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What this C++ code-reading question tests

This is an easy C++ question that asks you to trace the execution of a code snippet and predict its output. It is commonly used in interviews to assess whether a candidate can quickly read and mentally execute unfamiliar code, spotting the key details that determine the result.

Questions like this reward careful attention to scope, variable binding, and operator precedence. The question may involve function calls, control flow, or subtle language semantics. Success requires you to step through the code methodically, track state changes, and avoid jumping to conclusions based on surface-level intuition.

• Variable scope and lifetime
• Function parameter passing
• Order of evaluation
• Type conversions and implicit behavior