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 are true about passing arrays to methods in Java?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The method can modify the elements of the array.
Option B is correct because Java passes object references by value. When an array is passed to a method, the method receives a copy of the reference to the array object. This copy still points to the same array object in heap memory, so the method can modify the elements of the array through that reference. These modifications are visible to the caller because they affect the same underlying array object.
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.
✗
The method can reassign the original array variable to a new array.
Why it's wrong here
Only the copy of the reference is changed.
✓
The method can modify the elements of the array.
Why this is correct
Changes to array elements affect the original array.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
The method must return the array to reflect any changes.
Why it's wrong here
Changes to elements are visible without returning.
✓
The method receives a copy of the array reference.
Why this is correct
Java passes object references by value.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
The method cannot determine the size of the array.
Why it's wrong here
The length field is accessible.
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 the reference,' leading them to incorrectly believe that reassigning the parameter inside the method will affect the caller's variable (Option A), or that modifications to array elements require a return value (Option C).
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
In Java, all arguments are passed by value, but for objects (including arrays), the value is a reference to the object. This means the method gets a copy of the reference, not a copy of the object itself. A common subtlety is that if the method assigns a new array to the parameter (e.g., `arr = new int[5];`), the caller's reference remains unchanged because only the local copy was reassigned. This behavior is consistent with the Java Language Specification (JLS §8.4.1) and is crucial for understanding mutability and aliasing in method calls.
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.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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: The method can modify the elements of the array. — Option B is correct because Java passes object references by value. When an array is passed to a method, the method receives a copy of the reference to the array object. This copy still points to the same array object in heap memory, so the method can modify the elements of the array through that reference. These modifications are visible to the caller because they affect the same underlying array object.
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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