Keyword arguments in Python - Interactive Code Practice

Practice - 5 Tasks

1fill in blank

easy

Complete the code to call the function with a keyword argument.

Python

def greet(name):
    print(f"Hello, {name}!")

greet([1]="Alice")

Drag options to blanks, or click blank then click option'

Aname

BAlice

Cprint

Dgreet

Attempts:

3 left

💡 Hint

Common Mistakes

Using the value instead of the parameter name as the keyword.

Forgetting to use the keyword argument and just passing a value.

The function greet expects a keyword argument called name. So we use name="Alice" when calling it.

2fill in blank

medium

Complete the function call to use keyword arguments for both parameters.

Python

def describe_pet(animal_type, pet_name):
    print(f"I have a {animal_type} named {pet_name}.")

describe_pet(animal_type=[1], pet_name="Buddy")

Drag options to blanks, or click blank then click option'

A"dog"

Bdog

Canimal_type

Dpet_name

Attempts:

3 left

💡 Hint

Common Mistakes

Passing the value without quotes, causing a NameError.

Using the parameter name as the value instead of a string.

The animal_type parameter expects a string value, so we pass it as "dog" with quotes.

3fill in blank

hard

Fix the error in the function call by using the correct keyword argument.

Python

def calculate_area(width, height):
    return width * height

area = calculate_area([1]=5, height=10)

Drag options to blanks, or click blank then click option'

Alength

Bwidth

Cheight

Darea

Attempts:

3 left

💡 Hint

Common Mistakes

Using a wrong keyword argument name like length.

Mixing up parameter names.

The function expects width and height as parameters. Using width=5 fixes the error.

4fill in blank

hard

Fill both blanks to create a dictionary comprehension that filters and transforms items using keyword arguments.

Python

def filter_items(items, min_price):
    return {item: price for item, price in items.items() if price [1] min_price}

items = {'apple': 5, 'banana': 2, 'cherry': 7}
filtered = filter_items(items, min_price=[2])

Drag options to blanks, or click blank then click option'

A>

B3

C<

D5

Attempts:

3 left

💡 Hint

Common Mistakes

Using the wrong comparison operator.

Passing a string instead of a number for min_price.

The comprehension keeps items with price greater than min_price. We set min_price=3 to filter out cheaper items.

5fill in blank

hard

Fill all three blanks to define and call a function using keyword arguments with default values.

Python

def make_coffee(size=[1], sugar=[2], milk=[3]):
    print(f"Making a {size} coffee with {sugar} sugar and {milk} milk.")

make_coffee(size='large', sugar=2, milk='yes')

Drag options to blanks, or click blank then click option'

A'small'

B0

C'no'

D'medium'

Attempts:

3 left

💡 Hint

Common Mistakes

Using numbers as strings or vice versa.

Forgetting quotes around string default values.

The function has default values: size='medium', sugar=0, milk='no'. These defaults are used if no arguments are passed.

Practice

1. What is the main advantage of using keyword arguments when calling a function in Python?

easy

A. Keyword arguments make the function run faster.

B. You must provide arguments in the exact order defined in the function.

C. You can specify arguments by name, making the code clearer.

D. They allow you to skip required arguments.

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand keyword arguments

   Keyword arguments let you name the inputs when calling a function, so you don't have to remember the order.

2. Step 2: Compare options

   You can specify arguments by name, making the code clearer. correctly states that naming arguments makes code clearer. Options B, C, and D are incorrect because keyword arguments do not require order, do not affect speed, and cannot skip required arguments.

3. Final Answer:

   You can specify arguments by name, making the code clearer. -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Keyword arguments = clearer code [OK]

Hint: Keyword arguments name inputs, so order doesn't matter [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking keyword arguments must follow positional order
• Believing keyword arguments speed up the function
• Assuming keyword arguments can skip required parameters

2. Which of the following is the correct way to call the function def greet(name, age): using keyword arguments?

easy

A. greet(name='Alice', age=30)

B. greet('Alice', 30)

C. greet(age=30, 'Alice')

D. greet(name=30, age='Alice')

Solution

1. Step 1: Check keyword argument syntax

   Keyword arguments require the format parameter=value. greet(name='Alice', age=30) uses name='Alice' and age=30, which is correct.

2. Step 2: Identify errors in other options

   greet('Alice', 30) uses positional arguments only, which is valid syntax but does not use keyword arguments. greet(age=30, 'Alice') places positional argument after keyword, which is invalid syntax. greet(name=30, age='Alice') swaps types incorrectly.

3. Final Answer:

   greet(name='Alice', age=30) -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Keyword args = parameter=value pairs [OK]

Hint: Use parameter=value pairs for keyword arguments [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Placing positional arguments after keyword arguments
• Swapping argument names and values
• Mixing types incorrectly in keyword arguments

3. What will be the output of the following code?

def info(name, age):
    print(f"Name: {name}, Age: {age}")

info(age=25, name='Bob')

medium

A. Name: 25, Age: Bob

B. Name: Bob, Age: 25

C. Name: , Age:

D. TypeError

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand keyword argument order

   Keyword arguments allow passing arguments in any order by naming them explicitly.

2. Step 2: Match arguments to parameters

   Here, age=25 and name='Bob' are passed, so name gets 'Bob' and age gets 25.

3. Final Answer:

   Name: Bob, Age: 25 -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   Keyword args reorder inputs correctly [OK]

Hint: Keyword arguments can be in any order [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Assuming order matters with keyword arguments
• Confusing parameter names with values
• Expecting errors when order is changed

4. Identify the error in the following function call:

def multiply(x, y):
    return x * y

result = multiply(x=5, 10)

medium

A. SyntaxError: positional argument after keyword argument

B. TypeError: missing required positional argument

C. No error, result is 50

D. NameError: variable not defined

Solution

1. Step 1: Check argument order rules

   In Python, positional arguments cannot come after keyword arguments in a function call.

2. Step 2: Analyze the call

   The call multiply(x=5, 10) has a keyword argument first, then a positional argument, which causes a syntax error.

3. Final Answer:

   SyntaxError: positional argument after keyword argument -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Positional args must come before keyword args [OK]

Hint: Positional arguments must come before keyword arguments [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Placing positional arguments after keyword arguments
• Confusing error types for this syntax
• Assuming this call runs without error

5. Given the function def order(item, quantity=1, price=10):, which call correctly orders 3 items with a price of 15 each using keyword arguments?

hard

A. order('apple', 3, 15)

B. order(price=15, quantity=3)

C. order(quantity=3, 'apple', price=15)

D. order(item='apple', price=15, quantity=3)

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand function parameters and defaults

   The function has one required parameter item and two optional parameters quantity and price with defaults.

2. Step 2: Check each call for correctness

   order('apple', 3, 15) uses positional arguments only, which is valid but not keyword arguments. order(item='apple', price=15, quantity=3) uses keyword arguments for all parameters, correctly naming them in any order. order(quantity=3, 'apple', price=15) places positional argument after keyword argument, which is invalid. order(price=15, quantity=3) misses the required item argument.

3. Final Answer:

   order(item='apple', price=15, quantity=3) -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Keyword args can be in any order, all required given [OK]

Hint: Use all required keywords, order doesn't matter [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Omitting required arguments
• Placing positional after keyword arguments
• Using positional only when keyword is asked