- A
Download the service account key and store it on the instance's persistent disk.
Why wrong: Downloading keys is discouraged; keys can be compromised. The instance should use the attached service account.
- B
Use gcloud auth activate-service-account on the instance with the service account email.
Why wrong: This command requires a key file to activate the service account. Without a key, it cannot activate the account.
- C
Attach the service account to the instance using the --service-account flag when creating the instance.
This enables the instance to use the service account's permissions via the metadata server without any key file.
- D
Store the service account email in an instance metadata and use gcloud commands.
Why wrong: Just storing the email does not grant permissions; the instance must be created with the service account attached.
Google ACE Configuring Access and Security Practice Question
This ACE practice question tests your understanding of configuring access and security. 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 developer created a service account with the roles/storage.admin role and wants to use it from a Compute Engine instance without downloading a key file. What is the best practice?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"best"Why it matters: Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
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
Attach the service account to the instance using the --service-account flag when creating the instance.
The best practice is to attach the service account to the Compute Engine instance at creation time using the --service-account flag. This allows the instance to automatically obtain credentials via the metadata server, avoiding the need to download and manage a service account key file. Downloading keys should be avoided due to security risks.
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.
- ✗
Download the service account key and store it on the instance's persistent disk.
Why it's wrong here
Downloading keys is discouraged; keys can be compromised. The instance should use the attached service account.
- ✗
Use gcloud auth activate-service-account on the instance with the service account email.
Why it's wrong here
This command requires a key file to activate the service account. Without a key, it cannot activate the account.
- ✓
Attach the service account to the instance using the --service-account flag when creating the instance.
Why this is correct
This enables the instance to use the service account's permissions via the metadata server without any key file.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Store the service account email in an instance metadata and use gcloud commands.
Why it's wrong here
Just storing the email does not grant permissions; the instance must be created with the service account attached.
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.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
This command requires a key file to activate the service account. Without a key, it cannot activate the account.
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 media company stores terabytes of video archives that are accessed once a year for audit purposes. Moving these objects to a cold storage tier (Azure Archive, S3 Glacier, or Google Nearline) costs a fraction of hot storage. Questions like this test whether you understand storage tiers, access frequency tradeoffs, and retrieval latency requirements.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which ACE 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.
- →
Configuring Access and Security — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
- →
Configuring Access and Security practice questions
Targeted practice on this topic area only
- →
All ACE questions
1,000 questions across all exam domains
- →
Google Associate Cloud Engineer study guide
Full concept coverage aligned to exam objectives
- →
ACE practice test guide
How to use practice tests most effectively before exam day
Related practice questions
Related ACE practice-question pages
Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.
Configuring Access and Security practice questions
Practise ACE questions linked to Configuring Access and Security.
Planning and Configuring a Cloud Solution practice questions
Practise ACE questions linked to Planning and Configuring a Cloud Solution.
Ensuring Successful Operation of a Cloud Solution practice questions
Practise ACE questions linked to Ensuring Successful Operation of a Cloud Solution.
Deploying and Implementing a Cloud Solution practice questions
Practise ACE questions linked to Deploying and Implementing a Cloud Solution.
Setting Up a Cloud Solution Environment practice questions
Practise ACE questions linked to Setting Up a Cloud Solution Environment.
ACE fundamentals practice questions
Practise ACE questions linked to ACE fundamentals.
ACE scenario practice questions
Practise ACE questions linked to ACE scenario.
ACE troubleshooting practice questions
Practise ACE questions linked to ACE troubleshooting.
Practice this exam
Start a free ACE practice session
Short sessions build daily habit. Longer sessions build exam-day stamina. Try a timed session to simulate real conditions.
FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this ACE question test?
Configuring Access and Security — This question tests Configuring Access and Security — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Attach the service account to the instance using the --service-account flag when creating the instance. — The best practice is to attach the service account to the Compute Engine instance at creation time using the --service-account flag. This allows the instance to automatically obtain credentials via the metadata server, avoiding the need to download and manage a service account key file. Downloading keys should be avoided due to security risks.
What should I do if I get this ACE question wrong?
Identify which ACE 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.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "best". Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
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 →
Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
This ACE 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 ACE exam.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.