- A
Cloud Dataflow — it runs all Spark and Hadoop jobs natively.
Why wrong: Dataflow runs Apache Beam pipelines, not native Spark or Hadoop jobs. Migrating to Dataflow requires rewriting jobs in the Beam programming model.
- B
Cloud Dataproc — managed Apache Spark and Hadoop with minimal code changes.
Dataproc runs native Spark, Hadoop, Hive, and Pig workloads. Existing jobs can be migrated with minimal changes by pointing them at Dataproc clusters and Cloud Storage instead of HDFS.
- C
BigQuery — it runs Spark SQL queries via BigQuery Spark stored procedures.
Why wrong: BigQuery supports Spark stored procedures but is primarily a SQL data warehouse. It's not a full Hadoop/Spark replacement for arbitrary batch processing jobs.
- D
Google Kubernetes Engine — deploy Spark clusters on Kubernetes.
Why wrong: Spark can run on GKE (Spark on Kubernetes) but this requires managing Kubernetes and Spark configuration — more complex than Dataproc's managed service.
Quick Answer
The answer is Cloud Dataproc, the best fit for migrating Spark and Hadoop workloads to Google Cloud with minimal rewriting. This is correct because Cloud Dataproc is a managed service that runs native, open-source versions of Apache Spark and Hadoop, meaning your existing jobs, configurations, and dependencies work without modification—you simply point your cluster at your data in Cloud Storage. On the Google Cloud Digital Leader exam, this scenario tests your understanding of lift-and-shift migration strategies versus re-architecting; a common trap is choosing Dataflow or BigQuery, which require significant code changes. Remember the key distinction: if the question emphasizes “minimal rewriting” and “existing Spark/Hadoop,” think Dataproc. A helpful memory tip is “Dataproc for drop-in processing”—it’s the only service that lets you run your same cluster-based batch jobs as-is, making it the straightforward choice for on-premises Hadoop and Spark migrations.
Cloud Digital Leader Practice Question: Google Cloud products, services, and solutions
This GCDL practice question tests your understanding of google cloud products, services, and solutions. 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 company currently uses Hadoop and Spark for batch data processing on a large on-premises cluster. They want to migrate these workloads to Google Cloud with minimal rewriting of existing Spark and Hadoop jobs. Which Google Cloud service is the best fit?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"best"Why it matters: Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
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
Cloud Dataproc — managed Apache Spark and Hadoop with minimal code changes.
Cloud Dataproc is a managed service for running Apache Spark and Hadoop clusters on Google Cloud. It supports the same open-source versions of Spark and Hadoop that the company currently uses, allowing them to migrate their existing batch processing workloads with minimal code changes. This makes it the best fit for the stated requirement of minimal rewriting.
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.
- ✗
Cloud Dataflow — it runs all Spark and Hadoop jobs natively.
Why it's wrong here
Dataflow runs Apache Beam pipelines, not native Spark or Hadoop jobs. Migrating to Dataflow requires rewriting jobs in the Beam programming model.
- ✓
Cloud Dataproc — managed Apache Spark and Hadoop with minimal code changes.
Why this is correct
Dataproc runs native Spark, Hadoop, Hive, and Pig workloads. Existing jobs can be migrated with minimal changes by pointing them at Dataproc clusters and Cloud Storage instead of HDFS.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
BigQuery — it runs Spark SQL queries via BigQuery Spark stored procedures.
Why it's wrong here
BigQuery supports Spark stored procedures but is primarily a SQL data warehouse. It's not a full Hadoop/Spark replacement for arbitrary batch processing jobs.
- ✗
Google Kubernetes Engine — deploy Spark clusters on Kubernetes.
Why it's wrong here
Spark can run on GKE (Spark on Kubernetes) but this requires managing Kubernetes and Spark configuration — more complex than Dataproc's managed service.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the misconception that Cloud Dataflow can run Spark/Hadoop jobs natively, when in fact it requires rewriting into Apache Beam, while Dataproc is the direct managed equivalent for these frameworks.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Cloud Dataproc leverages the same YARN resource manager and HDFS filesystem as on-premises Hadoop clusters, allowing direct reuse of existing configuration files and job submission scripts. It also provides a one-click initialization action system for installing custom dependencies, and supports ephemeral clusters that auto-scale and shut down after job completion, reducing costs compared to always-on on-premises clusters. A subtle but important behavior is that Dataproc can use Cloud Storage as a drop-in replacement for HDFS via the gs:// connector, enabling data persistence without cluster lifecycle management.
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.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this GCDL question test?
Google Cloud products, services, and solutions — This question tests Google Cloud products, services, and solutions — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Cloud Dataproc — managed Apache Spark and Hadoop with minimal code changes. — Cloud Dataproc is a managed service for running Apache Spark and Hadoop clusters on Google Cloud. It supports the same open-source versions of Spark and Hadoop that the company currently uses, allowing them to migrate their existing batch processing workloads with minimal code changes. This makes it the best fit for the stated requirement of minimal rewriting.
What should I do if I get this GCDL 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: "best". Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
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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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
This GCDL 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 GCDL exam.
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