The answer is the top 5 states with the highest total property damage from floods. This is correct because the KQL query chains operators in a logical order: the `where` clause first filters the dataset to only flood events, then the `summarize` operator aggregates the total property damage by state, and finally `top 5 by` selects the five states with the highest damage totals. On the Microsoft Azure Data Fundamentals DP-900 exam, this pattern tests your understanding of how KQL query summarize top N aggregation works in Azure Data Explorer, often appearing in scenario-based questions where you must interpret the output of a multi-step query. A common trap is confusing the order of operators—remember that `summarize` must come before `top` because you need the aggregated values first before ranking them. For a quick memory tip, think "filter, group, then pick the leaders" to recall the sequence of `where`, `summarize`, and `top`.
DP-900 Describe core data concepts Practice Question
This DP-900 practice question tests your understanding of describe core data concepts. 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.
Exhibit
Refer to the exhibit.
```kql
StormEvents
| where EventType == "Flood"
| summarize TotalDamage = sum(DamageProperty) by State
| top 5 by TotalDamage desc
```
You are analyzing the results of a KQL query in Azure Data Explorer. What does this query return?
Refer to the exhibit.
```kql
StormEvents
| where EventType == "Flood"
| summarize TotalDamage = sum(DamageProperty) by State
| top 5 by TotalDamage desc
```
A
Total damage per event type
Why wrong: The query filters for 'Flood' only.
B
All states with flood events sorted by damage
Why wrong: The query limits to top 5.
C
Top 5 states with highest total property damage from floods
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Top 5 states with highest total property damage from floods
The KQL query uses the 'summarize' operator to aggregate total property damage by state, then applies 'top 5 by' to return the five states with the highest total property damage from flood events. The 'where' clause filters for flood events, and the 'project' operator selects only the state and damage columns, confirming that the result is the top 5 states by total property damage.
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.
✗
Total damage per event type
Why it's wrong here
The query filters for 'Flood' only.
✗
All states with flood events sorted by damage
Why it's wrong here
The query limits to top 5.
✓
Top 5 states with highest total property damage from floods
Why this is correct
The query filters, sums, and returns top 5.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Top 5 flood events with highest damage
Why it's wrong here
It summarizes by state, not by event.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse grouping by state versus grouping by event type, or they misinterpret 'top 5 by' as returning all rows sorted rather than only the top 5 rows.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
In KQL, the 'top 5 by' operator internally sorts the aggregated results in descending order and returns the specified number of rows, which is equivalent to using 'sort by' followed by 'take 5'. The 'summarize' operator groups data by the specified column (State) and applies an aggregation function (sum) to the Damage column, which is a common pattern for generating top-N reports in Azure Data Explorer.
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.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this DP-900 question in full detail.
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: Top 5 states with highest total property damage from floods — The KQL query uses the 'summarize' operator to aggregate total property damage by state, then applies 'top 5 by' to return the five states with the highest total property damage from flood events. The 'where' clause filters for flood events, and the 'project' operator selects only the state and damage columns, confirming that the result is the top 5 states by total property damage.
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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