- A
Rescue tasks are executed on all hosts in the play.
Why wrong: Rescue runs only on hosts where the block failed.
- B
A rescue section executes only if the block tasks fail.
Rescue runs when a task in the block fails.
- C
Blocks cannot be nested.
Why wrong: Blocks can be nested inside other blocks.
- D
The 'always' section runs regardless of success or failure.
The always section executes after block and rescue.
- E
A block can have multiple rescue sections.
Why wrong: A block can have at most one rescue section.
Question 470 of 528
Using Block, Rescue, and Always for Error Recovery in Ansible
This EX294 practice question tests your understanding of manage task execution and roles. 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 the 'block' and 'rescue' directives. Which two statements are true about this construct? (Choose two.)
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 rescue section executes only if the block tasks fail.
Option B is correct because the 'rescue' section in an Ansible block is specifically designed to execute only when a task within the 'block' fails. This allows you to define error recovery or rollback steps that run only on hosts where the block encountered a failure, ensuring that successful hosts are not affected by rescue logic.
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.
- ✗
Rescue tasks are executed on all hosts in the play.
Why it's wrong here
Rescue runs only on hosts where the block failed.
- ✓
A rescue section executes only if the block tasks fail.
Why this is correct
Rescue runs when a task in the block fails.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Blocks cannot be nested.
Why it's wrong here
Blocks can be nested inside other blocks.
- ✓
The 'always' section runs regardless of success or failure.
Why this is correct
The always section executes after block and rescue.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
A block can have multiple rescue sections.
Why it's wrong here
A block can have at most one rescue section.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often think 'rescue' runs on all hosts or that multiple rescue sections are allowed, confusing Ansible's block/rescue/always pattern with exception handling in programming languages like try-catch-finally.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, Ansible treats a block as a single task from a failure perspective: if any task in the block fails, the entire block is considered failed, and the rescue section runs. The 'always' section, if present, executes regardless of block or rescue success or failure, making it ideal for cleanup actions like removing temporary files. A real-world scenario is deploying an application: the block might update configuration files, the rescue could roll back a backup, and 'always' could restart a service to ensure it's in a known 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.
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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Manage task execution and roles — study guide chapter
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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: A rescue section executes only if the block tasks fail. — Option B is correct because the 'rescue' section in an Ansible block is specifically designed to execute only when a task within the 'block' fails. This allows you to define error recovery or rollback steps that run only on hosts where the block encountered a failure, ensuring that successful hosts are not affected by rescue logic.
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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