The answer is the top 5 event types in Texas by total property damage. This is correct because the KQL query first filters the dataset with `where State == 'TEXAS'`, then uses `summarize sum(PropertyDamage) by EventType` to aggregate total property damage per event type, and finally applies `top 5 by TotalPropertyDamage` to return only the five event types with the highest totals. On the Microsoft Azure Data Fundamentals DP-900 exam, this question tests your ability to interpret KQL summarize and top query output, specifically how the order of clauses—filter, aggregate, then limit—determines the result. A common trap is confusing `top` with `sort` or forgetting that `summarize` creates a new column for the aggregated value, which `top` then references. Memory tip: think "Filter, Sum, Top"—like a funnel that narrows data by location, piles it by category, then picks the heaviest piles.
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.
```kusto
StormEvents
| where State == "TEXAS"
| summarize TotalDamage = sum(DamageProperty) by EventType
| top 5 by TotalDamage desc
```
The exhibit shows a Kusto Query Language (KQL) query run in Azure Data Explorer. What is the output of this query?
Refer to the exhibit.
```kusto
StormEvents
| where State == "TEXAS"
| summarize TotalDamage = sum(DamageProperty) by EventType
| top 5 by TotalDamage desc
```
A
All storm events in Texas with property damage
Why wrong: It summarizes and limits to top 5.
B
The total property damage for all event types in Texas
Why wrong: It returns top 5, not total.
C
The top 5 event types in Texas by total property damage
The query summarizes by EventType and returns the top 5.
D
A list of the top 5 property damage amounts in Texas
Why wrong: The query includes EventType, not just damage amounts.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The top 5 event types in Texas by total property damage
The query uses `summarize sum(PropertyDamage) by EventType` to aggregate total property damage per event type, then `top 5 by TotalPropertyDamage` to return the five event types with the highest totals. The `where State == 'TEXAS'` filter ensures only Texas storms are considered. This directly yields the top 5 event types in Texas 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.
✗
All storm events in Texas with property damage
Why it's wrong here
It summarizes and limits to top 5.
✗
The total property damage for all event types in Texas
Why it's wrong here
It returns top 5, not total.
✓
The top 5 event types in Texas by total property damage
Why this is correct
The query summarizes by EventType and returns the top 5.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
A list of the top 5 property damage amounts in Texas
Why it's wrong here
The query includes EventType, not just damage amounts.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates confuse 'top 5 property damage amounts' (raw values) with 'top 5 event types by total property damage' (aggregated categories), or they think the query lists individual events rather than summarized groups.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
In KQL, `summarize` creates a new table with one row per distinct value of the group-by key (EventType), and `sum(PropertyDamage)` computes the total for each group. The `top 5 by TotalPropertyDamage` operator sorts the summarized result descending by the aggregated column and returns the first 5 rows. This is a common pattern for 'top N by category' analysis in Azure Data Explorer, leveraging the columnar storage engine for efficient aggregation.
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: The top 5 event types in Texas by total property damage — The query uses `summarize sum(PropertyDamage) by EventType` to aggregate total property damage per event type, then `top 5 by TotalPropertyDamage` to return the five event types with the highest totals. The `where State == 'TEXAS'` filter ensures only Texas storms are considered. This directly yields the top 5 event types in Texas 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.
About these practice questions
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Variation 1. The exhibit shows a KQL query in Azure Data Explorer. What is the output of this query?
easy
A.Bottom 5 states by total property damage
✓ B.Top 5 states by total property damage
C.All states with total property damage
D.All storm events after 2024-01-01
Why B: The KQL query uses `summarize` to aggregate total property damage by state, then `top 5 by total_property_damage` to return the five states with the highest total damage. The `desc` argument (default) orders the results in descending order, making option B correct.
Last reviewed: Jun 24, 2026
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