Answer: Python Puzzler #3860

The answer is D. The program prints:

buzz

This answer was checked by running the program for real.

Why?

A dictionary stores pairs: a key and its value. sounds["bee"] looks up the key ‘bee’ and gives back its value.

Trace table

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

keyvalue
duckquack
catmeow
sheepbaa
beebuzz

The code again

sounds = {
    "duck": "quack",
    "cat": "meow",
    "sheep": "baa",
    "bee": "buzz",
}
print(sounds["bee"])

Try it: change one number in the program and predict the new output before you run it.