The answer is East US because the Bicep template assigns it a failoverPriority of 0, which designates it as the primary write region for the Azure Cosmos DB account. In Azure Cosmos DB, the failover priority order directly determines which region handles writes; the region with the lowest numeric priority value (0) is the primary, while higher values like 1 or 2 indicate secondary, read-only regions. On the AZ-305 exam, this concept tests your understanding of multi-region write configurations and disaster recovery design—a common trap is assuming the resource group’s location or the first listed region defines the primary, but the failoverPriority parameter is the definitive source. A reliable memory tip is to think of “priority zero” as the hero region: the lower the number, the higher the write authority.
AZ-305 Design data storage solutions Practice Question
This AZ-305 practice question tests your understanding of design data storage solutions. 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
Refer to the exhibit. The following is a Bicep snippet for an Azure Cosmos DB account:
resource cosmosAccount 'Microsoft.DocumentDB/databaseAccounts@2024-08-15' = {
name: 'mycosmos'
location: resourceGroup().location
properties: {
databaseAccountOfferType: 'Standard'
locations: [
{
locationName: 'East US'
failoverPriority: 0
}
{
locationName: 'West US'
failoverPriority: 1
}
]
}
}
Refer to the exhibit. You deploy this Bicep template. Which region is the primary write region?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "primary"
Why it matters: Asks for the main purpose or function, not a secondary benefit. Eliminate answers that describe side-effects or partial functions.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
East US
Option A is correct because the location with failoverPriority 0 is the primary write region. Option B is wrong because failoverPriority 1 is secondary. Option C is wrong because the template does not specify a primary region explicitly; the priority determines it. Option D is wrong because the location is set to the resource group's location, but the primary write region is defined by failoverPriority.
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.
✗
West US
Why it's wrong here
West US has failoverPriority 1, making it a secondary region.
✗
The resource group's location
Why it's wrong here
The resource group's location is not the primary write region.
✓
East US
Why this is correct
East US has failoverPriority 0, making it the primary write region.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "primary" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Both regions are primary
Why it's wrong here
Only one region can be primary unless multi-region writes are enabled.
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 cloud solutions architect for a retail company is evaluating services for a new workload. The correct answer here reflects best practice for the specific scenario described — not a general cloud recommendation. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Cloud exam questions reward reading the constraint carefully: the same technology can be right or wrong depending on the use case.
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 data storage solutions — This question tests Design data storage solutions — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: East US — Option A is correct because the location with failoverPriority 0 is the primary write region. Option B is wrong because failoverPriority 1 is secondary. Option C is wrong because the template does not specify a primary region explicitly; the priority determines it. Option D is wrong because the location is set to the resource group's location, but the primary write region is defined by failoverPriority.
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.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "primary". Asks for the main purpose or function, not a secondary benefit. Eliminate answers that describe side-effects or partial functions.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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