- A
The dependency cannot be conditional; use 'include_role' with 'when' in the tasks.
Correct: Dependencies are always applied; use include_role with when for conditional execution.
- B
Use 'condition' field in the dependencies list.
Why wrong: Incorrect: There is no 'condition' field in meta dependencies.
- C
Use 'when' condition in the role's tasks to include the dependency.
Why wrong: Incorrect: Dependencies are defined in meta, not within tasks.
- D
Use 'pre_tasks' in the playbook to run the conditional dependency.
Why wrong: Incorrect: pre_tasks run before roles, but does not embed the condition within the role itself.
Question 146 of 528
EX294 Implement advanced Ansible automation Practice Question
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 role has multiple dependencies defined in meta/main.yml. One of the dependent roles should be executed before the role's own tasks, but only if a certain condition is met. How can this be implemented?
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 dependency cannot be conditional; use 'include_role' with 'when' in the tasks.
Ansible role dependencies defined in meta/main.yml do not support conditional execution; the 'dependencies' field only accepts role names or a dictionary with 'role' and optional 'vars'. To conditionally execute a role, you must use 'include_role' with a 'when' clause in the playbook or tasks, not in the metadata. This is by design because dependency resolution happens at playbook parsing time, not 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.
- ✓
The dependency cannot be conditional; use 'include_role' with 'when' in the tasks.
Why this is correct
Correct: Dependencies are always applied; use include_role with when for conditional execution.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Use 'condition' field in the dependencies list.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect: There is no 'condition' field in meta dependencies.
- ✗
Use 'when' condition in the role's tasks to include the dependency.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect: Dependencies are defined in meta, not within tasks.
- ✗
Use 'pre_tasks' in the playbook to run the conditional dependency.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect: pre_tasks run before roles, but does not embed the condition within the role itself.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates assume the 'dependencies' block in meta/main.yml supports a 'when' or 'condition' keyword similar to tasks, but Ansible explicitly does not allow conditional dependencies at the metadata level.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, Ansible parses meta/main.yml at the start of a play and resolves all dependencies into a flat list of roles to execute in order; this resolution is static and cannot be altered by runtime conditions. A real-world scenario is when you have a monitoring role that should only run on production hosts — you must use 'include_role' in the playbook with a 'when: inventory_hostname in groups["production"]' rather than attempting a conditional dependency in meta/main.yml.
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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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 dependency cannot be conditional; use 'include_role' with 'when' in the tasks. — Ansible role dependencies defined in meta/main.yml do not support conditional execution; the 'dependencies' field only accepts role names or a dictionary with 'role' and optional 'vars'. To conditionally execute a role, you must use 'include_role' with a 'when' clause in the playbook or tasks, not in the metadata. This is by design because dependency resolution happens at playbook parsing time, not 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.
About these practice questions
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
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