EX294 Deploy Ansible Automation Platform Practice Question
This EX294 practice question tests your understanding of deploy ansible automation platform. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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.
An organization uses Ansible Automation Controller. They have an inventory source that syncs from a Git repository containing `inventory/hosts.yml`. The job template uses this inventory. Recently, the inventory stopped updating. The admin checks the job logs and sees: `ERROR! Could not update inventory source: invalid inventory source definition`. What is the most likely issue?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "most likely"
Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The inventory file `hosts.yml` has a syntax error, such as a missing colon.
The error message 'invalid inventory source definition' indicates that the inventory file itself is malformed, not that there is a connectivity or credential issue. In Ansible Automation Controller, when an inventory source syncs from a Git repository, the controller parses the inventory file (e.g., `hosts.yml`) according to YAML syntax rules. A missing colon would break the YAML structure, causing the controller to reject the file as invalid, which matches the error.
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.
✗
The Git repository is unreachable due to network issues.
Why it's wrong here
Network issues would cause a timeout or connection error.
✗
The project that contains the playbook has been deleted.
Why it's wrong here
This would not cause inventory source error; project errors are separate.
✗
The machine credential stored in the controller has expired.
Why it's wrong here
Credential issues cause authentication failure, not invalid source definition.
✓
The inventory file `hosts.yml` has a syntax error, such as a missing colon.
Why this is correct
Invalid inventory definition due to YAML error.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
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 that candidates often confuse 'invalid inventory source definition' with connectivity or credential issues, but the error specifically points to a malformed inventory file, not a network or authentication problem.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
When Ansible Automation Controller syncs an inventory source from a Git repository, it downloads the file and then validates it using the same YAML parser that Ansible uses for inventory files. A missing colon in a YAML key-value pair (e.g., `hosts:` vs `hosts`) causes a YAML syntax error that the parser reports as an invalid definition. This is distinct from runtime errors like unreachable hosts or failed authentication, which occur after the inventory is successfully parsed.
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.
Deploy Ansible Automation Platform — This question tests Deploy Ansible Automation Platform — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The inventory file `hosts.yml` has a syntax error, such as a missing colon. — The error message 'invalid inventory source definition' indicates that the inventory file itself is malformed, not that there is a connectivity or credential issue. In Ansible Automation Controller, when an inventory source syncs from a Git repository, the controller parses the inventory file (e.g., `hosts.yml`) according to YAML syntax rules. A missing colon would break the YAML structure, causing the controller to reject the file as invalid, which matches the error.
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.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
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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