- A
The 'async' timeout was set too high.
Why wrong: Incorrect: Timeout affects how long to wait, not the accuracy of the result.
- B
The 'poll' interval was set too low.
Why wrong: Incorrect: Poll interval affects how often to check, but does not cause false success.
- C
The task's return code was not checked; 'async_status' module should be used to explicitly check the job result.
Correct: Without explicit status check, Ansible only sees that the job started, not its final outcome.
- D
The playbook used 'ignore_errors: true' on the async task.
Why wrong: Incorrect: ignore_errors would suppress an error, but the async task itself does not produce an error on start; the failure is detected later.
Question 510 of 528
Checking Async Task Status with async_status
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.
An Ansible playbook uses 'async' and 'poll' to run a long-running task. The task returns a changed status and the playbook continues. However, the remote server reports that the task failed after the playbook finished. What is the most likely reason?
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.
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 task's return code was not checked; 'async_status' module should be used to explicitly check the job result.
Option C is correct because when a task is launched with `async` and `poll: 0`, Ansible does not wait for the task to complete; it immediately continues the playbook. The task runs in the background on the remote host, and its final result (including failure) is not automatically captured by the playbook. To retrieve the actual exit status and output, you must explicitly use the `async_status` module with the job ID to poll the task until it finishes. Without this explicit check, the playbook may report success even if the background task ultimately fails.
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 'async' timeout was set too high.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect: Timeout affects how long to wait, not the accuracy of the result.
- ✗
The 'poll' interval was set too low.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect: Poll interval affects how often to check, but does not cause false success.
- ✓
The task's return code was not checked; 'async_status' module should be used to explicitly check the job result.
Why this is correct
Correct: Without explicit status check, Ansible only sees that the job started, not its final outcome.
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 used 'ignore_errors: true' on the async task.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect: ignore_errors would suppress an error, but the async task itself does not produce an error on start; the failure is detected later.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates assume Ansible automatically captures the final result of an async task when `poll: 0` is used, but in reality the playbook only records the initial launch status and requires an explicit `async_status` call to retrieve the actual completion status.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, when `poll: 0` is used, Ansible fires the task asynchronously and stores the job ID in the result variable. The playbook then proceeds without waiting. To properly handle the outcome, you must later call `async_status` with `jid: '{{ result.ansible_job_id }}'` and `poll` set to a positive integer to wait for completion and capture the final return code. In real-world scenarios, this pattern is essential for long-running operations like software installations or database migrations that may take minutes; without the explicit status check, the playbook may report success while the background job silently fails, leading to inconsistent system state.
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
What to study next
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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 task's return code was not checked; 'async_status' module should be used to explicitly check the job result. — Option C is correct because when a task is launched with `async` and `poll: 0`, Ansible does not wait for the task to complete; it immediately continues the playbook. The task runs in the background on the remote host, and its final result (including failure) is not automatically captured by the playbook. To retrieve the actual exit status and output, you must explicitly use the `async_status` module with the job ID to poll the task until it finishes. Without this explicit check, the playbook may report success even if the background task ultimately fails.
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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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
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