- A
google_project_iam_binding with the serviceusage.services.enable permission
Why wrong: IAM bindings grant permissions — they don't enable APIs. API enablement is a separate action from access control.
- B
google_project_service with the desired service endpoint
`google_project_service` enables a GCP service API for the specified project. Example: `service = "sqladmin.googleapis.com"` enables the Cloud SQL Admin API.
- C
google_service_account with enabled_services block
Why wrong: `google_service_account` creates a service account — it has no `enabled_services` field and doesn't control API enablement.
- D
google_project with the services argument listing all required APIs
Why wrong: `google_project` manages project metadata (name, ID, billing) — it doesn't have a `services` argument for API enablement.
Quick Answer
The answer is the `google_project_service` resource. This is the direct Terraform equivalent of the `gcloud services enable` command because it explicitly enables a specified GCP service API for a given project by accepting the service endpoint, such as `compute.googleapis.com`, and managing the full lifecycle of that enablement, including dependency tracking and automatic disabling when the resource is destroyed. On the Google Associate Cloud Engineer exam, this concept tests your understanding of how to translate imperative CLI commands into declarative Terraform configurations, often appearing in scenarios where you must enable APIs before provisioning dependent resources. A common trap is confusing this with `google_project_services` (plural), which is a legacy resource that lacks the same granular lifecycle control. Memory tip: think of the singular “service” as the precise, one-to-one match for the singular “enable” command—one resource, one API endpoint.
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.
An infrastructure team uses Terraform to manage GCP resources including API enablement. Which Terraform resource enables a GCP API for a project, equivalent to `gcloud services enable`?
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
google_project_service with the desired service endpoint
The `google_project_service` resource is the direct Terraform equivalent of `gcloud services enable`, as it explicitly enables a specified GCP service API for a given project. This resource takes the service endpoint (e.g., `compute.googleapis.com`) and handles the enablement lifecycle, including dependency tracking and disabling on destroy.
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.
- ✗
google_project_iam_binding with the serviceusage.services.enable permission
Why it's wrong here
IAM bindings grant permissions — they don't enable APIs. API enablement is a separate action from access control.
- ✓
google_project_service with the desired service endpoint
Why this is correct
`google_project_service` enables a GCP service API for the specified project. Example: `service = "sqladmin.googleapis.com"` enables the Cloud SQL Admin API.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
google_service_account with enabled_services block
Why it's wrong here
`google_service_account` creates a service account — it has no `enabled_services` field and doesn't control API enablement.
- ✗
google_project with the services argument listing all required APIs
Why it's wrong here
`google_project` manages project metadata (name, ID, billing) — it doesn't have a `services` argument for API enablement.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Google Cloud often tests the distinction between IAM permissions (who can enable APIs) and the actual API enablement action, leading candidates to confuse `google_project_iam_binding` with the correct resource for enabling services.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, `google_project_service` calls the Service Usage API's `services.enable` method, which activates the API and its associated service endpoints. A subtle behavior is that enabling a service may also enable dependent services automatically, and Terraform tracks these dependencies in state to avoid conflicts. In real-world scenarios, using `google_project_service` with `disable_on_destroy = false` is critical for production projects to prevent accidental API disablement during `terraform destroy`.
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.
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?
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: google_project_service with the desired service endpoint — The `google_project_service` resource is the direct Terraform equivalent of `gcloud services enable`, as it explicitly enables a specified GCP service API for a given project. This resource takes the service endpoint (e.g., `compute.googleapis.com`) and handles the enablement lifecycle, including dependency tracking and disabling on destroy.
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
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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