Question 161 of 528

Implement advanced Ansible automation →hardMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped

Ansible include_tasks Loop Variable Shadowing

This EX294 practice question tests your understanding of implement advanced ansible automation. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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 playbook uses the 'include_tasks' module to load platform-specific tasks. The playbook fails intermittently with 'Could not find or access file' error on some runs but works on others. Which of the following is the most likely cause?

Clue words in this question

Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.

Clue: "most likely"
Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.

A
The 'include_tasks' is used inside a block that has 'always' section.
Why wrong: Incorrect: Using include_tasks inside a block with always does not cause intermittent file access errors.
B
The task file path is not absolute and Ansible's search order is inconsistent.
Why wrong: Incorrect: Ansible's search order is deterministic; inconsistency is unlikely.
C
The 'include_tasks' is used with a loop and the loop variable shadows the included file's parameter.
Correct: Variable shadowing can cause the included file's expected variable to be overridden, leading to file lookup failures on some iterations.
D
The playbook uses 'any_errors_fatal: true' causing early exits.
Why wrong: Incorrect: This setting causes the play to stop on any failure, but would not produce an intermittent file error.

Full breakdown with real-world context →

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

✓

The 'include_tasks' is used with a loop and the loop variable shadows the included file's parameter.

Option C is correct because when 'include_tasks' is used inside a loop, the loop variable (e.g., 'item') can override or shadow the parameters expected by the included task file. This causes the included file to receive unexpected variable values, leading to incorrect file path resolution and intermittent 'Could not find or access file' errors depending on the loop iteration.

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.

✗
The 'include_tasks' is used inside a block that has 'always' section.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect: Using include_tasks inside a block with always does not cause intermittent file access errors.
✗
The task file path is not absolute and Ansible's search order is inconsistent.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect: Ansible's search order is deterministic; inconsistency is unlikely.
✓
The 'include_tasks' is used with a loop and the loop variable shadows the included file's parameter.
Why this is correct
Correct: Variable shadowing can cause the included file's expected variable to be overridden, leading to file lookup failures on some iterations.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
The playbook uses 'any_errors_fatal: true' causing early exits.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect: This setting causes the play to stop on any failure, but would not produce an intermittent file error.

Common exam traps

Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword

Red Hat often tests the subtle interaction between loop variables and included task file parameters, where candidates mistakenly attribute the intermittent failure to path resolution or error handling rather than variable shadowing.

Detailed technical explanation

How to think about this question

Under the hood, 'include_tasks' dynamically loads tasks at runtime, and when used with a loop, the loop variable is injected into the included file's variable scope. If the included file expects a parameter named 'file' or similar, and the loop variable is also named 'file', the loop value overwrites the intended path, causing resolution failures. This is a common pitfall in Ansible automation, especially when using 'loop' with 'include_tasks' in roles or playbooks that handle platform-specific files.

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 practitioner preparing for the EX294 exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.

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 EX294 question test?

Implement advanced Ansible automation — This question tests Implement advanced Ansible automation — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..

What is the correct answer to this question?

The correct answer is: The 'include_tasks' is used with a loop and the loop variable shadows the included file's parameter. — Option C is correct because when 'include_tasks' is used inside a loop, the loop variable (e.g., 'item') can override or shadow the parameters expected by the included task file. This causes the included file to receive unexpected variable values, leading to incorrect file path resolution and intermittent 'Could not find or access file' errors depending on the loop iteration.

What should I do if I get this EX294 question wrong?

Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.

Are there clue words in this question I should notice?

Yes — watch for: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.

What is the key concept behind this question?

Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.

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