- A
Use the 'any_errors_fatal' setting.
Why wrong: any_errors_fatal stops execution on failure but does not affect ordering.
- B
Use role dependencies with 'allow_duplicates: no'.
Why wrong: Role dependencies control execution order but are defined in role metadata, not at the playbook level to ensure the role runs first.
- C
Set the 'order' parameter in the role definition.
Why wrong: 'order' is not a valid parameter for roles.
- D
Use the 'pre_tasks' section in the playbook to call the role.
pre_tasks run before any roles, guaranteeing execution order.
Question 5 of 528
Controlling Role Order with pre_tasks in Ansible
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.
An Ansible playbook includes multiple roles. The administrator wants to ensure that a specific role's tasks are executed before any other roles, even if the roles are listed in a different order in the playbook. Which approach should be used?
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
✓
Use the 'pre_tasks' section in the playbook to call the role.
Option D is correct because the 'pre_tasks' section in an Ansible playbook runs before any roles listed in the 'roles' section, regardless of the order in which roles are defined. This allows the administrator to execute a specific role's tasks first by calling it within 'pre_tasks', ensuring it runs before all other roles.
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.
- ✗
Use the 'any_errors_fatal' setting.
Why it's wrong here
any_errors_fatal stops execution on failure but does not affect ordering.
- ✗
Use role dependencies with 'allow_duplicates: no'.
Why it's wrong here
Role dependencies control execution order but are defined in role metadata, not at the playbook level to ensure the role runs first.
- ✗
Set the 'order' parameter in the role definition.
Why it's wrong here
'order' is not a valid parameter for roles.
- ✓
Use the 'pre_tasks' section in the playbook to call the role.
Why this is correct
pre_tasks run before any roles, guaranteeing execution order.
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 may think role ordering can be controlled via a parameter within the role definition itself, but Ansible relies on the playbook section order ('pre_tasks', 'roles', 'post_tasks') to enforce execution sequence.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, Ansible executes playbook sections in a strict sequence: 'pre_tasks', then 'roles', then 'tasks', then 'post_tasks'. By placing a role in 'pre_tasks', it runs before any roles listed in the 'roles' section, effectively overriding the listed order. This is useful in scenarios like applying security hardening or prerequisite configuration that must be in place before any other role executes.
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.
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Manage task execution and roles — study guide chapter
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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: Use the 'pre_tasks' section in the playbook to call the role. — Option D is correct because the 'pre_tasks' section in an Ansible playbook runs before any roles listed in the 'roles' section, regardless of the order in which roles are defined. This allows the administrator to execute a specific role's tasks first by calling it within 'pre_tasks', ensuring it runs before all other roles.
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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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 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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