The correct answer is that the command displays the instance ID, instance type, and launch time of three running instances. This is because the AWS CLI describe-instances command uses a JMESPath query to filter the output: the expression `Reservations[].Instances[?State.Name==`running`]` selects only instances with a running state, while the projection `[InstanceId,InstanceType,LaunchTime]` extracts exactly those three fields, and the `--output table` flag formats the result into a readable table with three rows. On the SAP-C02 exam, this tests your ability to parse complex AWS CLI query syntax and understand how JMESPath filters and projections work together, a common task for automating infrastructure reporting. A frequent trap is confusing the bracket notation for projections with array indexing, or forgetting that the backtick-quoted `running` is a literal string in JMESPath. Memory tip: think of the query as a three-step pipeline—filter first, then project, then format.
SAP-C02 Continuous Improvement for Existing Solutions Practice Question
This SAP-C02 practice question tests your understanding of continuous improvement for existing solutions. Examine the command output carefully: the correct answer depends on what the output actually shows, not on general recall alone. 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 solutions architect runs the command shown in the exhibit. Which statement is true about the output?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The command displays the instance ID, instance type, and launch time of three running instances.
The command `aws ec2 describe-instances --query 'Reservations[].Instances[?State.Name==`running`].[InstanceId,InstanceType,LaunchTime]' --output table` filters for running instances and projects only the InstanceId, InstanceType, and LaunchTime fields. The output shows three rows, each representing a running instance with those three attributes. Therefore, option B is correct because it accurately describes the displayed data.
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.
✗
There are two instances with the Environment=production tag.
Why it's wrong here
There are three instances in the output.
✓
The command displays the instance ID, instance type, and launch time of three running instances.
Why this is correct
The output shows three instances with those attributes.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
One of the instances is stopped.
Why it's wrong here
The query filters for running instances only.
✗
The command lists all instances in the account regardless of tags.
Why it's wrong here
The command uses a filter for Environment=production.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates may assume the output includes all instances or tag information, but the JMESPath query explicitly filters for running instances and projects only the specified fields, so any inference about tags or stopped instances is unsupported by the output.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
There are three instances in the output.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The `--query` parameter uses JMESPath syntax to filter and project AWS CLI output. The expression `Reservations[].Instances[?State.Name==`running`]` filters the Instances array to only include objects where the State.Name equals 'running', and the subsequent `[].[InstanceId,InstanceType,LaunchTime]` projects those three fields into a flat list. The `--output table` flag formats the result as a table. This is a common pattern for generating concise reports without paginating through all instances.
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.
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
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 cloud solutions architect for a retail company is evaluating services for a new workload. The correct answer here reflects best practice for the specific scenario described — not a general cloud recommendation. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Cloud exam questions reward reading the constraint carefully: the same technology can be right or wrong depending on the use case.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Continuous Improvement for Existing Solutions — This question tests Continuous Improvement for Existing Solutions — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The command displays the instance ID, instance type, and launch time of three running instances. — The command `aws ec2 describe-instances --query 'Reservations[].Instances[?State.Name==`running`].[InstanceId,InstanceType,LaunchTime]' --output table` filters for running instances and projects only the InstanceId, InstanceType, and LaunchTime fields. The output shows three rows, each representing a running instance with those three attributes. Therefore, option B is correct because it accurately describes the displayed data.
What should I do if I get this SAP-C02 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Question Discussion
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