Question 350 of 519

Implement and maintain state →hardMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped

TF-003 Implement and maintain state Practice Question

This TF-003 practice question tests your understanding of implement and maintain state. 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.

Exhibit

resource "aws_instance" "web" {
  ami           = "ami-0c55b159cbfafe1f0"
  instance_type = "t2.micro"

  tags = {
    Name = "WebServer"
  }
}

# Remote state data source
data "terraform_remote_state" "network" {
  backend = "s3"
  config = {
    bucket = "mycompany-terraform-state"
    key    = "network/terraform.tfstate"
    region = "us-east-1"
  }
}

resource "aws_security_group" "web_sg" {
  name_prefix = "web-sg-"
  vpc_id      = data.terraform_remote_state.network.outputs.vpc_id
}

Refer to the exhibit. A developer updates the network state and runs terraform apply. The aws_instance.web is not recreated. Which statement explains this behavior?

Question 1hardmultiple choice

Full question →

Exhibit

resource "aws_instance" "web" {
  ami           = "ami-0c55b159cbfafe1f0"
  instance_type = "t2.micro"

  tags = {
    Name = "WebServer"
  }
}

# Remote state data source
data "terraform_remote_state" "network" {
  backend = "s3"
  config = {
    bucket = "mycompany-terraform-state"
    key    = "network/terraform.tfstate"
    region = "us-east-1"
  }
}

resource "aws_security_group" "web_sg" {
  name_prefix = "web-sg-"
  vpc_id      = data.terraform_remote_state.network.outputs.vpc_id
}

A
The instance resource does not reference the remote state data source, so changes to the remote state do not trigger recreation.
Terraform only recreates resources when their own arguments change. The instance does not use any output from the remote state.
B
Terraform automatically locks the remote state to prevent changes during apply.
Why wrong: Locking prevents concurrent writes, but does not prevent updates from being read.
C
The security group resource depends on the remote state, and it was updated, but the instance was not affected.
Why wrong: That is essentially what happened, but the instance is not recreated because its arguments didn't change.
D
The remote state data source is cached and only refreshes every hour.
Why wrong: Remote state data sources are refreshed during each plan/apply, not cached for an hour.

Full breakdown with real-world context →

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

✓

The instance resource does not reference the remote state data source, so changes to the remote state do not trigger recreation.

The data source data.terraform_remote_state.network is read during planning and is not stored in state. If the remote state changes, Terraform will see the new vpc_id and may update the security group, but the instance resource does not depend on the remote state, so it is not affected.

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.

✓
The instance resource does not reference the remote state data source, so changes to the remote state do not trigger recreation.
Why this is correct
Terraform only recreates resources when their own arguments change. The instance does not use any output from the remote state.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Terraform automatically locks the remote state to prevent changes during apply.
Why it's wrong here
Locking prevents concurrent writes, but does not prevent updates from being read.
✗
The security group resource depends on the remote state, and it was updated, but the instance was not affected.
Why it's wrong here
That is essentially what happened, but the instance is not recreated because its arguments didn't change.
✗
The remote state data source is cached and only refreshes every hour.
Why it's wrong here
Remote state data sources are refreshed during each plan/apply, not cached for an hour.

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 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 TF-003 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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FAQ

Questions learners often ask

What does this TF-003 question test?

Implement and maintain state — This question tests Implement and maintain state — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..

What is the correct answer to this question?

The correct answer is: The instance resource does not reference the remote state data source, so changes to the remote state do not trigger recreation. — The data source data.terraform_remote_state.network is read during planning and is not stored in state. If the remote state changes, Terraform will see the new vpc_id and may update the security group, but the instance resource does not depend on the remote state, so it is not affected.

What should I do if I get this TF-003 question wrong?

What is the key concept behind this question?

Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.

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Last reviewed: Jun 25, 2026

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