Quick Answer
The correct answer is that object tags are not returned by head-object; you must use get-object-tagging instead. This is because the head-object API in Amazon S3 retrieves only object metadata such as content type, size, and ETag, but deliberately excludes object tags, which are stored as a separate subresource. On the AWS Certified Data Engineer Associate DEA-C01 exam, this concept tests your understanding of S3 API operations and their specific responses—a common trap is assuming head-object returns all object properties, including tags. To avoid this mistake, remember that tags require a dedicated API call: head-object for headers, get-object-tagging for tags. A helpful memory tip is “headers from HEAD, tags from GET”—the head-object command gives you the header metadata, while get-object-tagging retrieves the key-value pairs attached to the object.
This DEA-C01 practice question tests your understanding of data operations and support. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. 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.
Refer to the exhibit. A data engineer runs the command on an object in S3. The engineer expected the object to have a tag 'type=raw' but sees no metadata. What is the likely cause?
Object tags are not returned by head-object; use get-object-tagging instead
Tags are separate from metadata.
The S3 bucket is in a different AWS Region
Why wrong: The command would fail if region mismatch.
The bucket policy blocks reading tags
Why wrong: head-object would fail entirely if blocked.
The object was created without tags because of lifecycle rules
Why wrong: Lifecycle does not remove tags at creation.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Object tags are not returned by head-object; use get-object-tagging instead
Option B is correct because object tags are not returned by head-object; they require a separate get-object-tagging call. Option A is wrong because the command works. Option C is wrong because bucket policies affect access, not tag visibility. Option D is wrong because lifecycle rules do not remove tags.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
Object tags are not returned by head-object; use get-object-tagging instead
Why this is correct
Tags are separate from metadata.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
The S3 bucket is in a different AWS Region
Why it's wrong here
The command would fail if region mismatch.
The bucket policy blocks reading tags
Why it's wrong here
head-object would fail entirely if blocked.
The object was created without tags because of lifecycle rules
Why it's wrong here
Lifecycle does not remove tags at creation.
Common exam traps
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
The command would fail if region mismatch.
Detailed technical explanation
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
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
Identify which DEA-C01 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
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FAQ
Data Operations and Support — This question tests Data Operations and Support — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Object tags are not returned by head-object; use get-object-tagging instead — Option B is correct because object tags are not returned by head-object; they require a separate get-object-tagging call. Option A is wrong because the command works. Option C is wrong because bucket policies affect access, not tag visibility. Option D is wrong because lifecycle rules do not remove tags.
Identify which DEA-C01 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 20, 2026
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.
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