EX294 Transform data with filters and plugins Practice Question
This EX294 practice question tests your understanding of transform data with filters and plugins. 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.
Exhibit
Refer to the exhibit.
- name: Configure firewall
hosts: all
tasks:
- name: Allow HTTP
ansible.posix.firewalld:
service: http
permanent: yes
state: enabled
register: fw_result
- debug:
msg: "{{ 'changed' if fw_result.changed else 'no change' }}"
The debug output shows 'changed' even when the firewall rule already existed. Which filter issue could cause this?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The task should use 'immediate: yes' to reload the firewall, otherwise the module always reports changed.
C is correct because the `firewalld` module in Ansible, by default, operates in 'offline' mode (immediate: no), meaning it only modifies the permanent configuration without applying changes to the running runtime firewall. Even if a rule already exists in the permanent configuration, the module will report 'changed' because it still attempts to add the rule to the runtime zone unless `immediate: yes` is explicitly set to reload the firewall and synchronize the runtime state. This behavior is specific to how `firewalld` separates permanent and runtime rule sets.
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 'changed' key is misspelled as 'change' in the filter.
Why it's wrong here
It's spelled correctly.
✗
The variable 'fw_result' is undefined because the task failed.
Why it's wrong here
If failed, the debug would not run.
✓
The task should use 'immediate: yes' to reload the firewall, otherwise the module always reports changed.
Why this is correct
Without immediate, the change is staged but module may still report changed if the rule is not yet active.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
The filter 'if' condition is incorrectly evaluating 'fw_result.changed' as a string.
Why it's wrong here
It's a boolean, no issue.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates assume Ansible modules are idempotent by default for all states, but `firewalld` requires explicit `immediate: yes` to reconcile runtime and permanent configurations, causing false 'changed' results when only the permanent rule exists.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The `firewalld` module interacts with `firewall-cmd` under the hood, which maintains two separate rule sets: runtime (active) and permanent (persistent). When `immediate: no` (default), the module only runs `--add-service` or `--add-port` without `--permanent`? Actually, it adds to permanent only, but the module's idempotency check compares the current runtime state, not the permanent state, leading to a false 'changed' report. A real-world scenario is automating firewall rules across reboots where you must ensure both runtime and permanent states match to avoid service disruptions.
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.
Transform data with filters and plugins — This question tests Transform data with filters and plugins — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The task should use 'immediate: yes' to reload the firewall, otherwise the module always reports changed. — C is correct because the `firewalld` module in Ansible, by default, operates in 'offline' mode (immediate: no), meaning it only modifies the permanent configuration without applying changes to the running runtime firewall. Even if a rule already exists in the permanent configuration, the module will report 'changed' because it still attempts to add the rule to the runtime zone unless `immediate: yes` is explicitly set to reload the firewall and synchronize the runtime state. This behavior is specific to how `firewalld` separates permanent and runtime rule sets.
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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Question Discussion
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