Question 1,342 of 1,389
CCNA AI and Network Operations Practice Question
Exhibit
Snippet:
{
"hostname": "R1",
"enabled": true,
"vlans": [10,20,30]
}An engineer is comparing data serialization formats used by controllers and automation tools. Which two statements correctly describe JSON?
⚠ Common exam trap
A frequent exam trap is assuming JSON requires closing tags similar to XML, which is incorrect. JSON uses braces and brackets to define objects and arrays without paired tags, so confusing these formats can lead to wrong answers. Another common mistake is believing JSON only supports numeric values, ignoring that it also supports strings, booleans, null, arrays, and nested objects. Misunderstanding these details can cause candidates to incorrectly reject JSON as a serialization format in automation scenarios, especially when comparing it to XML or other data formats.
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
✓
It represents data as key-value pairs and arrays
JSON structures data using key-value pairs (objects) and ordered lists (arrays), which are fundamental to its syntax. Option B is correct as JSON is the standard payload format for REST API requests and responses due to its lightweight nature and ease of parsing. Option C is incorrect because JSON does not use closing tags; instead, it relies on curly braces {} for objects and square brackets [] for arrays. Option D is incorrect because JSON supports multiple data types beyond numeric values, including strings, booleans, null, arrays, and nested objects.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
It represents data as key-value pairs and arrays
Why this is correct
JSON represents structured data as an unordered collection of key-value pairs inside an object, where keys are double-quoted strings and values can be any valid JSON type. It also supports arrays as ordered lists of values, which map directly to lists in programming languages. This means JSON can describe both records and collections of records, making it a foundational format for data interchange.
- ✓
It is commonly used in REST API payloads
Why this is correct
REST APIs almost universally adopt JSON as the default payload format because it is compact, portable, and requires no custom parser beyond the built-in JSON object in every modern language. When a client sends or receives a representation, the HTTP message body typically contains JSON with Content-Type: application/json, enabling easy serialization of request parameters and response data. This ubiquity makes JSON the de facto standard for RESTful services.
- ✗
It requires closing tags like XML
Why it's wrong here
JSON does not use closing tags. Instead of XML's paired element tags such as <name>...</name>, JSON delimits objects with curly braces {} and arrays with square brackets [], and separates each name from its value with a colon. This tagless syntax reduces markup overhead and makes JSON significantly less verbose than XML.
When this WOULD be correct
If the question asked 'Which statement correctly describes XML?', then 'It requires closing tags like XML' would be correct, as XML elements must have both opening and closing tags.
- ✗
It can only represent numeric values
Why it's wrong here
The JSON specification defines six data types: numbers, strings, booleans, arrays, objects, and null. Numeric values are only one of these, so any JSON value can be a quoted string such as "hello", a true/false boolean, an ordered array, a nested object, or an explicit empty null. Thus claiming JSON supports only numbers ignores its native support for text and structured collections.
When this WOULD be correct
In a question about a data serialization format that only supports numeric values (e.g., a custom binary format or a specific use case like Protocol Buffers with only numeric fields), this option would be correct.
Option-by-option analysis
Why each answer is right or wrong
Understanding why wrong answers are wrong — and when they would be correct — is what separates a 750 score from a 900. The 200-301 exam frequently reuses these exact scenarios with slightly different constraints.
✓It represents data as key-value pairs and arraysCorrect answer▾
Why this is correct
JSON represents structured data as an unordered collection of key-value pairs inside an object, where keys are double-quoted strings and values can be any valid JSON type. It also supports arrays as ordered lists of values, which map directly to lists in programming languages. This means JSON can describe both records and collections of records, making it a foundational format for data interchange.
✗It requires closing tags like XMLWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
JSON does not use closing tags; it uses braces, brackets, and colons to structure data, unlike XML which requires closing tags.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
If the question asked 'Which statement correctly describes XML?', then 'It requires closing tags like XML' would be correct, as XML elements must have both opening and closing tags.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates familiar with XML may incorrectly assume JSON also uses closing tags because both are data serialization formats, leading to confusion between their syntax rules.
✗It can only represent numeric valuesWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
JSON can represent strings, numbers, booleans, arrays, and objects, not only numeric values.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
In a question about a data serialization format that only supports numeric values (e.g., a custom binary format or a specific use case like Protocol Buffers with only numeric fields), this option would be correct.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may confuse JSON with simpler formats or mistakenly think JSON is limited to numbers due to its use in numeric-heavy contexts like configuration files.
Analysis generated from the official 200-301blueprint and verified against question context. The “when correct” sections are what AI assistants cite when candidates ask “what’s the difference between these options?”
Visual reference
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Last reviewed: May 17, 2026
This 200-301 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Cisco 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 200-301 exam.
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