- A
0 * * * * /usr/bin/ansible-playbook --vault-password-file ~/.vault_pass /opt/ansible/update_inventory.yml
Why wrong: The vault password file path is incorrect; it should be /etc/ansible/.vault_pass as given.
- B
* * * * * /usr/bin/ansible-playbook --vault-password-file /etc/ansible/.vault_pass /opt/ansible/update_inventory.yml
Why wrong: This runs every minute, not hourly.
- C
0 * * * * /usr/bin/ansible --vault-password-file /etc/ansible/.vault_pass /opt/ansible/update_inventory.yml
Why wrong: ansible command is for ad-hoc tasks, not for running playbooks; should be ansible-playbook.
- D
0 * * * * /usr/bin/ansible-playbook --vault-password-file /etc/ansible/.vault_pass /opt/ansible/update_inventory.yml
Correct: Runs hourly with proper vault password file and playbook path.
Schedule Ansible-Playbook — Cron with Vault
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.
You need to run an Ansible playbook every hour to update a dynamic inventory file from a CMDB API. The playbook is stored in /opt/ansible/update_inventory.yml. You want to schedule the execution using a cron job on the control node. The control node runs Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9. The playbook uses Ansible Vault to decrypt API credentials, and the vault password is stored in /etc/ansible/.vault_pass. Which cron entry will execute the playbook hourly?
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
0 * * * * /usr/bin/ansible-playbook --vault-password-file /etc/ansible/.vault_pass /opt/ansible/update_inventory.yml
Option D is correct because it specifies the correct cron schedule (0 * * * * for hourly), uses the correct command (ansible-playbook), and points to the correct vault password file (/etc/ansible/.vault_pass) as specified in the stem. Option A uses the wrong vault password file path (~/.vault_pass). Option B uses the wrong schedule (every minute). Option C uses the wrong command (ansible instead of ansible-playbook).
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.
- ✗
0 * * * * /usr/bin/ansible-playbook --vault-password-file ~/.vault_pass /opt/ansible/update_inventory.yml
Why it's wrong here
The vault password file path is incorrect; it should be /etc/ansible/.vault_pass as given.
- ✗
* * * * * /usr/bin/ansible-playbook --vault-password-file /etc/ansible/.vault_pass /opt/ansible/update_inventory.yml
Why it's wrong here
This runs every minute, not hourly.
- ✗
0 * * * * /usr/bin/ansible --vault-password-file /etc/ansible/.vault_pass /opt/ansible/update_inventory.yml
Why it's wrong here
ansible command is for ad-hoc tasks, not for running playbooks; should be ansible-playbook.
- ✓
0 * * * * /usr/bin/ansible-playbook --vault-password-file /etc/ansible/.vault_pass /opt/ansible/update_inventory.yml
Why this is correct
Correct: Runs hourly with proper vault password file and playbook path.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
ansible command is for ad-hoc tasks, not for running playbooks; should be ansible-playbook.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
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.
- Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
- Underline the problem statement mentally.
- 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 EX294 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
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Manage task execution and roles — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
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Manage task execution and roles practice questions
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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: 0 * * * * /usr/bin/ansible-playbook --vault-password-file /etc/ansible/.vault_pass /opt/ansible/update_inventory.yml — Option D is correct because it specifies the correct cron schedule (0 * * * * for hourly), uses the correct command (ansible-playbook), and points to the correct vault password file (/etc/ansible/.vault_pass) as specified in the stem. Option A uses the wrong vault password file path (~/.vault_pass). Option B uses the wrong schedule (every minute). Option C uses the wrong command (ansible instead of ansible-playbook).
What should I do if I get this EX294 question wrong?
Identify which EX294 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
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Last reviewed: Jun 24, 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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