PDE Storing the Data Practice Question
A data engineer needs to create a unified table that combines data from Cloud Storage (Parquet files) and BigQuery native tables, with fine-grained access control and governance. Which three Google Cloud features should they use together? (Choose THREE.)
⚠ Common exam trap
Many candidates confuse Dataproc (a processing engine) with a storage or query service, or think Cloud SQL can handle Parquet files, when the correct combination requires BigQuery, BigLake, and Cloud Storage to achieve unified querying and governance.
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
✓
BigQuery
BigQuery is correct because it serves as the unified query engine that can read data from both Cloud Storage (via external tables or BigLake) and native BigQuery tables, enabling a single SQL interface for analysis. It also integrates with fine-grained access control through row-level security and column-level access policies, and supports governance via Data Catalog and VPC Service Controls.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
BigQuery
Why this is correct
BigQuery is used for both native tables and the unified query engine.
- ✗
Dataproc
Why it's wrong here
Dataproc is for managed Spark/Hadoop clusters, not needed for this integration.
- ✓
BigLake
Why this is correct
BigLake provides a unified table that spans Cloud Storage and BigQuery with centralized governance.
- ✓
Cloud Storage
Why this is correct
Cloud Storage stores the Parquet files that are part of the BigLake table.
- ✗
Cloud SQL
Why it's wrong here
Cloud SQL is a relational database, not part of BigLake's unified table.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This PDE 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 PDE exam.