Which primitive type can store a single character?
Correct.
Why this answer
The `char` primitive type in Java is specifically designed to store a single 16-bit Unicode character, ranging from '\u0000' (0) to '\uffff' (65535). It is the only primitive type that directly represents a character value, making it the appropriate choice for storing a single character.
Exam trap
Oracle often tests the distinction between primitive types and reference types, and the trap here is that candidates mistakenly choose `String` because they associate it with characters, forgetting that `String` is not a primitive type and is designed for sequences, not single characters.
How to eliminate wrong answers
Option A is wrong because `String` is a reference type (a class in Java), not a primitive type, and it is used to store a sequence of characters, not a single character. Option B is wrong because `byte` is an 8-bit signed integer primitive type that stores numeric values from -128 to 127, not characters. Option C is wrong because `short` is a 16-bit signed integer primitive type that stores numeric values from -32,768 to 32,767, not characters.