Quick Answer
The answer is HTML pages, PDF documents, and XML files. These three data sources are suitable for web scraping because each contains structured or semi-structured data that can be programmatically parsed and extracted. HTML pages present content in a Document Object Model (DOM) tree, allowing scrapers to target specific tags, classes, or attributes using libraries like BeautifulSoup or Scrapy. PDF documents, while often considered static, can be scraped using tools like PyPDF2 or tabula-py to extract text and tables, and XML files offer a hierarchical, tag-based structure that is easily navigable with parsers like lxml. On the CompTIA Data+ DA0-001 exam, this question tests your understanding of which data formats are machine-readable for automated extraction, often appearing as a multiple-select item. A common trap is assuming only live web pages qualify, but remember that any file served over HTTP with parseable markup—including PDFs and XML—counts. A helpful memory tip: think of the acronym HPX—HTML, PDF, XML—as the three core formats a web scraper can reliably handle.
This DA0-001 practice question tests your understanding of mining and acquiring 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.
Which THREE data sources are suitable for web scraping? (Select three.)
HTML pages
HTML is the primary source for web scraping.
JSON APIs
APIs return structured data that can be scraped.
CSV files
Why wrong: CSV files are typically downloaded directly, not scraped from web pages.
Database connections
Why wrong: Database access is separate from web scraping.
PDF documents
PDFs on websites can be scraped.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
HTML pages
HTML pages are suitable for web scraping because they contain structured or semi-structured data in markup format that can be parsed using libraries like BeautifulSoup or Scrapy. Web scrapers extract information from the DOM tree by targeting specific tags, classes, or attributes, making HTML a primary source for scraping.
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.
HTML pages
Why this is correct
HTML is the primary source for web scraping.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
JSON APIs
Why this is correct
APIs return structured data that can be scraped.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
CSV files
Why it's wrong here
CSV files are typically downloaded directly, not scraped from web pages.
Database connections
Why it's wrong here
Database access is separate from web scraping.
PDF documents
Why this is correct
PDFs on websites can be scraped.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
The trap here is that candidates may confuse 'web scraping' with any form of data extraction, but the exam specifically tests the understanding that scraping involves HTTP-based retrieval of web content, not direct file downloads or database queries.
Detailed technical explanation
Web scraping works by sending HTTP GET requests to a server and parsing the returned HTML, often handling dynamic content via headless browsers like Puppeteer or Selenium that execute JavaScript. JSON APIs, while not scraped in the traditional sense, are often consumed by scrapers to retrieve structured data directly, bypassing HTML parsing, but they still fall under the broader definition of programmatic data extraction from web sources.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
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
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FAQ
Mining and Acquiring Data — This question tests Mining and Acquiring Data — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: HTML pages — HTML pages are suitable for web scraping because they contain structured or semi-structured data in markup format that can be parsed using libraries like BeautifulSoup or Scrapy. Web scrapers extract information from the DOM tree by targeting specific tags, classes, or attributes, making HTML a primary source for scraping.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 24, 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.
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