The answer is to create a read replica of the Cloud SQL instance and direct read traffic to the replica. This works because a read replica is a separate, read-only copy of your primary database that asynchronously replicates data, allowing you to offload read traffic from Cloud SQL without impacting write operations. For latency-sensitive frontends on GKE, the replica can be placed in the same region, serving SELECT queries with minimal additional delay while reducing load on the primary. On the Google Professional Cloud Developer exam, this scenario tests your understanding of Cloud SQL scaling patterns and the distinction between read replicas (for offloading reads) and cross-region replicas (for disaster recovery). A common trap is confusing read replicas with failover replicas—remember that failover replicas are for high availability, not read offloading. Memory tip: “Reads go to the replica, writes stay on the leader.”
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 running a critical application on Google Kubernetes Engine (GKE) that stores state in a Cloud SQL PostgreSQL instance. The application's latency-sensitive frontend needs to read data from Cloud SQL with minimal latency. The team wants to reduce read latency and offload read traffic from the primary database. What should they do?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "primary"
Why it matters: Asks for the main purpose or function, not a secondary benefit. Eliminate answers that describe side-effects or partial functions.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Create a read replica of the Cloud SQL instance and direct read traffic to the replica.
Option C is correct because creating a read replica of the Cloud SQL PostgreSQL instance allows read-heavy, latency-sensitive traffic to be offloaded from the primary database. The replica handles SELECT queries independently, reducing load on the primary and lowering read latency for the frontend, as replicas are typically in the same region and can serve data with minimal additional delay.
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.
✗
Migrate the database to Cloud Spanner for better read scalability.
Why it's wrong here
Migrating to Cloud Spanner is a major architectural change and not necessary for solving read latency; read replicas are simpler.
✗
Use Memorystore for Redis as a cache layer between the application and Cloud SQL.
Why it's wrong here
While caching can help, read replicas are specifically designed to offload read traffic and reduce latency for database reads.
✓
Create a read replica of the Cloud SQL instance and direct read traffic to the replica.
Why this is correct
Read replicas handle read-only queries, reducing load on the primary and improving read latency.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "primary" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Use Cloud CDN to cache database responses.
Why it's wrong here
Cloud CDN caches static content, not dynamic database queries.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the misconception that caching (Memorystore or CDN) is the only way to reduce read latency, but the question specifically asks to offload read traffic from the primary database, which a read replica achieves directly without introducing cache coherence complexity.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Cloud SQL read replicas use PostgreSQL's native streaming replication to asynchronously replicate data from the primary to the replica, typically with sub-second lag. For latency-sensitive frontends, the replica can be placed in the same zone as the application to minimize network round-trip time, and read-only connections can be load-balanced using a proxy like pgpool-II or a GKE sidecar. A real-world scenario is a high-traffic e-commerce site where product catalog reads are served from a read replica while writes (e.g., order placement) go to the primary, ensuring the primary is not overwhelmed by read queries.
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.
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: Create a read replica of the Cloud SQL instance and direct read traffic to the replica. — Option C is correct because creating a read replica of the Cloud SQL PostgreSQL instance allows read-heavy, latency-sensitive traffic to be offloaded from the primary database. The replica handles SELECT queries independently, reducing load on the primary and lowering read latency for the frontend, as replicas are typically in the same region and can serve data with minimal additional delay.
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: "primary". Asks for the main purpose or function, not a secondary benefit. Eliminate answers that describe side-effects or partial functions.
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 →
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.
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.