- A
Defaults are only loaded if no vars are defined.
Why wrong: Defaults are always loaded regardless of other variables.
- B
Defaults are loaded from the defaults/main.yml file.
Defaults are defined in defaults/main.yml.
- C
Defaults have higher priority than variables defined in the playbook.
Why wrong: Playbook variables have higher priority than defaults.
- D
Defaults cannot be overridden.
Why wrong: Defaults are designed to be overridden by variables with higher priority.
- E
Defaults have the lowest priority of all variables.
Role defaults are the lowest priority.
Question 115 of 528
Ansible Role Defaults Precedence: Lowest Priority Variables
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.
Which TWO statements about Ansible role defaults are true?
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
✓
Defaults are loaded from the defaults/main.yml file.
Option B is correct because Ansible role defaults are defined in the defaults/main.yml file within the role directory structure. These defaults provide the most basic variable values that can be easily overridden by any other variable source, ensuring flexibility in role usage.
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.
- ✗
Defaults are only loaded if no vars are defined.
Why it's wrong here
Defaults are always loaded regardless of other variables.
- ✓
Defaults are loaded from the defaults/main.yml file.
Why this is correct
Defaults are defined in defaults/main.yml.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Defaults have higher priority than variables defined in the playbook.
Why it's wrong here
Playbook variables have higher priority than defaults.
- ✗
Defaults cannot be overridden.
Why it's wrong here
Defaults are designed to be overridden by variables with higher priority.
- ✓
Defaults have the lowest priority of all variables.
Why this is correct
Role defaults are the lowest priority.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the distinction between role defaults and role vars, where candidates mistakenly think defaults have higher priority or cannot be overridden, but in reality defaults are the lowest priority and designed to be overridden by any other variable source.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Ansible uses a well-defined variable precedence order (from lowest to highest): role defaults, inventory vars, facts, playbook vars, and finally extra vars (with -e). Role defaults are stored in defaults/main.yml and are intended to be overridden, while role vars in vars/main.yml have higher priority and are meant for internal role logic. Understanding this hierarchy is critical when designing reusable roles that allow consumers to customize behavior without modifying the role itself.
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.
- →
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
Targeted practice on this topic area only
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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: Defaults are loaded from the defaults/main.yml file. — Option B is correct because Ansible role defaults are defined in the defaults/main.yml file within the role directory structure. These defaults provide the most basic variable values that can be easily overridden by any other variable source, ensuring flexibility in role usage.
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.
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 →
Same concept, more angles
1 more ways this is tested on EX294
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. Which TWO of the following statements about Ansible roles are correct?
medium- A.Role names must be prefixed with 'ansible-role-' when published to Ansible Galaxy.
- ✓ B.Variables in 'defaults/main.yml' have the lowest precedence and can be overridden by inventory variables.
- ✓ C.Role dependencies are defined in the 'meta/main.yml' file.
- D.The 'include_role' module can only be used for static imports.
- E.A role's tasks are executed before any 'pre_tasks' defined in the playbook.
Why B: Variables in defaults/main.yml have the lowest precedence and can be overridden by inventory variables. Role dependencies are defined in meta/main.yml. The other options are incorrect: pre_tasks run before roles, include_role is dynamic, and the naming convention is not mandatory.
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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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