The answer is Azure Cosmos DB with multi-region writes, because it is purpose-built for global low-latency reads while supporting occasional writes across distributed regions. This service achieves low latency by replicating data to multiple Azure regions and allowing writes to be accepted locally in each region, which eliminates the need for cross-region round trips during read-heavy workloads. On the AZ-305 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of selecting a globally distributed NoSQL database that provides automatic scaling and high availability, often contrasting it with Azure SQL Database’s geo-replication, which prioritizes write consistency over read performance. A common trap is choosing Azure Cache for Redis as a primary store, but remember that Cosmos DB is the native multi-region data store, not a cache layer. Memory tip: think “Cosmos writes local, reads global” — if your app needs instant reads everywhere, multi-region writes are the key.
AZ-305 Design infrastructure solutions Practice Question
This AZ-305 practice question tests your understanding of design infrastructure 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.
A company is designing a solution for a global e-commerce platform that requires low-latency access to product catalog data from multiple regions. The data is read-heavy with occasional updates. The solution must support automatic scaling and provide high availability. Which Azure service should you recommend?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Azure Cosmos DB with multi-region writes
Option A is incorrect because Azure SQL Database with geo-replication can provide global distribution but is not optimized for low-latency reads. Option B is correct because Azure Cosmos DB with multi-region writes provides global distribution, low-latency reads, automatic scaling, and high availability. Option C is incorrect because Azure Table Storage is not as performant for global low-latency reads. Option D is incorrect because Azure Cache for Redis is a cache, not a primary data store.
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.
✗
Azure SQL Database with active geo-replication
Why it's wrong here
SQL Database is not optimized for global low-latency reads at scale.
✓
Azure Cosmos DB with multi-region writes
Why this is correct
Cosmos DB provides global distribution, low-latency reads, automatic scaling, and high availability.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Azure Table Storage
Why it's wrong here
Table Storage does not provide global distribution and low-latency reads.
✗
Azure Cache for Redis
Why it's wrong here
Redis is a cache, not a primary data store, and requires a backing database.
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 media company stores terabytes of video archives that are accessed once a year for audit purposes. Moving these objects to a cold storage tier (Azure Archive, S3 Glacier, or Google Nearline) costs a fraction of hot storage. Questions like this test whether you understand storage tiers, access frequency tradeoffs, and retrieval latency requirements.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this AZ-305 question in full detail.
Identify which AZ-305 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.
Design infrastructure solutions — This question tests Design infrastructure solutions — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Azure Cosmos DB with multi-region writes — Option A is incorrect because Azure SQL Database with geo-replication can provide global distribution but is not optimized for low-latency reads. Option B is correct because Azure Cosmos DB with multi-region writes provides global distribution, low-latency reads, automatic scaling, and high availability. Option C is incorrect because Azure Table Storage is not as performant for global low-latency reads. Option D is incorrect because Azure Cache for Redis is a cache, not a primary data store.
What should I do if I get this AZ-305 question wrong?
Identify which AZ-305 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.
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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