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Quiz: Functions and Objects

Test your understanding of defining functions, parameters, return values, and the Standard Library with these questions. Click "Show Answer" to reveal the correct answer and explanation.

1. What Python keyword do you use to define a new function?

  1. function
  2. make
  3. def
  4. create
Show Answer

The correct answer is C. The keyword def (short for "define") starts a function definition in Python. You write def, then the function's name, then parentheses, then a colon. Everything indented below that line becomes the function body — the steps that run when you call the function.

Concept Tested: def Keyword

2. What is the difference between defining a function and calling a function?

  1. Defining runs the function; calling writes the recipe for it
  2. Defining writes the steps under a name; calling says "run those steps right now"
  3. They are the same thing — defining and calling happen at the same time
  4. Defining removes the function from memory; calling creates it
Show Answer

The correct answer is B. Defining a function (with def) writes the recipe and stores it under a name — Python reads it but does not run it yet. Calling a function (writing its name with parentheses) tells Python to run the stored steps right now. You can define once and call many times.

Concept Tested: Function Calls

3. How many lines of output will this program produce?

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2
3
4
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6
def say_hi():
    print("Hi!")
    print("Welcome!")

say_hi()
say_hi()
  1. 2 lines
  2. 4 lines
  3. 1 line
  4. 6 lines
Show Answer

The correct answer is B. The function say_hi() contains two print() calls, so each call to the function produces 2 lines of output. The program calls say_hi() twice, giving 2 × 2 = 4 lines total. This shows the power of functions — write the steps once, run them as many times as you need.

Concept Tested: Function Calls

4. What is a parameter in a Python function?

  1. The colon at the end of the def line
  2. A variable declared inside the parentheses that receives a value when the function is called
  3. The name of the module where the function is stored
  4. A comment that explains what the function does
Show Answer

The correct answer is B. A parameter is a variable listed inside the parentheses of a def statement. When you call the function and provide a value, Python copies that value into the parameter. Inside the function body, the parameter works just like any other variable. The value you provide at call time is called an argument.

Concept Tested: Positional Parameters

5. What will this code print?

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def greet(name):
    print("Hello, " + name + "!")

greet("Monty")
  1. Hello, name!
  2. Hello, Monty!
  3. greet("Monty")
  4. An error, because name is not defined outside the function
Show Answer

The correct answer is B. When greet("Monty") is called, the string "Monty" is copied into the parameter name. Inside the function, "Hello, " + name + "!" becomes "Hello, Monty!", which is printed. The parameter name is only defined inside the function, so you would get an error trying to use name outside it — but the call itself works fine.

Concept Tested: Positional Parameters

6. What does the return statement do in a function?

  1. It prints the result to the screen
  2. It sends a value back to the code that called the function
  3. It repeats the function body from the beginning
  4. It ends the entire program immediately
Show Answer

The correct answer is B. The return statement sends a value back to whatever code called the function. The caller can then store that value in a variable or use it directly. return is different from print() — print displays something on screen, while return passes a value back invisibly so your program can use it further.

Concept Tested: Return Values

7. What value does Python return from a function that has no return statement?

  1. 0
  2. False
  3. None
  4. An empty string ""
Show Answer

The correct answer is C. If a function finishes running without hitting a return statement, Python automatically returns None. This is called "functions returning None." A very common beginner bug is forgetting to write return in a function that calculates something — the function runs but the result disappears, and the caller gets None instead.

Concept Tested: Functions Returning None

8. Where should a docstring be placed inside a function?

  1. After the last line of the function body
  2. Before the def keyword on a separate line
  3. As the first line inside the function body, in triple quotes
  4. In a comment using # anywhere inside the function
Show Answer

The correct answer is C. A docstring is a string surrounded by triple quotes (""") placed as the very first line inside the function body. Python tools can read docstrings automatically and display them as help text. Docstrings explain what the function does, its parameters, and what it returns — helping the next reader (often future you) understand the code quickly.

Concept Tested: Docstrings

9. What is the Python Standard Library?

  1. A website where you download extra Python packages
  2. A collection of pre-written modules that comes with every Python installation
  3. The set of Python keywords that are reserved for the language
  4. A special file you create to store all your own functions
Show Answer

The correct answer is B. The Standard Library is a large collection of pre-written modules (like math, random, time, and turtle) that comes bundled with every Python installation for free. You bring a module into your program using import, then access its functions with dot notation: math.sqrt(25).

Concept Tested: Standard Library

10. What does the dot in math.sqrt(16) mean?

  1. It multiplies math by sqrt
  2. It accesses the sqrt function that lives inside the math module
  3. It separates a whole number from a decimal
  4. It marks the end of the function call
Show Answer

The correct answer is B. The dot in math.sqrt(16) is dot notation — it connects the module name (math) to a function that lives inside it (sqrt). After you write import math, you access everything inside the module this way: module name, dot, then the function or value you want. You will use this pattern throughout the entire course.

Concept Tested: Standard Library