AWS provider Resource Lifecycle Management Practice Question
You want to remove a resource from Terraform management without destroying the actual AWS resource. Which command accomplishes this?
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
✓
terraform state rm
terraform state rm removes the resource from the state file, effectively 'unmanaging' it so it will not be destroyed on the next apply.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
terraform destroy -target
Why it's wrong here
This would destroy the resource.
- ✗
terraform untrack
Why it's wrong here
This command does not exist.
- ✗
terraform apply -ignore
Why it's wrong here
No such flag exists.
- ✓
terraform state rm
Why this is correct
This unmanages the resource from the state file.
About these practice questions
One of 193 original AWS provider practice questions on Courseiva, each with a full explanation and wrong-answer analysis — not exam dumps or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
JA
Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed August 2026 · checked against the official HashiCorp exam blueprint
This AWS provider practice question is part of Courseiva's free HashiCorp 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 AWS provider exam.