- A
Use Cool or Archive storage tier
Cool and Archive tiers are cheaper for infrequent access.
- B
Use Premium storage tier
Why wrong: Premium tier is more expensive.
- C
Enable geo-redundant storage (RA-GRS)
Why wrong: Geo-redundancy increases cost.
- D
Configure lifecycle management to move blobs to cooler tiers
Lifecycle management automates tier transitions to save costs.
- E
Enable Azure Storage encryption
Why wrong: Encryption is included at no extra cost.
Question 889 of 997
AZ-204 Practice Question: Monitor, troubleshoot, and optimize Azure solutions
This AZ-204 practice question tests your understanding of monitor, troubleshoot, and optimize azure solutions. Match the stated requirement to the specific cloud service, access model, or configuration option — many options are valid in isolation but not for this scenario. 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.
Which TWO approaches can help you optimize the cost of Azure Storage accounts that store infrequently accessed data? (Choose two.)
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
✓
Use Cool or Archive storage tier
Option A is correct because Cool and Archive storage tiers are specifically designed for infrequently accessed data, offering lower storage costs compared to the Hot tier. Cool tier is optimized for data that is accessed less than once per month, while Archive tier is for data that is rarely accessed and has a retrieval latency of several hours, making them cost-effective choices for infrequently accessed data.
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.
- ✓
Use Cool or Archive storage tier
Why this is correct
Cool and Archive tiers are cheaper for infrequent access.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Use Premium storage tier
Why it's wrong here
Premium tier is more expensive.
- ✗
Enable geo-redundant storage (RA-GRS)
Why it's wrong here
Geo-redundancy increases cost.
- ✓
Configure lifecycle management to move blobs to cooler tiers
Why this is correct
Lifecycle management automates tier transitions to save costs.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Enable Azure Storage encryption
Why it's wrong here
Encryption is included at no extra cost.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates may confuse cost optimization with data durability or security features, leading them to select geo-redundant storage (RA-GRS) or encryption, which do not reduce storage costs for infrequently accessed data.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Azure Blob Storage lifecycle management policies allow you to automatically transition blobs to cooler tiers (e.g., from Hot to Cool after 30 days, then to Archive after 90 days) based on age or last modification time, reducing costs without manual intervention. The Archive tier has a 180-day minimum storage duration and a data retrieval cost, so it is best for data that will not be accessed for extended periods. Under the hood, Azure uses a blob index tag or last modified timestamp to trigger tier transitions, and the policy is evaluated once per day.
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 startup's cloud architect reviews their monthly bill and notices costs are higher than expected for a long-running batch job. Switching from on-demand instances to Reserved Instances — or using Spot/Preemptible VMs — can reduce compute costs by up to 72 %. Questions like this test whether you understand the tradeoffs between commitment, flexibility, and cost across cloud pricing models.
Quick reference
Azure Blob Storage Tier Comparison
| Tier | Storage Cost | Retrieval Cost | Latency | Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hot | Highest | Lowest | Immediate | Active data, frequent reads |
| Cool | Lower | Higher | Immediate | Data accessed < once / month |
| Cold | Lower still | Higher | Immediate | Data accessed < once / quarter |
| Archive | Lowest | Highest + rehydration delay | Hours | Long-term compliance retention |
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this AZ-204 question test?
Monitor, troubleshoot, and optimize Azure solutions — This question tests Monitor, troubleshoot, and optimize Azure solutions — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Use Cool or Archive storage tier — Option A is correct because Cool and Archive storage tiers are specifically designed for infrequently accessed data, offering lower storage costs compared to the Hot tier. Cool tier is optimized for data that is accessed less than once per month, while Archive tier is for data that is rarely accessed and has a retrieval latency of several hours, making them cost-effective choices for infrequently accessed data.
What should I do if I get this AZ-204 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.
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 →
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
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