- A
When an array is passed to a method, changes to the array elements inside the method are not reflected in the caller.
Why wrong: Changes to array elements modify the same array object, so they are reflected.
- B
When an array is reassigned inside a method, the original array in the caller is also reassigned.
Why wrong: Reassigning the parameter only changes the local reference, not the caller's reference.
- C
When a primitive type is passed to a method, a copy of the value is passed.
Primitives are pass-by-value, so the original variable is not modified.
- D
When an object is passed to a method, a reference to the object is passed by value.
The reference is copied, so the method can modify the object's state but cannot change which object the caller's reference points to.
- E
When a String is passed to a method, the method can modify the original String.
Why wrong: Strings are immutable; any modification creates a new String object.
Quick Answer
The correct answer is that when an object is passed to a method, a reference to the object is passed by value. This is true because Java strictly uses pass-by-value for all parameter passing, meaning a copy of the variable’s value is always made. For primitive types like int or boolean, that copy is the actual value itself, so changes inside the method do not affect the original variable. For objects, the copy is the memory address (reference) of the object, not the object’s data; thus, while you cannot reassign the original reference, you can modify the object’s fields through that copy. On the Oracle Java Foundations 1Z0-811 exam, this concept tests your understanding of how Java handles memory and method calls, often appearing as a trick where candidates confuse pass-by-reference with pass-by-value. A common trap is assuming objects are passed by reference because their state can be changed. Remember the mnemonic: “Java copies the ticket, not the car”—the reference is copied, but the object itself stays in its parking spot.
1Z0-811 Arrays and Methods Practice Question
This 1Z0-811 practice question tests your understanding of arrays and methods. 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.
Which two statements about method parameter passing in Java are true? (Choose two.)
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
When a primitive type is passed to a method, a copy of the value is passed.
Option C is correct because Java always passes primitive types (like int, double, boolean) by value, meaning a copy of the actual value is made and passed into the method. Any modifications to the parameter inside the method affect only the copy, not the original variable in the caller.
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.
- ✗
When an array is passed to a method, changes to the array elements inside the method are not reflected in the caller.
Why it's wrong here
Changes to array elements modify the same array object, so they are reflected.
- ✗
When an array is reassigned inside a method, the original array in the caller is also reassigned.
Why it's wrong here
Reassigning the parameter only changes the local reference, not the caller's reference.
- ✓
When a primitive type is passed to a method, a copy of the value is passed.
Why this is correct
Primitives are pass-by-value, so the original variable is not modified.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✓
When an object is passed to a method, a reference to the object is passed by value.
Why this is correct
The reference is copied, so the method can modify the object's state but cannot change which object the caller's reference points to.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
When a String is passed to a method, the method can modify the original String.
Why it's wrong here
Strings are immutable; any modification creates a new String object.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse 'pass-by-reference' with 'pass-by-value of a reference,' leading them to incorrectly believe that reassigning an object parameter inside a method affects the caller's reference, or that primitive types are passed by reference.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, Java uses pass-by-value for all parameters, but for objects (including arrays and Strings), the value passed is a copy of the reference (memory address), not the object itself. This means the method can mutate the object's state via the reference, but cannot change which object the caller's variable points to. A common real-world scenario is when a method modifies a mutable object like a StringBuilder or a custom object's fields, which persists after the method returns, but reassigning the parameter to a new object has no effect on the caller.
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 practitioner preparing for the 1Z0-811 exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 1Z0-811 question test?
Arrays and Methods — This question tests Arrays and Methods — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: When a primitive type is passed to a method, a copy of the value is passed. — Option C is correct because Java always passes primitive types (like int, double, boolean) by value, meaning a copy of the actual value is made and passed into the method. Any modifications to the parameter inside the method affect only the copy, not the original variable in the caller.
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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Last reviewed: Jun 25, 2026
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