Answer: Python Puzzler #2220

The answer is C. The program prints:

Full speed ahead!

This answer was checked by running the program for real.

Why?

Python checks the conditions from the top and runs the first one that is true. Is 9 > 8? Yes.

Trace table

A trace table follows the program step by step. Here’s this one:

question	answer
battery > 8	True
battery > 4	True

The code again

battery = 9
if battery > 8:
    print("Full speed ahead!")
elif battery > 4:
    print("Slow and steady.")
else:
    print("Time to recharge!")