- A
Define all three steps in a single `steps` list — they run sequentially by default and stop on failure
Cloud Build steps execute sequentially by default. If any step fails (non-zero exit), the build stops and subsequent steps don't run — enforcing the test-before-build-before-push dependency.
- B
Use `waitFor` with step IDs to create a dependency graph between all three steps
Why wrong: `waitFor` is used when steps should run in parallel or out of order — for a simple sequential pipeline, steps already run in order without `waitFor`.
- C
Define the steps in three separate cloudbuild.yaml files and chain them with Cloud Composer
Why wrong: Using multiple YAML files and Cloud Composer adds unnecessary complexity — sequential steps in a single cloudbuild.yaml are sufficient.
- D
Set `parallel: false` at the top level of cloudbuild.yaml to enforce sequential execution
Why wrong: There is no `parallel: false` setting in cloudbuild.yaml — steps run sequentially by default.
Quick Answer
The answer is to define all three steps in a single `steps` list, as Cloud Build enforces sequential dependencies by default and stops on failure. This structure is correct because Cloud Build executes each step in order within a `steps` list, and any step that exits with a non-zero status—such as a failing unit test—immediately halts the entire pipeline, preventing the Docker image from being built or pushed. On the Google Associate Cloud Engineer exam, this question tests your understanding of Cloud Build’s default execution model versus parallel or conditional constructs like `waitFor`; a common trap is overcomplicating the solution by adding explicit `waitFor` tags when they are unnecessary for simple linear flows. Remember the memory tip: “Steps are sequential by default—failure stops the show,” meaning you only need `waitFor` when you want to break the default order or introduce parallelism.
Google ACE Deploying and implementing a cloud solution Practice Question
This ACE practice question tests your understanding of deploying and implementing 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 team's Cloud Build pipeline must: (1) run unit tests, (2) build a Docker image only if tests pass, (3) push the image to Artifact Registry. Which cloudbuild.yaml structure correctly enforces this sequential dependency?
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
Define all three steps in a single `steps` list — they run sequentially by default and stop on failure
Option A is correct because Cloud Build executes steps in a `steps` list sequentially by default, and any step that exits with a non-zero status (e.g., test failure) immediately stops the entire pipeline. This enforces the required dependency: unit tests must pass before the Docker image is built, and the image must be built before it is pushed to Artifact Registry.
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.
- ✓
Define all three steps in a single `steps` list — they run sequentially by default and stop on failure
Why this is correct
Cloud Build steps execute sequentially by default. If any step fails (non-zero exit), the build stops and subsequent steps don't run — enforcing the test-before-build-before-push dependency.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Use `waitFor` with step IDs to create a dependency graph between all three steps
Why it's wrong here
`waitFor` is used when steps should run in parallel or out of order — for a simple sequential pipeline, steps already run in order without `waitFor`.
- ✗
Define the steps in three separate cloudbuild.yaml files and chain them with Cloud Composer
Why it's wrong here
Using multiple YAML files and Cloud Composer adds unnecessary complexity — sequential steps in a single cloudbuild.yaml are sufficient.
- ✗
Set `parallel: false` at the top level of cloudbuild.yaml to enforce sequential execution
Why it's wrong here
There is no `parallel: false` setting in cloudbuild.yaml — steps run sequentially by default.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Google Cloud often tests the misconception that you must explicitly use `waitFor` to enforce step dependencies, when in fact Cloud Build runs steps in a list sequentially by default and stops on failure.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, Cloud Build treats each step as a container that runs in order; if a step fails (non-zero exit code), the build immediately stops and reports failure, preventing subsequent steps from executing. This behavior is guaranteed by the Cloud Build execution engine, which does not proceed to the next step until the current step completes, making explicit `waitFor` redundant for linear sequences. In real-world scenarios, teams often misuse `waitFor` to enforce ordering when they could simply rely on the default sequential execution, leading to bloated configuration files.
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 cloud solutions architect for a retail company is evaluating services for a new workload. The correct answer here reflects best practice for the specific scenario described — not a general cloud recommendation. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Cloud exam questions reward reading the constraint carefully: the same technology can be right or wrong depending on the use case.
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.
- →
Deploying and implementing a cloud solution — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
- →
Deploying and implementing a cloud solution practice questions
Targeted practice on this topic area only
- →
All ACE questions
500 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.
Setting up a cloud solution environment practice questions
Practise ACE questions linked to Setting up a cloud solution environment.
Planning and configuring a cloud solution practice questions
Practise ACE questions linked to Planning and configuring a cloud solution.
Deploying and implementing a cloud solution practice questions
Practise ACE questions linked to Deploying and implementing a cloud solution.
Ensuring successful operation of a cloud solution practice questions
Practise ACE questions linked to Ensuring successful operation of a cloud solution.
Configuring access and security practice questions
Practise ACE questions linked to Configuring access and security.
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?
Deploying and implementing a cloud solution — This question tests Deploying and implementing a cloud solution — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Define all three steps in a single `steps` list — they run sequentially by default and stop on failure — Option A is correct because Cloud Build executes steps in a `steps` list sequentially by default, and any step that exits with a non-zero status (e.g., test failure) immediately stops the entire pipeline. This enforces the required dependency: unit tests must pass before the Docker image is built, and the image must be built before it is pushed to Artifact Registry.
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.
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 →
Keep practising
More ACE practice questions
- A team needs a database backup job to run every day at 2 AM UTC. The job calls an HTTP endpoint to trigger the backup. T…
- A team wants to receive an email alert when the average CPU utilization of VMs in a managed instance group exceeds 80% f…
- A Go service is consuming significantly more CPU than expected. The team suspects an inefficient function but doesn't kn…
- A network team is creating a new VPC and must decide between auto mode and custom mode. Why would they choose custom mod…
- A company organizes its GCP projects by business unit — Finance, Engineering, and Sales. Which resource is best suited t…
- A GKE Pod needs to call the Cloud Storage API. The team wants to avoid creating and managing service account key files.…
Last reviewed: Jun 30, 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.