PCAP Object-Oriented Programming Practice Question
This PCAP 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.
Which TWO statements about method overriding in Python are correct?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The overriding method can call the parent method using super()
Option A is correct because the overriding method can call the parent class's version of the method using the built-in `super()` function, which returns a proxy object that delegates method calls to the parent class. This is a fundamental feature of Python's inheritance mechanism, allowing the child method to extend or modify the parent's behavior while still invoking it.
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 overriding method can call the parent method using super()
Why this is correct
super() allows access to the overridden method.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✓
The overriding method must have the same name
Why this is correct
Overriding is defined by having the same method name in subclass.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
The overriding method requires explicit use of the @override decorator
Why it's wrong here
Python has no built-in @override decorator.
✗
The overriding method must have the exact same parameter list
Why it's wrong here
Python does not enforce identical signatures; you can change parameters.
✗
Overriding is resolved at compile time
Why it's wrong here
Method resolution is dynamic at runtime.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Python Institute often tests the misconception that Python enforces strict method signatures or requires an `@override` decorator, leading candidates to select options D or C, when in fact Python's dynamic nature allows flexible overriding without compile-time checks.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, Python's method resolution order (MRO) uses the C3 linearization algorithm to determine which method to call when `super()` is used. A subtle behavior is that `super()` does not always call the immediate parent; it follows the MRO, which can include sibling classes in multiple inheritance scenarios. In real-world code, overriding with different parameter lists can break Liskov substitution principle and cause unexpected `TypeError` if the caller expects the parent's signature.
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 media company stores terabytes of video archives that are accessed once a year for audit purposes. Moving these objects to a cold storage tier (Azure Archive, S3 Glacier, or Google Nearline) costs a fraction of hot storage. Questions like this test whether you understand storage tiers, access frequency tradeoffs, and retrieval latency requirements.
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: The overriding method can call the parent method using super() — Option A is correct because the overriding method can call the parent class's version of the method using the built-in `super()` function, which returns a proxy object that delegates method calls to the parent class. This is a fundamental feature of Python's inheritance mechanism, allowing the child method to extend or modify the parent's behavior while still invoking it.
What should I do if I get this PCAP 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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