- A
Use Datastream to load CSV files
Why wrong: Datastream is for CDC from databases, not for file loading.
- B
Use the Storage Write API to write rows from a custom application
The Storage Write API can be used to stream data from CSV after parsing.
- C
Create a federated query using an external table
Why wrong: Federated queries read data directly from GCS without loading, but the question asks for loading.
- D
Create a BigQuery load job with the CSV format
BigQuery load jobs support CSV files with header rows.
- E
Use gsutil to copy files into BigQuery
Why wrong: gsutil is for Cloud Storage, not for loading into BigQuery.
Question 97 of 1,000
PDE Ingesting and Processing the Data Practice Question
This PDE practice question tests your understanding of ingesting and processing the data. 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 data engineer needs to load data from CSV files in Cloud Storage into BigQuery. The CSV files have a header row and some columns contain nested JSON strings. Which TWO methods can they use to load this data into BigQuery?
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
✓
Use the Storage Write API to write rows from a custom application
Option B is correct because the Storage Write API allows a custom application to stream data row-by-row into BigQuery, which can handle CSV files with nested JSON strings by parsing them in the application code before writing. This method supports complex data transformations and is suitable for real-time or near-real-time ingestion.
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.
- ✗
Use Datastream to load CSV files
Why it's wrong here
Datastream is for CDC from databases, not for file loading.
- ✓
Use the Storage Write API to write rows from a custom application
Why this is correct
The Storage Write API can be used to stream data from CSV after parsing.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Create a federated query using an external table
Why it's wrong here
Federated queries read data directly from GCS without loading, but the question asks for loading.
- ✓
Create a BigQuery load job with the CSV format
Why this is correct
BigQuery load jobs support CSV files with header rows.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Use gsutil to copy files into BigQuery
Why it's wrong here
gsutil is for Cloud Storage, not for loading into BigQuery.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the distinction between loading data into BigQuery (permanent storage) versus querying external data sources (federated queries), causing candidates to mistakenly choose Option C as a valid loading method.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The Storage Write API uses gRPC streaming to achieve high-throughput, low-latency writes, and it supports exactly-once semantics when configured correctly. For CSV files with nested JSON, the application must deserialize the JSON strings into BigQuery-compatible types (e.g., STRUCT or REPEATED fields) before writing, as the API does not automatically parse nested structures from raw CSV. In contrast, a BigQuery load job (Option D) can directly ingest CSV files and uses the 'autodetect' schema feature, but it may fail on nested JSON strings if the schema is not explicitly defined with RECORD types.
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.
- →
Ingesting and Processing the Data — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
- →
Ingesting and Processing the Data practice questions
Targeted practice on this topic area only
- →
All PDE questions
1,000 questions across all exam domains
- →
Google Professional Data Engineer study guide
Full concept coverage aligned to exam objectives
- →
PDE practice test guide
How to use practice tests most effectively before exam day
Related practice questions
Related PDE practice-question pages
Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.
Designing Data Processing Systems practice questions
Practise PDE questions linked to Designing Data Processing Systems.
Ingesting and Processing the Data practice questions
Practise PDE questions linked to Ingesting and Processing the Data.
Storing the Data practice questions
Practise PDE questions linked to Storing the Data.
Preparing and Using Data for Analysis practice questions
Practise PDE questions linked to Preparing and Using Data for Analysis.
Maintaining and Automating Data Workloads practice questions
Practise PDE questions linked to Maintaining and Automating Data Workloads.
Building and operationalizing data processing systems practice questions
Practise PDE questions linked to Building and operationalizing data processing systems.
Operationalizing machine learning models practice questions
Practise PDE questions linked to Operationalizing machine learning models.
Ensuring solution quality practice questions
Practise PDE questions linked to Ensuring solution quality.
PDE fundamentals practice questions
Practise PDE questions linked to PDE fundamentals.
PDE scenario practice questions
Practise PDE questions linked to PDE scenario.
PDE troubleshooting practice questions
Practise PDE questions linked to PDE troubleshooting.
Practice this exam
Start a free PDE 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 PDE question test?
Ingesting and Processing the Data — This question tests Ingesting and Processing the Data — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Use the Storage Write API to write rows from a custom application — Option B is correct because the Storage Write API allows a custom application to stream data row-by-row into BigQuery, which can handle CSV files with nested JSON strings by parsing them in the application code before writing. This method supports complex data transformations and is suitable for real-time or near-real-time ingestion.
What should I do if I get this PDE 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
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: Jul 4, 2026
This PDE 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 PDE 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.