PCPP2 Design Patterns Practice Question
You are implementing a Prototype pattern. What is the difference between shallow copy and deep copy in the context of cloning objects?
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
✓
Shallow copy duplicates the reference, deep copy duplicates the object contents
A shallow copy creates a new object but references the same nested objects, while a deep copy recursively clones all nested objects.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Shallow copy duplicates the reference, deep copy duplicates the object contents
Why this is correct
This accurately describes the distinction in Python's copy module.
- ✗
Both copies result in the same memory address
Why it's wrong here
Both create new objects with different memory addresses.
- ✗
Shallow copy clones nested objects, deep copy does not
Why it's wrong here
This is the reverse of the actual behavior.
- ✗
Deep copy is always faster than shallow copy
Why it's wrong here
Deep copy is generally slower due to recursion.
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JA
Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed August 2026 · checked against the official Python Institute exam blueprint
This PCPP2 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Python Institute certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the PCPP2 exam.