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Describe core data concepts →mediumMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped

Quick Answer

The answer is structured, unstructured, semi-structured. This categorization hinges on schema enforcement: structured data, like the relational table with fixed columns for PatientID, Name, and AdmissionDate, adheres to a rigid, predefined schema; unstructured data, such as free-text progress notes, lacks any formal structure; and semi-structured data, exemplified by XML lab results with tags and varying fields, possesses organizational metadata without a fixed schema. On the Microsoft Azure Data Fundamentals DP-900 exam, this question tests your ability to classify data types based on their format and schema flexibility, a core concept for Azure data storage solutions. A common trap is mistaking XML or JSON for structured data because they look organized, but remember: if the fields can vary between records, it is semi-structured. For a quick memory tip, think of a filing cabinet: structured is a labeled folder with slots, unstructured is a pile of papers, and semi-structured is a folder with sticky notes that change per document.

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 healthcare provider stores patient admission data in a relational database table with columns for PatientID, Name, and AdmissionDate. Progress notes are stored as free-text documents. Lab results are stored as XML files that contain varying fields depending on the test type. Which of the following correctly categorizes these three data types in order: relational table, progress notes, lab results?

Question 1mediummultiple choice
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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

✓

Structured, Unstructured, Semi-structured

The relational table with PatientID, Name, and AdmissionDate enforces a fixed schema with defined data types, making it structured data. Progress notes as free-text documents have no predefined structure or schema, classifying them as unstructured data. Lab results in XML files use tags to organize data but allow varying fields per test type, which is the hallmark of semi-structured data. Option A correctly maps these in order: structured, unstructured, semi-structured.

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.

  • ✓

    Structured, Unstructured, Semi-structured

    Why this is correct

    The relational table has a fixed schema (structured). Free-text progress notes have no schema (unstructured). XML files have tags and can vary, making them semi-structured. This is correct.

    Related concept

    Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.

  • ✗

    Structured, Semi-structured, Unstructured

    Why it's wrong here

    This reverses the last two. Progress notes are not semi-structured; they are unstructured. Lab results in XML are semi-structured, not unstructured.

  • ✗

    Semi-structured, Unstructured, Structured

    Why it's wrong here

    The relational table is not semi-structured; it is structured. Progress notes are correctly unstructured, but lab results are semi-structured, not structured.

  • ✗

    Unstructured, Structured, Semi-structured

    Why it's wrong here

    The relational table is not unstructured; it is structured. Progress notes are not structured; they are unstructured.

Common exam traps

Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword

The trap here is that candidates confuse semi-structured data (like XML with varying fields) with unstructured data, or they misorder the three types by not recognizing that a relational table is always structured and free-text is always unstructured.

Detailed technical explanation

How to think about this question

Structured data relies on a fixed schema (e.g., SQL table columns with data types like INT or DATE), enabling efficient indexing and ACID transactions. Unstructured data, such as plain text or binary files, lacks a schema and often requires full-text search or NLP for analysis. Semi-structured data like XML uses self-describing tags (e.g., <TestType>...</TestType>) and can be parsed with XPath or XQuery, but fields may vary between documents, as seen with lab results that differ by test type.

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: Structured, Unstructured, Semi-structured — The relational table with PatientID, Name, and AdmissionDate enforces a fixed schema with defined data types, making it structured data. Progress notes as free-text documents have no predefined structure or schema, classifying them as unstructured data. Lab results in XML files use tags to organize data but allow varying fields per test type, which is the hallmark of semi-structured data. Option A correctly maps these in order: structured, unstructured, semi-structured.

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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Same concept, more angles

2 more ways this is tested on DP-900

These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.

Variation 1. A company stores customer names and addresses in a relational table, product descriptions as JSON files, and product images as JPEG files. Which of the following correctly classifies these data types from most structured to least structured?

easy
  • ✓ A.Structured (customer table), Semi-structured (JSON), Unstructured (JPEG)
  • B.Structured (customer table), Unstructured (JSON), Semi-structured (JPEG)
  • C.Semi-structured (customer table), Structured (JSON), Unstructured (JPEG)
  • D.Unstructured (customer table), Structured (JSON), Semi-structured (JPEG)

Why A: A is correct because structured data (customer table) has a fixed schema with rows and columns, semi-structured data (JSON) uses tags or key-value pairs without a rigid schema, and unstructured data (JPEG) has no predefined structure. The question tests the standard classification hierarchy from most to least structured.

Variation 2. A data analyst receives a dataset containing customer order details stored in a CSV file, a JSON file with product reviews, and a folder of JPEG images of products. Which of the following correctly categorizes these data types from most structured to least structured?

easy
  • A.CSV → JPEG → JSON
  • B.JSON → CSV → JPEG
  • ✓ C.CSV → JSON → JPEG
  • D.JPEG → JSON → CSV

Why C: CSV files are highly structured with rows and columns defined by a schema, making them the most structured. JSON files are semi-structured, using key-value pairs and nested objects that allow flexibility but lack a fixed schema. JPEG images are unstructured binary data with no inherent schema, so the correct order from most to least structured is CSV → JSON → JPEG, making option C correct.

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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026

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