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.
Refer to the exhibit. When the playbook runs on target1, which value will nginx_port have in the role?
443 (from playbook vars)
Why wrong: Host vars override playbook vars.
8080 (from vars/main.yml)
Why wrong: Role vars are overridden by higher precedence variables.
9090 (from host vars)
Host vars have higher precedence than playbook and role vars.
80 (from defaults/main.yml)
Why wrong: Defaults have the lowest precedence.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
9090 (from host vars)
Option C is correct because Ansible variable precedence dictates that host variables (in this case, from host_vars) override role defaults, role vars, and playbook vars. Since nginx_port is defined in host_vars for target1 with value 9090, that value takes highest precedence among the listed sources, so the role will use 9090.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
443 (from playbook vars)
Why it's wrong here
Host vars override playbook vars.
8080 (from vars/main.yml)
Why it's wrong here
Role vars are overridden by higher precedence variables.
9090 (from host vars)
Why this is correct
Host vars have higher precedence than playbook and role vars.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
80 (from defaults/main.yml)
Why it's wrong here
Defaults have the lowest precedence.
Common exam traps
Red Hat often tests the misconception that role vars (vars/main.yml) or playbook vars always override host_vars, when in fact host_vars have higher precedence than both role vars and playbook vars.
Detailed technical explanation
Ansible's variable precedence order (from lowest to highest) is: role defaults, inventory group vars, inventory host vars, playbook vars, role vars (from vars/main.yml), block vars, task vars, and include_vars. Host_vars files in the inventory directory (e.g., host_vars/target1) are treated as inventory host vars, which outrank role vars and playbook vars. In real-world scenarios, this allows operators to set per-host overrides (e.g., different ports for staging vs. production) without modifying shared role code.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
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
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FAQ
Manage task execution and roles — This question tests Manage task execution and roles — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: 9090 (from host vars) — Option C is correct because Ansible variable precedence dictates that host variables (in this case, from host_vars) override role defaults, role vars, and playbook vars. Since nginx_port is defined in host_vars for target1 with value 9090, that value takes highest precedence among the listed sources, so the role will use 9090.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Same concept, more angles
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Variation 1. What is the purpose of the 'vars' keyword under the httpd role inclusion?
easyWhy D: The 'vars' keyword under a role inclusion in Ansible allows you to override the default variables defined within that specific role. This is done at the point of inclusion, providing role-specific variable overrides without affecting other roles or the playbook's global variable scope.
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
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