ENGR 200 PRACTICE EXAM QUESTIONS WITH
ANSWERS AND EXPLANATIONS
| American Public University
1. A team considers remainder operator, but the observation is total += value updates total by adding value to its
prior contents. Which alternative explanation is stronger?
A. a character type that can represent a single character code
B. an operator such as += or *= that combines an operation with assignment
C. the % operator that produces the remainder from integral division
D. the conversion of a value from one type to another
Correct Answer: B. an operator such as += or *= that combines an operation with assignment
Explanation: The case follows compound assignment (an operator such as += or *= that combines an operation with
assignment) rather than remainder operator (the % operator that produces the remainder from integral division).
2. Which option preserves the conceptual difference between call stack and reference parameter?
A. Both terms refer to the stack of active function-call frames used to hold return information and local state.
B. call stack is a parameter that refers directly to the caller's object and can be used to modify it when non-const;
reference parameter is the stack of active function-call frames used to hold return information and local state.
C. Both terms refer to a parameter that refers directly to the caller's object and can be used to modify it when
non-const.
D. call stack is the stack of active function-call frames used to hold return information and local state; reference
parameter is a parameter that refers directly to the caller's object and can be used to modify it when non-const.
Correct Answer: D. call stack is the stack of active function-call frames used to hold return information and local
state; reference parameter is a parameter that refers directly to the caller's object and can be used to modify it when
non-const.
Explanation: The concepts differ: call stack is the stack of active function-call frames used to hold return information
and local state, whereas reference parameter is a parameter that refers directly to the caller's object and can be used to
modify it when non-const.
3. The evidence favors one concept over variable: After a calculation, total = total + value updates the running
total. Which explanation should be preferred?
A. a named storage location whose value can change while a program executes (alternative)
B. the = operator that stores a new value into an existing modifiable object
C. a character type that can represent a single character code
D. a named storage location whose value can change while a program executes
Correct Answer: B. the = operator that stores a new value into an existing modifiable object
Explanation: The case follows assignment operator (the = operator that stores a new value into an existing modifiable
object) rather than variable (a named storage location whose value can change while a program executes).
,4. Which statement correctly separates array bound from array initialization?
A. array bound is supplying initial element values when an array is defined; array initialization is the limit that an
index must satisfy to refer to an existing array element.
B. array bound is the limit that an index must satisfy to refer to an existing array element; array initialization is
supplying initial element values when an array is defined.
C. Both terms refer to supplying initial element values when an array is defined.
D. Both terms refer to the limit that an index must satisfy to refer to an existing array element.
Correct Answer: B. array bound is the limit that an index must satisfy to refer to an existing array element; array
initialization is supplying initial element values when an array is defined.
Explanation: The concepts differ: array bound is the limit that an index must satisfy to refer to an existing array
element, whereas array initialization is supplying initial element values when an array is defined.
5. Two findings must be interpreted separately. First: The variable i increases from zero to nine while ten samples
are processed. Second: The body runs once before the first decision about repeating. Which option identifies the
two concepts correctly?
A. The first reflects posttest loop; the second reflects loop counter.
B. Neither observation can be classified using an engineering or computing concept.
C. Both are best explained by loop counter.
D. The first reflects loop counter; the second reflects posttest loop.
Correct Answer: D. The first reflects loop counter; the second reflects posttest loop.
Explanation: The first observation matches loop counter, whereas the second matches posttest loop. The two should not
be collapsed into one concept.
6. A concise label is needed for the process defined as a program instruction or declaration that forms an
executable or structural unit. Which concept is correct?
A. char type
B. namespace
C. statement
D. expression
Correct Answer: C. statement
Explanation: The result should be classified as statement because that concept means a program instruction or
declaration that forms an executable or structural unit.
7. While processing a collection of engineering data, a technical report needs a label for the number of elements
currently stored in a vector. Which term should be used?
A. array
B. running sum over a collection
C. vector size
D. two-dimensional array
Correct Answer: C. vector size
Explanation: The result should be classified as vector size because that concept means the number of elements
currently stored in a vector.
, 8. Select the most accurate statement about sentinel-controlled loop.
A. repetition that ends when a special input value signals termination
B. a pretest repetition statement that repeats while its condition remains true
C. a loop that checks its continuation condition before the body executes
D. a repetition statement that commonly groups initialization, test, and update for counted iteration
Correct Answer: A. repetition that ends when a special input value signals termination
Explanation: sentinel-controlled loop is repetition that ends when a special input value signals termination.
9. Given the case 'A small console program starts executing the statements placed inside int main().', which
concept is more appropriate than bool type?
A. the standard entry point at which execution of a hosted C++ program begins
B. a type whose logical values are true and false
C. operators such as +, -, *, /, and % used to form numeric expressions
D. division of integral operands that discards the fractional part of the mathematical quotient
Correct Answer: A. the standard entry point at which execution of a hosted C++ program begins
Explanation: The case follows main function (the standard entry point at which execution of a hosted C++ program
begins) rather than bool type (a type whose logical values are true and false).
10. A team needs a practical indicator of void function. Which choice is most diagnostic?
A. A large vector is inspected by a function using const vector<double>& because the function should not alter it.
B. Each recursive call creates another active frame until the base case is reached.
C. In area(radius), radius is the argument passed to the function.
D. A display routine prints a report but has no result value used in an expression.
Correct Answer: D. A display routine prints a report but has no result value used in an expression.
Explanation: The selected observation most specifically demonstrates void function: a function that does not return a
value to the caller.
11. During a program control-flow review, a technical report needs a label for the && operator that is true only
when both operands are true. Which term should be used?
A. logical AND
B. equality comparison
C. conditional expression
D. switch statement
Correct Answer: A. logical AND
Explanation: The result should be classified as logical AND because that concept means the && operator that is true
only when both operands are true.
12. A design note describes the duty to preserve the accuracy, traceability, and completeness of technical records
and results. Which technical concept should be named?
A. Confidentiality
B. Public safety paramount
C. Competence
D. Data integrity
Correct Answer: D. Data integrity
Explanation: The result should be classified as Data integrity because that concept means the duty to preserve the
accuracy, traceability, and completeness of technical records and results.
ANSWERS AND EXPLANATIONS
| American Public University
1. A team considers remainder operator, but the observation is total += value updates total by adding value to its
prior contents. Which alternative explanation is stronger?
A. a character type that can represent a single character code
B. an operator such as += or *= that combines an operation with assignment
C. the % operator that produces the remainder from integral division
D. the conversion of a value from one type to another
Correct Answer: B. an operator such as += or *= that combines an operation with assignment
Explanation: The case follows compound assignment (an operator such as += or *= that combines an operation with
assignment) rather than remainder operator (the % operator that produces the remainder from integral division).
2. Which option preserves the conceptual difference between call stack and reference parameter?
A. Both terms refer to the stack of active function-call frames used to hold return information and local state.
B. call stack is a parameter that refers directly to the caller's object and can be used to modify it when non-const;
reference parameter is the stack of active function-call frames used to hold return information and local state.
C. Both terms refer to a parameter that refers directly to the caller's object and can be used to modify it when
non-const.
D. call stack is the stack of active function-call frames used to hold return information and local state; reference
parameter is a parameter that refers directly to the caller's object and can be used to modify it when non-const.
Correct Answer: D. call stack is the stack of active function-call frames used to hold return information and local
state; reference parameter is a parameter that refers directly to the caller's object and can be used to modify it when
non-const.
Explanation: The concepts differ: call stack is the stack of active function-call frames used to hold return information
and local state, whereas reference parameter is a parameter that refers directly to the caller's object and can be used to
modify it when non-const.
3. The evidence favors one concept over variable: After a calculation, total = total + value updates the running
total. Which explanation should be preferred?
A. a named storage location whose value can change while a program executes (alternative)
B. the = operator that stores a new value into an existing modifiable object
C. a character type that can represent a single character code
D. a named storage location whose value can change while a program executes
Correct Answer: B. the = operator that stores a new value into an existing modifiable object
Explanation: The case follows assignment operator (the = operator that stores a new value into an existing modifiable
object) rather than variable (a named storage location whose value can change while a program executes).
,4. Which statement correctly separates array bound from array initialization?
A. array bound is supplying initial element values when an array is defined; array initialization is the limit that an
index must satisfy to refer to an existing array element.
B. array bound is the limit that an index must satisfy to refer to an existing array element; array initialization is
supplying initial element values when an array is defined.
C. Both terms refer to supplying initial element values when an array is defined.
D. Both terms refer to the limit that an index must satisfy to refer to an existing array element.
Correct Answer: B. array bound is the limit that an index must satisfy to refer to an existing array element; array
initialization is supplying initial element values when an array is defined.
Explanation: The concepts differ: array bound is the limit that an index must satisfy to refer to an existing array
element, whereas array initialization is supplying initial element values when an array is defined.
5. Two findings must be interpreted separately. First: The variable i increases from zero to nine while ten samples
are processed. Second: The body runs once before the first decision about repeating. Which option identifies the
two concepts correctly?
A. The first reflects posttest loop; the second reflects loop counter.
B. Neither observation can be classified using an engineering or computing concept.
C. Both are best explained by loop counter.
D. The first reflects loop counter; the second reflects posttest loop.
Correct Answer: D. The first reflects loop counter; the second reflects posttest loop.
Explanation: The first observation matches loop counter, whereas the second matches posttest loop. The two should not
be collapsed into one concept.
6. A concise label is needed for the process defined as a program instruction or declaration that forms an
executable or structural unit. Which concept is correct?
A. char type
B. namespace
C. statement
D. expression
Correct Answer: C. statement
Explanation: The result should be classified as statement because that concept means a program instruction or
declaration that forms an executable or structural unit.
7. While processing a collection of engineering data, a technical report needs a label for the number of elements
currently stored in a vector. Which term should be used?
A. array
B. running sum over a collection
C. vector size
D. two-dimensional array
Correct Answer: C. vector size
Explanation: The result should be classified as vector size because that concept means the number of elements
currently stored in a vector.
, 8. Select the most accurate statement about sentinel-controlled loop.
A. repetition that ends when a special input value signals termination
B. a pretest repetition statement that repeats while its condition remains true
C. a loop that checks its continuation condition before the body executes
D. a repetition statement that commonly groups initialization, test, and update for counted iteration
Correct Answer: A. repetition that ends when a special input value signals termination
Explanation: sentinel-controlled loop is repetition that ends when a special input value signals termination.
9. Given the case 'A small console program starts executing the statements placed inside int main().', which
concept is more appropriate than bool type?
A. the standard entry point at which execution of a hosted C++ program begins
B. a type whose logical values are true and false
C. operators such as +, -, *, /, and % used to form numeric expressions
D. division of integral operands that discards the fractional part of the mathematical quotient
Correct Answer: A. the standard entry point at which execution of a hosted C++ program begins
Explanation: The case follows main function (the standard entry point at which execution of a hosted C++ program
begins) rather than bool type (a type whose logical values are true and false).
10. A team needs a practical indicator of void function. Which choice is most diagnostic?
A. A large vector is inspected by a function using const vector<double>& because the function should not alter it.
B. Each recursive call creates another active frame until the base case is reached.
C. In area(radius), radius is the argument passed to the function.
D. A display routine prints a report but has no result value used in an expression.
Correct Answer: D. A display routine prints a report but has no result value used in an expression.
Explanation: The selected observation most specifically demonstrates void function: a function that does not return a
value to the caller.
11. During a program control-flow review, a technical report needs a label for the && operator that is true only
when both operands are true. Which term should be used?
A. logical AND
B. equality comparison
C. conditional expression
D. switch statement
Correct Answer: A. logical AND
Explanation: The result should be classified as logical AND because that concept means the && operator that is true
only when both operands are true.
12. A design note describes the duty to preserve the accuracy, traceability, and completeness of technical records
and results. Which technical concept should be named?
A. Confidentiality
B. Public safety paramount
C. Competence
D. Data integrity
Correct Answer: D. Data integrity
Explanation: The result should be classified as Data integrity because that concept means the duty to preserve the
accuracy, traceability, and completeness of technical records and results.
