Given: package p1; public class Person { protected Person() { } //line 1 } and package a; import b.Person; public class Main { //line 2 public static void main(String[] args) { Person person = new…

Question

Options

• AIn Line 1, change the access modifier to private:private Person() {
• BIn Line 1, change the access modifier to public:public Person() {
• CIn Line 2, add extend Person to the Main class:public class Main extends Person { and change Line 3 to create a new Main object:Person person = new Main();
• DIn Line 2, change the access modifier to public:public class Main {
• EIn Line 1, remove the access modifier:Person() {

• A
  8% (3)
• B
  80% (32)
• D
  3% (1)
• E
  10% (4)

Explanation

Option B works because making the constructor public removes all access restrictions - any class in any package can call new Person() directly, which is exactly what Main needs.

Option C works because protected access grants visibility to subclasses, even across packages. When Main extends Person, calling new Main() implicitly invokes Person()'s constructor via super(). Since Main IS-A Person (inheritance), assigning it to Person person is valid - the "new Person" requirement is satisfied through polymorphism.

Why the distractors fail:

• A (private): Makes access more restrictive - only callable from within Person itself. The opposite of helpful.
• D (public class Main): Main is already public - this changes nothing. The problem is the constructor's access modifier, not the class's.
• E (package-private/default): Removing the modifier gives package-private access, which is stricter than protected for cross-package use - only classes in the same package (p1) could call it, excluding Main in package a.

Memory tip: Visualize access as four expanding rings - private → default → protected → public. To cross a package boundary without inheritance, you must reach the outermost ring (public). To cross it with inheritance, protected is the minimum - that's the key insight behind why B and C both work.

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