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Quiz: Python Basics — Programs, Variables, Data Types, and Operators

Test your understanding of Python programs, variables, data types, and operators with these questions.

1. What does a computer program tell the computer to do?

  1. Store files on the hard drive
  2. Follow a list of instructions step by step
  3. Connect to the internet automatically
  4. Draw pictures on the screen
Show Answer

The correct answer is B. A computer program is a list of instructions for a computer to follow, similar to a recipe that tells a chef exactly what to do step by step. When you load a program onto your Pico, the microcontroller reads your source code and carries out each instruction in order.

Concept Tested: Computer Program

2. Which of the following is the best name for a variable that stores how many LEDs you have?

  1. x
  2. n
  3. num_leds
  4. variable1
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The correct answer is C. Variable names should describe what they hold. num_leds tells anyone reading the code exactly what the variable stores — the number of LEDs. Short names like x or n tell you nothing, and generic names like variable1 are equally unhelpful.

Concept Tested: Variable

3. What data type is the value "Hello, Pico!"?

  1. Integer
  2. Boolean
  3. Float
  4. String
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The correct answer is D. A string is any sequence of characters placed inside quotation marks. The quotation marks around "Hello, Pico!" are the key clue — they make this value a string even though it contains letters, a comma, and a space.

Concept Tested: String

4. What value does the boolean variable led_is_on = False hold?

  1. The number zero
  2. The text "False"
  3. The logical value False (off/no)
  4. An empty string
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The correct answer is C. A boolean holds exactly one of two logical values: True or False. It is not the number 0 or the text "False" — it is its own special data type used to represent on/off, yes/no, or true/false conditions. Notice that False must be spelled with a capital F.

Concept Tested: Boolean

5. What symbol starts a comment in Python?

  1. //
  2. /*
  3. #
  4. --
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The correct answer is C. In Python, the hash symbol # marks the start of a comment. Python ignores everything after # on that line. Comments explain your code to human readers without affecting how the program runs.

Concept Tested: Comment in Code

6. Which line of code correctly prints the text MicroPython to the screen?

  1. print MicroPython
  2. print("MicroPython")
  3. display("MicroPython")
  4. print[MicroPython]
Show Answer

The correct answer is B. The print() function requires parentheses after it, and the text to display must be placed inside quotation marks within those parentheses. Option A is missing the parentheses. Option C uses the wrong function name. Option D uses square brackets instead of parentheses.

Concept Tested: Print Statement

7. What is the result of 15 % 4 in Python?

  1. 3.75
  2. 3
  3. 60
  4. 11
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The correct answer is B. The % operator (modulo) returns the remainder after division. 15 ÷ 4 = 3 with a remainder of 3. Think of it like sharing 15 pizza slices among 4 people — each person gets 3 slices, and 3 slices are left over. The remainder is 3, not the quotient.

Concept Tested: Arithmetic Operators

8. What is the difference between = and == in Python?

  1. They do the same thing — both compare values
  2. = stores a value in a variable; == checks if two values are equal
  3. == stores a value in a variable; = checks if two values are equal
  4. = only works with numbers; == works with all types
Show Answer

The correct answer is B. The single = is the assignment operator — it stores a value in a variable (e.g., age = 12). The double == is the comparison operator — it checks whether two values are equal and produces True or False (e.g., age == 12 produces True). Mixing them up is one of the most common beginner mistakes.

Concept Tested: Comparison Operators / Assignment Operators

9. After running count = 5 and then count += 3, what value does count hold?

  1. 5
  2. 3
  3. 53
  4. 8
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The correct answer is D. The += shortcut means "add to the current value and store the result." count += 3 is the same as writing count = count + 3, so 5 + 3 = 8. The original value of 5 is replaced by 8.

Concept Tested: Assignment Operators

10. What data type would you choose to store the voltage reading 3.3 from a Pico pin?

  1. Boolean
  2. String
  3. Float
  4. Integer
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The correct answer is C. A float stores numbers that have a decimal point. Since 3.3 has a decimal part, it must be stored as a float. An integer can only hold whole numbers like 3, not 3.3. A string would store it as text, making math impossible, and a boolean can only be True or False.

Concept Tested: Float / Data Type