- A
Set a lifecycle rule to change storage class from Standard to Nearline after 30 days for the 'raw' bucket.
Nearline has a 30-day minimum storage duration, ideal for data accessed less than once a month.
- B
Enable object versioning on all buckets to automatically delete older versions.
Why wrong: Versioning does not automatically delete; it keeps multiple versions. Lifecycle rules are needed to delete noncurrent versions.
- C
Set a partition expiration on BigQuery tables that reference data in the 'processed' bucket.
Why wrong: This applies to BigQuery, not Cloud Storage lifecycle management.
- D
Set a lifecycle rule to delete objects older than 365 days in the 'curated' and 'processed' buckets.
Deleting old data after a year helps manage storage costs.
- E
Set a lifecycle rule to change storage class from Standard to Archive after 30 days for the 'raw' bucket.
Why wrong: Archive has a 365-day minimum storage duration; Nearline (30-day min) is more appropriate for data accessed every 30 days.
PDE Cloud Storage lifecycle management Practice Question
This PDE practice question tests your understanding of storing the data. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. A key principle to apply: cloud Storage lifecycle management. 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 company has a data lake on Cloud Storage with raw data in the 'raw' bucket, curated data in 'curated', and processed data in 'processed'. They want to implement lifecycle management to reduce costs. Which TWO actions should they take? (Choose 2)
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
Set a lifecycle rule to change storage class from Standard to Nearline after 30 days for the 'raw' bucket.
Setting a lifecycle rule to change storage class from Standard to Nearline after 30 days for the 'raw' bucket reduces costs while maintaining quick access to frequently needed raw data. For 'curated' and 'processed' buckets, deleting objects older than 365 days is appropriate because these datasets are typically intermediate or final and can be removed after a retention period. Option B (object versioning) does not automatically delete older versions; it preserves them. Option C (partition expiration on BigQuery) applies to BigQuery tables, not Cloud Storage objects. Option E (changing to Archive after 30 days) is less cost-effective than Nearline for raw data that may still be accessed occasionally.
Key principle: Cloud Storage lifecycle management
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Set a lifecycle rule to change storage class from Standard to Nearline after 30 days for the 'raw' bucket.
Why this is correct
Nearline has a 30-day minimum storage duration, ideal for data accessed less than once a month.
Related concept
Cloud Storage lifecycle management
- ✗
Enable object versioning on all buckets to automatically delete older versions.
Why it's wrong here
Versioning does not automatically delete; it keeps multiple versions. Lifecycle rules are needed to delete noncurrent versions.
- ✗
Set a partition expiration on BigQuery tables that reference data in the 'processed' bucket.
Why it's wrong here
This applies to BigQuery, not Cloud Storage lifecycle management.
- ✓
Set a lifecycle rule to delete objects older than 365 days in the 'curated' and 'processed' buckets.
Why this is correct
Deleting old data after a year helps manage storage costs.
Related concept
Cloud Storage lifecycle management
- ✗
Set a lifecycle rule to change storage class from Standard to Archive after 30 days for the 'raw' bucket.
Why it's wrong here
Archive has a 365-day minimum storage duration; Nearline (30-day min) is more appropriate for data accessed every 30 days.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Candidates may confuse BigQuery table expiration with Cloud Storage lifecycle rules, or assume that Archive storage is always cheaper than Nearline without considering access needs.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Treat this as a scenario question. Identify the problem, the constraint, and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Cloud Storage lifecycle management
- Nearline storage
- Archive storage
- Object versioning
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
Cloud Storage lifecycle management
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A startup's cloud architect reviews their monthly bill and notices costs are higher than expected for a long-running batch job. Switching from on-demand instances to Reserved Instances — or using Spot/Preemptible VMs — can reduce compute costs by up to 72 %. Questions like this test whether you understand the tradeoffs between commitment, flexibility, and cost across cloud pricing models.
Quick reference
AWS S3 Storage Class Comparison
| Storage Class | Min Duration | Retrieval | Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|
| S3 Standard | None | Immediate | Frequently accessed data |
| S3 Standard-IA | 30 days | Immediate | Infrequent access, rapid retrieval |
| S3 One Zone-IA | 30 days | Immediate | Non-critical infrequent data |
| S3 Intelligent-Tiering | None | Immediate–hours | Unknown or changing access patterns |
| S3 Glacier Instant | 90 days | Milliseconds | Archive with instant retrieval |
| S3 Glacier Flexible | 90 days | Minutes–hours | Archive, flexible retrieval |
| S3 Glacier Deep Archive | 180 days | Hours | Long-term compliance archive |
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Review cloud Storage lifecycle management, then practise related PDE questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this PDE question test?
Storing the Data — This question tests Storing the Data — Cloud Storage lifecycle management.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Set a lifecycle rule to change storage class from Standard to Nearline after 30 days for the 'raw' bucket. — Setting a lifecycle rule to change storage class from Standard to Nearline after 30 days for the 'raw' bucket reduces costs while maintaining quick access to frequently needed raw data. For 'curated' and 'processed' buckets, deleting objects older than 365 days is appropriate because these datasets are typically intermediate or final and can be removed after a retention period. Option B (object versioning) does not automatically delete older versions; it preserves them. Option C (partition expiration on BigQuery) applies to BigQuery tables, not Cloud Storage objects. Option E (changing to Archive after 30 days) is less cost-effective than Nearline for raw data that may still be accessed occasionally.
What should I do if I get this PDE question wrong?
Review cloud Storage lifecycle management, then practise related PDE questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Cloud Storage lifecycle management
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
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