IDC-1 Sample MCQ Questions

Compiled & Prepared By: Shawni Dutta

Note: These are sample questions which can help you to prepare well for your examinations. Do not
expect to get exactly the same questions in your final examination.

What is an algorithm?

a) A sequence of computer programs​

b) A set of rules or instructions to solve a problem​
c) A hardware component of a computer​
d) A programming language

Answer: b) A set of rules or instructions to solve a problem

Explanation: An algorithm is a well-defined sequence of steps that provides a solution to

a problem or performs a task.

Which of the following is not a characteristic of a good algorithm?

a) Finiteness​
b) Correctness​
c) Efficiency​
d) Complexity

Answer: d) Complexity

Explanation: A good algorithm should be finite, correct, and efficient. Complexity is often considered
undesirable because it increases time and space requirements.

Which of the following is the best description of an algorithm's "correctness"?

a) The algorithm produces the correct output for all possible inputs​
b) The algorithm works in the minimum time​
c) The algorithm has the smallest possible memory usage​
d) The algorithm produces a reasonable output for most inputs

Answer: a) The algorithm produces the correct output for all possible inputs
Explanation: Correctness means that the algorithm gives the expected result for all
possible valid inputs.

Which of the following is true about Linear Search?

a) It is faster than Binary Search​

b) It is more efficient for sorted data​
c) It works on unsorted data​
d) It requires the data to be sorted

Answer: c) It works on unsorted data

Explanation: Linear Search works on both sorted and unsorted data, as it checks each element one by
one.

In which scenario would Binary Search be preferred over Linear Search?

a) When the data is unsorted​

b) When the data is sorted and large in size​
c) When you have only one element to search​
d) When the array is very small

Answer: b) When the data is sorted and large in size

Explanation: Binary Search is preferred for sorted data, especially when the array is large

Which of the following searching algorithms is best suited for a large dataset that is
sorted?

a) Linear Search​
b) Binary Search​
c) Jump Search​
d) Exponential Search

Answer: b) Binary Search

Explanation: Binary Search is optimal for large, sorted datasets because it works by
halving the search space with each comparison

Which of the following searching algorithms is best suited for finding an element in
a sorted array where the element might be present at any position?
a) Linear Search​
b) Binary Search​
c) Jump Search​
d) Interpolation Search

Answer: b) Binary Search

Explanation: Binary Search is best for sorted arrays as it efficiently finds elements by repeatedly
dividing the search range in half.

After the first pass of Bubble Sort, what happens to the largest element?

a) It is placed at the correct position (last index).​

b) It is placed at the correct position (first index).​
c) It remains in the middle of the array.​
d) It is not changed after the first pass.

Ans: a) It is placed at the correct position (last index).

Consider the array [5, 2, 9, 1, 5, 6]. What will the array look like after the first pass
of Bubble Sort?

a) [2, 1, 5, 5, 6, 9]​
b) [1, 2, 5, 5, 6, 9]​
c) [5, 2, 9, 1, 6, 5]​
d) [2, 5, 9, 1, 5, 6]

Answer: a) [2, 1, 5, 5, 6, 9]

Explanation: After the first pass, Bubble Sort compares adjacent elements and swaps them if they are in
the wrong order. The largest element (9) is moved to the last position.

In the worst case, how many passes does Bubble Sort take to sort an array of size n?

a) 1​
b) n​
c) n-1​
d) n/2

Answer: c) n-1

Explanation: In the worst case, where the array is in reverse order, Bubble Sort requires n-1 passes to
sort the array.

Which of the following is the best description of "space complexity"?

a) The amount of time taken by an algorithm to solve a problem​
b) The number of inputs the algorithm can handle​
c) The amount of memory an algorithm uses​
d) The number of iterations the algorithm performs

Answer: c) The amount of memory an algorithm uses

Explanation: Space complexity refers to the amount of memory required by an algorithm to solve a
problem as a function of the size of the input.

Which of the following describes the time complexity of an algorithm?

a) The number of operations it performs​

b) The size of the input data​
c) The amount of memory it requires​
d) The total runtime of a program

Answer: a) The number of operations it performs

Explanation: Time complexity refers to the number of operations an algorithm performs

in relation to the size of the input data.

What is the primary goal of algorithm analysis?

a) To reduce the cost of the algorithm​

b) To determine the best hardware for running the algorithm​
c) To estimate the time and space efficiency of an algorithm​
d) To choose a programming language for the algorithm

Answer: c) To estimate the time and space efficiency of an algorithm

Explanation: Algorithm analysis aims to evaluate an algorithm's efficiency in terms of time (time
complexity) and space (space complexity).

What is a stack?

a) A linear data structure that follows FIFO (First In First Out)​

b) A linear data structure that follows LIFO (Last In First Out)​
c) A non-linear data structure​
d) A type of linked list

Answer: b) A linear data structure that follows LIFO (Last In First Out)
Explanation: A stack follows the LIFO principle, where the last element added is the first one to be
removed.

Which of the following is the correct definition of a stack's "top" element?

a) The element that was added first.​

b) The element that is removed first.​
c) The element that is currently at the highest position in the stack.​
d) The element that has the lowest priority.

Answer: c) The element that is currently at the highest position in the stack.

Explanation: The "top" element is the one that is most recently added to the stack, and it is the one that
will be removed next.

In which scenario would you use a stack?

a) To maintain elements in a specific order and access the first element first.​
b) To store elements and access them randomly.​
c) To store elements and retrieve them in reverse order.​
d) To store elements with a specific priority.

Answer: c) To store elements and retrieve them in reverse order.

Which of the following is true about the stack's peek operation?

a) It removes the top element from the stack.​

b) It returns the top element without removing it.​
c) It checks if the stack is empty.​
d) It adds an element to the stack.

Answer: b) It returns the top element without removing it.

Explanation: The peek operation allows us to view the top element of the stack without modifying the
stack.

What will be the result of a pop operation on an empty stack?

a) It will remove the top element.​

b) It will return an error or underflow condition.​
c) It will return null.​
d) It will return the bottom element.

Answer: b) It will return an error or underflow condition.

Explanation: Performing a pop operation on an empty stack results in an underflow condition

In which situation is a stack most commonly used?

a) When you need to search for elements in a dataset​

b) When you need to store elements in sorted order​
c) When you need to access elements in the reverse order​
d) When you need to insert and remove elements randomly

Answer: c) When you need to access elements in the reverse order

What is the result of calling the push operation on a stack with a full capacity?

a) The stack will resize itself.​

b) It will cause an overflow condition.​
c) The operation will be ignored.​
d) The stack will delete the bottom element to make space.

Answer: b) It will cause an overflow condition.

Explanation: If a stack has a fixed capacity and is already full, calling the push operation will result in a
stack overflow condition.

If a stack is implemented using an array, what happens to the top index after a pop
operation?

a) It increases by 1.​
b) It stays the same.​
c) It decreases by 1.​
d) It is reset to 0.

Answer: c) It decreases by 1.

Explanation: After a pop operation, the top index is decreased by 1, pointing to the next
element in the stack.

Which of the following operations affects the top value in a stack?

a) Push​
b) Pop​
c) Peek​
d) Both a and b

Answer: d) Both a and b

Explanation: Both push (adds a new element to the top) and pop (removes the top element) operations
affect the top value of the stack.

What will happen if you call pop on a stack where the top value is the only element
left?

a) The stack will be cleared automatically.​

b) The top value will be set to null.​
c) The stack will overflow.​
d) The stack will become empty.

Answer: d) The stack will become empty.

Explanation: Calling pop on the last element will remove the last element, making the stack empty. The
top will be null or undefined depending on the implementation.

What would the top element of the stack be after the following operations?

●​ Push(1)
●​ Push(2)
●​ Pop()
●​ Push(3)
●​ Pop()

a) 1​
b) 2​
c) 3​
d) None of the above

Answer: a) 1

Explanation: After pushing 1 and 2, popping 2, pushing 3, and then popping 3, the top element will be 1,
the first element pushed into the stack.

What would the top element of the stack be after the following operations?

●​ Push(3)
●​ Push(6)
●​ Push(9)
●​ Pop()
●​ Push(12)
●​ Push(15)
●​ Pop()
●​ Pop()
a) 3​
b) 6​
c) 9​
d) 15

Answer: b) 6

Explanation:

●​ After pushing 3, 6, and 9, the top will be 9.

●​ Popping 9 leaves 6 as the top.
●​ Pushing 12 and 15 makes 15 the top.
●​ Popping 15 leaves 12 as the top.
●​ Popping 12 leaves 6 as the top.

What would the top element of the stack be after the following operations?

●​ Push(8)
●​ Push(16)
●​ Pop()
●​ Push(24)
●​ Push(32)
●​ Pop()
●​ Pop()

a) 8​
b) 16​
c) 24​
d) 32

Answer: a) 8

Explanation:

●​ After pushing 8 and 16, the top will be 16.

●​ Popping 16 leaves 8 as the top.
●​ Pushing 24 and 32 makes 32 the top.
●​ Popping 32 leaves 24 as the top.
●​ Popping 24 leaves 8 as the top.

Which of the following is a branch of Artificial Intelligence?

a) Machine Learning​
b) Data Science​
c) Quantum Computing​
d) All of the above

Answer: a) Machine Learning

Explanation: Machine Learning is a core branch of AI, focused on algorithms that allow computers to
learn from data and improve performance over time.

Which of the following is not an AI technique?

a) Neural Networks​
b) Genetic Algorithms​
c) Decision Trees​
d) Differential Equations

Answer: d) Differential Equations

Explanation: While differential equations are important in many fields, they are not specific to AI, unlike
neural networks, genetic algorithms, and decision trees.

Which of these is an example of an AI-powered application?

a) Google Search​
b) Self-driving cars​
c) Voice assistants (like Siri or Alexa)​
d) All of the above

Answer: d) All of the above

Explanation: Google Search, self-driving cars, and voice assistants all use AI technologies to function.

What is the main difference between Weak AI and Strong AI?

a) Weak AI can perform general human tasks, while Strong AI focuses on a single task​
b) Weak AI is a hypothetical concept, while Strong AI exists in the real world​
c) Weak AI is designed to perform specific tasks, while Strong AI can understand and perform any
intellectual task a human can do​
d) There is no difference between Weak and Strong AI

Answer: c) Weak AI is designed to perform specific tasks, while Strong AI can understand and perform
any intellectual task a human can do

Explanation: Weak AI is narrow and focused on specific tasks (like a recommendation system), while
Strong AI would possess general intelligence capable of performing any cognitive task.
Which of the following is NOT an application of AI?

a) Autonomous vehicles​
b) Handwriting recognition​
c) Playing chess​
d) Running a washing machine

Answer: d) Running a washing machine

Explanation: While a washing machine may have some automated functions, it does not typically
involve AI. The other options involve AI applications.

What does AI stand for?

a) Automated Intelligence​
b) Artificial Intelligence​
c) Algorithmic Intelligence​
d) Applied Intelligence

Answer: b) Artificial Intelligence

Explanation: AI refers to the simulation of human intelligence processes by machines, especially

computer systems.

Which of the following is an example of AI in everyday life?

a) Microwave oven​
b) Email spam filter​
c) Manual car transmission​
d) Electric fan

Answer: b) Email spam filter

Explanation: An email spam filter uses AI techniques to classify emails as spam or not based on patterns
in the data.

Which of the following is a task that AI can do?

a) Calculating a sum​
b) Predicting future stock prices​
c) Telling time​
d) Adding two numbers

Answer: b) Predicting future stock prices

Explanation: AI can analyze large datasets to make predictions, like forecasting stock prices, which is
beyond simple calculations.

Which of these can AI perform?

a) Understand human language​

b) Recognize images​
c) Play chess​
d) All of the above

Answer: d) All of the above

Explanation: AI can perform a wide range of tasks, such as understanding language, recognizing images,
and playing games like chess.

Which of the following is an application of AI in agriculture?

a) Soil moisture prediction​

b) Sorting of fruits and vegetables​
c) Pest and disease detection​
d) All of the above

Answer: d) All of the above

Explanation: AI is used in agriculture for a variety of tasks, including predicting soil moisture levels,
sorting produce, and detecting pests and diseases in crops.

What is one of the key benefits of AI in education?

a) Reducing teacher salaries​

b) Enhancing the engagement and personalization of learning experiences​
c) Replacing human teachers​
d) Limiting the use of technology in the classroom

Answer: b) Enhancing the engagement and personalization of learning experiences

Explanation: AI enhances education by offering personalized learning experiences, helping students

engage with content in a way that suits their learning style and pace.

Which AI application in education allows for virtual tutoring or mentorship?

a) Smart notebooks​
b) Virtual assistants​
c) AI-powered educational robots​
d) AI-based student portals
Answer: b) Virtual assistants

Explanation: AI-powered virtual assistants can provide one-on-one tutoring or mentorship, offering
personalized assistance and answering student queries in real-time.

How does AI assist teachers in grading assignments?

a) By automatically grading multiple-choice questions​

b) By analyzing student essays and providing feedback​
c) By calculating grades for all students​
d) All of the above

Answer: d) All of the above

Explanation: AI can help teachers automate the grading of assignments, including multiple-choice
questions and essays, saving time and providing instant feedback.

How can AI help in identifying students who may need additional support?

a) By analyzing classroom attendance​

b) By tracking student performance data​
c) By randomly selecting students for extra lessons​
d) By assigning more homework

Answer: b) By tracking student performance data

Explanation: AI can analyze students' academic performance data to identify those who may be
struggling and need additional support or intervention

What is Big Data?

a) Data that is too large and complex to be processed by traditional data processing tools​
b) Data that can be easily stored and retrieved from any database​
c) Data that is structured and fits neatly into relational databases​
d) Data that only exists in physical form

Answer: a) Data that is too large and complex to be processed by traditional data processing tools

Explanation: Big Data refers to data sets that are so large and complex that they require advanced tools
and technologies to process, store, and analyze.

Which of the following is a key characteristic of Big Data?

a) Volume​
b) Variety​
c) Velocity​
d) All of the above

Answer: d) All of the above

Explanation: The key characteristics of Big Data are the Volume (amount of data), Variety (types of
data), and Velocity (speed at which data is generated and processed).

Which of the following is an example of structured data?

a) Emails​
b) Customer names and addresses in a relational database​
c) Social media posts​
d) Video files

Answer: b) Customer names and addresses in a relational database

Explanation: Structured data is highly organized and typically stored in relational databases. It fits neatly
into tables with rows and columns.

Which of the following is an example of unstructured data?

a) Customer phone numbers​

b) Social media posts​
c) Inventory numbers​
d) Employee records in a relational database

Answer: b) Social media posts

Explanation: Unstructured data does not follow a specific format or structure, such as social media posts,
images, and videos, which can be challenging to analyze using traditional methods.

What is a common use case for Big Data in the healthcare industry?

a) Predicting customer behavior​

b) Identifying fraudulent transactions​
c) Personalized medicine and patient care​
d) Sending marketing emails

Answer: c) Personalized medicine and patient care

Explanation: Big Data is widely used in healthcare to analyze large datasets, including patient records,
genetic data, and treatment outcomes, to provide personalized care and improve patient outcomes.
Which of the following is the best definition of the "Volume" characteristic in Big
Data?

a) The speed at which data is generated and processed​

b) The variety of data sources involved​
c) The amount of data being generated, stored, and analyzed​
d) The ability to secure data

Answer: c) The amount of data being generated, stored, and analyzed

Explanation: "Volume" refers to the vast amount of data generated by organizations, which can range
from terabytes to petabytes of data.

What does "Variety" refer to in the context of Big Data?

a) The number of different data storage techniques​

b) The speed at which data is generated​
c) The various forms and types of data, such as structured, semi-structured, and unstructured​
d) The complexity of data encryption

Answer: c) The various forms and types of data, such as structured, semi-structured, and unstructured

Explanation: "Variety" in Big Data refers to the diversity of data types, including structured,
semi-structured, and unstructured data from various sources like social media, videos, and sensor data.

Which of the following best describes the "Velocity" of Big Data?

a) The speed at which data is generated, stored, and analyzed​

b) The amount of data processed at a given time​
c) The variety of data types used in analytics​
d) The cost of storing data in the cloud

Answer: a) The speed at which data is generated, stored, and analyzed

Explanation: "Velocity" refers to the rate at which data is generated, collected, and processed. It involves
real-time or near real-time data processing.

Which of the following is an example of Big Data's "Volume"?

a) Real-time monitoring of stock prices​

b) Storing petabytes of historical data from social media platforms​
c) Analyzing the diversity of data from various sensors​
d) Categorizing data into different formats

Answer: b) Storing petabytes of historical data from social media platforms

Explanation: Volume refers to the sheer amount of data. In this case, petabytes of social media data are
an example of massive data storage.

Which of the following Big Data characteristics helps organizations to gain insights
from both structured and unstructured data?

a) Volume​
b) Variety​
c) Velocity​
d) Veracity

Answer: b) Variety

Explanation: Variety refers to the different forms of data, such as text, images, videos, and sensor data,
which can all be analyzed for insights.

Which of the following best describes the flexibility of Semi-Structured Data?

a) It has a fixed and inflexible structure, requiring manual updates to adapt to new data​
b) It is highly flexible and can easily accommodate different types of data formats​
c) It has no structure and cannot be processed by traditional tools​
d) It is highly structured and can only store one type of data format

Answer: b) It is highly flexible and can easily accommodate different types of data formats

Explanation: Semi-structured data is flexible because it does not follow a rigid schema and can handle a
variety of formats

What is the key difference between Structured and Semi-Structured Data?

a) Structured data is unorganized, while semi-structured data is highly organized​

b) Semi-structured data has a fixed schema, while structured data does not​
c) Structured data has a fixed schema, while semi-structured data does not have a rigid schema​
d) There is no difference between the two

Answer: c) Structured data has a fixed schema, while semi-structured data does not have a rigid schema

Explanation: Structured data follows a strict schema (like relational databases), while semi-structured
data lacks a rigid schema but may contain organizational elements like tags

Which of the following is a characteristic of Semi-Structured Data?

a) It is typically stored in a fixed number of columns and rows​

b) It is easy to process with traditional relational databases​
c) It includes tags or markers that provide structure to the data​
d) It contains no organization or structure

Answer: c) It includes tags or markers that provide structure to the data

Explanation: Semi-structured data includes elements such as tags or key-value pairs, which help to
organize the data, though it does not strictly conform to a relational schema.

What is Semi-Structured Data?

a) Data that has a well-defined structure with rows and columns​

b) Data that lacks any organization and cannot be processed​
c) Data that does not conform to a strict schema but contains tags or markers to separate elements​
d) Data that is organized in a traditional relational database format

Answer: c) Data that does not conform to a strict schema but contains tags or markers to separate
elements

Which of the following is an advantage of Semi-Structured Data?

a) It requires no processing to convert it into a usable format​

b) It is highly rigid and not flexible​
c) It allows for easy integration of diverse types of data​
d) It is easier to work with than structured data

Answer: c) It allows for easy integration of diverse types of data

Explanation: Semi-structured data is flexible and can accommodate different data formats, making it
easier to integrate diverse types of data, unlike structured data that requires consistency in format.

Which of the following is the correct way to declare a variable in Python?

a) var = 10​
b) variable := 10​
c) int var = 10​
d) let var = 10

Answer: a) var = 10

Explanation: In Python, variables are declared simply by assigning a value to them. Python does not
require explicit type declaration.

What is the output of the following code?

print(5 ** 2)
a) 25​
b) 52​
c) 10​
d) Syntax error

Answer: a) 25

Explanation: The ** operator in Python is used for exponentiation. Therefore, 5 ** 2 results in 25.

What will be the output of the following code?

x = [1, 2, 3]

x.append(4)

print(x)

a) [1, 2, 3]​
b) [1, 2, 3, 4]​
c) (1, 2, 3, 4)​
d) Error

Answer: b) [1, 2, 3, 4]

Explanation: The append() method adds the element 4 to the list x.

What is the correct syntax for a Python for loop?

a) for i in range(5):​
b) for (i = 0; i < 5; i++):​
c) for i: range(5)​
d) for i in 5:

Answer: a) for i in range(5):

Explanation: Python uses the for keyword and the range() function to iterate over a sequence of
numbers.

What is the output of the following code?

a = "Hello"

b = "World"

print(a + " " + b)

a) HelloWorld​
b) Hello World​
c) Hello + World​
d) Error

Answer: b) Hello World

Explanation: The + operator in Python is used to concatenate strings. Adding a space between a and b
results in "Hello World".

Which of the following methods is used to get the length of a list in Python?

a) length()​
b) size()​
c) len()​
d) count()

Answer: c) len()

Explanation: The len() function is used to get the number of items in a list or other iterable in Python.

Which function is used to get the smallest item in an iterable in Python?

a) min()​
b) lowest()​
c) smallest()​
d) min_value()

Answer: a) min()

Explanation: The min() function returns the smallest item from an iterable such as a list.

What does the input() function do in Python?

a) Reads data from a file​

b) Reads input from the user​
c) Converts data to integer​
d) Outputs data to the console

Answer: b) Reads input from the user

Explanation: The input() function is used to take input from the user in Python, typically as a string.

What is the output of the following code?

x = [10, 20, 30]

y = x

y[0] = 50

print(x)

a) [50, 20, 30]​

b) [10, 20, 30]​
c) [50, 20, 30, 50]​
d) Error

Answer: a) [50, 20, 30]

Explanation: In Python, when a list is assigned to another variable, both variables refer to the same
object in memory. Modifying y also affects x.

What will be the output of the following code?

python

Copy code

for i in range(5, 1, -2):

print(i)

a) 5 3​
b) 5 3 1​
c) 1 3 5

d) 5 4 3 2 1
Answer: a) 5 3

Explanation: The range(5, 1, -2) generates numbers starting from 5 and decrementing by 2 each
time, resulting in 5 and 3.

Which statement is true about for loops in Python?

a) They can only be used with lists.​

b) They require a counter variable.​
c) They can iterate over any iterable object, not just lists.​
d) They cannot iterate over strings.

Answer: c) They can iterate over any iterable object, not just lists.

Explanation: In Python, for loops can iterate over any iterable object, including lists, tuples, strings,
dictionaries, and sets.

What is the output of this code?

for i in range(10, 5, -1):

print(i, end=" ")

a) 10 9 8 7 6​
b) 10 9 8 7 6 5​
c) 5 6 7 8 9 10​
d) 10 9 8 7 6 5

Answer: a) 10 9 8 7 6

Explanation: The range(10, 5, -1) generates numbers starting from 10 and decrementing by 1
each time until it reaches 6 (not including 5).

What will be the output of the following code?

for i in range(2, 10, 2):

print(i, end=" ")

a) 2 4 6 8​
b) 2 4 6 8 10​
c) 1 3 5 7 9​
d) 2 4 6 8 10 12

Answer: a) 2 4 6 8

Explanation: The range(2, 10, 2) generates even numbers starting from 2 up to but not including
10. The output will be 2 4 6 8.

What is the output of the following code?

for i in range(2, 6):

print(i)

a) 2 3 4 5​
b) 1 2 3 4 5​
c) 2 3 4 5 6​
d) 2 3 4

Answer: a) 2 3 4 5

Explanation: The range(2, 6) generates numbers from 2 to 5 (inclusive of 2 and exclusive of 6).