- A
Export the database using gcloud spanner databases export to CSV format
Why wrong: Export to CSV is not the native format; Avro is used for export/import.
- B
Specify a different location for the backup at creation time for cross-region storage
Backups can be stored in a different region by specifying the --location flag.
- C
Use Dataflow to import the backup into a new instance
Why wrong: Dataflow is not needed; restore command handles it directly.
- D
Restore the backup to a new database using gcloud spanner databases restore
Restoring a backup creates a new database with the same data and schema.
- E
Create a database-level backup using gcloud spanner databases backup
Database-level backups capture the full database with schema and data, stored in Spanner's native format.
PCDOE Manage Database Solutions Practice Question
This PCDOE practice question tests your understanding of manage database 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.
An organisation wants to back up their Cloud Spanner database and store the backup in a different region for disaster recovery. They require the backup to be in a format that can be restored into Spanner with minimal effort. Which THREE actions should they take? (Choose three.)
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
Specify a different location for the backup at creation time for cross-region storage
Option B is correct because Cloud Spanner allows you to specify a different location for the backup at creation time, enabling cross-region storage for disaster recovery. This ensures the backup is stored in a separate region, meeting the requirement for geographic redundancy without additional export or import steps.
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.
- ✗
Export the database using gcloud spanner databases export to CSV format
Why it's wrong here
Export to CSV is not the native format; Avro is used for export/import.
- ✓
Specify a different location for the backup at creation time for cross-region storage
Why this is correct
Backups can be stored in a different region by specifying the --location flag.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Use Dataflow to import the backup into a new instance
Why it's wrong here
Dataflow is not needed; restore command handles it directly.
- ✓
Restore the backup to a new database using gcloud spanner databases restore
Why this is correct
Restoring a backup creates a new database with the same data and schema.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✓
Create a database-level backup using gcloud spanner databases backup
Why this is correct
Database-level backups capture the full database with schema and data, stored in Spanner's native format.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the misconception that exporting to CSV or using Dataflow is required for cross-region backup, when in fact Spanner's native backup and restore features handle location specification and restoration directly.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
Dataflow is not needed; restore command handles it directly.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Cloud Spanner backups are stored as incremental, point-in-time snapshots that include schema and data, allowing direct restoration to a new database in any region using the `gcloud spanner databases restore` command. The backup location is specified at creation time via the `--location` flag, and the backup data is automatically replicated within that region, enabling cross-region disaster recovery without manual data movement.
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.
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Manage Database Solutions — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this PCDOE question test?
Manage Database Solutions — This question tests Manage Database Solutions — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Specify a different location for the backup at creation time for cross-region storage — Option B is correct because Cloud Spanner allows you to specify a different location for the backup at creation time, enabling cross-region storage for disaster recovery. This ensures the backup is stored in a separate region, meeting the requirement for geographic redundancy without additional export or import steps.
What should I do if I get this PCDOE 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.
About these practice questions
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
This PCDOE 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 PCDOE exam.
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