← Python

Lists – Methods (append, remove, pop, insert)

List methods modify the list in place by adding, removing, or repositioning items

What it does: .append() adds one item to the end of the list. .insert(index, value) adds value at the specified index position. pop() removes the item AND returns it so you can use it. remove() removes only the first matching item — not all of them. insert(1, 99) inserts 99 AT index 1, shifting others right. sort() rearranges in ascending order by default. append() modifies the list directly and returns None. remove() raises ValueError when the item isn't found.

Common mistakes: append() returns None: don't assign it back. It modifies the list in-place. append() takes exactly one argument: add items one at a time.

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Learning

Duo

What does append() do?

Adds an item to the endAdds to the start

Matches

❌ nums = [1,2,3] nums.remove(99)

↓

Error: 99 not in list

Applying

Meanings

Term

.append(item)

Meaning

Adds an item to the end of the list.

Practice

nums = [1, 2, 3]

Testing

Gaps

nums.(4)

Check Answer

Spots

1nums = [1, 2, 3]

2nums = nums.append(4)

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Quick Questions

1. What does append() do?

A. Adds an item to the end ✓

B. Adds to the start

append() always adds to the END of the list

2. What does pop() do?

A. Adds an item

B. Removes and returns the last item ✓

pop() removes the item AND returns it so you can use it

3. What does remove('cat') do?

A. Removes the first 'cat' ✓

B. Removes all 'cat'

remove() removes only the first matching item — not all of them

4. nums = [1,2,3]\nnums.insert(1, 99)\nWhat is nums?

A. [99, 1, 2, 3]

B. [1, 99, 2, 3] ✓

insert(1, 99) inserts 99 AT index 1, shifting others right

5. nums = [3,1,2]\nnums.sort()\nWhat is nums?

A. [1, 2, 3] ✓

B. [3, 2, 1]

sort() rearranges in ascending order by default

Match the Pairs

nums = [1,2,3] nums.remove(99) → Error: 99 not in list

nums = [] nums.pop() → Error: pop from empty list

nums.append(4) → Valid: Adds 4 to end of list

nums.insert(0, 'new') → Ok: Inserts 'new' at index 0

n = [1,2,3] n.append(4) print(n) → Output: [1, 2, 3, 4]

n = [1,2,3] print(n.pop()) → Output: 3

Key Term

.append(item)

Adds an item to the end of the list.~~.insert(index, item)

Fill in the Blanks

1. nums = [1, 2, 3] nums.append(4) print(nums)

2. nums = [1, 2, 3] nums.insert(0, 99) print(nums)

3. pets = ['cat', 'dog'] pets.remove('cat') print(pets)

4. nums = [10, 20, 30] last = nums.pop() print(last)

5. nums = [3, 1, 2] nums.sort() print(nums)

Spot the Error

Question 1

A nums = [1, 2, 3]

B nums = nums.append(4)

C print('List:', nums)

D print('Done')

Line B — append() returns None: don't assign it back. It modifies the list in-place.

Question 2

A nums = [1, 2, 3]

B nums.append(4, 5)

C print('List:', nums)

D print('Done')

Line B — append() takes exactly one argument: add items one at a time

Question 3

A nums = [1, 2, 3]

B nums.remove(5)

C print('List:', nums)

D print('Done')

Line B — 5 is not in the list: remove() raises ValueError

Question 4

A nums = [1, 2, 3]

B nums.append[4]

C print('List:', nums)

D print('Done')

Line B — Use parentheses () to call methods, not square brackets []

Question 5

A sorted_nums = [3, 1, 2].sort()

B nums = [3, 1, 2]

C print('Sorted:', sorted_nums)

D print('Done')

Line A — sort() returns None: it modifies in-place. Use sorted() to get a new sorted list.

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