- A
Resolution → Complication → Situation
Why wrong: The resolution typically comes last.
- B
Situation → Complication → Resolution
This is the standard narrative arc.
- C
Situation → Resolution → Complication
Why wrong: The complication should precede the resolution.
- D
Complication → Situation → Resolution
Why wrong: The situation should be established first.
Question 812 of 1,000
DA0-001 Visualising Data Practice Question
This DA0-001 practice question tests your understanding of visualising data. 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 data analyst is presenting a story about declining sales. The narrative arc should include which three elements in order?
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
✓
Situation → Complication → Resolution
Option B is correct because a compelling data story about declining sales follows the classic narrative arc: Situation (establish context, e.g., 'Sales were steady in Q1'), Complication (introduce the conflict, e.g., 'Then a 20% drop occurred in Q2'), and Resolution (present the insight or action, e.g., 'We identified the cause and implemented a new pricing strategy'). This order mirrors the 'Situation-Complication-Resolution' framework used in data storytelling to guide the audience logically from context to problem to solution.
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.
- ✗
Resolution → Complication → Situation
Why it's wrong here
The resolution typically comes last.
- ✓
Situation → Complication → Resolution
Why this is correct
This is the standard narrative arc.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Situation → Resolution → Complication
Why it's wrong here
The complication should precede the resolution.
- ✗
Complication → Situation → Resolution
Why it's wrong here
The situation should be established first.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse the narrative order with a simple 'problem-solution' structure, mistakenly placing Complication first (Option D) or skipping the Situation entirely, but the exam requires the full Situation → Complication → Resolution sequence to ensure a complete and logical data story.
Trap categories for this question
Scenario analysis trap
The situation should be established first.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
In data storytelling, the Situation-Complication-Resolution structure aligns with the 'Pyramid Principle' (Barbara Minto), where the Situation provides shared context, the Complication introduces the key question or tension, and the Resolution delivers the answer. Under the hood, this sequence leverages cognitive load theory: presenting context first reduces mental effort, allowing the audience to focus on the conflict and solution. In a real-world DA0-001 scenario, a dashboard showing sales trends might use this arc to first display baseline metrics (Situation), then highlight a sudden decline (Complication), and finally recommend a targeted marketing campaign (Resolution).
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 DA0-001 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.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
- →
Visualising Data — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
- →
Visualising Data practice questions
Targeted practice on this topic area only
- →
All DA0-001 questions
1,000 questions across all exam domains
- →
CompTIA Data+ DA0-001 study guide
Full concept coverage aligned to exam objectives
- →
DA0-001 practice test guide
How to use practice tests most effectively before exam day
Related practice questions
Related DA0-001 practice-question pages
Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.
Data Concepts and Environments practice questions
Practise DA0-001 questions linked to Data Concepts and Environments.
Analysing Data practice questions
Practise DA0-001 questions linked to Analysing Data.
Visualising Data practice questions
Practise DA0-001 questions linked to Visualising Data.
Reporting Insights practice questions
Practise DA0-001 questions linked to Reporting Insights.
Mining Data practice questions
Practise DA0-001 questions linked to Mining Data.
Comparing and Contrasting Data Concepts practice questions
Practise DA0-001 questions linked to Comparing and Contrasting Data Concepts.
Mining and Acquiring Data practice questions
Practise DA0-001 questions linked to Mining and Acquiring Data.
Analyzing and Modeling Data practice questions
Practise DA0-001 questions linked to Analyzing and Modeling Data.
Visualizing Data practice questions
Practise DA0-001 questions linked to Visualizing Data.
Communicating Data Insights practice questions
Practise DA0-001 questions linked to Communicating Data Insights.
CompTIA A+ hardware practice questions
Practise DA0-001 questions linked to CompTIA A+ hardware.
CompTIA A+ mobile devices practice questions
Practise DA0-001 questions linked to CompTIA A+ mobile devices.
Practice this exam
Start a free DA0-001 practice session
Short sessions build daily habit. Longer sessions build exam-day stamina. Try a timed session to simulate real conditions.
FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this DA0-001 question test?
Visualising Data — This question tests Visualising Data — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Situation → Complication → Resolution — Option B is correct because a compelling data story about declining sales follows the classic narrative arc: Situation (establish context, e.g., 'Sales were steady in Q1'), Complication (introduce the conflict, e.g., 'Then a 20% drop occurred in Q2'), and Resolution (present the insight or action, e.g., 'We identified the cause and implemented a new pricing strategy'). This order mirrors the 'Situation-Complication-Resolution' framework used in data storytelling to guide the audience logically from context to problem to solution.
What should I do if I get this DA0-001 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.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
This DA0-001 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 DA0-001 exam.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.