The correct answer is that the existing Elastic IP (aws_eip.web_eip) will be destroyed. This happens because Terraform reconciles the desired state defined in your configuration with the actual state stored in the state file; when a resource block is removed from the .tf files, Terraform interprets that absence as an instruction to delete the corresponding real-world infrastructure. For the HashiCorp Terraform Associate TF-003 exam, this concept tests your understanding of the core lifecycle—specifically that Terraform destroys resources by default when they vanish from configuration, unless you use the `prevent_destroy` lifecycle argument or manually remove them from state. A common trap is assuming Terraform will simply ignore the resource; instead, it treats removal as a destruction command. Memory tip: "Gone from code, gone from cloud"—if you delete the block, Terraform will delete the resource.
TF-003 Use Terraform outside the core workflow Practice Question
This TF-003 practice question tests your understanding of use terraform outside the core 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.
Exhibit
Refer to the exhibit.
```
$ terraform plan
Terraform used the selected providers to generate the following execution plan. Resource actions are indicated with the following symbols:
+ create
~ update in-place
- destroy
Terraform will perform the following actions:
# aws_instance.web will be created
+ resource "aws_instance" "web" {
+ ami = "ami-0c55b159cbfafe1f0"
+ instance_type = "t2.micro"
+ tags = {
+ "Name" = "WebServer"
}
}
# aws_security_group.web_sg will be updated in-place
~ resource "aws_security_group" "web_sg" {
id = "sg-12345678"
~ name = "web_sg_old" -> "web_sg_new"
~ tags = {
"Name" = "Web SG"
}
}
# aws_eip.web_eip will be destroyed
- resource "aws_eip" "web_eip" {
id = "eipalloc-12345678"
domain = "vpc"
}
Plan: 1 to add, 1 to change, 1 to destroy.
```
Based on the exhibit, what will happen to the existing Elastic IP (aws_eip.web_eip) when this plan is applied?
Refer to the exhibit.
```
$ terraform plan
Terraform used the selected providers to generate the following execution plan. Resource actions are indicated with the following symbols:
+ create
~ update in-place
- destroy
Terraform will perform the following actions:
# aws_instance.web will be created
+ resource "aws_instance" "web" {
+ ami = "ami-0c55b159cbfafe1f0"
+ instance_type = "t2.micro"
+ tags = {
+ "Name" = "WebServer"
}
}
# aws_security_group.web_sg will be updated in-place
~ resource "aws_security_group" "web_sg" {
id = "sg-12345678"
~ name = "web_sg_old" -> "web_sg_new"
~ tags = {
"Name" = "Web SG"
}
}
# aws_eip.web_eip will be destroyed
- resource "aws_eip" "web_eip" {
id = "eipalloc-12345678"
domain = "vpc"
}
Plan: 1 to add, 1 to change, 1 to destroy.
```
A
It will remain unchanged
Why wrong: The '-' symbol indicates change.
B
It will be updated in-place
Why wrong: The '~' symbol indicates update, not used for this resource.
C
It will be created
Why wrong: The '+' symbol indicates create, not used here.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
It will be destroyed
Option D is correct because the Terraform configuration shows that the `aws_eip.web_eip` resource is no longer defined in the configuration after the plan is applied. Terraform will detect that the resource exists in the state but is absent from the configuration, and by default, it will destroy the Elastic IP to reconcile the state with the configuration. This is standard Terraform behavior for resources removed from `.tf` files.
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.
✗
It will remain unchanged
Why it's wrong here
The '-' symbol indicates change.
✗
It will be updated in-place
Why it's wrong here
The '~' symbol indicates update, not used for this resource.
✗
It will be created
Why it's wrong here
The '+' symbol indicates create, not used here.
✓
It will be destroyed
Why this is correct
The '-' symbol indicates destroy.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
HashiCorp often tests the misconception that removing a resource from configuration leaves it unchanged in the cloud, but Terraform's default behavior is to destroy any resource not present in the configuration, unless lifecycle rules or `removed` blocks are used.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, Terraform maintains a state file that maps real-world resources to configuration addresses. When a resource block is removed, Terraform's plan phase marks it for deletion, and the provider's `Delete` function is called during apply. For `aws_eip`, this releases the public IPv4 address back to AWS's pool. In real-world scenarios, failing to account for this can cause accidental IP loss, especially if the Elastic IP is associated with a critical service like a NATgateway or VPN.
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 Terraform outside the core workflow — This question tests Use Terraform outside the core workflow — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: It will be destroyed — Option D is correct because the Terraform configuration shows that the `aws_eip.web_eip` resource is no longer defined in the configuration after the plan is applied. Terraform will detect that the resource exists in the state but is absent from the configuration, and by default, it will destroy the Elastic IP to reconcile the state with the configuration. This is standard Terraform behavior for resources removed from `.tf` files.
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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