- A
Set the bucket's default storage class to Nearline
Why wrong: Default storage class applies to new objects, not existing ones; lifecycle rules handle transitions.
- B
Create a lifecycle rule with action Delete and condition age 30 days
This deletes objects older than 30 days.
- C
Create a lifecycle rule with action SetStorageClass to Nearline and condition age 7 days
This transitions objects older than 7 days to Nearline.
- D
Enable Object Versioning on the bucket
Why wrong: Versioning is not required for age-based lifecycle rules on current objects.
- E
Apply the lifecycle configuration to the bucket using gsutil lifecycle set
Lifecycle rules are applied by setting the lifecycle configuration on the bucket.
Question 38 of 1,000
PDE Storing the Data Practice Question
This PDE practice question tests your understanding of storing 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 wants to set up automatic deletion of objects from a Cloud Storage bucket after 30 days, and transition objects older than 7 days to Nearline storage. Which THREE steps should they take? (Select 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
✓
Create a lifecycle rule with action Delete and condition age 30 days
Option B is correct because lifecycle rules in Google Cloud Storage allow you to specify an action (Delete) and a condition (age 30 days) to automatically delete objects after 30 days. This meets the requirement for automatic deletion without manual intervention.
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.
- ✗
Set the bucket's default storage class to Nearline
Why it's wrong here
Default storage class applies to new objects, not existing ones; lifecycle rules handle transitions.
- ✓
Create a lifecycle rule with action Delete and condition age 30 days
Why this is correct
This deletes objects older than 30 days.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✓
Create a lifecycle rule with action SetStorageClass to Nearline and condition age 7 days
Why this is correct
This transitions objects older than 7 days to Nearline.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Enable Object Versioning on the bucket
Why it's wrong here
Versioning is not required for age-based lifecycle rules on current objects.
- ✓
Apply the lifecycle configuration to the bucket using gsutil lifecycle set
Why this is correct
Lifecycle rules are applied by setting the lifecycle configuration on the bucket.
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 distinction between bucket default storage class (which only applies to new objects) and lifecycle rules (which can transition or delete existing objects based on age).
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Lifecycle management in Google Cloud Storage uses a JSON or XML configuration file applied via `gsutil lifecycle set`. The condition `age` is calculated from the object's creation time (or, for versioned objects, the current version's creation time). Nearline storage is a low-cost, low-durability option (99.9% annual durability) designed for data accessed less than once a quarter, with a 30-day minimum storage duration and retrieval costs.
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.
- →
Storing the Data — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this PDE question test?
Storing the Data — This question tests Storing the Data — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Create a lifecycle rule with action Delete and condition age 30 days — Option B is correct because lifecycle rules in Google Cloud Storage allow you to specify an action (Delete) and a condition (age 30 days) to automatically delete objects after 30 days. This meets the requirement for automatic deletion without manual intervention.
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.
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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.
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