The correct answer is that a protected member is accessible within the same package and by subclasses, even if those subclasses reside in different packages. This dual accessibility stems from the Java Language Specification (JLS §6.6.2), which defines protected as a middle ground between default (package-private) and public access: it grants inheritance-based visibility across package boundaries while still restricting general access from unrelated classes. On the Oracle Java Foundations 1Z0-811 exam, this concept frequently appears in questions testing your understanding of access modifiers, often with a trap that confuses protected with default access—remember that default allows access only within the same package, whereas protected adds the crucial subclass exception. A common memory tip is to think of protected as “package plus children”: it protects the member from the outside world but still lets its family (subclasses) inherit it, no matter where they live.
1Z0-811 Object-Oriented Programming Practice Question
This 1Z0-811 practice question tests your understanding of object-oriented programming. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
A class has a method that is marked as protected. Which statement is true about its accessibility?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Within the same package and subclasses
In Java, the protected access modifier allows access within the same package and by subclasses (even if they are in different packages). Option E correctly states this combination, which is the precise definition of protected access as specified in the Java Language Specification (JLS §6.6.2).
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✗
Only in subclasses
Why it's wrong here
Protected also allows access from same package classes, not only subclasses.
✗
Only within the same package
Why it's wrong here
Protected methods are also accessible in subclasses, not only within the same package.
✗
Everywhere
Why it's wrong here
That describes public access.
✗
Only within the same class
Why it's wrong here
Protected methods are accessible outside the class, unlike private.
✓
Within the same package and subclasses
Why this is correct
Protected access allows access within the same package and by subclasses even in different packages.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse protected with package-private (default) access, forgetting that protected also grants access to subclasses in other packages, or they incorrectly think protected is as restrictive as private.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, the Java compiler enforces protected access by checking the access context: if the accessing code is in a different package, it must be a subclass and the access must occur through a reference to the subclass type (not a superclass reference) to avoid bypassing encapsulation. This rule prevents code in a different package from accessing protected members on arbitrary instances of the superclass, a subtlety that can cause compile-time errors if violated.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
→Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
→Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A small business has 20 workstations on the 192.168.1.0/24 network and one public IP from its ISP. The router uses PAT (NAT overload) so all 20 devices share one public address using different source ports. NAT questions test whether you understand the four address terms and which direction each translation applies.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Object-Oriented Programming — This question tests Object-Oriented Programming — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Within the same package and subclasses — In Java, the protected access modifier allows access within the same package and by subclasses (even if they are in different packages). Option E correctly states this combination, which is the precise definition of protected access as specified in the Java Language Specification (JLS §6.6.2).
What should I do if I get this 1Z0-811 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Question Discussion
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