- A
Both the spreadsheet data and the audio recordings are examples of structured data.
Why wrong: Audio recordings do not have a fixed schema and are not structured; they are unstructured.
- B
The spreadsheet data is structured, and the audio recordings are semi-structured.
Why wrong: Audio recordings lack the organizational markers (like tags) that define semi-structured data; they are unstructured.
- C
The spreadsheet data is structured, and the audio recordings are unstructured.
Correct. The spreadsheet has a fixed schema (columns) making it structured; audio recordings have no defined schema, making them unstructured.
- D
The spreadsheet data is semi-structured, and the audio recordings are unstructured.
Why wrong: A spreadsheet with fixed columns is not semi-structured; it is fully structured.
DP-900 Describe core data concepts Practice Question
This DP-900 practice question tests your understanding of describe core data concepts. 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.
A consulting firm collects client information in two forms: a spreadsheet with columns for Name, Address, and Phone Number, and audio recordings of client meetings. Which of the following statements correctly categorizes these data types?
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 spreadsheet data is structured, and the audio recordings are unstructured.
The spreadsheet data with columns for Name, Address, and Phone Number has a predefined schema (rows and columns), making it structured data. Audio recordings are binary files with no inherent schema or organization, fitting the definition of unstructured data. Option C correctly pairs these classifications.
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.
- ✗
Both the spreadsheet data and the audio recordings are examples of structured data.
Why it's wrong here
Audio recordings do not have a fixed schema and are not structured; they are unstructured.
- ✗
The spreadsheet data is structured, and the audio recordings are semi-structured.
Why it's wrong here
Audio recordings lack the organizational markers (like tags) that define semi-structured data; they are unstructured.
- ✓
The spreadsheet data is structured, and the audio recordings are unstructured.
Why this is correct
Correct. The spreadsheet has a fixed schema (columns) making it structured; audio recordings have no defined schema, making them unstructured.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
The spreadsheet data is semi-structured, and the audio recordings are unstructured.
Why it's wrong here
A spreadsheet with fixed columns is not semi-structured; it is fully structured.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is confusing semi-structured data (e.g., JSON, XML with tags) with unstructured data (e.g., audio, video, images), leading candidates to incorrectly classify audio recordings as semi-structured because they contain metadata, but the content itself is unstructured.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Structured data relies on a strict schema (e.g., relational tables with rows and columns), enabling efficient indexing and querying via SQL. Unstructured data, such as audio files (e.g., WAV, MP3), lacks a predefined data model and requires specialized processing (e.g., speech-to-text) for analysis. In Azure, structured data is often stored in Azure SQL Database, while unstructured data is stored in Azure Blob Storage or Data Lake.
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 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.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this DP-900 question test?
Describe core data concepts — This question tests Describe core data concepts — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The spreadsheet data is structured, and the audio recordings are unstructured. — The spreadsheet data with columns for Name, Address, and Phone Number has a predefined schema (rows and columns), making it structured data. Audio recordings are binary files with no inherent schema or organization, fitting the definition of unstructured data. Option C correctly pairs these classifications.
What should I do if I get this DP-900 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.
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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
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