PCEP Control Flow, Loops, Lists and Logic Practice Question

Which TWO of the following are true about Python's if statement?

⚠ Common exam trap

The Python Institute often tests the misconception that parentheses are required around the condition in Python, which is a carryover from languages like C or Java, but Python uses indentation and colons instead of parentheses for control flow syntax.

Answer choices

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Correct answer & explanation

✓

An if statement can have multiple elif blocks.

Python's if statement allows multiple elif blocks to check additional conditions after the initial if condition. This enables a chain of conditional checks, and each elif is evaluated only if all previous conditions were False. The elif clause is a contraction of 'else if' and is a unique feature of Python's syntax.

Answer analysis

Option-by-option breakdown

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

✗
if statements cannot be nested.
Why it's wrong here
Nesting is allowed.
✗
An if statement must have a corresponding else clause.
Why it's wrong here
else is optional.
✓
An if statement can have multiple elif blocks.
Why this is correct
Python allows multiple elif clauses.
✓
The condition can be any expression; e.g., a non-zero integer is considered True.
Why this is correct
Any expression is evaluated for truthiness.
✗
The condition must be enclosed in parentheses.
Why it's wrong here
Parentheses are not required.

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PCEP Control Flow, Loops, Lists and Logic Practice Question

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