The answer is `gcloud config list`. This command is the correct choice because it displays the currently active configuration’s core properties, including the project ID, authorized account, and default region (and zone if set), which directly addresses the need to confirm these values when troubleshooting a 'PROJECT_ID is not set' error. On the Google Associate Cloud Engineer exam, this tests your understanding of how gcloud manages active configurations and your ability to diagnose common setup issues; a frequent trap is confusing this with `gcloud config get-value`, which only retrieves a single property rather than the full active profile. To remember it, think of `gcloud config list` as the “show me everything” command for your current session—it lists all the key settings in one glance, making it your go-to for verifying project, account, and region alignment.
Google ACE Setting up a cloud solution environment Practice Question
This ACE practice question tests your understanding of setting up a cloud solution environment. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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's gcloud command fails with 'PROJECT_ID is not set'. They need to confirm the currently active configuration — project, account, and default region. Which command shows this?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "which command"
Why it matters: Tests specific CLI syntax. Recall the exact command and its required context — near-synonyms and partial matches are common distractors.
Why wrong: `gcloud info` shows gcloud installation details (version, SDK path, logs) — not the active configuration properties.
B
gcloud config list
`gcloud config list` displays the active configuration: project, account, region, zone, and any other set properties. It's the quickest way to verify the current context.
C
gcloud auth status
Why wrong: `gcloud auth status` is not a valid command. `gcloud auth list` shows authenticated accounts — not the full configuration.
D
gcloud projects describe --current
Why wrong: `gcloud projects describe` requires a project ID argument — `--current` is not a valid flag for this command.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
gcloud config list
Option B, `gcloud config list`, is correct because it displays the currently active configuration's core properties: project, account, and region (and zone if set). This directly answers the need to confirm the active project ID, account, and default region, and is the standard command for troubleshooting configuration issues like 'PROJECT_ID is not set'.
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.
✗
gcloud info
Why it's wrong here
`gcloud info` shows gcloud installation details (version, SDK path, logs) — not the active configuration properties.
✓
gcloud config list
Why this is correct
`gcloud config list` displays the active configuration: project, account, region, zone, and any other set properties. It's the quickest way to verify the current context.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "which command" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
gcloud auth status
Why it's wrong here
`gcloud auth status` is not a valid command. `gcloud auth list` shows authenticated accounts — not the full configuration.
✗
gcloud projects describe --current
Why it's wrong here
`gcloud projects describe` requires a project ID argument — `--current` is not a valid flag for this command.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates confuse `gcloud info` (which shows verbose SDK details) with `gcloud config list` (which shows the active configuration's settings), or they incorrectly assume `gcloud projects describe --current` is a valid shortcut to fetch the current project's metadata.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
`gcloud info` shows gcloud installation details (version, SDK path, logs) — not the active configuration properties.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, `gcloud config list` reads from the active configuration's properties file (typically stored in `~/.config/gcloud/configurations/config_default` or a named configuration). The command outputs key-value pairs for properties like `core/project`, `core/account`, and `compute/region`, which are set via `gcloud config set`. In a real-world scenario, if a developer runs a command that requires a project (e.g., `gcloud compute instances list`) and gets 'PROJECT_ID is not set', running `gcloud config list` immediately reveals whether the project property is missing or misconfigured, allowing a targeted fix.
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.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this ACE question in full detail.
Setting up a cloud solution environment — This question tests Setting up a cloud solution environment — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: gcloud config list — Option B, `gcloud config list`, is correct because it displays the currently active configuration's core properties: project, account, and region (and zone if set). This directly answers the need to confirm the active project ID, account, and default region, and is the standard command for troubleshooting configuration issues like 'PROJECT_ID is not set'.
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: "which command". Tests specific CLI syntax. Recall the exact command and its required context — near-synonyms and partial matches are common distractors.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
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These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. Match each Google Cloud service to its primary purpose.
medium
Why : These are core GCP services with distinct use cases.
Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
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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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