The answer is to use the `--starting-token` parameter with the value from the `NextToken` field. This is correct because the AWS CLI `list-objects-v2` command automatically paginates large result sets, and when the output is truncated, the response includes a `NextToken` field that acts as a bookmark for the next batch. By passing that token to the `--starting-token` parameter, you instruct the CLI to resume listing objects from exactly where it stopped, effectively handling S3 list objects pagination with NextToken. On the AWS Certified Data Engineer Associate DEA-C01 exam, this tests your understanding of how to manage large-scale S3 listings programmatically, a common scenario when dealing with buckets containing thousands of objects under a prefix. A frequent trap is confusing `--starting-token` with `--max-items` or assuming the CLI returns all results by default. Remember the memory tip: "Token tells where to start, not where to stop."
DEA-C01 Data Store Management Practice Question
This DEA-C01 practice question tests your understanding of data store management. Match the stated requirement to the specific cloud service, access model, or configuration option — many options are valid in isolation but not for this scenario. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
Network Topology
A data engineer runs the AWS CLI command shown in the exhibit to list objects in an S3 bucket. The command returns only two objects even though the bucket contains thousands of objects under the prefix. What should the engineer do to retrieve the next batch of objects?
Increase the --max-items value to a larger number.
Why wrong: Increasing --max-items will retrieve more items in one page, but the command still returns only one page; it doesn't automatically fetch the next page.
B
Use the --starting-token parameter with the value from the NextToken field.
The NextToken is used with --starting-token to get the next page of results.
C
Use the --page-size parameter to request more items per API call.
Why wrong: --page-size controls the number of items fetched per underlying API call, but the CLI still returns a single page; it doesn't paginate automatically without --starting-token.
D
Change the --prefix to a more specific value.
Why wrong: Changing prefix would filter results, not paginate.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Use the --starting-token parameter with the value from the NextToken field.
The AWS CLI `list-objects-v2` command paginates results by default. When the output is truncated, the response includes a `NextToken` field. To retrieve the next batch, the engineer must use the `--starting-token` parameter with the value from that `NextToken` field, which tells the CLI to resume listing from where it left off.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✗
Increase the --max-items value to a larger number.
Why it's wrong here
Increasing --max-items will retrieve more items in one page, but the command still returns only one page; it doesn't automatically fetch the next page.
✓
Use the --starting-token parameter with the value from the NextToken field.
Why this is correct
The NextToken is used with --starting-token to get the next page of results.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Use the --page-size parameter to request more items per API call.
Why it's wrong here
--page-size controls the number of items fetched per underlying API call, but the CLI still returns a single page; it doesn't paginate automatically without --starting-token.
✗
Change the --prefix to a more specific value.
Why it's wrong here
Changing prefix would filter results, not paginate.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is confusing `--page-size` (which controls API call size but not pagination) with `--starting-token` (which actually advances the pagination cursor), leading candidates to incorrectly choose option C.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
Increasing --max-items will retrieve more items in one page, but the command still returns only one page; it doesn't automatically fetch the next page.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The AWS CLI uses the `ListObjectsV2` API, which returns up to 1000 keys per call by default. When the result set is larger, the response includes a `NextToken` (or `ContinuationToken` in the API). The `--starting-token` parameter in the CLI maps to this token, enabling iterative pagination. A real-world scenario is auditing a bucket with millions of objects; without using `--starting-token`, you would only ever see the first 1000 objects.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
→Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
→Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A media company stores terabytes of video archives that are accessed once a year for audit purposes. Moving these objects to a cold storage tier (Azure Archive, S3 Glacier, or Google Nearline) costs a fraction of hot storage. Questions like this test whether you understand storage tiers, access frequency tradeoffs, and retrieval latency requirements.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Data Store Management — This question tests Data Store Management — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Use the --starting-token parameter with the value from the NextToken field. — The AWS CLI `list-objects-v2` command paginates results by default. When the output is truncated, the response includes a `NextToken` field. To retrieve the next batch, the engineer must use the `--starting-token` parameter with the value from that `NextToken` field, which tells the CLI to resume listing from where it left off.
What should I do if I get this DEA-C01 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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