中文（繁體）
中文（简体）
English
S3 ICT: Python Programming Basics (Paper 3 (challenge))
Tutor Prep Guide · Variables and assignment, arithmetic with integer division and remainder, converting input strings, range boundaries, for and while loops, conditionals, dry runs and common errors
S3 ICT: Python Programming Basics (Paper 3 (challenge))
Paper 3 (challenge): ten questions on Python programming basics, with answers and notes.
Direct answers Level: S3 ICT; format: variables, arithmetic, type conversion, range boundaries, loops and conditionals.
01 Paper details (check answers afterwards)
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Questions | 10 |
| Suggested time | 20 |
| Difficulty mix | Foundation 3 · Intermediate 3 · Challenge 3 · Error redo 1 |
| Chapter | Chapter: S3 ICT: Python Programming Basics |
| Level | S3 |
02 Questions (10 items)
- FoundationWith total = 0 and for i in range(1, 5): total = total + i * i, what does print(total) output?
- FoundationWith n = 12 and while n > 0: n = n // 2, how many times does the loop run?
- FoundationWhat verdict does a primality test program give for 29?
- IntermediateIn a nested loop, for i in range(3) contains for j in range(2). How many times does the inner statement run?
- IntermediateGiven def f(x): return x * 2 + 1, what is f(5)?
- IntermediateWith nums = [3, 1, 4, 1, 5], what do print(sum(nums)) and print(max(nums)) output?
- ChallengeWhat is the output of print(“abc”[::-1])?
- ChallengeA student writes for i in range(10, 0) to count down but the loop never runs. Why?
- ChallengeThree scores 82, 90 and 76 are averaged and rounded to one decimal place. What is printed?
- Error redoError clinic: a student writes if x = 5: to compare with 5. What is the correct line?
03 Answers and one-line notes
| # | Answer | One-line note |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 30 | The loop adds 1, 4, 9 and 16 in turn, giving 30 in total. |
| 2 | 4 times | The value goes 12, 6, 3, 1 and then 0, four iterations in all. |
| 3 | prime | 29 is not divisible by 2, 3 or 5, and the square of 5 already exceeds 29, so it is prime. |
| 4 | 6 times | The outer loop runs three times and the inner loop twice each time, so 3 times 2 is 6. |
| 5 | 11 | Substituting 5 gives 10 after multiplying and 11 after adding 1. |
| 6 | 14 and 5 | The five numbers add up to 14 and the largest is 5. |
| 7 | cba | A step of -1 reads the string backwards, so it is reversed. |
| 8 | the step of -1 is missing | The default step is 1, so a start of 10 greater than the stop of 0 ends at once; range(10, 0, -1) is needed. |
| 9 | 82.7 | The total 248 divided by 3 gives 82.666, which rounds to 82.7. |
| 10 | if x == 5: | A single equals sign assigns a value, so comparison needs == or the line is a syntax error. |
04 What to do after marking
- After marking, redo only the wrong items and write down which step went wrong (formula, unit, or misread number).
- Repeat the same item two days later; move to the next paper only when both attempts are correct.
- Parents only need the answer and note columns; there is no need to explain every item.
Write down the value of every variable line by line before stating the output. Remember input returns a string, so convert it with int before adding.Tutor Registration →
Questions and answers are written originally by the TutorZone team and are not taken from any school, publisher or examination authority paper. Every value is checked by computer.
© TutorZone · www.tutorzone.com.hk · For personal study and teaching use only.