PCEP Practice Question: Functions, Tuples, Dictionaries and Exceptions
What is the result of the following expression?
d = {'a': 1} d.get('b', 0)
⚠ Common exam trap
The PCEP exam often tests the distinction between `dict.get()` (which returns a default or `None`) and direct subscript access `d[key]` (which raises `KeyError`), trapping candidates who confuse the two behaviors.
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
✓
0
The `get()` method on a dictionary returns the value for the given key if it exists; otherwise, it returns the default value provided as the second argument. Since key `'b'` is not in dictionary `d`, the method returns `0` (the specified default). Option A is correct because `d.get('b', 0)` explicitly supplies a default of `0`.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
0
Why this is correct
Correct; get returns the default 0.
- ✗
None
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect; get returns the default, not None.
- ✗
KeyError
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect; get does not raise an error for missing keys.
- ✗
1
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect; the key 'b' is not present.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This PCEP 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 PCEP exam.