FC0-U71 Data and Database Fundamentals Practice Question
Which TWO of the following are characteristics of a relational database? (Select TWO.)
⚠ Common exam trap
Watch out — candidates often confuse relational databases with NoSQL databases, leading candidates to select options about flexible schemas or unstructured data, which are actually characteristics of non-relational systems.
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
✓
Data is stored in tables with rows and columns.
Option B is correct because a relational database stores data in structured tables composed of rows (records) and columns (attributes), which is the fundamental organizing principle of the relational model. Option E is correct because relational databases establish relationships between tables through keys — typically primary keys that uniquely identify rows and foreign keys that reference primary keys in other tables — enabling joins and referential integrity. Option A is incorrect because relational databases are precisely the systems queried with SQL (Structured Query Language), so they do support SQL queries. Option C is incorrect because relational databases are optimized for structured, tabular data; unstructured content like videos is typically handled by object storage or NoSQL/document stores. Option D is incorrect because relational databases generally use a fixed, predefined schema (with controlled migrations via DDL), whereas flexible, dynamically changing schemas are characteristic of NoSQL databases.
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 does not support SQL queries.
Why it's wrong here
Relational databases are queried with SQL, so claiming no SQL support contradicts their defining characteristic. The distractor tempts candidates who associate non-SQL access with newer NoSQL engines, where querying uses APIs or languages such as MongoDB's aggregation pipeline instead of SQL statements.
- ✓
Data is stored in tables with rows and columns.
Why this is correct
Relational databases enforce structure through tables, where each row represents a record and each column a defined attribute, with relationships established via keys between tables. This tabular row-and-column model satisfies the stem's requirement for a defining relational characteristic, distinguishing it from non-relational stores such as key-value or document databases.
- ✗
It is optimized for storing unstructured data like videos.
Why it's wrong here
Relational databases store data in tables with fixed schemas and typed columns, which does not suit unstructured video content; object storage or a blob store handles that. Relational engines are chosen when structured rows need joins, constraints and ACID transactions.
- ✗
It uses a flexible schema that can change dynamically.
Why it's wrong here
Relational databases enforce a fixed, predefined schema of tables, columns and data types; dynamic schema flexibility belongs to NoSQL document stores such as MongoDB. It is tempting because schema-on-read databases genuinely allow fields to be added per record, which suits rapidly evolving, unstructured data rather than the stem's tabular model.
- ✓
Relationships between tables are defined using keys.
Why this is correct
Relational databases enforce links through primary and foreign keys, so a foreign key in one table references the primary key of another, guaranteeing referential integrity. This key-based mechanism satisfies the stem's requirement for defining relationships between tables, distinguishing relational models from flat-file or document stores.
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Same concept, more angles
1 more way this is tested on FC0-U71
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. Which TWO of the following are examples of popular relational database management systems (RDBMS)? (Select TWO.)
medium- A.Cassandra
- ✓ B.MySQL
- C.MongoDB
- ✓ D.PostgreSQL
- E.Redis
Why B: MySQL (B) is a widely used open-source relational database management system that stores data in tables with rows and columns and supports SQL, making it a correct example of an RDBMS. PostgreSQL (D) is likewise a popular open-source relational database management system that enforces ACID transactions, foreign keys, and SQL compliance, so it also qualifies as an RDBMS. The remaining options are non-relational: Cassandra (A) is a distributed wide-column NoSQL store, MongoDB (C) is a document-oriented NoSQL database, and Redis (E) is an in-memory key-value data store, none of which implement the relational table-and-SQL model.
JA
Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official CompTIA exam blueprint
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