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Question 388 of 1,616

Troubleshooting and Optimization →easyMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped

Quick Answer

The answer is that the resource ARN is missing the bucket itself, which causes the Lambda S3 access denied error. The policy `arn:aws:s3:::my-bucket/*` only grants permission to objects within the bucket, but not to the bucket resource `arn:aws:s3:::my-bucket`. For `s3:PutObject`, the Lambda function must be allowed to access both the bucket (for the operation’s context) and its objects, so the policy should include two resource ARNs or use a wildcard like `arn:aws:s3:::my-bucket*` to cover both. On the AWS Certified Developer Associate DVA-C02 exam, this is a classic trap: candidates often overlook that S3 bucket policies distinguish between the bucket and its contents, leading to an otherwise correct policy failing silently. A common memory tip is “bucket for the bucket, star for the stuff”—the bucket ARN has no trailing slash or wildcard, while objects require `/*`. Always verify that your resource ARN matches the exact scope of the S3 operation being performed.

DVA-C02 Troubleshooting and Optimization Practice Question

This DVA-C02 practice question tests your understanding of troubleshooting and optimization. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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.

A developer is troubleshooting an AWS Lambda function that is failing with an 'AccessDenied' error when trying to write to an S3 bucket. The function's execution role has the following policy. What is the most likely cause of the failure? (Policy: { 'Version': '2012-10-17', 'Statement': [ { 'Effect': 'Allow', 'Action': 's3:PutObject', 'Resource': 'arn:aws:s3:::my-bucket/*' } ] })

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.

Question 1easymultiple choice

Full question →

A
The resource ARN does not include the bucket itself; it only includes objects
For s3:PutObject, the resource must be 'arn:aws:s3:::my-bucket/*'. However, the bucket policy may also need access, but the error is likely due to missing permissions on the bucket level for other actions like 's3:ListBucket' or the function is trying to write to the bucket root without proper permissions.
B
The policy is missing a 'Principal' element
Why wrong: The execution role policy does not require a Principal element; that is for resource-based policies.
C
The action 's3:PutObject' is not allowed for Lambda execution roles
Why wrong: It is allowed if the role has the policy.
D
The action 's3:PutObject' is not sufficient; need 's3:*'
Why wrong: s3:PutObject is sufficient for writing objects.

Full breakdown with real-world context →

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 resource ARN does not include the bucket itself; it only includes objects

Option B is correct because the resource ARN 'arn:aws:s3:::my-bucket/*' only allows objects inside the bucket, but the bucket itself is 'arn:aws:s3:::my-bucket'. The policy needs to include both the bucket and its contents for operations like 's3:PutObject'. Option A is wrong because the action 's3:PutObject' is correct. Option C is wrong because the policy is in the correct format. Option D is wrong because the action is allowed.

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.

✓
The resource ARN does not include the bucket itself; it only includes objects
Why this is correct
For s3:PutObject, the resource must be 'arn:aws:s3:::my-bucket/*'. However, the bucket policy may also need access, but the error is likely due to missing permissions on the bucket level for other actions like 's3:ListBucket' or the function is trying to write to the bucket root without proper permissions.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
The policy is missing a 'Principal' element
Why it's wrong here
The execution role policy does not require a Principal element; that is for resource-based policies.
✗
The action 's3:PutObject' is not allowed for Lambda execution roles
Why it's wrong here
It is allowed if the role has the policy.
✗
The action 's3:PutObject' is not sufficient; need 's3:*'
Why it's wrong here
s3:PutObject is sufficient for writing objects.

Common exam traps

Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword

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.

Detailed technical explanation

How to think about this question

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.

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.
Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.

TExam Day Tips

Underline the problem statement mentally.
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 DVA-C02 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

Questions learners often ask

What does this DVA-C02 question test?

Troubleshooting and Optimization — This question tests Troubleshooting and Optimization — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..

What is the correct answer to this question?

The correct answer is: The resource ARN does not include the bucket itself; it only includes objects — Option B is correct because the resource ARN 'arn:aws:s3:::my-bucket/*' only allows objects inside the bucket, but the bucket itself is 'arn:aws:s3:::my-bucket'. The policy needs to include both the bucket and its contents for operations like 's3:PutObject'. Option A is wrong because the action 's3:PutObject' is correct. Option C is wrong because the policy is in the correct format. Option D is wrong because the action is allowed.

What should I do if I get this DVA-C02 question wrong?

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?

Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.

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