- A
Playbook runs tasks on hosts in batches of 1.
Why wrong: That describes 'serial' strategy.
- B
Strategy is deprecated and replaced by 'linear'.
Why wrong: 'free' is a valid strategy and not deprecated.
- C
All hosts run the same task at the same time, then move to the next task.
Why wrong: That describes the 'linear' strategy.
- D
Each host runs through the playbook independently of other hosts.
Free strategy allows hosts to run tasks as fast as they can, not waiting for others.
Question 290 of 528
Understanding the free Strategy for Ansible Playbook Execution
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.
In an Ansible playbook, the 'strategy' parameter is set to 'free'. What behavior does this strategy produce?
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
✓
Each host runs through the playbook independently of other hosts.
Option D is correct because the 'free' strategy in Ansible allows each host to run through the playbook independently, without waiting for other hosts to finish the current task. This means a faster host can proceed to subsequent tasks while slower hosts are still working on earlier tasks, maximizing parallelism and reducing overall execution time.
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.
- ✗
Playbook runs tasks on hosts in batches of 1.
Why it's wrong here
That describes 'serial' strategy.
- ✗
Strategy is deprecated and replaced by 'linear'.
Why it's wrong here
'free' is a valid strategy and not deprecated.
- ✗
All hosts run the same task at the same time, then move to the next task.
Why it's wrong here
That describes the 'linear' strategy.
- ✓
Each host runs through the playbook independently of other hosts.
Why this is correct
Free strategy allows hosts to run tasks as fast as they can, not waiting for others.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is confusing the 'free' strategy with the 'serial' parameter or the default 'linear' strategy, leading candidates to incorrectly associate batching or synchronized task execution with 'free'.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, the 'free' strategy uses a pool of worker threads, one per host, and each thread processes the task list independently. This can lead to race conditions if tasks rely on shared state (e.g., files or services) because hosts may be at different points in the playbook. In real-world scenarios, 'free' is useful for long-running, independent tasks like software installations across heterogeneous environments where hosts have varying performance.
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?
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: Each host runs through the playbook independently of other hosts. — Option D is correct because the 'free' strategy in Ansible allows each host to run through the playbook independently, without waiting for other hosts to finish the current task. This means a faster host can proceed to subsequent tasks while slower hosts are still working on earlier tasks, maximizing parallelism and reducing overall execution time.
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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