print() parameters and formatting in Python - Practice Problems & Coding Challenges

Challenge - 5 Problems

❓ Predict Output

intermediate

Output of print() with sep and end parameters

What is the output of this Python code?

print('A', 'B', 'C', sep='-', end='!')
print('D')

Python

print('A', 'B', 'C', sep='-', end='!')
print('D')

A A B C!D

B A B C\nD

C A-B-C\nD

D A-B-C!D

💡 Hint

Remember that sep changes the separator between items and end changes what is printed at the end.

The sep='-' makes the items print separated by dashes. The end='!' means the first print does not add a newline but an exclamation mark. So the second print starts immediately after the exclamation mark.

❓ Predict Output

intermediate

Using flush parameter in print()

What does this code print?

import sys
print('Hello', flush=True)
print('World', flush=False)

Python

import sys
print('Hello', flush=True)
print('World', flush=False)

A Hello\nWorld\n

B HelloWorld

C Hello\nWorld

D Hello World

💡 Hint

The flush parameter forces the output buffer to write immediately.

Both print statements add a newline by default. The flush parameter does not change output content, only when it is sent to the screen. So the output is two lines: Hello and World.

❓ Predict Output

advanced

Formatted string with print() and f-string

What is the output of this code?

name = 'Sam'
age = 7
print(f'{name} is {age} years old.')

Python

name = 'Sam'
age = 7
print(f'{name} is {age} years old.')

A {name} is {age} years old.

B name is age years old.

C Sam is 7 years old.

D Sam is age years old.

💡 Hint

f-strings replace variables inside curly braces with their values.

The f-string evaluates variables inside {} and inserts their values. So it prints 'Sam is 7 years old.'.

❓ Predict Output

advanced

Using print() with multiple end parameters

What is the output of this code?

print('X', end='-')
print('Y', end='*')
print('Z')

Python

print('X', end='-')
print('Y', end='*')
print('Z')

A X-Y*Z\n

B X-Y-Z\n

C X Y Z\n

D X-Y*Z

💡 Hint

Each print uses its own end parameter to decide what to print after the content.

The first print ends with '-', second ends with '*', third ends with default newline. So output is 'X-Y*Z' followed by newline.

🧠 Conceptual

expert

Understanding print() with file parameter

What happens when you run this code?

import sys
print('Error message', file=sys.stderr)

Python

import sys
print('Error message', file=sys.stderr)

A Prints 'Error message' to the standard output (stdout).

B Prints 'Error message' to the error output stream (stderr).

C Raises a TypeError because file=sys.stderr is invalid.

D Prints nothing because stderr is not connected.

💡 Hint

The file parameter directs print output to a specific stream.

Using file=sys.stderr sends the printed text to the error output stream, which is separate from standard output.

Practice

1. What does the sep parameter do in the print() function?

easy

A. It changes the separator between multiple items printed.

B. It changes the ending character of the printed line.

C. It formats numbers inside the print statement.

D. It pauses the program before printing.

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand the role of sep

   The sep parameter defines what string is placed between multiple items printed.

2. Step 2: Compare with other parameters

   end changes line ending, formatting is done by f-strings, and pausing is unrelated.

3. Final Answer:

   It changes the separator between multiple items printed. -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   sep = separator [OK]

Hint: Remember: sep controls spacing between items [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing sep with end parameter
• Thinking sep formats numbers
• Assuming sep pauses output

2. Which of the following is the correct syntax to print two words separated by a dash using print()?

easy

A. print('hello' - 'world')

B. print('hello' + 'world', sep='-')

C. print('hello', 'world', end='-')

D. print('hello', 'world', sep='-')

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify correct use of sep

   Using sep='-' between multiple arguments prints them separated by a dash.

2. Step 2: Check syntax correctness

   print('hello', 'world', sep='-') uses correct syntax. print('hello' + 'world', sep='-') concatenates strings before printing, ignoring sep. print('hello', 'world', end='-') uses end, which changes line ending, not separator. print('hello' - 'world') is invalid syntax.

3. Final Answer:

   print('hello', 'world', sep='-') -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   sep='-' joins words with dash [OK]

Hint: Use sep between items, not inside strings [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using + operator with sep parameter
• Confusing sep with end
• Trying to subtract strings

3. What is the output of this code?

print('A', 'B', 'C', sep='*', end='!')
print('D')

medium

A. A*B*C!D

B. A B C ! D

C. A*B*C
D

D. A B C!D

Solution

1. Step 1: Analyze first print()

   It prints 'A', 'B', 'C' separated by '*', ending with '!'. So output is 'A*B*C!'

2. Step 2: Analyze second print()

   It prints 'D' on the same line because first print ended with '!' (no newline).

3. Final Answer:

   A*B*C!D -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   sep='*', end='!' joins and ends line [OK]

Hint: Remember end='' keeps output on same line [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Assuming default space separator
• Thinking end adds newline
• Ignoring end parameter effect

4. The following code prints 'Score:-10'. What is the fix to print 'Score: 10'?

print('Score:', score, sep='-')

Assuming score = 10.

medium

A. Convert score to string before printing.

B. Change sep to end parameter.

C. Remove sep parameter or use it correctly between multiple items.

D. Add parentheses around score.

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand sep usage

   The sep='-' parameter places '-' between 'Score:' and score, resulting in 'Score:-10'.

2. Step 2: Identify the fix

   To print 'Score: 10' with default space separator, remove the sep parameter.

3. Final Answer:

   Remove sep parameter or use it correctly between multiple items. -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   remove sep -> default space [OK]

Hint: Use sep only when printing multiple items [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing sep with end parameter
• Trying to convert variables unnecessarily
• Using sep with single string

5. How can you print the number 7.12345 rounded to 2 decimal places using print() and f-strings?

hard

A. print(f'{7.12345:2f}')

B. print(f'{7.12345:.2f}')

C. print(f'{7.12345:.2}')

D. print(f'{7.12345:.f2}')

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand f-string formatting

   To round a float to 2 decimals, use :.2f inside the braces.

2. Step 2: Check each option

   print(f'{7.12345:.2f}') uses correct syntax {value:.2f}. print(f'{7.12345:2f}') misses the dot before 2. print(f'{7.12345:.2}') uses wrong format specifier. print(f'{7.12345:.f2}') has incorrect order.

3. Final Answer:

   print(f'{7.12345:.2f}') -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   Use .2f to round floats in f-strings [OK]

Hint: Use .2f inside f-string to round floats [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Omitting the dot before precision
• Using wrong format specifiers
• Mixing order of letters and numbers