- A
Source 1: Structured; Source 2: Semi-structured; Source 3: Unstructured
Correct. CSV files with fixed columns are structured. JSON with varying fields is semi-structured. TIFF images are unstructured.
- B
Source 1: Structured; Source 2: Structured; Source 3: Unstructured
Why wrong: Incorrect. JSON data with varying fields is not structured because it does not have a fixed schema; it is semi-structured.
- C
Source 1: Semi-structured; Source 2: Structured; Source 3: Unstructured
Why wrong: Incorrect. CSV files with fixed columns are structured, not semi-structured. JSON with varying fields is semi-structured, not structured.
- D
Source 1: Structured; Source 2: Unstructured; Source 3: Semi-structured
Why wrong: Incorrect. JSON data is not unstructured; it has key-value pairs and is considered semi-structured. Images are unstructured, not semi-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 data engineer is classifying data types collected from three sources for a data lake. Source 1: Customer records from a SQL database exported as CSV files with fixed columns (CustomerID, Name, Address). Source 2: Product reviews obtained via API as JSON documents with varying fields (e.g., some reviews include 'rating' and 'verified_purchase', others include 'comment'). Source 3: Scanned handwritten order forms saved as TIFF images. Which statement correctly categorizes these data by structure?
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
Source 1: Structured; Source 2: Semi-structured; Source 3: Unstructured
Option A is correct because Source 1 (CSV from SQL) has a fixed schema with defined columns, making it structured data. Source 2 (JSON from API) allows varying fields per document, which is the hallmark of semi-structured data. Source 3 (TIFF images) contains no inherent schema or machine-readable structure, classifying it as unstructured data.
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.
- ✓
Source 1: Structured; Source 2: Semi-structured; Source 3: Unstructured
Why this is correct
Correct. CSV files with fixed columns are structured. JSON with varying fields is semi-structured. TIFF images are unstructured.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Source 1: Structured; Source 2: Structured; Source 3: Unstructured
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. JSON data with varying fields is not structured because it does not have a fixed schema; it is semi-structured.
- ✗
Source 1: Semi-structured; Source 2: Structured; Source 3: Unstructured
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. CSV files with fixed columns are structured, not semi-structured. JSON with varying fields is semi-structured, not structured.
- ✗
Source 1: Structured; Source 2: Unstructured; Source 3: Semi-structured
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. JSON data is not unstructured; it has key-value pairs and is considered semi-structured. Images are unstructured, not semi-structured.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates confuse CSV files (which are structured when they have a fixed schema) with semi-structured data, or assume JSON is always structured because it has key-value pairs, ignoring that varying fields make it semi-structured.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Structured data relies on a fixed schema (e.g., SQL tables with defined columns and data types), while semi-structured data uses self-describing formats like JSON or XML that allow schema-on-read flexibility. Unstructured data, such as TIFF images or plain text files, has no predefined data model and requires specialized processing (e.g., OCR) to extract meaning. In a data lake, these distinctions affect storage, querying (e.g., Azure Synapse for structured, Azure Data Lake Analytics for semi-structured), and indexing strategies.
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: Source 1: Structured; Source 2: Semi-structured; Source 3: Unstructured — Option A is correct because Source 1 (CSV from SQL) has a fixed schema with defined columns, making it structured data. Source 2 (JSON from API) allows varying fields per document, which is the hallmark of semi-structured data. Source 3 (TIFF images) contains no inherent schema or machine-readable structure, classifying it as unstructured data.
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
This DP-900 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Microsoft certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the DP-900 exam.
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