Sorting Algorithms — Part 2 MCQs with Explanations
Practice high-yield Computer Science & IT MCQs on Sorting Algorithms — Part 2 with worked academic solutions for PPSC, FPSC, CSS, PMS, NTS.
Questions
40
Difficulty Level
Exam-Level
Target Exams
PPSC, FPSC, CSS...
Estimated Time
48 mins
Exam-Level PPSC FPSC CSS PMS NTS
Verified for Commission Syllabus • Oct 14, 2026
40
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🎉 Set complete! All 40 questions answered.
Question 1 of 40
★ PPSC
★ FPSC
★ PPSC
★ FPSC
What characteristic of TimSort helps it perform well on real-world data?
Correct Answer: Option A — It is a hybrid sorting algorithm combining Merge Sort and Insertion Sort.
Detailed Academic Explanation:
It is a hybrid sorting algorithm combining Merge Sort and Insertion Sort. is the correct answer to “What characteristic of TimSort helps it perform well on real-world data”. This question is standard in competitive examination syllabi for Sorting Algorithms.
💡Key Conceptual Anchor:Sorting Algorithms
Question 2 of 40
★ PPSC
★ FPSC
★ PPSC
★ FPSC
Which sorting algorithm performs the fewest number of swaps on average?
Correct Answer: Option D — Insertion Sort
Detailed Academic Explanation:
Insertion Sort is the correct answer to “Which sorting algorithm performs the fewest number of swaps on average”. This question is standard in competitive examination syllabi for Sorting Algorithms.
💡Key Conceptual Anchor:Sorting Algorithms
Question 3 of 40
★ PPSC
★ FPSC
★ PPSC
★ FPSC
In which scenario does the Heap Sort algorithm perform best?
Correct Answer: Option C — When the data is unsorted.
Detailed Academic Explanation:
When the data is unsorted. is the correct answer to “In which scenario does the Heap Sort algorithm perform best”. This question is standard in competitive examination syllabi for Sorting Algorithms.
💡Key Conceptual Anchor:Sorting Algorithms
Question 4 of 40
★ PPSC
★ FPSC
★ PPSC
★ FPSC
What type of sorting algorithm is Bucket Sort?
Correct Answer: Option B — Non-comparison-based
Detailed Academic Explanation:
Non-comparison-based is the correct answer to “What type of sorting algorithm is Bucket Sort”. This question is standard in competitive examination syllabi for Sorting Algorithms.
💡Key Conceptual Anchor:Sorting Algorithms
Question 5 of 40
★ PPSC
★ FPSC
★ PPSC
★ FPSC
Which sorting algorithm does not work efficiently for arrays with large ranges of integer keys?
Correct Answer: Option C — Counting Sort
Detailed Academic Explanation:
Counting Sort is the correct answer to “Which sorting algorithm does not work efficiently for arrays with large ranges of integer keys”. This question is standard in competitive examination syllabi for Sorting Algorithms.
💡Key Conceptual Anchor:Sorting Algorithms
Question 6 of 40
★ PPSC
★ FPSC
★ PPSC
★ FPSC
Shell sort is more efficient than insertion sort if the length of input arrays is small.
Correct Answer: Option B — False
Detailed Academic Explanation:
False is the correct answer to “Shell sort is more efficient than insertion sort if the length of input arrays is small.”. This question is standard in competitive examination syllabi for Sorting Algorithms.
💡Key Conceptual Anchor:Sorting Algorithms
Question 7 of 40
★ PPSC
★ FPSC
★ PPSC
★ FPSC
The given array is arr={7, 4, 5, 8, 1, 2}. The number of iterations required to sort the array using comb sort and bubble sort respectively will be . . . . . . . .
Correct Answer: Option D — 4 and 5
Detailed Academic Explanation:
4 and 5 is the correct answer to “The given array is arr={7, 4, 5, 8, 1, 2}. The number of iterations required to sort the array using comb sort and bubble sort respectively will be . . . . . . . .”. This question is standard in competitive examination syllabi for Sorting Algorithms.
💡Key Conceptual Anchor:Sorting Algorithms
Question 8 of 40
★ PPSC
★ FPSC
★ PPSC
★ FPSC
What is the auxiliary space complexity of merge sort?
Correct Answer: Option C — O(n)
Detailed Academic Explanation:
O(n) is the correct answer to “What is the auxiliary space complexity of merge sort”. This question is standard in competitive examination syllabi for Sorting Algorithms.
💡Key Conceptual Anchor:Sorting Algorithms
Question 9 of 40
★ PPSC
★ FPSC
★ PPSC
★ FPSC
What is the auxiliary space requirement of permutation sort?
Correct Answer: Option B — O(1)
Detailed Academic Explanation:
O(1) is the correct answer to “What is the auxiliary space requirement of permutation sort”. This question is standard in competitive examination syllabi for Sorting Algorithms.
💡Key Conceptual Anchor:Sorting Algorithms
Question 10 of 40
★ PPSC
★ FPSC
★ PPSC
★ FPSC
Which of the following is an example of parallel sorting technique?
Correct Answer: Option C — cube sort
Detailed Academic Explanation:
cube sort is the correct answer to “Which of the following is an example of parallel sorting technique”. This question is standard in competitive examination syllabi for Sorting Algorithms.
💡Key Conceptual Anchor:Sorting Algorithms
Question 11 of 40
★ PPSC
★ FPSC
★ PPSC
★ FPSC
Bead sort is also known as . . . . . . . .
Correct Answer: Option A — gravity sort
Detailed Academic Explanation:
gravity sort is the correct answer to “Bead sort is also known as . . . . . . . .”. This question is standard in competitive examination syllabi for Sorting Algorithms.
💡Key Conceptual Anchor:Sorting Algorithms
Question 12 of 40
★ PPSC
★ FPSC
★ PPSC
★ FPSC
What is the average case complexity of selection sort?
Correct Answer: Option D — O(n2)
Detailed Academic Explanation:
O(n2) is the correct answer to “What is the average case complexity of selection sort”. This question is standard in competitive examination syllabi for Sorting Algorithms.
💡Key Conceptual Anchor:Sorting Algorithms
Question 13 of 40
★ PPSC
★ FPSC
★ PPSC
★ FPSC
Which of the following is not an example of non comparison sort?
Correct Answer: Option A — bubble sort
Detailed Academic Explanation:
bubble sort is the correct answer to “Which of the following is not an example of non comparison sort”. This question is standard in competitive examination syllabi for Sorting Algorithms.
💡Key Conceptual Anchor:Sorting Algorithms
Question 14 of 40
★ PPSC
★ FPSC
★ PPSC
★ FPSC
Which of the following sorting algorithm is not in place?
Correct Answer: Option C — tree sort
Detailed Academic Explanation:
tree sort is the correct answer to “Which of the following sorting algorithm is not in place”. This question is standard in competitive examination syllabi for Sorting Algorithms.
💡Key Conceptual Anchor:Sorting Algorithms
Question 15 of 40
★ PPSC
★ FPSC
★ PPSC
★ FPSC
Which of the following algorithm implementations is similar to that of an insertion sort?
Correct Answer: Option A — Binary heap
Detailed Academic Explanation:
Binary heap is the correct answer to “Which of the following algorithm implementations is similar to that of an insertion sort”. This question is standard in competitive examination syllabi for Sorting Algorithms.
💡Key Conceptual Anchor:Sorting Algorithms
Question 16 of 40
★ PPSC
★ FPSC
★ PPSC
★ FPSC
Which of the following is not a stable sorting algorithm?
Correct Answer: Option A — Quick sort
Detailed Academic Explanation:
Quick sort is the correct answer to “Which of the following is not a stable sorting algorithm”. This question is standard in competitive examination syllabi for Sorting Algorithms.
💡Key Conceptual Anchor:Sorting Algorithms
Question 17 of 40
★ PPSC
★ FPSC
★ PPSC
★ FPSC
Which of the following sorting algorithm is only applicable to positive integers?
Correct Answer: Option C — bead sort
Detailed Academic Explanation:
bead sort is the correct answer to “Which of the following sorting algorithm is only applicable to positive integers”. This question is standard in competitive examination syllabi for Sorting Algorithms.
💡Key Conceptual Anchor:Sorting Algorithms
Question 18 of 40
★ PPSC
★ FPSC
★ PPSC
★ FPSC
In which case will tim sort will work as an insertion sort?
Correct Answer: Option C — when no. of elements are less than size of run
Detailed Academic Explanation:
when no. of elements are less than size of run is the correct answer to “In which case will tim sort will work as an insertion sort”. This question is standard in competitive examination syllabi for Sorting Algorithms.
💡Key Conceptual Anchor:Sorting Algorithms
Question 19 of 40
★ PPSC
★ FPSC
★ PPSC
★ FPSC
In a computational complexity theory, a problem with decision making is said to be NP-complete when it is both in NP and NP-hard. What does NP mean?
Correct Answer: Option C — Non-deterministic Polynomial time
Detailed Academic Explanation:
Non-deterministic Polynomial time is the correct answer to “In a computational complexity theory, a problem with decision making is said to be NP-complete when it is both in NP and NP-hard. What does NP mean”. This question is standard in competitive examination syllabi for Sorting Algorithms.
💡Key Conceptual Anchor:Sorting Algorithms
Question 20 of 40
★ PPSC
★ FPSC
★ PPSC
★ FPSC
The complexity of which of the following sorting algorithms remains to be the same in its best, average and worst case?
Correct Answer: Option C — counting sort
Detailed Academic Explanation:
counting sort is the correct answer to “The complexity of which of the following sorting algorithms remains to be the same in its best, average and worst case”. This question is standard in competitive examination syllabi for Sorting Algorithms.
💡Key Conceptual Anchor:Sorting Algorithms
Question 21 of 40
★ PPSC
★ FPSC
★ PPSC
★ FPSC
Bubble sort performs better as compared to cocktail sort.
Correct Answer: Option B — False
Detailed Academic Explanation:
False is the correct answer to “Bubble sort performs better as compared to cocktail sort.”. This question is standard in competitive examination syllabi for Sorting Algorithms.
💡Key Conceptual Anchor:Sorting Algorithms
Question 22 of 40
★ PPSC
★ FPSC
★ PPSC
★ FPSC
Which of the following is an advantage of cycle sort?
Correct Answer: Option C — it requires minimal write operations
Detailed Academic Explanation:
it requires minimal write operations is the correct answer to “Which of the following is an advantage of cycle sort”. This question is standard in competitive examination syllabi for Sorting Algorithms.
💡Key Conceptual Anchor:Sorting Algorithms
Question 23 of 40
★ PPSC
★ FPSC
★ PPSC
★ FPSC
Consider the Quick sort algorithm which sorts elements in ascending order using the first element as pivot. Then which of the following input sequence will require a maximum number of comparisons when this algorithm is applied on it?
Correct Answer: Option A — 22 25 56 67 89
Detailed Academic Explanation:
22 25 56 67 89 is the correct answer to “Consider the Quick sort algorithm which sorts elements in ascending order using the first element as pivot. Then which of the following input sequence will require a maximum number of comparisons when this algorithm is applied on it”. This question is standard in competitive examination syllabi for Sorting Algorithms.
💡Key Conceptual Anchor:Sorting Algorithms
Question 24 of 40
★ PPSC
★ FPSC
★ PPSC
★ FPSC
Sleep sort is an in-place sorting technique.
Correct Answer: Option A — True
Detailed Academic Explanation:
True is the correct answer to “Sleep sort is an in-place sorting technique.”. This question is standard in competitive examination syllabi for Sorting Algorithms.
💡Key Conceptual Anchor:Sorting Algorithms
Question 25 of 40
★ PPSC
★ FPSC
★ PPSC
★ FPSC
Which of the following sorting techniques is stable?
Correct Answer: Option B — counting sort
Detailed Academic Explanation:
counting sort is the correct answer to “Which of the following sorting techniques is stable”. This question is standard in competitive examination syllabi for Sorting Algorithms.
💡Key Conceptual Anchor:Sorting Algorithms
Question 26 of 40
★ PPSC
★ FPSC
★ PPSC
★ FPSC
Which of the following sorting algorithm makes use of merge sort?
Correct Answer: Option A — tim sort
Detailed Academic Explanation:
tim sort is the correct answer to “Which of the following sorting algorithm makes use of merge sort”. This question is standard in competitive examination syllabi for Sorting Algorithms.
💡Key Conceptual Anchor:Sorting Algorithms
Question 27 of 40
★ PPSC
★ FPSC
★ PPSC
★ FPSC
Merge sort uses which of the following algorithm to implement sorting?
Correct Answer: Option C — divide and conquer
Detailed Academic Explanation:
divide and conquer is the correct answer to “Merge sort uses which of the following algorithm to implement sorting”. This question is standard in competitive examination syllabi for Sorting Algorithms.
💡Key Conceptual Anchor:Sorting Algorithms
Question 28 of 40
★ PPSC
★ FPSC
★ PPSC
★ FPSC
What is the average time complexity of bottom up merge sort?
Correct Answer: Option A — O(n log n)
Detailed Academic Explanation:
O(n log n) is the correct answer to “What is the average time complexity of bottom up merge sort”. This question is standard in competitive examination syllabi for Sorting Algorithms.
💡Key Conceptual Anchor:Sorting Algorithms
Question 29 of 40
★ PPSC
★ FPSC
★ PPSC
★ FPSC
Which of the following is a combination of LSD and MSD radix sorts?
Correct Answer: Option A — Forward radix sort
Detailed Academic Explanation:
Forward radix sort is the correct answer to “Which of the following is a combination of LSD and MSD radix sorts”. This question is standard in competitive examination syllabi for Sorting Algorithms.
💡Key Conceptual Anchor:Sorting Algorithms
Question 30 of 40
★ PPSC
★ FPSC
★ PPSC
★ FPSC
How many comparisons will be made to sort the array arr={1, 5, 3, 8, 2} using counting sort?
Correct Answer: Option D — 0
Detailed Academic Explanation:
0 is the correct answer to “How many comparisons will be made to sort the array arr={1, 5, 3, 8, 2} using counting sort”. This question is standard in competitive examination syllabi for Sorting Algorithms.
💡Key Conceptual Anchor:Sorting Algorithms
Question 31 of 40
★ PPSC
★ FPSC
★ PPSC
★ FPSC
In place merge sort has same time complexity as standard merge sort.
Correct Answer: Option B — false
Detailed Academic Explanation:
false is the correct answer to “In place merge sort has same time complexity as standard merge sort.”. This question is standard in competitive examination syllabi for Sorting Algorithms.
💡Key Conceptual Anchor:Sorting Algorithms
Question 32 of 40
★ PPSC
★ FPSC
★ PPSC
★ FPSC
Odd-even sort is also known as . . . . . . . .
Correct Answer: Option C — brick sort
Detailed Academic Explanation:
brick sort is the correct answer to “Odd-even sort is also known as . . . . . . . .”. This question is standard in competitive examination syllabi for Sorting Algorithms.
💡Key Conceptual Anchor:Sorting Algorithms
Question 33 of 40
★ PPSC
★ FPSC
★ PPSC
★ FPSC
In what position does the array for heap sort contains data?
Correct Answer: Option A — 0
Detailed Academic Explanation:
0 is the correct answer to “In what position does the array for heap sort contains data”. This question is standard in competitive examination syllabi for Sorting Algorithms.
💡Key Conceptual Anchor:Sorting Algorithms
Question 34 of 40
★ PPSC
★ FPSC
★ PPSC
★ FPSC
Strand sort is most efficient for data stored in?
Correct Answer: Option A — linked list
Detailed Academic Explanation:
linked list is the correct answer to “Strand sort is most efficient for data stored in”. This question is standard in competitive examination syllabi for Sorting Algorithms.
💡Key Conceptual Anchor:Sorting Algorithms
Question 35 of 40
★ PPSC
★ FPSC
★ PPSC
★ FPSC
What is the average time complexity of strand sort?
Correct Answer: Option C — O(n2)
Detailed Academic Explanation:
O(n2) is the correct answer to “What is the average time complexity of strand sort”. This question is standard in competitive examination syllabi for Sorting Algorithms.
💡Key Conceptual Anchor:Sorting Algorithms
Question 36 of 40
★ PPSC
★ FPSC
★ PPSC
★ FPSC
What is the auxiliary space complexity of binary insertion sort?
Correct Answer: Option B — O(1)
Detailed Academic Explanation:
O(1) is the correct answer to “What is the auxiliary space complexity of binary insertion sort”. This question is standard in competitive examination syllabi for Sorting Algorithms.
💡Key Conceptual Anchor:Sorting Algorithms
Question 37 of 40
★ PPSC
★ FPSC
★ PPSC
★ FPSC
Bubble sort is an adaptive sorting algorithm.
Correct Answer: Option A — true
Detailed Academic Explanation:
true is the correct answer to “Bubble sort is an adaptive sorting algorithm.”. This question is standard in competitive examination syllabi for Sorting Algorithms.
💡Key Conceptual Anchor:Sorting Algorithms
Question 38 of 40
★ PPSC
★ FPSC
★ PPSC
★ FPSC
How many comparisons will be made to sort the array arr={1, 5, 3, 8, 2} using pigeonhole sort?
Correct Answer: Option D — 0
Detailed Academic Explanation:
0 is the correct answer to “How many comparisons will be made to sort the array arr={1, 5, 3, 8, 2} using pigeonhole sort”. This question is standard in competitive examination syllabi for Sorting Algorithms.
💡Key Conceptual Anchor:Sorting Algorithms
Question 39 of 40
★ PPSC
★ FPSC
★ PPSC
★ FPSC
The auxiliary array used in pigeonhole sorting is called . . . . . . . .
Correct Answer: Option D — pigeonhole
Detailed Academic Explanation:
pigeonhole is the correct answer to “The auxiliary array used in pigeonhole sorting is called . . . . . . . .”. This question is standard in competitive examination syllabi for Sorting Algorithms.
💡Key Conceptual Anchor:Sorting Algorithms
Question 40 of 40
★ PPSC
★ FPSC
★ PPSC
★ FPSC
Odd-even sort is a variation of . . . . . . . .
Correct Answer: Option A — Bubble sort
Detailed Academic Explanation:
Bubble sort is the correct answer to “Odd-even sort is a variation of . . . . . . . .”. This question is standard in competitive examination syllabi for Sorting Algorithms.
💡Key Conceptual Anchor:Sorting Algorithms
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In competitive commission exams (FPSC, PPSC, KPPSC, SPSC, CSS, PMS), questions are frequently phrased with distractor options designed to catch rote learners. Whenever you answer an MCQ, read the Detailed Academic Explanation and Conceptual Anchor to understand why the remaining options are incorrect.