- A
Add a BigQueryTableExistenceSensor before the BigQueryCheckOperator to wait for the table to be created.
Sensors wait for a condition; this ensures the table exists before the check runs.
- B
Change the BigQueryInsertJobOperator to use deferrable mode to make it async.
Why wrong: Deferrable mode is not needed; the operator is already synchronous.
- C
Use a PythonOperator to call the BigQuery API directly and wait for the job to finish.
Why wrong: Not necessary; the existing operator is synchronous. The issue is about data readiness.
- D
Increase the timeout of the BigQueryCheckOperator.
Why wrong: Timeout does not address the root cause; check might still run before data is ready.
PDE Maintaining and Automating Data Workloads Practice Question
This PDE practice question tests your understanding of maintaining and automating data workloads. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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.
Your team uses Cloud Composer to run Apache Airflow DAGs. One DAG uses a BigQueryInsertJobOperator to run a query and then uses BigQueryCheckOperator to verify the results. The DAG is failing intermittently because the query result is not ready when the check operator runs. How should you modify the DAG to ensure the check operator runs only after the query completes successfully?
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
Add a BigQueryTableExistenceSensor before the BigQueryCheckOperator to wait for the table to be created.
The BigQueryInsertJobOperator is synchronous by default, so the DAG should already wait for completion. However, if the check operator fails due to data not being written, adding a sensor operator (e.g., BigQueryTableExistenceSensor) between the two tasks ensures the table exists before checking.
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.
- ✓
Add a BigQueryTableExistenceSensor before the BigQueryCheckOperator to wait for the table to be created.
Why this is correct
Sensors wait for a condition; this ensures the table exists before the check runs.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Change the BigQueryInsertJobOperator to use deferrable mode to make it async.
Why it's wrong here
Deferrable mode is not needed; the operator is already synchronous.
- ✗
Use a PythonOperator to call the BigQuery API directly and wait for the job to finish.
Why it's wrong here
Not necessary; the existing operator is synchronous. The issue is about data readiness.
- ✗
Increase the timeout of the BigQueryCheckOperator.
Why it's wrong here
Timeout does not address the root cause; check might still run before data is ready.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
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
How to think about this question
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.
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.
- Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
- Underline the problem statement mentally.
- 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 PDE 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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Maintaining and Automating Data Workloads — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this PDE question test?
Maintaining and Automating Data Workloads — This question tests Maintaining and Automating Data Workloads — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Add a BigQueryTableExistenceSensor before the BigQueryCheckOperator to wait for the table to be created. — The BigQueryInsertJobOperator is synchronous by default, so the DAG should already wait for completion. However, if the check operator fails due to data not being written, adding a sensor operator (e.g., BigQueryTableExistenceSensor) between the two tasks ensures the table exists before checking.
What should I do if I get this PDE question wrong?
Identify which PDE 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.
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.
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