- A
Broad network access
Why wrong: Broad network access refers to resources accessible over the network by standard protocols.
- B
Measured service
Why wrong: Measured service means usage is monitored, controlled, and reported.
- C
Resource pooling
Why wrong: Resource pooling means the provider's resources are pooled to serve multiple customers.
- D
On-demand self-service
On-demand self-service allows users to provision resources automatically without human interaction.
Question 820 of 1,000
Cloud Digital Leader Fundamental Cloud Concepts Practice Question
This GCDL practice question tests your understanding of fundamental cloud concepts. Match the stated requirement to the specific cloud service, access model, or configuration option — many options are valid in isolation but not for this scenario. 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 characteristic of cloud computing allows a user to provision virtual machines without needing to interact with Google Cloud support or create a ticket?
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
✓
On-demand self-service
On-demand self-service means users can provision resources automatically without human interaction. The other options are also NIST characteristics but do not specifically address provisioning without manual intervention.
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.
- ✗
Broad network access
Why it's wrong here
Broad network access refers to resources accessible over the network by standard protocols.
- ✗
Measured service
Why it's wrong here
Measured service means usage is monitored, controlled, and reported.
- ✗
Resource pooling
Why it's wrong here
Resource pooling means the provider's resources are pooled to serve multiple customers.
- ✓
On-demand self-service
Why this is correct
On-demand self-service allows users to provision resources automatically without human interaction.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
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.
- Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
- Underline the problem statement mentally.
- 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 company's IT admin needs to give a contractor read-only access to production logs without sharing account credentials. Using role-based access control (RBAC) and temporary scoped permissions — not a permanent shared password — is the correct pattern. Questions like this test whether you can apply least-privilege access across cloud identity services.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which GCDL exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
- →
Fundamental Cloud Concepts — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this GCDL question test?
Fundamental Cloud Concepts — This question tests Fundamental Cloud Concepts — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: On-demand self-service — On-demand self-service means users can provision resources automatically without human interaction. The other options are also NIST characteristics but do not specifically address provisioning without manual intervention.
What should I do if I get this GCDL question wrong?
Identify which GCDL exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
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 →
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
This GCDL practice question is part of Courseiva's free Google Cloud 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 GCDL exam.
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