Final answer:
Retrieving the last item in an array-based list has a worst-case time complexity of O(1) because arrays allow for direct access to their elements given an index.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question is about the worst-case time complexity for retrieving the last item in an array-based list. In an array-based implementation of a list, retrieving the last element can be done in constant time, O(1), assuming that you maintain a pointer or an index to the last element in the list. This is because arrays provide direct access to their elements, which means that you can access any item directly if you know its index.