This EX294 practice question tests your understanding of transform data with filters and plugins. 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.
A senior engineer needs to debug an Ansible playbook that uses lookups. Which TWO plugins can be used to retrieve data from a file on the control node? (Select exactly two.)
ini
Why wrong: ini lookups parse INI files, but return specific keys, not whole file.
password
Why wrong: password generates random passwords, not retrieve file data.
csvfile
Why wrong: csvfile looks up a specific row/column, not entire file.
file
Reads a file content as a string.
template
Processes a Jinja2 template and returns result.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
file
Option D is correct because the `file` lookup plugin reads the content of a file from the control node's filesystem and returns it as a string. This is the standard way to retrieve file data directly from the Ansible control node without transferring the file to the managed host.
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.
ini
Why it's wrong here
ini lookups parse INI files, but return specific keys, not whole file.
password
Why it's wrong here
password generates random passwords, not retrieve file data.
csvfile
Why it's wrong here
csvfile looks up a specific row/column, not entire file.
file
Why this is correct
Reads a file content as a string.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
template
Why this is correct
Processes a Jinja2 template and returns result.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
The trap here is that candidates often confuse lookup plugins with modules, or assume that `ini`, `csvfile`, or `password` can retrieve raw file content, when in fact they are designed for structured data extraction or password generation, not general file reading.
Detailed technical explanation
The `file` lookup plugin uses the control node's local filesystem via Python's `open()` function, returning the entire file as a single string. This is useful for embedding configuration templates or secrets directly from the control node without using `fetch` or `slurp` modules. In contrast, `template` (Option E) is a module, not a lookup plugin, but it processes Jinja2 templates on the control node and can include file content via `lookup('file', ...)` within the template, making it a valid indirect method for retrieving file data during playbook execution.
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
Transform data with filters and plugins — This question tests Transform data with filters and plugins — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: file — Option D is correct because the `file` lookup plugin reads the content of a file from the control node's filesystem and returns it as a string. This is the standard way to retrieve file data directly from the Ansible control node without transferring the file to the managed host.
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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Last reviewed: Jun 25, 2026
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