- A
Cloud SQL import
Why wrong: Cloud SQL import requires loading data into a database instance, which incurs costs and management.
- B
Dataproc cluster
Why wrong: Dataproc requires provisioning a cluster; even with preemptible VMs, it adds complexity and cost for a one-time query.
- C
BigQuery external table query
BigQuery can query Parquet files in Cloud Storage directly using an external table, requiring no data loading and no server management.
- D
Compute Engine with Apache Spark installed
Why wrong: Requires manual setup and server management; not cost-effective for a one-time query.
Question 122 of 1,000
Google ACE Planning and Configuring a Cloud Solution Practice Question
This ACE practice question tests your understanding of planning and configuring a cloud solution. 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 needs to run a one-time SQL query against a large dataset stored in Cloud Storage in Parquet format. The query result will be used for ad-hoc analysis. They want to minimize cost and avoid provisioning any servers. Which service should they use?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"minimum / minimize"Why it matters: Asks for the least resource use — fewest addresses, smallest subnet, lowest overhead. Eliminate over-provisioned options even if they would technically work.
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 external table query
BigQuery external table query allows you to query data stored in Cloud Storage (including Parquet) directly without loading it, using BigQuery's serverless infrastructure. This minimizes cost because you only pay for the data scanned by the query, and you avoid provisioning any servers. It is ideal for one-time ad-hoc analysis of large datasets.
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.
- ✗
Cloud SQL import
Why it's wrong here
Cloud SQL import requires loading data into a database instance, which incurs costs and management.
- ✗
Dataproc cluster
Why it's wrong here
Dataproc requires provisioning a cluster; even with preemptible VMs, it adds complexity and cost for a one-time query.
- ✓
BigQuery external table query
Why this is correct
BigQuery can query Parquet files in Cloud Storage directly using an external table, requiring no data loading and no server management.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "minimum / minimize" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Compute Engine with Apache Spark installed
Why it's wrong here
Requires manual setup and server management; not cost-effective for a one-time query.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the distinction between serverless query services (BigQuery) and managed compute services (Dataproc, Compute Engine), where candidates mistakenly choose Dataproc thinking it is 'serverless' because it can be ephemeral, but it still requires provisioning VMs.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
BigQuery external tables use a federated query engine that reads Parquet files directly from Cloud Storage via the Storage API, leveraging columnar pruning and predicate pushdown to minimize data scanned. This means only the columns and rows needed for the query are read, reducing cost and latency. A subtle behavior: BigQuery charges for the bytes read from the external source, not the compressed size, so using columnar formats like Parquet with efficient partitioning can significantly lower costs compared to row-oriented formats.
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 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
Cloud Service Model Comparison
| Model | You Manage | Provider Manages | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| IaaS | OS, runtime, apps, data | Hardware, hypervisor, networking | EC2, Azure VMs, GCP Compute Engine |
| PaaS | Apps and data | OS, runtime, middleware, hardware | Elastic Beanstalk, Azure App Service |
| SaaS | Data and settings only | Everything else | Microsoft 365, Salesforce, Workday |
| FaaS / Serverless | Function code only | Infra, scaling, runtime | Lambda, Azure Functions, Cloud Run |
| CaaS | Containers and apps | Kubernetes, OS, hardware | EKS, AKS, GKE |
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?
Planning and Configuring a Cloud Solution — This question tests Planning and Configuring a Cloud Solution — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: BigQuery external table query — BigQuery external table query allows you to query data stored in Cloud Storage (including Parquet) directly without loading it, using BigQuery's serverless infrastructure. This minimizes cost because you only pay for the data scanned by the query, and you avoid provisioning any servers. It is ideal for one-time ad-hoc analysis of large datasets.
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.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "minimum / minimize". Asks for the least resource use — fewest addresses, smallest subnet, lowest overhead. Eliminate over-provisioned options even if they would technically work.
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.
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