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200-901 Software Development and Design Practice Question

A Python script reads a JSON configuration file named 'config.json' and needs to extract the value of a nested key 'api_key' under 'authentication'. The file structure is: {"authentication": {"api_key": "abc123", "method": "token"}, "timeout": 30}. Which code snippet correctly opens the file and retrieves the api_key value?

Answer choices

Why each option matters

Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.

Correct answer & explanation

✓

with open('config.json') as f: data = json.load(f) key = data['authentication']['api_key']

Using the json module and context manager is the standard approach; the nested key is accessed via dictionary indexing.

Answer analysis

Option-by-option breakdown

For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.

✗
f = open('config.json'); data = json.load(f); key = data['authentication']['api_key']; f.close()
Why it's wrong here
Works but not using context manager; less safe (can forget close).
✗
with open('config.json') as f: data = json.loads(f) key = data['authentication']['api_key']
Why it's wrong here
json.loads expects a string, not a file object.
✗
with open('config.json', 'r') as f: data = json.load(f) key = data['authentication.api_key']
Why it's wrong here
Nested keys require separate brackets; dot notation is not used.
✓
with open('config.json') as f: data = json.load(f) key = data['authentication']['api_key']
Why this is correct
json.load() reads file and parses JSON; correct nested access.

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200-901 Software Development and Design Practice Question

Why each option matters

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