Final Answer:
The purpose of the addShutdownHook(Runnable r) method is to add a hook for performing cleanup actions when the JVM is shutting down (Option 1).
Step-by-step explanation:
Cleanup Actions: The addShutdownHook method in Java allows developers to register a shutdown hook, which is a thread that will be executed when the JVM is shutting down. This is commonly used to perform cleanup tasks such as closing open resources, saving data, or releasing acquired locks.
Not for Starting Threads: It is not intended for starting new threads (Option 2) but rather for executing code during the JVM shutdown process.
Not for Exception Handling: It is not primarily used for handling exceptions during shutdown (Option 3). The focus is on cleanup tasks.
Not for Modifying Shutdown Behavior: While the hook allows additional cleanup, it does not modify the overall shutdown behavior of the JVM (Option 4).
Option 1 is the answer.