Question 1hardmultiple choice
Full question →hardmultiple choiceObjective-mapped
You need to store billions of small telemetry data entries (each ~100 bytes) from IoT devices. The data is written once and rarely updated. You need to run analytical queries on the last 30 days of data daily. The queries scan large ranges of data by timestamp and require sub-second response times. You need the lowest storage cost while meeting query latency requirements. Which Azure Storage solution should you use?
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Good practice is not just finding the correct option. The wrong answers often show the exact trap the exam wants you to fall into.
A
Distractor review
Azure Blob Storage with hot access tier and Data Lake Storage Gen2.
Hot tier has higher storage cost than cool tier. The scenario requires low cost for data that is rarely updated, so Cool tier is more appropriate.
B
Distractor review
Azure Table Storage with a timestamp partition key.
Table Storage is optimized for point lookups by partition key and row key, not for scanning large ranges of data by timestamp. Queries would be slower and more expensive at this scale.
C
Distractor review
Azure Cosmos DB with SQL API and automatic indexing.
Cosmos DB offers low-latency queries but is significantly more expensive than Blob Storage for high-volume append-only data. It is not the most cost-effective solution.
D
Best answer
Azure Blob Storage with cool access tier and Azure Data Lake Storage Gen2.
ADLS Gen2 provides the capabilities of Blob Storage with a hierarchical namespace, enabling efficient analytical queries. Cool tier minimizes cost for data that is queried daily but infrequently modified.
Common exam trap
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.
Technical deep dive
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.
Related practice questions
Related AZ-204 practice-question pages
Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.
More questions from this exam
Keep practising from the same exam bank, or move into a focused topic page if this question exposed a weak area.
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Question 5
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Question 6
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this AZ-204 question test?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Azure Blob Storage with cool access tier and Azure Data Lake Storage Gen2. — Azure Blob Storage with the cool access tier and Azure Data Lake Storage Gen2 (ADLS) is ideal for large-scale time-series data. ADLS provides a hierarchical namespace and allows for efficient queries using tools like Azure Synapse or Athena. Cool tier reduces storage cost for infrequently accessed data. Table Storage is not designed for large-range analytical scans. Cosmos DB is too expensive for high-volume append-only data. Hot tier is unnecessary and more costly.
What should I do if I get this AZ-204 question wrong?
Then try more questions from the same exam bank and focus on understanding why the wrong options are tempting.
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