Answer: Python Puzzler #3891

The answer is C. The program prints:

hoot

This answer was checked by running the program for real.

Why?

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

Trace table

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

keyvalue
owlhoot
cowmoo
mousesqueak
beebuzz

The code again

sounds = {
    "owl": "hoot",
    "cow": "moo",
    "mouse": "squeak",
    "bee": "buzz",
}
print(sounds["owl"])

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