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This section includes InterviewSolutions, each offering curated multiple-choice questions to sharpen your knowledge and support exam preparation. Choose a topic below to get started.

1.

________ is an abstraction through which relationships are treated as higher level entities(a) Creation(b) Superseding(c) Attribute separation(d) AggregationI had been asked this question during an online exam.My enquiry is from Extended E-R Features topic in section Database Design and the ER Model of RDBMS

Answer»

The correct choice is (d) AGGREGATION

The best I can explain: One LIMITATION of E-R model is that it cannot express relationships among relationships. Thus for this purpose, aggregation is used. Aggregation is an ABSTRACTION through which relationships are treated as higher LEVEL entities.

2.

If each higher level entity belongs to the lower level entity, then what kind of generalization is it?(a) Modal generalization(b) Partial generalization(c) Total generalization(d) None of the mentionedThe question was asked in final exam.Question is taken from Extended E-R Features in chapter Database Design and the ER Model of RDBMS

Answer» CORRECT answer is (c) Total generalization

Easy explanation: If each higher LEVEL entity belongs to the LOWER level entity then it is CALLED as total generalization. It is also called as total specialization. If some higher level entities do not belong, it is called as partial generalization.
3.

Condition defined generalization constraint is also said to be ________(a) Attribute defined(b) Constraint defined(c) Value defined(d) UndefinedI have been asked this question in final exam.Enquiry is from Extended E-R Features in section Database Design and the ER Model of RDBMS

Answer»

The CORRECT option is (a) ATTRIBUTE defined

Best explanation: CONDITION defined generalization constraint is also SAID to be attribute defined.

4.

Which of the following is not a generalization constraint?(a) Condition-defined(b) User defined(c) Disjoint(d) Machine definedI have been asked this question by my school teacher while I was bunking the class.I want to ask this question from Extended E-R Features topic in section Database Design and the ER Model of RDBMS

Answer»

Correct answer is (d) MACHINE defined

The explanation is: Machine definition is not a generalization CONSTRAINT. CONDITION defined, USER defined, disjoint and OVERLAPPING are 4 generalization constraints.

5.

State true or false: The attributes of the higher level entity sets are inherited by the attributes of the lower level entity sets(a) True(b) FalseThis question was posed to me by my college director while I was bunking the class.The origin of the question is Extended E-R Features topic in section Database Design and the ER Model of RDBMS

Answer»

Right option is (a) TRUE

For explanation: The ATTRIBUTES of the higher level ENTITY sets are INHERITED by the attributes of the lower level entity sets. But the inverse is not true in this case.

6.

Higher level entity sets are designated by the term _________(a) Sub class(b) Super class(c) Parent class(d) Root classThe question was asked in exam.This is a very interesting question from Extended E-R Features in portion Database Design and the ER Model of RDBMS

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Right option is (b) SUPER CLASS

Easiest explanation: Higher level entity sets can ALSO be designated by the TERM super class. In the similar manner lower level entity sets can also be designated by the term sub class.

7.

The similarities between the entity set can be expressed by which of the following features?(a) Specialization(b) Generalization(c) Uniquation(d) InheritanceThis question was posed to me in class test.My enquiry is from Extended E-R Features topic in division Database Design and the ER Model of RDBMS

Answer»

Correct choice is (b) Generalization

Explanation: The similarities between the ENTITY set can be EXPRESSED by the generalization feature. It is a containment o the relationship that exists between a HIGHER LEVEL entity set and one or more lower level entity sets.

8.

Which of the following is the specialization that permits multiple sets(a) Superclass specialization(b) Disjoint specialization(c) Overlapping specialization(d) None of the mentionedThe question was posed to me in examination.The above asked question is from Extended E-R Features topic in portion Database Design and the ER Model of RDBMS

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Right ANSWER is (c) Overlapping specialization

Explanation: Overlapping specialization is the TYPE of specialization that permits MULTIPLE sets. But DISJOINT specialization does not permit multiple sets. Disjoint specialization permits at most ONE set.

9.

State true or false: Specialization can be applied only once(a) True(b) FalseThis question was posed to me by my school principal while I was bunking the class.My query is from Extended E-R Features in portion Database Design and the ER Model of RDBMS

Answer»

The correct OPTION is (a) True

The EXPLANATION: We can apply specialization multiple TIMES to REFINE a design. An ENTITY set may also be specialized by more than one distinguishing feature.

10.

The process of designating sub groupings within the entity set is called as _______(a) Specialization(b) Division(c) Aggregation(d) FinalizationThe question was asked in a job interview.This interesting question is from Extended E-R Features topic in chapter Database Design and the ER Model of RDBMS

Answer» CORRECT answer is (a) Specialization

The best EXPLANATION: The process of designating sub-groupings within the entity set is called as specialization. Specialization allows us to DISTINGUISH AMONG entities.
11.

Which of the following can affect the placement of the relationship attributes?(a) Alphabetical order(b) The data in the attribute(c) Cardinality ratio(d) None of the mentionedThis question was posed to me in unit test.My question is taken from Reduction to Relational Schema topic in portion Database Design and the ER Model of RDBMS

Answer» RIGHT answer is (C) Cardinality ratio

Explanation: The cardinality ratio of a relationship can AFFECT the placement of relationship attributes. The placement of the relationship attributes are not dependent on the ALPHABETICAL orderor the data in the attribute.
12.

Statement 1: We can create foreign key constraints on relational schema derived from ER diagramStatement 2: Relational schema cannot be derived from an ER diagram(a) Both the statements are true(b) Both the statements are false(c) Statement 1 is true and Statement 2 is false(d) Statement 2 is true and statement 1 is falseThe question was asked in my homework.My doubt is from Reduction to Relational Schema in section Database Design and the ER Model of RDBMS

Answer»

The correct choice is (c) Statement 1 is true and Statement 2 is false

The best explanation: We can create foreign key constraints on relational schema derived from ER diagram and ALSO it is POSSIBLE to derive relational schema from ER DIAGRAMS.

13.

State true or false: The schema for the relationship set linking a weak entity set to its corresponding strong entity set is redundant.(a) True(b) FalseThe question was asked in an online interview.Enquiry is from Reduction to Relational Schema in portion Database Design and the ER Model of RDBMS

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The CORRECT ANSWER is (a) True

To elaborate: The schema for the RELATIONSHIP SET linking a weak entity set to its CORRESPONDING strong entity set is redundant and it need not be present in the relational database design derived from an ER diagram.

14.

For a n-ary relationship set without arrows, the ________ of the participating entity sets becomes the prime attribute(a) Intersection of primary keys(b) Primary key of either one(c) Union of primary keys(d) Primary key on the many sideThis question was posed to me in class test.I'd like to ask this question from Reduction to Relational Schema in division Database Design and the ER Model of RDBMS

Answer»

The correct OPTION is (c) UNION of primary keys

To elaborate: For a binary MANY to many relationship, the union of the primary keys of the PARTICIPATING entity SETS becomes the prime attribute.

15.

For a binary many to many relationship, the ________ of the participating entity sets becomes the prime attribute(a) Intersection of primary keys(b) Primary key of either one(c) Union of primary keys(d) Primary key on the many sideThe question was asked in an international level competition.I'm obligated to ask this question of Reduction to Relational Schema topic in division Database Design and the ER Model of RDBMS

Answer»

The correct OPTION is (d) Primary key on the many side

For explanation I WOULD SAY: For a binary many to many relationship, the primary key on the many side of the participating ENTITY sets becomes the prime attribute.

16.

For a binary one to one relationship, the ________ of the participating entity sets becomes the prime attribute(a) Intersection of primary keys(b) Primary key of either one(c) Union of primary keys(d) Primary key on the many sideI have been asked this question in class test.I would like to ask this question from Reduction to Relational Schema in portion Database Design and the ER Model of RDBMS

Answer»

Right CHOICE is (b) PRIMARY key of either one

Easiest explanation: For a BINARY one to one relationship, the primary key of either one of the participating ENTITY SETS becomes the prime attribute.

17.

For a binary many to many relationship, the ________ of the participating entity sets becomes the prime attribute(a) Intersection of primary keys(b) Primary key of either one(c) Union of primary keys(d) Primary key on the many sideThe question was posed to me in quiz.I'd like to ask this question from Reduction to Relational Schema in division Database Design and the ER Model of RDBMS

Answer»

Correct option is (c) Union of primary keys

To EXPLAIN: For a binary many to many relationship, the union of the primary keys of the participating ENTITY sets becomes the PRIME ATTRIBUTE.

18.

The primary key of the representation of a weak entity set consists of the primary key of the strong entity set and the _______(a) Discriminator of the weak entity set(b) Foreign key(c) Primary key of all the other entity sets(d) All the attributes of the weak entity setThis question was posed to me in an online interview.This question is from Reduction to Relational Schema topic in portion Database Design and the ER Model of RDBMS

Answer»

Right choice is (a) Discriminator of the weak ENTITY set

The best I can explain: The PRIMARY key of the REPRESENTATION of a weak entity set consists of the primary key of the STRONG entity set and the discriminator of the weak entity set.

19.

State true or false: Derived attributes cannot be directly represented in the relational data model(a) True(b) FalseThis question was addressed to me during an interview.My question is from Reduction to Relational Schema in section Database Design and the ER Model of RDBMS

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The correct ANSWER is (a) True

For explanation: DERIVED attributes cannot be DIRECTLY represented in the RELATIONAL data model. Instead, they are represented as methods.

20.

For schemas derived from strong entity sets, the _______ of the entity set serves as the primary key of the resulting schema(a) First attribute(b) Primary key(c) Foreign key(d) None of the mentionedThe question was asked during an interview.My question is from Reduction to Relational Schema in section Database Design and the ER Model of RDBMS

Answer»

Correct choice is (b) Primary key

To elaborate: For schemas derived from STRONG entity sets, the primary key of the entity SET SERVES as the primary key of the resulting schema. This is because the primary KEYS are to be preserved as they are unique.

21.

State true or false: A weak entity can participate in all the relationships.(a) True(b) FalseThe question was asked in an international level competition.I want to ask this question from Entity Relationship Diagrams in section Database Design and the ER Model of RDBMS

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Right choice is (B) False

The BEST EXPLANATION: It cannot PARTICIPATE in all the RELATIONSHIPS. A weak entity set can only participate in relationships other than the identifying relationship.

22.

State true or false: Every weak entity set must be associated with an identifying entity(a) True(b) FalseThis question was addressed to me in exam.This is a very interesting question from Entity Relationship Diagrams topic in portion Database Design and the ER Model of RDBMS

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The correct OPTION is (a) True

Easiest EXPLANATION: Every weak entity SET must be ASSOCIATED with an IDENTIFYING entity. The weak entity is then said to be existence dependent on the identifying entity set.

23.

The relationship associating the weak entity sets with the identifying entity set is called as ________(a) Identifying relationship(b) Connecting relationship(c) Completing relationship(d) Unique relationshipThis question was addressed to me during an interview for a job.Asked question is from Entity Relationship Diagrams topic in section Database Design and the ER Model of RDBMS

Answer»

Correct choice is (a) Identifying relationship

The best EXPLANATION: The relationship associating the WEAK entity SETS with the identifying entity set is called as an Identifying relationship. An identifying set is a many to ONE from the weak entity set to the identifying entity set.

24.

An entity set that has a primary key is called as ___________(a) Strong entity set(b) Weak entity set(c) Complete entity set(d) None of the mentionedI had been asked this question in an interview.My enquiry is from Entity Relationship Diagrams topic in chapter Database Design and the ER Model of RDBMS

Answer»

The CORRECT option is (a) STRONG entity set

Easy EXPLANATION: An entity set that has a primary key is called as a strong entity set. An entity set that does not have a primary key is called a WEAK entity set.

25.

How is the discriminator of a weak entity set specified?(a) Using a solid line(b) Circling it(c) Using a dashed line(d) Drawing a square around itThe question was asked in my homework.The origin of the question is Entity Relationship Diagrams topic in section Database Design and the ER Model of RDBMS

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The correct answer is (C) USING a dashed line

Best explanation: A DISCRIMINATOR of a WEAK entity set can be specified by underlining it with a dashed line.

26.

What does a directed line ( →)from a relationship set to two entity sets mean?(a) One-one(b) Many-one(c) Many-many(d) One-manyThis question was posed to me by my school principal while I was bunking the class.This interesting question is from Entity Relationship Diagrams topic in portion Database Design and the ER Model of RDBMS

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The CORRECT choice is (a) One-one

Explanation: A directed LINE ( →)from a relationship SET to two ENTITY SETS means that there is a one-one cardinality between two entity sets.

27.

What do double diamonds represent in an ER diagram(a) They link entity sets to relationship sets(b) Total participation of an entity in a relationship set(c) Relationship sets linked to weak entity sets(d) None of the mentionedThis question was posed to me during an interview.I need to ask this question from Entity Relationship Diagrams in division Database Design and the ER Model of RDBMS

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The CORRECT ANSWER is (c) Relationship SETS linked to weak ENTITY sets

Explanation: The double diamonds represent the relationship sets linked to weak entity sets. Weak entity sets are the sets that do not have a primary KEY.

28.

Which of the following symbols represent relationship sets in an ER diagram(a) Divided rectangles(b) Diamonds(c) Lines(d) Undivided rectanglesI got this question in homework.My enquiry is from Entity Relationship Diagrams topic in portion Database Design and the ER Model of RDBMS

Answer»

Right option is (b) Diamonds

Explanation: Diamonds REPRESENT RELATIONSHIP sets in an ER diagram. Relationship sets define how two ENTITY sets are RELATED in a database.

29.

Which of the following symbols represent entity sets in an ER diagram?(a) Divided rectangles(b) Diamonds(c) Lines(d) Undivided rectanglesI have been asked this question in an interview for job.Origin of the question is Entity Relationship Diagrams in chapter Database Design and the ER Model of RDBMS

Answer»

Correct CHOICE is (a) Divided RECTANGLES

Easy explanation: Rectangles divided into two parts REPRESENT entity SETS in an ER diagram. The upper rectangle contains the NAME of the entity sets. And the lower rectangle contains the attributes.

30.

Which of the following is a good database management practice?(a) Adding redundant attributes(b) Removing redundant attributes(c) Not specifying primary keys(d) None of the mentionedThe question was posed to me during a job interview.Query is from Entity Relationship Model topic in division Database Design and the ER Model of RDBMS

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The correct ANSWER is (b) Removing redundant attributes

The EXPLANATION: Removing redundant attributes from a relation makes DATA extraction more efficient and faster. Thus, it is a good DATABASE management TECHNIQUE.

31.

State true or false: Multiple attributes combined together can be primary keys(a) True(b) FalseThis question was addressed to me in examination.The origin of the question is Entity Relationship Model topic in chapter Database Design and the ER Model of RDBMS

Answer» RIGHT choice is (a) True

Explanation: A primary KEY is an ATTRIBUTE or a set of attributes that can uniquely identify a tuple in a relation. So, this means that multiple attributes can be combined to uniquely identify a tuple in a relation.
32.

State true or false: We cannot specify keys in the Entity-Relationship model(a) True(b) FalseThe question was posed to me during an interview.The origin of the question is Entity Relationship Model topic in section Database Design and the ER Model of RDBMS

Answer» CORRECT answer is (b) False

The EXPLANATION is: Keys can be specified in the entity-relationship model to uniquely identify the entity in the entity set.
33.

Let E be an entity set in a relationship set R. If only some entities in E participate in relationships in R, Then the participation of E in R is __________(a) Partial(b) Total(c) Complete(d) IncompleteThis question was addressed to me at a job interview.My question is based upon Entity Relationship Model topic in portion Database Design and the ER Model of RDBMS

Answer» CORRECT choice is (B) Total

Explanation: Let E be an entity SET in a relationship set R. If only some entities in E participate in relationships in R, Then the PARTICIPATION of E in R is PARTIAL.
34.

Let E be an entity set in a relationship set R. If every entity in E participates in at least one relationships in R, Then the participation of E in R is __________(a) Partial(b) Total(c) Complete(d) IncompleteThe question was posed to me in an online quiz.Query is from Entity Relationship Model topic in portion Database Design and the ER Model of RDBMS

Answer»

The correct choice is (b) TOTAL

Easiest EXPLANATION: Let E be an entity SET in a relationship set R. If every entity in E participates in at least one RELATION in R, Then the participation of E in R is total.

35.

What are composite attributes?(a) They are those attributes which cannot be further divided into other attributes(b) They are those attributes which can further be divided into other attributes(c) They are those attributes which are essentially the primary keys of the relation(d) None of the mentionedI got this question during an interview.I'd like to ask this question from Entity Relationship Model in division Database Design and the ER Model of RDBMS

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The CORRECT answer is (B) They are those attributes which can further be divided into other attributes

To EXPLAIN: Composite attributes are the ones which can be further divided into other attributes WHEREAS SIMPLE attributes cannot be divided into other attributes.

36.

The attributes of a relationship are called as _________ attributes(a) Relational(b) Conjunctive(c) Descriptive(d) None of the mentionedThis question was posed to me during an internship interview.The above asked question is from Entity Relationship Model topic in section Database Design and the ER Model of RDBMS

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The correct ANSWER is (C) DESCRIPTIVE

To elaborate: A RELATIONSHIP may also have attributes. These attributes are CALLED as descriptive attributes.

37.

A ___________ is an association among several entities.(a) Relationship(b) Association(c) Set(d) CombinationI have been asked this question in a job interview.My doubt is from Entity Relationship Model in chapter Database Design and the ER Model of RDBMS

Answer» CORRECT CHOICE is (a) Relationship

The explanation is: A relationship is an ASSOCIATION among SEVERAL entities. A relationship specifies how TWO entities are related.
38.

The _________ of the entity set is an actual collection of entities belonging to that entity set.(a) Extension(b) Intention(c) Description(d) AvailabilityThis question was addressed to me during an online interview.My doubt is from Entity Relationship Model in section Database Design and the ER Model of RDBMS

Answer»

Correct CHOICE is (a) Extension

Easy explanation: The extension of the entity SET is an actual COLLECTION of ENTITIES belonging to that entity set.