- A
Delete the VM to avoid all compute charges
Why wrong: Deleting the VM permanently removes it along with the boot disk by default — data may be lost unless the disk is explicitly detached first.
- B
Stop (shut down) the VM — compute charges stop but disk storage charges continue
Stopping a VM halts compute billing immediately while preserving all disk data. The team only pays for persistent disk storage until the VM is restarted or the disks are deleted.
- C
Snapshot the VM disk and delete the VM
Why wrong: Snapshots work, but the question implies the VM may be needed again soon — stopping it preserves the exact state without needing snapshot restore steps.
- D
Set the VM to a smaller machine type to reduce costs
Why wrong: Changing machine type reduces cost but the VM continues running and incurring compute charges — stopping is more cost-effective for an unused VM.
Quick Answer
The answer is to stop (shut down) the VM, as this immediately halts compute charges for vCPU and memory while preserving all persistent disk data for future use. This works because a stopped VM releases its compute resources but retains the disk volume and its contents, meaning you only continue paying for storage—not for idle compute. On the Google Associate Cloud Engineer exam, this scenario tests your understanding of the fundamental billing difference between stopping and deleting a VM; a common trap is assuming you must snapshot the disk or delete the instance to save costs, which would either add unnecessary snapshot fees or destroy the data. Remember the key distinction: stopping saves compute costs, deleting destroys everything. A simple memory tip is “Stop saves compute, delete destroys data”—so when the requirement is to preserve disk data, always choose to stop, not delete.
Google ACE Practice Question: Ensuring successful operation of a cloud solution
This ACE practice question tests your understanding of ensuring successful operation of 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 billing report shows a Compute Engine VM has been running unused for 3 months. The team wants to stop it to save costs but needs the VM's disk data preserved for potential future use. What should they do?
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
Stop (shut down) the VM — compute charges stop but disk storage charges continue
Option B is correct because stopping (shutting down) a Compute Engine VM immediately halts all compute charges (vCPU, memory, GPU) while preserving the persistent disk and its data. The disk continues to incur storage costs, which is acceptable since the team wants to retain the data for potential future use. This is the most cost-effective approach that meets the requirement of preserving disk data without paying for idle compute resources.
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.
- ✗
Delete the VM to avoid all compute charges
Why it's wrong here
Deleting the VM permanently removes it along with the boot disk by default — data may be lost unless the disk is explicitly detached first.
- ✓
Stop (shut down) the VM — compute charges stop but disk storage charges continue
Why this is correct
Stopping a VM halts compute billing immediately while preserving all disk data. The team only pays for persistent disk storage until the VM is restarted or the disks are deleted.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Snapshot the VM disk and delete the VM
Why it's wrong here
Snapshots work, but the question implies the VM may be needed again soon — stopping it preserves the exact state without needing snapshot restore steps.
- ✗
Set the VM to a smaller machine type to reduce costs
Why it's wrong here
Changing machine type reduces cost but the VM continues running and incurring compute charges — stopping is more cost-effective for an unused VM.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Google Cloud often tests the misconception that stopping a VM eliminates all costs, but the trap here is that persistent disk storage charges continue even when the VM is stopped, which candidates may overlook when focusing only on compute savings.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
When a Compute Engine VM is stopped, the instance enters a `TERMINATED` state where the vCPU and memory are released, but the persistent disk remains attached and continues to incur standard persistent disk storage costs (e.g., $0.04/GB/month for standard PD). The disk is not deleted, and the VM can be started again later with the same data intact. This behavior is distinct from suspending a VM (which preserves memory state but incurs different charges) and is the recommended pattern for long-term idle periods where data retention is required.
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.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this ACE question test?
Ensuring successful operation of a cloud solution — This question tests Ensuring successful operation of a cloud solution — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Stop (shut down) the VM — compute charges stop but disk storage charges continue — Option B is correct because stopping (shutting down) a Compute Engine VM immediately halts all compute charges (vCPU, memory, GPU) while preserving the persistent disk and its data. The disk continues to incur storage costs, which is acceptable since the team wants to retain the data for potential future use. This is the most cost-effective approach that meets the requirement of preserving disk data without paying for idle compute resources.
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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Last reviewed: Jun 30, 2026
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