Question 231 markShort AnswerSection B

$To create a new list L1 containing the elements of list L arranged in ascending order, without modifying list L.$

Q: To create a new list L1 containing the elements of list L arranged in ascending order, without modifying list L.

**Required statement:** ```python L1 = sorted(L) ``` The built-in `sorted()` function returns a NEW list containing the elements of `L` arranged in ascending order, while leaving the original list `L` completely unchanged.

Python Revision Tour

Sorting a List — sorted()

Official answer

Required statement: `` python L1 = sorted(L) ` The built-in sorted() function returns a NEW list containing the elements of L arranged in ascending order, while leaving the original list L` completely unchanged.

sorted() function

list sorting

ascending order

non-destructive sort

L.sort() vs sorted(L)

built-in function

Python lists

Marking scheme

1. $1 mark for the correct statement `L1 = sorted(L)`; equivalent forms like `L1 = sorted(L, reverse=False)` also accepted.$

Hint

$Use the function that RETURNS a new sorted list rather than the method that sorts the list in place.$

Quick oral answer

$L1 = sorted(L) creates a new ascending-order list from L without changing L, because sorted() always returns a fresh list rather than sorting in place.$

Common mistakes

1. $Writing `L1 = L.sort()`, which sorts L in place and stores `None` in L1 — this fails to create a separate ascending list and also modifies L.$
2. $Assuming `sorted()` modifies the original list L, when in fact it only returns a new list, leaving L unchanged.$

Analysis and explanation

This question tests the important distinction between Python's sort() method and sorted() function. Why sorted(L) is the correct choice sorted(L) takes any iterable and returns a brand-new sorted list, by default in ascending order. The original list L is never modified by sorted(), satisfying the requirement to leave L untouched. Common confusion L.sort() sorts the list L IN-PLACE and returns None — using L1 = L.sort() would incorrectly make L1 equal to None while also modifying L, which violates the question's condition.

Interesting facts

$Python's built-in sort (used internally by both `sort()` and `sorted()`) is called Timsort, a hybrid of merge sort and insertion sort designed for real-world data.$

$`sorted()` works on ANY iterable — lists, tuples, strings, dictionaries (sorts keys) — always returning a list, unlike `sort()` which is a list-only method.$

Question details

Q23 of 48 questions

Board: CBSE
Class: Class 12
Subject: Computer Science
Year: 2026
Section: Section B
Marks: 1
Type: Short Answer
Chapter: Python Revision Tour
Topic: $Sorting a List — sorted()$
Bloom's level: apply
Syllabus topic: $Unit 1: Computational Thinking and Programming — Lists (Built-in Function: sorted())$
Author: CBSE
Reviewed by: Padhantu Academic Team

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Frequently asked questions

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

$L.sort() sorts the list L in place and returns None, modifying the original list. sorted(L) returns a brand-new sorted list and leaves L unchanged.$

$How do you sort a list in descending order using sorted()?$

$Pass the reverse=True argument: L1 = sorted(L, reverse=True).$