The correct command is `gcloud iam list-grantable-roles //cloudresourcemanager.googleapis.com/projects/PROJECT_ID`, as it is the only gcloud command designed to return all roles—both predefined and custom—that can be granted on a specific resource, such as a GCP project, by referencing the resource’s canonical name. This works because the command queries the IAM policy for roles eligible for binding at that exact resource level, including those inherited from parent folders or organizations, making it distinct from commands like `gcloud iam roles list`, which only shows global roles. On the Google Associate Cloud Engineer exam, this tests your understanding of resource-scoped IAM operations, often appearing as a trap where candidates confuse listing all roles with listing grantable roles for a specific project. A common memory tip is to think of “grantable” as tied to a resource’s full path—remember the double slash `//` prefix for the canonical name, and that `PROJECT_ID` must be replaced with your actual project ID.
Google ACE Setting up a cloud solution environment Practice Question
This ACE practice question tests your understanding of setting up a cloud solution environment. 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.
Which gcloud command lists all available roles that can be granted on a GCP project, including both predefined and custom roles?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
`gcloud iam list-grantable-roles //cloudresourcemanager.googleapis.com/projects/PROJECT_ID`
Option B is correct because the `gcloud iam list-grantable-roles` command is specifically designed to list all roles (both predefined and custom) that can be granted on a given resource, such as a GCP project. The resource is identified by its canonical name, which for a project is `//cloudresourcemanager.googleapis.com/projects/PROJECT_ID`. This command returns roles that are eligible for binding at that resource level, including those inherited from ancestors.
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 iam roles list --project=PROJECT_ID`
Why it's wrong here
This only lists custom roles defined in the project, not the full set of predefined roles grantable on it.
✓
`gcloud iam list-grantable-roles //cloudresourcemanager.googleapis.com/projects/PROJECT_ID`
Why this is correct
This queries all roles — predefined and custom — that can be granted on the specified project resource.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
`gcloud projects get-iam-policy PROJECT_ID`
Why it's wrong here
This retrieves the current IAM policy bindings for the project, not the list of all grantable roles.
✗
`gcloud iam roles describe roles/editor`
Why it's wrong here
This describes a single specific role, not a list of all grantable roles.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Google Cloud often tests the distinction between listing roles that *can* be granted (grantable roles) versus listing roles that *are* granted (current bindings), and candidates confuse `gcloud iam roles list` (custom roles only) with the correct command for all grantable roles.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The `list-grantable-roles` command queries the IAM API's `QueryGrantableRoles` method, which returns roles that are eligible for binding on a specific resource. This is distinct from listing all roles in the system; it filters roles based on the resource's hierarchy and the roles' `includedPermissions` that are applicable at that level. For example, roles like `roles/owner` are grantable at the project level, but some organization-level roles may not appear if they are not applicable to projects.
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 company's IT admin needs to give a contractor read-only access to production logs without sharing account credentials. Using role-based access control (RBAC) and temporary scoped permissions — not a permanent shared password — is the correct pattern. Questions like this test whether you can apply least-privilege access across cloud identity services.
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 iam list-grantable-roles //cloudresourcemanager.googleapis.com/projects/PROJECT_ID` — Option B is correct because the `gcloud iam list-grantable-roles` command is specifically designed to list all roles (both predefined and custom) that can be granted on a given resource, such as a GCP project. The resource is identified by its canonical name, which for a project is `//cloudresourcemanager.googleapis.com/projects/PROJECT_ID`. This command returns roles that are eligible for binding at that resource level, including those inherited from ancestors.
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.
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