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.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
8080
Option A is correct because in Ansible, host variables take precedence over group variables. The inventory defines 'web2' with 'http_port: 8080' as a host variable, while the 'webservers' group defines 'http_port: 80' as a group variable. Since host variables override group variables, the value of 'http_port' on 'web2' is 8080.
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.
✓
8080
Why this is correct
Correct: Host variable http_port=8080 overrides the group variable.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
80
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect: Group variable would apply only if no host variable is defined.
✗
80, because the group variable overrides host variable.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect: In Ansible, host variables have higher precedence than group variables.
✗
Undefined, causing an error
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect: The variable is defined at the host level.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates may confuse Ansible's variable precedence and incorrectly think group variables override host variables, leading them to choose the group default value '80' instead of the host-specific value '8080'.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Ansible's variable precedence is hierarchical: host variables (defined directly under the host in the inventory) override group variables (defined under the group). This is part of Ansible's variable priority order, where more specific variables (host) take precedence over less specific ones (group). In real-world scenarios, this allows per-host overrides for configuration like ports, while group defaults provide consistency across the group.
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.
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: 8080 — Option A is correct because in Ansible, host variables take precedence over group variables. The inventory defines 'web2' with 'http_port: 8080' as a host variable, while the 'webservers' group defines 'http_port: 80' as a group variable. Since host variables override group variables, the value of 'http_port' on 'web2' is 8080.
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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Question Discussion
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