MLS-C01 Exploratory Data Analysis Practice Question

Exhibit

Refer to the exhibit.

{
    "Version": "2012-10-17",
    "Statement": [
        {
            "Effect": "Allow",
            "Action": [
                "s3:GetObject",
                "s3:ListBucket"
            ],
            "Resource": [
                "arn:aws:s3:::data-bucket",
                "arn:aws:s3:::data-bucket/*"
            ]
        },
        {
            "Effect": "Deny",
            "Action": "s3:GetObject",
            "Resource": "arn:aws:s3:::data-bucket/sensitive/*"
        }
    ]
}

An IAM policy is attached to a data scientist's role. The scientist is trying to list objects in the 'data-bucket' using Amazon Athena. The query fails with an access denied error. What is the MOST likely reason?

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 query is trying to read data from the 'sensitive/' prefix.

The IAM policy likely includes a Deny statement for the 'sensitive/' prefix, causing access denied when Athena attempts to read data from that location. Option A is incorrect because s3:ListBucket is typically required and allowed; the error is access denied rather than a forbidden error. Option B is incorrect because a syntax error would usually produce an invalid policy error, not an access denied error during query execution. Option D is incorrect because if s3:GetObject were explicitly denied for all objects, the error would occur for all queries, but the issue is specific to the 'sensitive/' prefix.

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 policy does not allow s3:ListBucket on the bucket.
Why it's wrong here
ListBucket is allowed.
✗
The policy has a syntax error.
Why it's wrong here
Policy is valid.
✓
The query is trying to read data from the 'sensitive/' prefix.
Why this is correct
Deny overrides Allow for that prefix.
✗
The s3:GetObject action is explicitly denied for all objects.
Why it's wrong here
Only denied for 'sensitive/' prefix.

Quick reference

AWS S3 Storage Class Comparison

Storage Class	Min Duration	Retrieval	Use Case
S3 Standard	None	Immediate	Frequently accessed data
S3 Standard-IA	30 days	Immediate	Infrequent access, rapid retrieval
S3 One Zone-IA	30 days	Immediate	Non-critical infrequent data
S3 Intelligent-Tiering	None	Immediate–hours	Unknown or changing access patterns
S3 Glacier Instant	90 days	Milliseconds	Archive with instant retrieval
S3 Glacier Flexible	90 days	Minutes–hours	Archive, flexible retrieval
S3 Glacier Deep Archive	180 days	Hours	Long-term compliance archive

Go deeper

MLS-C01 Exploratory Data Analysis Practice Question

Exhibit

Why each option matters

Option-by-option breakdown

AWS S3 Storage Class Comparison

Related to this question