- A
Run 'terraform refresh' to update the state file.
Why wrong: Refresh updates existing state but does not import unmanaged resources.
- B
Import the existing resource into Terraform state with 'terraform import'.
Importing tells Terraform to adopt the existing resource into its state.
- C
Set the 'create_before_destroy' lifecycle rule on the resource.
Why wrong: This affects update behavior, not import.
- D
Change the resource name in the Terraform configuration.
Why wrong: Changing the name would create a new resource, not adopt the existing one.
Question 341 of 1,000
hardMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped
Google ACE Practice Question: A team is using Terraform to manage…
This ACE practice question tests your understanding of a team is using terraform to manage…. 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 team is using Terraform to manage infrastructure in Google Cloud. After running terraform apply, they receive an error: 'Error 409: Resource already exists'. The team needs to resolve this without deleting and recreating the resource. What should they do?
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
✓
Import the existing resource into Terraform state with 'terraform import'.
Option B is correct because the 'Error 409: Resource already exists' indicates that the resource was created outside of Terraform or the state file lost track of it. Running 'terraform import' brings the existing resource under Terraform management by adding its current attributes to the state file, allowing subsequent operations without deletion or recreation.
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.
- ✗
Run 'terraform refresh' to update the state file.
Why it's wrong here
Refresh updates existing state but does not import unmanaged resources.
- ✓
Import the existing resource into Terraform state with 'terraform import'.
Why this is correct
Importing tells Terraform to adopt the existing resource into its state.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Set the 'create_before_destroy' lifecycle rule on the resource.
Why it's wrong here
This affects update behavior, not import.
- ✗
Change the resource name in the Terraform configuration.
Why it's wrong here
Changing the name would create a new resource, not adopt the existing one.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Google Cloud often tests the misconception that 'terraform refresh' can fix state mismatches for missing resources, but it only syncs attributes for resources already in state, not imports new ones.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, Terraform's state file is a JSON mapping of resource addresses to their unique identifiers (e.g., Google Cloud resource IDs). When a resource exists in GCP but not in state, 'terraform import' performs a read-only API call to fetch the resource's attributes and writes them into the state file, associating the resource with the given configuration address. This is critical in real-world scenarios where resources are created via the console, CLI, or by another team, and must be brought under IaC control without downtime.
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 cloud solutions architect for a retail company is evaluating services for a new workload. The correct answer here reflects best practice for the specific scenario described — not a general cloud recommendation. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Cloud exam questions reward reading the constraint carefully: the same technology can be right or wrong depending on the use case.
Visual reference
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.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this ACE question test?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Import the existing resource into Terraform state with 'terraform import'. — Option B is correct because the 'Error 409: Resource already exists' indicates that the resource was created outside of Terraform or the state file lost track of it. Running 'terraform import' brings the existing resource under Terraform management by adding its current attributes to the state file, allowing subsequent operations without deletion or recreation.
What should I do if I get this ACE 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
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