Question 530 of 1,786
Data Operations and SupporthardMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped

S3 Lifecycle Expiration: Why GLACIER Objects Aren't Deleted

This DEA-C01 practice question tests your understanding of data operations and support. 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. A key principle to apply: s3 Lifecycle Expiration. 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
aws s3api get-bucket-lifecycle-configurationbucket my-data-lake"Rules": ["ID": "Archive logs","Status": "Enabled","Filter": {"Prefix": "logs/"},"Transitions": ["Days": 30,"StorageClass": "GLACIER"],"Expiration": {"Days": 365

Refer to the exhibit. A company has an S3 bucket 'my-data-lake' with the lifecycle policy shown. Objects under the 'logs/' prefix are being moved to GLACIER after 30 days and expire after 365 days. A data engineer notices that objects older than 365 days are still present in the bucket and are not being deleted. What is the most likely cause?

Clue words in this question

Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.

  • Clue: "most likely"

    Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.

Network Topology
aws s3api get-bucket-lifecycle-configurationbucket my-data-lake"Rules": ["ID": "Archive logs","Status": "Enabled","Filter": {"Prefix": "logs/"},"Transitions": ["Days": 30,"StorageClass": "GLACIER"],"Expiration": {"Days": 365

Answer choices

Why each option matters

Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.

Correct answer & explanation

The expiration days count from the transition date, not the object creation date

Option D is correct because when a lifecycle rule includes both transition to GLACIER and expiration, the expiration days count from the transition date, not from the object creation date. In this scenario, objects transition to GLACIER at 30 days, so the expiration at 365 days actually triggers after 395 days from creation (30 + 365). Therefore, objects older than 365 days from creation but younger than 395 days are not yet expired, explaining why they remain.

Key principle: S3 Lifecycle Expiration

Answer analysis

Option-by-option breakdown

For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.

  • Lifecycle expiration does not apply to objects in GLACIER storage class

    Why it's wrong here

    Incorrect. S3 lifecycle expiration policies can apply to objects in the GLACIER storage class. They are deleted automatically without requiring restoration.

  • The rule status is disabled

    Why it's wrong here

    Incorrect. The rule status is not mentioned as disabled, and objects are successfully transitioned to GLACIER, indicating the rule is enabled.

  • The prefix filter does not match the objects

    Why it's wrong here

    Incorrect. The prefix filter 'logs/' matches the objects, as evidenced by their successful transition to GLACIER.

  • The expiration days count from the transition date, not the object creation date

    Why this is correct

    Correct. The expiration days are counted from the transition date, so objects transitioned after 30 days will expire 365 days later (395 days from creation), causing objects older than 365 days from creation to still be present.

    Clue confirmation

    The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.

    Related concept

    S3 Lifecycle Expiration

Common exam traps

Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword

A common trap is to assume that expiration days always count from the object creation date. However, when a transition action is present, the expiration counter resets to the transition date.

Detailed technical explanation

How to think about this question

Treat this as a scenario question. Identify the problem, the constraint, and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.

KKey Concepts to Remember

  • S3 Lifecycle Expiration
  • Transition to GLACIER
  • Expiration Date Calculation with Transition

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

S3 Lifecycle Expiration

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.

Quick reference

AWS S3 Storage Class Comparison

Storage ClassMin DurationRetrievalUse Case
S3 StandardNoneImmediateFrequently accessed data
S3 Standard-IA30 daysImmediateInfrequent access, rapid retrieval
S3 One Zone-IA30 daysImmediateNon-critical infrequent data
S3 Intelligent-TieringNoneImmediate–hoursUnknown or changing access patterns
S3 Glacier Instant90 daysMillisecondsArchive with instant retrieval
S3 Glacier Flexible90 daysMinutes–hoursArchive, flexible retrieval
S3 Glacier Deep Archive180 daysHoursLong-term compliance archive

What to study next

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Review s3 Lifecycle Expiration, then practise related DEA-C01 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.

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FAQ

Questions learners often ask

What does this DEA-C01 question test?

Data Operations and Support — This question tests Data Operations and Support — S3 Lifecycle Expiration.

What is the correct answer to this question?

The correct answer is: The expiration days count from the transition date, not the object creation date — Option D is correct because when a lifecycle rule includes both transition to GLACIER and expiration, the expiration days count from the transition date, not from the object creation date. In this scenario, objects transition to GLACIER at 30 days, so the expiration at 365 days actually triggers after 395 days from creation (30 + 365). Therefore, objects older than 365 days from creation but younger than 395 days are not yet expired, explaining why they remain.

What should I do if I get this DEA-C01 question wrong?

Review s3 Lifecycle Expiration, then practise related DEA-C01 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.

Are there clue words in this question I should notice?

Yes — watch for: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.

What is the key concept behind this question?

S3 Lifecycle Expiration

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Last reviewed: Jun 20, 2026

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This DEA-C01 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Amazon Web Services certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the DEA-C01 exam.