- A
The instance was stopped instead of terminated, and the persistent data volume was detached during the stop.
Why wrong: Stopping an instance does not delete volumes; the volume would still exist.
- B
The persistent data volume (vol-0f1e2d3c4b5a67890) had DeleteOnTermination set to false, but the administrator inadvertently changed it before termination.
Why wrong: The exhibit shows DeleteOnTermination is false for that volume, so it should not be deleted upon termination.
- C
The administrator mistakenly stored the persistent data on the root volume (vol-0a1b2c3d4e5f67890), which has DeleteOnTermination set to true.
If the persistent data was on the root volume, it would be deleted when the instance is terminated because DeleteOnTermination is true.
- D
The persistent data volume was not properly attached to the instance before termination.
Why wrong: The exhibit shows the volume is attached with status 'attached'.
PAS-C01 Migration Practice Question
This PAS-C01 practice question tests your understanding of migration. 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.
An administrator is migrating an on-premises application to AWS. The application stores persistent data on a separate disk. The administrator launched an EC2 instance as a test and attached an additional EBS volume for the persistent data. The above exhibit shows the block device mapping for the test instance. Later, the administrator terminates the test instance, but the persistent data must be retained. However, after termination, the persistent data volume is also deleted. 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 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 administrator mistakenly stored the persistent data on the root volume (vol-0a1b2c3d4e5f67890), which has DeleteOnTermination set to true.
Option C is correct because the exhibit shows the root volume (vol-0a1b2c3d4e5f67890) as the only volume with DeleteOnTermination set to true. The administrator intended to store persistent data on a separate EBS volume, but the data was actually stored on the root volume. When the instance was terminated, the root volume was deleted due to its DeleteOnTermination flag being true, causing the loss of the persistent 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.
- ✗
The instance was stopped instead of terminated, and the persistent data volume was detached during the stop.
Why it's wrong here
Stopping an instance does not delete volumes; the volume would still exist.
- ✗
The persistent data volume (vol-0f1e2d3c4b5a67890) had DeleteOnTermination set to false, but the administrator inadvertently changed it before termination.
Why it's wrong here
The exhibit shows DeleteOnTermination is false for that volume, so it should not be deleted upon termination.
- ✓
The administrator mistakenly stored the persistent data on the root volume (vol-0a1b2c3d4e5f67890), which has DeleteOnTermination set to true.
Why this is correct
If the persistent data was on the root volume, it would be deleted when the instance is terminated because DeleteOnTermination is true.
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 persistent data volume was not properly attached to the instance before termination.
Why it's wrong here
The exhibit shows the volume is attached with status 'attached'.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates may assume the persistent data volume is the one with a different volume ID (vol-0f1e2d3c4b5a67890) and overlook the possibility that the data was actually stored on the root volume, which has DeleteOnTermination set to true by default.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
The exhibit shows DeleteOnTermination is false for that volume, so it should not be deleted upon termination.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The DeleteOnTermination attribute is set at the block device mapping level during instance launch and can be modified for the root volume or additional volumes. For the root volume, this flag defaults to true, meaning it is automatically deleted when the instance is terminated. For additional EBS volumes, the default is false, but the administrator can change it via the console, CLI, or API (e.g., using modify-instance-attribute). In this scenario, the administrator likely confused the root volume with the additional volume, leading to data loss.
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.
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Migration — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this PAS-C01 question test?
Migration — This question tests Migration — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The administrator mistakenly stored the persistent data on the root volume (vol-0a1b2c3d4e5f67890), which has DeleteOnTermination set to true. — Option C is correct because the exhibit shows the root volume (vol-0a1b2c3d4e5f67890) as the only volume with DeleteOnTermination set to true. The administrator intended to store persistent data on a separate EBS volume, but the data was actually stored on the root volume. When the instance was terminated, the root volume was deleted due to its DeleteOnTermination flag being true, causing the loss of the persistent data.
What should I do if I get this PAS-C01 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
This PAS-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 PAS-C01 exam.
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