The correct answer is that the file exceeds the maximum CSV file size that Athena can query without partitioning. Athena imposes a hard limit of 100 MB per file for CSV queries when the data is not partitioned, meaning a 1 GB CSV file will trigger an error unless it is broken into smaller chunks or the table is partitioned. This concept is critical for the AWS Certified Machine Learning Specialty MLS-C01 exam, as it tests your understanding of Athena’s query limitations and the importance of data partitioning for large-scale analytics. A common trap is assuming that compression or file format support alone resolves size issues—while gzip is supported and CSV is valid, neither bypasses the 100 MB per-file limit for unpartitioned CSV data. To remember this, think: “CSV caps at a hundred megs, partition your data or break your legs.”
MLS-C01 Exploratory Data Analysis Practice Question
This MLS-C01 practice question tests your understanding of exploratory data analysis. 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 scientist runs the above AWS CLI command and gets the output. The object size is 1 GB. They try to open the CSV file in Amazon Athena but get an error. 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.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The file exceeds the maximum CSV file size that Athena can query without partitioning
Option B is correct because Athena has a 100 MB per file limit for CSV queries without partitioning. Option A is wrong because gzip compression is supported. Option C is wrong because 1 GB is large but Athena can handle larger with proper partitioning. Option D is wrong because CSV is supported.
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 file format is not supported by Athena
Why it's wrong here
Athena supports CSV.
✓
The file exceeds the maximum CSV file size that Athena can query without partitioning
Why this is correct
Athena has a 100 MB limit for CSV files when not partitioned.
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 file is not compressed with gzip
Why it's wrong here
Athena supports gzip compression.
✗
The file is too large for Athena to query at all
Why it's wrong here
Athena can query larger files if partitioned or using other formats.
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 MLS-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.
Exploratory Data Analysis — This question tests Exploratory Data Analysis — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The file exceeds the maximum CSV file size that Athena can query without partitioning — Option B is correct because Athena has a 100 MB per file limit for CSV queries without partitioning. Option A is wrong because gzip compression is supported. Option C is wrong because 1 GB is large but Athena can handle larger with proper partitioning. Option D is wrong because CSV is supported.
What should I do if I get this MLS-C01 question wrong?
Identify which MLS-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.
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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This MLS-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 MLS-C01 exam.
Question Discussion
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