- A
list.sort(Comparator.naturalOrder());
Correct: naturalOrder comparator sorts in ascending order.
- B
list.sort((a,b) -> b.compareTo(a));
Why wrong: Incorrect: comparing b to a reverses the order, resulting in descending.
- C
Collections.sort(list, Collections.reverseOrder());
Why wrong: Incorrect: reverseOrder sorts in descending order.
- D
Collections.sort(list);
Correct: Collections.sort sorts the list in natural order.
- E
Arrays.sort(list);
Why wrong: Incorrect: Arrays.sort does not accept a List; it works on arrays only.
Question 368 of 519
1Z0-829 Working with Arrays and Collections Practice Question
This 1Z0-829 practice question tests your understanding of working with arrays and collections. 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 of the following will sort a List<String> in natural (ascending) order?
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
✓
list.sort(Comparator.naturalOrder());
Option A is correct because `Comparator.naturalOrder()` returns a comparator that imposes the natural (ascending) ordering on `String` objects, which is lexicographic order based on Unicode values. The `List.sort()` method accepts this comparator and sorts the list in place, making it a concise and idiomatic way to sort a list in ascending order.
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.
- ✓
list.sort(Comparator.naturalOrder());
Why this is correct
Correct: naturalOrder comparator sorts in ascending order.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
list.sort((a,b) -> b.compareTo(a));
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect: comparing b to a reverses the order, resulting in descending.
- ✗
Collections.sort(list, Collections.reverseOrder());
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect: reverseOrder sorts in descending order.
- ✓
Collections.sort(list);
Why this is correct
Correct: Collections.sort sorts the list in natural order.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Arrays.sort(list);
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect: Arrays.sort does not accept a List; it works on arrays only.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse `Collections.sort(list)` (which sorts in natural order) with `Collections.sort(list, Collections.reverseOrder())` (which sorts in reverse order), and may also mistakenly think `Arrays.sort()` works on a `List` without realizing it requires an array.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, `Comparator.naturalOrder()` returns a comparator that delegates to `Comparable.compareTo()`, which for `String` uses lexicographic comparison based on Unicode code points. The `List.sort()` method, introduced in Java 8, sorts the list in place using `Arrays.sort()` internally after converting the list to an array, providing O(n log n) performance (TimSort). A subtle behavior is that `naturalOrder()` returns a comparator that throws `NullPointerException` if any element is null, unlike `Comparator.nullsFirst()` which can handle nulls gracefully.
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 1Z0-829 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.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 1Z0-829 question test?
Working with Arrays and Collections — This question tests Working with Arrays and Collections — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: list.sort(Comparator.naturalOrder()); — Option A is correct because `Comparator.naturalOrder()` returns a comparator that imposes the natural (ascending) ordering on `String` objects, which is lexicographic order based on Unicode values. The `List.sort()` method accepts this comparator and sorts the list in place, making it a concise and idiomatic way to sort a list in ascending order.
What should I do if I get this 1Z0-829 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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