Which keyword must precede the main method in a Java program?*1 pointpublicmainvoidstatic

The keyword that must precede the main method in a Java program is public.

In Java, the main method, which serves as the entry point for any standalone application, must be declared with the public access modifier to ensure it is accessible by the Java Virtual Machine (JVM) when the program starts. The full declaration of the main method is:

public static void main(String[] args)

In this declaration:

• public allows the method to be accessible from anywhere.
• static means that the method can be called without creating an instance of the class.
• void indicates that the method does not return a value.
• String[] args is an array of strings that can take command-line arguments.

Thus, the correct answer is public.