practice Question

Exhibit

Refer to the exhibit.
nums = [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
for n in nums:
    if n == 3:
        break
    print(n)
else:
    print('Done')

What is the output of the code?

⚠ Common exam trap

Python Institute often tests the distinction between `break` and `continue`, and the trap here is that candidates forget that `break` exits the loop entirely, not just the current iteration, leading them to incorrectly include the value that triggered the break in the output.

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

The code uses a `for` loop with `range(1, 4)` which generates the sequence 1, 2, 3. Inside the loop, `if i == 3: break` causes the loop to terminate when `i` equals 3, so the loop only prints 1 and 2 before breaking. There is no additional print statement after the loop, so the output is just `1` and `2` on separate lines.

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
Why this is correct
Correct: prints 1, then 2, then loop ends.
✗
1 2 3 Done
Why it's wrong here
Neither 3 nor Done are printed.
✗
1 2 Done
Why it's wrong here
Else clause does not execute because break occurred.
✗
1 2 3
Why it's wrong here
break occurs before printing 3.

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PCEP Control Flow, Loops, Lists and Logic Practice Question

Exhibit

Why each option matters

Option-by-option breakdown

Related to this question