Sorting and reversing lists in Python - Cheat Sheet & Quick Revision

Recall & Review

beginner

What does the list.sort() method do in Python?

It sorts the list in place, changing the original list to be in ascending order by default.

beginner

How do you reverse the order of elements in a list in Python?

You can use the list.reverse() method to reverse the list in place, or use slicing like list[::-1] to get a reversed copy.

intermediate

What is the difference between sorted(list) and list.sort()?

sorted(list) returns a new sorted list and leaves the original unchanged. list.sort() sorts the list in place and returns None.

beginner

How can you sort a list in descending order?

Use list.sort(reverse=True) or sorted(list, reverse=True) to sort the list from highest to lowest.

intermediate

What happens if you call list.reverse() twice on the same list?

The list will return to its original order because reversing twice cancels out the first reversal.

Which method sorts a list in place in Python?

A list.sorted()

B sorted(list)

C list.reverse()

D list.sort()

list.sort() sorts the list in place. sorted(list) returns a new sorted list.

What does list.reverse() do?

A Reverses the list in place

B Returns a new reversed list

C Sorts the list in ascending order

D Sorts the list in descending order

list.reverse() reverses the order of elements in the list in place.

How do you get a new sorted list without changing the original?

A list.reverse()

B list.sort()

C sorted(list)

D list.sorted()

sorted(list) returns a new sorted list and leaves the original unchanged.

Which argument sorts a list in descending order?

A reverse=False

B reverse=True

C descending=True

D order='desc'

Use reverse=True to sort in descending order.

What is the result of calling list.reverse() twice?

A List returns to original order

B List is sorted descending

C List is empty

D List is sorted ascending

Reversing twice returns the list to its original order.

Explain how to sort a list and then reverse it in Python.

Think about using two methods one after the other.

Describe the difference between sorted() and list.sort().

One changes the original list, the other does not.