MS-900 Describe cloud concepts Practice Question
A company uses a cloud provider that charges them only for the actual storage and compute resources they consume each month. They can start or stop machines at any time and are billed precisely for what they use. Which cloud computing characteristic does this billing model demonstrate?
⚠ Common exam trap
A common mix-up: candidates confuse 'Measured service' with 'On-demand self-service' because both involve user control, but measured service specifically addresses the metering and pay-per-use billing aspect, not the ability to provision without human interaction.
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
✓
Measured service
The billing model described—paying only for actual storage and compute resources consumed, with the ability to start/stop machines at any time—directly demonstrates 'Measured service'. This characteristic, defined by NIST SP 800-145, means cloud systems automatically control and optimize resource usage by leveraging a metering capability at some level of abstraction appropriate to the type of service (e.g., storage, processing, bandwidth, active user accounts). Usage is monitored, controlled, and reported, providing transparency for both the provider and consumer.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Rapid elasticity
Why it's wrong here
Rapid elasticity is a cloud characteristic focused on the ability to quickly scale computing resources up or down to match demand, often automatically. The scenario describes a billing model based on consumption, not the dynamic provisioning or release of capacity. While elasticity enables cost efficiency, the payment mechanism itself is not defined by this trait, so it is incorrect.
- ✗
On-demand self-service
Why it's wrong here
On-demand self-service allows users to provision computing capabilities, such as server time or storage, without requiring human interaction with the service provider. This is about the ease and automation of resource acquisition, not about how charges are calculated or invoiced. The stated scenario centers on a consumption-based pricing model, which is a metering function rather than a self-service capability, making this option wrong.
- ✗
Resource pooling
Why it's wrong here
Resource pooling refers to the provider's use of a multi-tenant model where physical and virtual resources are dynamically assigned and reassigned among multiple customers using a shared infrastructure. This architectural characteristic explains how resources are shared and abstracted, but it does not describe how usage is measured or billed. Since the question is about being charged only for actual usage, resource pooling is not the correct characteristic.
- ✓
Measured service
Why this is correct
Measured service is the cloud characteristic where resource usage is automatically monitored, controlled, and reported, providing transparency for both the provider and consumer. This metering capability is what enables a pay-per-use billing model, where customers are charged only for the amount of service they actually consume. The scenario directly illustrates this principle, making it the correct answer.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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