Data Structures: Interactive Learning Quizzes for Year 10 Computing Students

Question 1

How long does it take to find an item in a linked list with n elements?

Accepted Answer

Linear time (O(n))

Answer

Constant time (O(1))

Answer

Logarithmic time (O(log n))

Answer

Quadratic time (O(n^2))

Question 2

For a scenario where the most recently added item should be the first item accessed, which data structure is the most appropriate choice?

Accepted Answer

Stack

Answer

Array

Answer

Queue

Question 3

Which operation is not possible in a singly linked list?

Accepted Answer

Traversing from the last node to the first node

Answer

Traversing from the first node to the last node

Answer

Inserting a new node at any position in the list

Question 4

Compare the efficiency of deleting an element from an array to deleting an element from a linked list. Use Big-O notation to express your analysis.

Accepted Answer

Deleting from an array is O(1), while deleting from a linked list is O(n).

Answer

Deleting from both an array and a linked list is O(1).

Answer

Deleting from an array is O(n), while deleting from a linked list is O(1).

Answer

Deleting from both an array and a linked list is O(n).

Question 5

Which of the following is NOT a fundamental data structure type?

Accepted Answer

Object

Answer

Primitive

Answer

Array

Answer

Linked List

Question 6

What is the time complexity for searching an unsorted array?

Accepted Answer

O(n)

Answer

O(1)

Answer

O(log n)

Answer

O(n^2)

Question 7

Which operation cannot be performed on a queue?

Accepted Answer

Insert at a specific index

Answer

Enqueue

Answer

Dequeue

Answer

Peek

Question 8

Which data structure is optimal for implementing a breadth-first search?

Accepted Answer

Queue

Answer

Array

Answer

Linked List

Answer

Stack

Question 9

How do singly-linked lists differ from doubly-linked lists?

Accepted Answer

Singly-linked lists can only be traversed in one direction, while doubly-linked lists can be traversed in both directions

Answer

Doubly-linked lists can only be traversed in one direction, while singly-linked lists can be traversed in both directions

Answer

Singly-linked lists are more efficient than doubly-linked lists

Answer

Doubly-linked lists are more efficient than singly-linked lists

Question 10

Which data structure is a linear collection of elements stored in a sequential order?

Accepted Answer

Array

Answer

Linked list

Answer

Stack

Answer

Queue

Question 11

What is the time complexity for searching an element in an unsorted linked list of size n?

Accepted Answer

O(n)

Answer

O(1)

Answer

O(log n)

Answer

O(n^2)

Question 12

What is the primary purpose of a sentinel node in a linked list?

Accepted Answer

To denote the end of the list

Answer

To enhance search efficiency

Answer

To reduce memory usage

Answer

To store additional data

Question 13

Which of the following operations is not supported by a queue data structure?

Accepted Answer

Searching

Answer

Enqueuing

Answer

Dequeuing

Answer

Peeking

Question 14

Which data structure is an ordered sequence of elements where each element can be accessed directly by its index?

Accepted Answer

Array

Answer

Linked list

Answer

Stack

Answer

Queue

Question 15

In a linked list, what does each element consist of?

Accepted Answer

A data value and a pointer to the next element

Answer

Only a data value

Answer

Multiple data values and a pointer to the next element

Answer

Only a pointer to the next element

Question 16

Which data structure is a linear sequence of elements, where each element can be accessed directly using its index?

Accepted Answer

Array

Answer

Linked list

Answer

Stack

Answer

Queue

Question 17

What is the primary purpose of a stack data structure?

Accepted Answer

To organize data in a last-in-first-out (LIFO) manner.

Answer

To organize data in a first-in-first-out (FIFO) manner.

Answer

To store data randomly.

Answer

To store data in sorted order.

Question 18

Which operation is not supported by a queue data structure?

Accepted Answer

Search

Answer

Enqueue

Answer

Dequeue

Answer

Peek

Question 19

Which sorting algorithm operates with a time complexity of O(n log n)?

Accepted Answer

Merge sort

Answer

Bubble sort

Answer

Selection sort

Answer

Insertion sort

Question 20

Which data structure is optimal for storing a large number of elements that require frequent access?

Accepted Answer

Hash table

Answer

Array

Answer

Linked list

Answer

Tree

Question 21

Which characteristic is undesirable in a well-designed data structure?

Accepted Answer

Complexity and difficulty in understanding

Answer

Ease of searching

Answer

Efficient memory usage

Answer

Fast insertion and deletion

Question 22

What is the role of a sentinel node in a linked list?

Accepted Answer

Marks the end of the list

Answer

Marks the beginning of the list

Answer

Enhances performance

Answer

Stores additional information

Question 23

Which property describes a stack data structure?

Accepted Answer

Last-In-First-Out (LIFO)

Answer

First-In-First-Out (FIFO)

Answer

Random-In-Random-Out (RIFO)

Answer

Balanced-In-Balanced-Out (BIBO)

Question 24

How does a doubly linked list differ from a singly linked list?

Accepted Answer

A doubly linked list has bidirectional pointers, while a singly linked list has unidirectional pointers

Answer

A doubly linked list is more efficient than a singly linked list

Answer

A singly linked list is more efficient than a doubly linked list

Answer

They are identical data structures

Question 25

What is the time complexity for inserting an element at the beginning of a doubly linked list?

Accepted Answer

O(1)

Answer

O(n)

Answer

O(log n)

Answer

O(n^2)

Question 26

Which of the following is an operation that cannot be performed on a queue?

Accepted Answer

Pop

Answer

Enqueue

Answer

Dequeue

Answer

Peek

Question 27

What is the time complexity of searching for an element in a linked list of size n?

Accepted Answer

O(n)

Answer

O(1)

Answer

O(log n)

Answer

O(n^2)

Question 28

Which data structure is used to implement a priority queue?

Accepted Answer

Binary heap

Answer

Array

Answer

Graph

Answer

Linked list

Question 29

What is the purpose of a hash function?

Accepted Answer

To convert a key into a unique integer

Answer

To sort data into a specific order

Answer

To store data in a compressed format

Answer

To encrypt data securely

Question 30

Which data structure is most appropriate for implementing a behavior where the last element added is the first to be retrieved?

Accepted Answer

Stack

Answer

Queue

Answer

Array

Answer

Linked List

Question 31

Describe how a linked list is stored in computer memory.

Accepted Answer

Nodes connected by pointers

Answer

Contiguous block of memory

Answer

Array of nodes

Answer

Tree-like structure

Question 32

Identify the sorting algorithm with the worst-case time complexity of O(n^2).

Accepted Answer

Bubble Sort

Answer

Merge Sort

Answer

Quick Sort

Answer

Heap Sort

Question 33

Identify the primary disadvantage of using a linked list compared to an array.

Accepted Answer

Slower access

Answer

Consuming more memory

Answer

Greater complexity in implementation

Answer

Inability to handle large datasets

Question 34

Which data structure is designed to store unique elements, preventing duplicates?

Accepted Answer

Set

Answer

List

Answer

Queue

Answer

Array

Question 35

What is the purpose of employing a hash function in the context of a hash table?

Accepted Answer

To map keys to unique values, determining their positions within the table.

Answer

To encrypt keys for enhanced security.

Answer

To sort keys in ascending order.

Answer

To reduce the size of the hash table.

Question 36

When inserting an element at the beginning of a linked list, what is the time complexity, expressed in Big O notation?

Accepted Answer

O(1)

Answer

O(log n)

Answer

O(n)

Answer

O(n^2)

Question 37

Which of the following is NOT a fundamental data structure in computer science?

Accepted Answer

Variable

Answer

Array

Answer

List

Answer

Queue

Question 38

What primary advantage does an array offer over a linked list?

Accepted Answer

Faster access to individual elements

Answer

Easier insertion and deletion of elements

Answer

More efficient use of memory

Answer

Ability to store elements of different data types

Question 39

What is the time complexity of locating an element in an unsorted array?

Accepted Answer

O(n)

Answer

O(1)

Answer

O(log n)

Answer

O(n^2)

Question 40

Which data structure is the most appropriate for storing a collection of unique elements?

Accepted Answer

Set

Answer

Array

Answer

Linked list

Answer

Stack

Question 41

An array stores its elements in

Accepted Answer

Sequentially adjacent memory locations

Answer

Random memory locations

Answer

Linked memory locations

Answer

Hierarchical memory locations

Question 42

Which operation has a time complexity of O(1) in a linked list?

Accepted Answer

Inserting at the start

Answer

Deleting from the middle

Answer

Searching for an element

Answer

Reversing the list

Question 43

A stack is a linear data structure that follows the

Accepted Answer

Last In First Out (LIFO) principle

Answer

First In First Out (FIFO) principle

Answer

First In Last Out (FILO) principle

Answer

Last In Last Out (LILO) principle

Question 44

Which data structure should you use to store a collection of unique elements in ascending order?

Accepted Answer

BinarySearchTree

Answer

Array

Answer

LinkedList

Answer

HashMap

Question 45

What is the average time complexity of finding an element in a balanced binary search tree?

Accepted Answer

O(log n)

Answer

O(1)

Answer

O(n)

Answer

O(n^2)

Question 46

What is the purpose of a collision handling mechanism in a hash table?

Accepted Answer

To resolve conflicts when multiple keys hash to the same index

Answer

To improve search performance

Answer

To reduce memory usage

Answer

To maintain the integrity of the hash table

Question 47

Which data structure is used to implement the history function in a web browser?

Accepted Answer

Stack

Answer

Array

Answer

Linked List

Answer

Queue

Question 48

Which data structure can efficiently represent a tree-like structure?

Accepted Answer

Tree

Answer

Array

Answer

Linked List

Answer

Stack

Question 49

Which data structure maintains a Last-In-First-Out (LIFO) order of elements?

Accepted Answer

Stack

Answer

Array

Answer

Linked list

Answer

Queue

Question 50

Which of the following is not a data structure?

Accepted Answer

Algorithm

Answer

List

Answer

Tree

Answer

Graph

Question 51

What is a benefit of using a queue data structure?

Accepted Answer

Efficient insertion and deletion of elements

Answer

Allows duplicate elements

Answer

Useful for representing data in a Last-In-First-Out (LIFO) order

Answer

Stores data in a hierarchical manner

Question 52

Which data structure allows efficient insertion and deletion of elements from the front, following the First-In, First-Out (FIFO) principle?

Accepted Answer

Queue

Answer

Stack

Answer

Array

Answer

Linked List

Question 53

Consider the following Python code:

arr = [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
arr.append(6)
After executing this code, at which index will the value 6 be located in the modified array?

Accepted Answer

5

Answer

0

Answer

Error

Answer

3

Question 54

Which data structure is most suitable for representing a sequence of elements that need to be processed in a Last-In, First-Out (LIFO) order?

Accepted Answer

Stack

Answer

Queue

Answer

Linked List

Answer

Array

Question 55

What is the time complexity of searching for an element with a specific value in an unsorted linked list?

Accepted Answer

O(n)

Answer

O(log n)

Answer

O(1)

Question 56

What is the key difference between a singly linked list and a doubly linked list?

Accepted Answer

A doubly linked list has both a 'next' pointer and a 'previous' pointer for each node, allowing for traversal in both directions.

Answer

A singly linked list can only store numeric data types.

Answer

A doubly linked list is always circular.

Question 57

What is the primary purpose of a null pointer in a linked list?

Accepted Answer

It indicates the end of the list, marking the last node.

Answer

It marks a node as deleted for memory management.

Answer

It is used to connect two nodes in the list.

Answer

It stores the address of the first node in the list.

Question 58

Consider the following Python code:

nums = [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
dict = {}
for num in nums:
    dict[num] = num * num
Which statement accurately describes the resulting dictionary?

Accepted Answer

The dictionary will contain 5 unique key-value pairs, with each number from the 'nums' list mapped to its square.

Answer

The dictionary will contain 10 key-value pairs, as each number is squared.

Answer

The dictionary will have duplicate keys, as the same numbers appear in the 'nums' list.

Answer

The dictionary cannot be created because the keys are not unique.

Question 59

Which data structure is used to store data in a manner where the first item inserted is the first item removed?

Accepted Answer

Queue

Answer

Array

Answer

Stack

Answer

Linked list

Question 60

What is the time complexity of searching for an element in an array of 'n' elements?

Accepted Answer

O(n)

Answer

O(n^2)

Answer

O(log n)

Answer

O(1)

Question 61

Which of the following is a drawback of using arrays?

Accepted Answer

Fixed size

Answer

Flexibility in inserting and deleting elements

Answer

Efficient memory usage

Answer

Dynamic sizing

Question 62

What is the primary purpose of a stack data structure?

Accepted Answer

To store data that is accessed in a last-in, first-out (LIFO) manner

Answer

To store data in a first-in, first-out (FIFO) manner

Answer

To store data in a random order

Question 63

Which data structure is most suitable for representing a hierarchical data organization, such as a family tree?

Accepted Answer

Tree

Answer

Queue

Answer

Array

Answer

Linked list

Question 64

What is the key difference between a singly linked list and a doubly linked list?

Accepted Answer

A doubly linked list has pointers to both the previous and next nodes, while a singly linked list only has a pointer to the next node.

Answer

A singly linked list has a head and tail node, while a doubly linked list does not.