Question 234 of 528
Manage task execution and rolesmediumMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped

Role Dependencies — meta/main.yml

This EX294 practice question tests your understanding of manage task execution and roles. 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 team develops a custom Ansible role 'webserver' that depends on another role 'common'. They want to ensure that when 'webserver' is used, 'common' is automatically installed from the same Galaxy server. Which approach should they use?

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

Add a dependencies: ['common'] to the role's meta/main.yml file.

Option B is correct because Ansible roles can declare dependencies in the `meta/main.yml` file using the `dependencies` key. When the 'webserver' role is installed via `ansible-galaxy install`, Ansible automatically resolves and installs all listed dependencies from the same Galaxy server, ensuring 'common' is present without manual intervention.

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.

  • Add a requirements.yml file in the role's root directory specifying common.

    Why it's wrong here

    requirements.yml is not automatically processed when the role is used; it must be explicitly installed.

  • Add a dependencies: ['common'] to the role's meta/main.yml file.

    Why this is correct

    Correct: Role dependencies in meta/main.yml are automatically installed.

    Related concept

    Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.

  • Use ansible-galaxy install webserver --with-dependencies to install common separately.

    Why it's wrong here

    This works but requires the user to remember to use --with-dependencies; not automatic.

  • Include the 'common' role in the playbook before 'webserver'.

    Why it's wrong here

    This does not automate installation; common must already be present on the control node.

Common exam traps

Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword

The trap here is that candidates confuse role dependencies (declared in `meta/main.yml`) with playbook-level role ordering or external requirements files, leading them to choose options that manage execution order or manual installation instead of automatic dependency resolution.

Detailed technical explanation

How to think about this question

Under the hood, when `ansible-galaxy install` processes a role, it reads the `meta/main.yml` file and recursively resolves each dependency listed under `dependencies`. Each dependency can specify a source (e.g., Galaxy, Git, or a URL) and version constraints, allowing fine-grained control. A real-world scenario is a web application role that depends on a security-hardening role; declaring this dependency in `meta/main.yml` ensures the hardening role is always installed, preventing security gaps due to missing dependencies.

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.

Visual reference

Client Recursive Resolver Root DNS (13 root servers) TLD DNS (.com, .org, …) Authoritative example.com query IP addr answer

What to study next

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FAQ

Questions learners often ask

What does this EX294 question test?

Manage task execution and roles — This question tests Manage task execution and roles — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..

What is the correct answer to this question?

The correct answer is: Add a dependencies: ['common'] to the role's meta/main.yml file. — Option B is correct because Ansible roles can declare dependencies in the `meta/main.yml` file using the `dependencies` key. When the 'webserver' role is installed via `ansible-galaxy install`, Ansible automatically resolves and installs all listed dependencies from the same Galaxy server, ensuring 'common' is present without manual intervention.

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.

What is the key concept behind this question?

Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.

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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026

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