Question 1easymultiple choice
Full question →easymultiple choiceObjective-mapped
A data file contains records for customer orders. Each record has fields for OrderID, CustomerID, and OrderDate that are present in every record. However, some records include an optional 'DiscountCode' field, and others include an optional 'GiftMessage' field. The file is stored in JSON format. Which type of data does this file represent?
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
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Structured data
Structured data requires a fixed schema where every record has the same set of fields. This JSON file has optional fields, so it is not purely structured.
B
Best answer
Semi-structured data
Correct. Semi-structured data has some organizational properties (like tags or keys) but allows variations in the schema. JSON documents with optional fields fall into this category.
C
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Unstructured data
Unstructured data has no pre-defined data model or organization, such as image or video files. This JSON file has a clear structure, so it is not unstructured.
D
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Transactional data
Transactional data is a type of data that records events or transactions, but it is not a classification of data structure. The question is about the structural type, not the business context.
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 DP-900 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.
Question 1
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Question 2
A data engineer needs to query data stored in CSV files in Azure Data Lake Storage Gen2 using T-SQL in Azure Synapse Analytics, without loading the data into the database. Which feature should they use?
Question 3
A data engineer needs to process raw clickstream data from multiple websites that is stored in Azure Blob Storage as JSON files. The processing must run automatically every hour, transform the data into a structured format for reporting, and handle schema changes in the source data without manual intervention. Which Azure service should be used?
Question 4
A data engineer is designing a data lake architecture in Azure. They plan to first ingest raw data from various sources into a landing zone in Azure Data Lake Storage Gen2. Then they will clean, validate, and deduplicate that data in a second zone. Finally, they will create aggregated, business-ready datasets in a third zone for analysts. This layered approach is known as which architecture?
Question 5
A data engineer needs to transform large datasets stored in Azure Data Lake Storage Gen2 using Python and Apache Spark. They want a serverless compute option that automatically scales and requires no cluster management. Which Azure service should they use?
Question 6
A company collects customer feedback forms. Each form contains always-present fields like CustomerID and SubmissionDate, but also a free-text Comments field and optional fields like Rating or ProductCategory that vary between forms. How should this data be classified?
FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this DP-900 question test?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Semi-structured data — Structured data has a fixed schema and all records have the same fields (e.g., a relational table). Unstructured data has no schema (e.g., images, videos). Semi-structured data has some structure, such as tags or markers, but does not enforce a rigid schema across all records. JSON files with optional fields are a classic example of semi-structured data because the schema can vary between records.
What should I do if I get this DP-900 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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