Quick Answer
The answer is Cloud Functions and Cloud Run. These two Google Cloud services are suitable for deploying serverless applications that scale automatically based on demand because they abstract infrastructure management entirely—Cloud Functions executes event-driven code in stateless ephemeral containers, while Cloud Run runs containerized applications on a fully managed platform that scales from zero to thousands of instances based on incoming traffic. On the Google Professional Cloud Developer exam, this question tests your ability to distinguish truly serverless compute from managed infrastructure: Compute Engine and GKE require explicit scaling configuration and cluster oversight, making them common traps. A reliable memory tip is “Functions for events, Run for containers—both scale to zero, neither needs a server to tend.”
This PCD practice question tests your understanding of deploying applications. 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.
Which TWO Google Cloud services are suitable for deploying serverless applications that scale automatically based on demand?
Cloud Storage.
Why wrong: Object storage service, not compute.
Google Kubernetes Engine.
Why wrong: Requires cluster management, not fully serverless.
Cloud Functions.
Fully managed, event-driven serverless compute.
Compute Engine with managed instance groups.
Why wrong: Requires server management, not serverless.
Cloud Run.
Fully managed container runtime that scales to zero.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Cloud Functions.
Options A and B are correct. A: Cloud Functions is event-driven serverless. B: Cloud Run is container-based serverless. Option C is wrong because Compute Engine is not serverless. Option D is wrong because GKE requires cluster management. Option E is wrong because Cloud Storage is storage, not compute.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
Cloud Storage.
Why it's wrong here
Object storage service, not compute.
Google Kubernetes Engine.
Why it's wrong here
Requires cluster management, not fully serverless.
Cloud Functions.
Why this is correct
Fully managed, event-driven serverless compute.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Compute Engine with managed instance groups.
Why it's wrong here
Requires server management, not serverless.
Cloud Run.
Why this is correct
Fully managed container runtime that scales to zero.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Detailed technical explanation
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
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
Identify which PCD exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
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FAQ
Deploying applications — This question tests Deploying applications — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Cloud Functions. — Options A and B are correct. A: Cloud Functions is event-driven serverless. B: Cloud Run is container-based serverless. Option C is wrong because Compute Engine is not serverless. Option D is wrong because GKE requires cluster management. Option E is wrong because Cloud Storage is storage, not compute.
Identify which PCD exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
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Last reviewed: Jun 24, 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.
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