Which key is used to create and drag a copy of an item after it has been selected?

The correct choice for creating and dragging a copy of an item after it has been selected is the Option key. When you hold down the Option key while dragging an item on a Mac, the system interprets this action as a command to create a duplicate of the original item rather than moving it. This behavior is designed to facilitate quick copying of files, folders, or other objects within macOS.

For users working on a Mac, this shortcut can significantly enhance productivity by allowing them to easily duplicate files in a single fluid motion rather than having to copy and paste separately. This method is particularly useful in scenarios such as managing files in Finder, where efficiency in organizing items can save time.

The other keys listed, while useful in their own contexts, do not function in the same way for duplicating items during drag-and-drop operations. For instance, the Command key is often used for standard copy and paste actions. The Control key is typically associated with right-click functionality and can modify other commands but does not affect the drag-and-drop copying action directly. The Shift key generally modifies the selection to maintain alignment or to select multiple items in a linear fashion, rather than creating copies.