Quick Answer
The answer is that the command is limiting results to one event. This occurs because the CloudTrail lookup-events command with the --max-results parameter explicitly caps the number of events returned in a single API call, so specifying --max-results 1 forces the output to show only one event, even when many more matching events exist. On the AWS Certified Security Specialty SCS-C02 exam, this tests your understanding of how the CloudTrail lookup-events API paginates results and how the --max-results parameter behaves independently of the filter criteria like ResourceName. A common trap is assuming that a single result means only one event occurred, but the real issue is the result limit, not the query scope. Remember: --max-results controls the page size, not the search depth. A helpful memory tip is "max results caps the page, not the rage" — meaning it limits how many events appear per call, not how many events actually happened.
This SCS-C02 practice question tests your understanding of management and security governance. 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.
A security engineer runs the above CloudTrail lookup command to investigate a change to the S3 bucket policy. The command only returns one event, but the engineer knows that the bucket policy was changed multiple times. What is the most likely reason?
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.
The bucket policy changes were made through the AWS Management Console, which is not logged.
Why wrong: Console actions are logged.
The event is not logged because PutBucketPolicy is not supported by CloudTrail.
Why wrong: PutBucketPolicy is supported.
The command is filtering by the wrong attribute.
Why wrong: Attribute is correct.
The command is limiting results to one event.
Max results parameter limits output.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
The command is limiting results to one event.
Option C is correct because the command uses --max-results 1, limiting output to one event. Option A is wrong because the query is for ResourceName. Option B is wrong because the event is shown. Option D is wrong because the console uses the same CloudTrail data.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
The bucket policy changes were made through the AWS Management Console, which is not logged.
Why it's wrong here
Console actions are logged.
The event is not logged because PutBucketPolicy is not supported by CloudTrail.
Why it's wrong here
PutBucketPolicy is supported.
The command is filtering by the wrong attribute.
Why it's wrong here
Attribute is correct.
The command is limiting results to one event.
Why this is correct
Max results parameter limits output.
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.
Common exam traps
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
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.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
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
Identify which SCS-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.
Management and Security Governance — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Management and Security Governance — This question tests Management and Security Governance — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: The command is limiting results to one event. — Option C is correct because the command uses --max-results 1, limiting output to one event. Option A is wrong because the query is for ResourceName. Option B is wrong because the event is shown. Option D is wrong because the console uses the same CloudTrail data.
Identify which SCS-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.
Yes — watch for: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 20, 2026
This SCS-C02 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 SCS-C02 exam.
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