- A
Implement a fully managed caching layer, such as ElastiCache, in front of the database
Why wrong: Caching reduces read load but adds cost and complexity; read replicas are more direct and cost-efficient for read-heavy workloads.
- B
Add read replicas of the database and configure the application to use them for read queries; implement auto-scaling for read replicas based on average CPU utilization
Read replicas distribute read traffic, reducing primary CPU load, and auto-scaling ensures cost efficiency.
- C
Separate the database into multiple smaller databases using sharding
Why wrong: Sharding adds significant complexity and is not typically needed for read-heavy scaling; it's for write scaling.
- D
Upgrade the database to a larger instance type, such as db.r5.2xlarge
Why wrong: Vertical scaling is expensive and may not be necessary if read replicas can offload reads.
Quick Answer
The correct choice is to add read replicas of the database and configure auto-scaling for them based on average CPU utilization. This solution directly addresses the database bottleneck by offloading read-heavy queries from the primary instance, which frees up CPU capacity for write operations and reduces page load times. On the CompTIA Cloud+ CV0-004 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of scaling strategies for read-heavy workloads under budget constraints—a common trap is choosing a vertical scale-up (larger instance) which is costly and doesn’t solve read contention efficiently. Remember that read replicas distribute the query load horizontally, and auto-scaling ensures you only pay for what you use during traffic spikes. A helpful memory tip: “Read replicas read, primary writes—scale reads out, not up.”
CV0-004 Cloud Architecture and Design Practice Question
This CV0-004 practice question tests your understanding of cloud architecture and design. 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.
A company runs an e-commerce platform on a public cloud. The architecture consists of a front-end load balancer, a web server tier, and an RDS database. The web servers are in an auto-scaling group across two availability zones. The database is a single Multi-AZ deployment. After a recent traffic surge, the web servers scaled but the database CPU utilization reached 90%, causing slow page loads. The database is a db.r5.large instance with 16 GB RAM and 2 vCPUs. The company expects double the traffic during the upcoming holiday season. The budget is limited. Which action should the cloud architect take to address the database bottleneck while minimizing cost?
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
Add read replicas of the database and configure the application to use them for read queries; implement auto-scaling for read replicas based on average CPU utilization
Option B is correct because adding read replicas offloads read queries from the primary database, reducing CPU utilization. Auto-scaling read replicas based on average CPU utilization ensures cost efficiency by scaling only when needed, which aligns with the limited budget and expected traffic surge. This approach directly addresses the bottleneck without requiring a costly instance upgrade or complex sharding.
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.
- ✗
Implement a fully managed caching layer, such as ElastiCache, in front of the database
Why it's wrong here
Caching reduces read load but adds cost and complexity; read replicas are more direct and cost-efficient for read-heavy workloads.
- ✓
Add read replicas of the database and configure the application to use them for read queries; implement auto-scaling for read replicas based on average CPU utilization
Why this is correct
Read replicas distribute read traffic, reducing primary CPU load, and auto-scaling ensures cost efficiency.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Separate the database into multiple smaller databases using sharding
Why it's wrong here
Sharding adds significant complexity and is not typically needed for read-heavy scaling; it's for write scaling.
- ✗
Upgrade the database to a larger instance type, such as db.r5.2xlarge
Why it's wrong here
Vertical scaling is expensive and may not be necessary if read replicas can offload reads.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
CompTIA often tests the misconception that upgrading instance size is the simplest fix, but the trap here is that horizontal scaling with read replicas is more cost-effective and elastic for read-heavy workloads than vertical scaling, especially when budget is limited.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Read replicas in Amazon RDS use asynchronous replication from the primary instance, allowing them to handle SELECT queries while the primary handles writes. Auto-scaling read replicas based on average CPU utilization leverages Amazon CloudWatch metrics and Application Auto Scaling policies, dynamically adding or removing replicas to match demand. This pattern is commonly used in read-heavy e-commerce platforms to scale horizontally without downtime, and it avoids the cost of over-provisioning a larger instance.
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 practitioner preparing for the CV0-004 exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this CV0-004 question test?
Cloud Architecture and Design — This question tests Cloud Architecture and Design — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Add read replicas of the database and configure the application to use them for read queries; implement auto-scaling for read replicas based on average CPU utilization — Option B is correct because adding read replicas offloads read queries from the primary database, reducing CPU utilization. Auto-scaling read replicas based on average CPU utilization ensures cost efficiency by scaling only when needed, which aligns with the limited budget and expected traffic surge. This approach directly addresses the bottleneck without requiring a costly instance upgrade or complex sharding.
What should I do if I get this CV0-004 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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Last reviewed: Jun 30, 2026
This CV0-004 practice question is part of Courseiva's free CompTIA 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 CV0-004 exam.
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