- A
a 'name' with specific naming convention
Why wrong: Incorrect. The 'name' field is only a label for readability and does not affect task execution filtering.
- B
a 'block' statement
Why wrong: Incorrect. A 'block' groups tasks but does not provide tag-based filtering; 'block' itself can have tags, but the question asks what must be added to tasks, not about grouping.
- C
a 'tags' directive on each task
Correct. The 'tags' directive is used to label tasks so that they can be selected with the '--tags' option.
- D
a 'when' condition
Why wrong: Incorrect. A 'when' condition controls task execution based on conditionals, not for selecting tasks via '--tags'.
Question 507 of 528
Ansible Tags for Selective Task Execution
This EX294 practice question tests your understanding of implement advanced ansible automation. 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.
An Ansible playbook contains many tasks. An administrator wants to run only a subset of tasks by passing '--tags ' at the command line. Which of the following must be added to the tasks?
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
✓
a 'tags' directive on each task
Option C is correct because the 'tags' directive is the only mechanism in Ansible that allows tasks to be selectively included or excluded when running a playbook with the '--tags' command-line option. By adding a 'tags' attribute to a task (e.g., 'tags: install'), the administrator can target that task specifically, and Ansible's task execution engine filters tasks based on the provided tags at runtime.
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.
- ✗
a 'name' with specific naming convention
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. The 'name' field is only a label for readability and does not affect task execution filtering.
- ✗
a 'block' statement
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. A 'block' groups tasks but does not provide tag-based filtering; 'block' itself can have tags, but the question asks what must be added to tasks, not about grouping.
- ✓
a 'tags' directive on each task
Why this is correct
Correct. The 'tags' directive is used to label tasks so that they can be selected with the '--tags' option.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
a 'when' condition
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. A 'when' condition controls task execution based on conditionals, not for selecting tasks via '--tags'.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse the 'name' field with a functional identifier, assuming it can be used for filtering, when in reality only the 'tags' directive controls task selection with '--tags'.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, Ansible's tag system works by assigning a list of strings to each task; when '--tags' is specified, Ansible compares the provided tags against each task's tags using set logic (e.g., 'all', 'tagged', 'untagged', or specific tag names). A subtle behavior is that tags can be inherited from parent blocks or roles, and using 'tags: always' forces a task to run regardless of the tag filter, which is useful for prerequisite tasks like gathering facts.
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.
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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: a 'tags' directive on each task — Option C is correct because the 'tags' directive is the only mechanism in Ansible that allows tasks to be selectively included or excluded when running a playbook with the '--tags' command-line option. By adding a 'tags' attribute to a task (e.g., 'tags: install'), the administrator can target that task specifically, and Ansible's task execution engine filters tasks based on the provided tags at runtime.
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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