- A
meta/main.yml
The meta directory contains main.yml for role metadata including dependencies.
- B
defaults/main.yml
Why wrong: defaults/main.yml defines default variables.
- C
tasks/main.yml
Why wrong: tasks/main.yml defines the main task list, not dependencies.
- D
vars/main.yml
Why wrong: vars/main.yml defines variables with higher priority than defaults.
Question 373 of 528
Defining Ansible Role Dependencies in 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.
An Ansible role has a complex dependency tree. The administrator wants to ensure that dependencies are installed before the main role tasks. Which file should be used to define dependencies?
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
✓
meta/main.yml
In Ansible, role dependencies are defined in the `meta/main.yml` file using the `dependencies` key. This ensures that any listed roles are executed before the main role's tasks, providing a controlled execution order. The `meta/main.yml` file is specifically designed for metadata such as dependencies, author information, and supported platforms.
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.
- ✓
meta/main.yml
Why this is correct
The meta directory contains main.yml for role metadata including dependencies.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
defaults/main.yml
Why it's wrong here
defaults/main.yml defines default variables.
- ✗
tasks/main.yml
Why it's wrong here
tasks/main.yml defines the main task list, not dependencies.
- ✗
vars/main.yml
Why it's wrong here
vars/main.yml defines variables with higher priority than defaults.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse `meta/main.yml` with `tasks/main.yml` or `vars/main.yml`, mistakenly thinking dependencies can be defined in the same file as tasks or variables, when in fact only `meta/main.yml` supports the `dependencies` directive.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, Ansible's dependency resolution in `meta/main.yml` supports specifying roles with optional parameters (e.g., `{ role: common, vars: { ntp_server: pool.ntp.org } }`) and can also use `allow_duplicates: false` to prevent a dependency from running multiple times. This mechanism is crucial in complex environments where roles like `firewall` or `monitoring` must be applied before application-specific roles to ensure prerequisites are met.
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: meta/main.yml — In Ansible, role dependencies are defined in the `meta/main.yml` file using the `dependencies` key. This ensures that any listed roles are executed before the main role's tasks, providing a controlled execution order. The `meta/main.yml` file is specifically designed for metadata such as dependencies, author information, and supported platforms.
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.
About these practice questions
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
This EX294 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Red Hat certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the EX294 exam.
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