TF-003 Use the core Terraform workflow Practice Question
This TF-003 practice question tests your understanding of use the core terraform workflow. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. 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 developer runs terraform plan and sees that a resource will be destroyed. They want to confirm the exact cause of the destruction before applying. What should they do?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Run terraform show after plan.
Running `terraform show` after `terraform plan` displays the plan output in a human-readable format, including the full set of changes (create, update, destroy) and the attributes that triggered them. This allows the developer to inspect the exact reason a resource is marked for destruction, such as a changed required argument or a removed configuration block. It is the standard way to review plan details without applying.
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.
✓
Run terraform show after plan.
Why this is correct
terraform show outputs the plan in human-readable form, including the reason for each change.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Review the state file directly.
Why it's wrong here
Manually reading the state file is error-prone and not recommended; it does not show plan intent.
✗
Run terraform validate.
Why it's wrong here
terraform validate checks configuration syntax but does not explain plan results.
✗
Run terraform graph.
Why it's wrong here
terraform graph outputs a dependency graph, not the reasons for resource destruction.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
HashiCorp often tests the distinction between commands that inspect the plan (`terraform show`) versus commands that validate syntax (`terraform validate`) or visualize dependencies (`terraform graph`), leading candidates to confuse planning-phase diagnostics with configuration checks.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
Manually reading the state file is error-prone and not recommended; it does not show plan intent.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, `terraform plan` computes a diff between the current state and the desired configuration, storing the result as a plan file. `terraform show` reads this plan file and displays attribute-level changes, including `forces_replacement` triggers (e.g., when a `create_before_destroy` lifecycle rule applies). In real-world scenarios, a resource might be destroyed due to a renamed argument or a changed `provider` alias, and `terraform show` reveals the exact attribute diff that caused the destruction.
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 practitioner preparing for the TF-003 exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
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.
Use the core Terraform workflow — This question tests Use the core Terraform workflow — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Run terraform show after plan. — Running `terraform show` after `terraform plan` displays the plan output in a human-readable format, including the full set of changes (create, update, destroy) and the attributes that triggered them. This allows the developer to inspect the exact reason a resource is marked for destruction, such as a changed required argument or a removed configuration block. It is the standard way to review plan details without applying.
What should I do if I get this TF-003 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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Question Discussion
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