- A
Cloud Spanner for the database and Cloud Storage for images
Why wrong: Cloud Spanner is a globally distributed database and is overkill for a monolith; would require schema changes and high costs.
- B
Cloud Firestore for the database and Cloud Storage with Cloud CDN for images
Why wrong: Firestore is NoSQL and would require code changes; not suitable for a relational database without rewriting.
- C
Cloud SQL for the database and Cloud Storage with Cloud CDN for images
Cloud SQL provides a managed relational database with minimal changes, and Cloud Storage with CDN serves images efficiently at scale.
- D
Compute Engine with attached SSD persistent disks for both database and images
Why wrong: This does not provide managed scalability and increases operational overhead.
Quick Answer
The correct combination is Cloud SQL for the database and Cloud Storage with Cloud CDN for user-uploaded images. This choice is correct because Cloud SQL offers a fully managed relational database that supports MySQL, PostgreSQL, and SQL Server, allowing you to migrate a legacy app with minimal code changes by simply pointing your existing database connection strings to the Cloud SQL instance, while Cloud Storage provides scalable object storage for images that can be served with low latency via Cloud CDN, eliminating the need to manage local file servers. On the Google Professional Cloud Developer exam, this question tests your ability to pair managed services that reduce operational overhead without forcing a complete application rewrite—a common trap is choosing Cloud Spanner or Bigtable, which require significant schema or code changes. Remember the memory tip: “SQL for the SQL, Storage for the stuff” to quickly recall that relational data stays in Cloud SQL and static files go to Cloud Storage.
PCD Integrating Google Cloud services Practice Question
This PCD practice question tests your understanding of integrating google cloud services. 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 is migrating a legacy monolithic application to Google Cloud. They want to minimize code changes and operational overhead while improving scalability. The application currently uses a relational database and stores user-uploaded images on a local filesystem. Which combination of Google Cloud services should they use?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"minimum / minimize"Why it matters: Asks for the least resource use — fewest addresses, smallest subnet, lowest overhead. Eliminate over-provisioned options even if they would technically work.
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 SQL for the database and Cloud Storage with Cloud CDN for images
Option C is correct because Cloud SQL provides a fully managed relational database that requires minimal code changes when migrating from an existing relational database, while Cloud Storage with Cloud CDN handles user-uploaded images with scalable object storage and low-latency content delivery. This combination minimizes operational overhead by eliminating the need to manage database servers or file servers, and improves scalability through automatic replication and global edge caching.
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 Spanner for the database and Cloud Storage for images
Why it's wrong here
Cloud Spanner is a globally distributed database and is overkill for a monolith; would require schema changes and high costs.
- ✗
Cloud Firestore for the database and Cloud Storage with Cloud CDN for images
Why it's wrong here
Firestore is NoSQL and would require code changes; not suitable for a relational database without rewriting.
- ✓
Cloud SQL for the database and Cloud Storage with Cloud CDN for images
Why this is correct
Cloud SQL provides a managed relational database with minimal changes, and Cloud Storage with CDN serves images efficiently at scale.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "minimum / minimize" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Compute Engine with attached SSD persistent disks for both database and images
Why it's wrong here
This does not provide managed scalability and increases operational overhead.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Google Cloud often tests the misconception that any fully managed database (like Spanner or Firestore) is suitable for a legacy relational migration, but the trap here is that candidates overlook the requirement to minimize code changes and choose a NoSQL or globally distributed database that forces significant application rewrites.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Cloud SQL supports MySQL, PostgreSQL, and SQL Server, allowing direct migration of existing schemas and queries with minimal changes. Cloud Storage uses HTTP/1.1 and HTTPS for object access, and when integrated with Cloud CDN, it leverages Google's global edge cache to serve images from locations closest to users, reducing latency and origin load. The combination avoids the need to re-architect the application for NoSQL or distributed databases, which is a common pitfall when migrating legacy systems.
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 media company stores terabytes of video archives that are accessed once a year for audit purposes. Moving these objects to a cold storage tier (Azure Archive, S3 Glacier, or Google Nearline) costs a fraction of hot storage. Questions like this test whether you understand storage tiers, access frequency tradeoffs, and retrieval latency requirements.
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.
- →
Integrating Google Cloud services — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
- →
Integrating Google Cloud services practice questions
Targeted practice on this topic area only
- →
All PCD questions
500 questions across all exam domains
- →
Google Professional Cloud Developer study guide
Full concept coverage aligned to exam objectives
- →
PCD practice test guide
How to use practice tests most effectively before exam day
Related practice questions
Related PCD practice-question pages
Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.
Designing highly scalable, available, and reliable cloud-native applications practice questions
Practise PCD questions linked to Designing highly scalable, available, and reliable cloud-native applications.
Building and testing applications practice questions
Practise PCD questions linked to Building and testing applications.
Deploying applications practice questions
Practise PCD questions linked to Deploying applications.
Integrating Google Cloud services practice questions
Practise PCD questions linked to Integrating Google Cloud services.
Managing application performance monitoring practice questions
Practise PCD questions linked to Managing application performance monitoring.
PCD fundamentals practice questions
Practise PCD questions linked to PCD fundamentals.
PCD scenario practice questions
Practise PCD questions linked to PCD scenario.
PCD troubleshooting practice questions
Practise PCD questions linked to PCD troubleshooting.
Practice this exam
Start a free PCD practice session
Short sessions build daily habit. Longer sessions build exam-day stamina. Try a timed session to simulate real conditions.
FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this PCD question test?
Integrating Google Cloud services — This question tests Integrating Google Cloud services — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Cloud SQL for the database and Cloud Storage with Cloud CDN for images — Option C is correct because Cloud SQL provides a fully managed relational database that requires minimal code changes when migrating from an existing relational database, while Cloud Storage with Cloud CDN handles user-uploaded images with scalable object storage and low-latency content delivery. This combination minimizes operational overhead by eliminating the need to manage database servers or file servers, and improves scalability through automatic replication and global edge caching.
What should I do if I get this PCD 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: "minimum / minimize". Asks for the least resource use — fewest addresses, smallest subnet, lowest overhead. Eliminate over-provisioned options even if they would technically work.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Last reviewed: Jun 30, 2026
This PCD 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 PCD exam.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.