EX294 Transform data with filters and plugins Practice Question
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.
Exhibit
Refer to the exhibit.
- name: Parse CSV
hosts: localhost
vars:
csv_data: "name,age\nAlice,30\nBob,25"
tasks:
- name: Convert to list of dicts
set_fact:
parsed: "{{ csv_data | community.general.parse_csv }}"
- debug:
var: parsed
The playbook uses the community.general.parse_csv filter. Assuming the collection is installed, what is the type and structure of the 'parsed' variable?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
A list of dictionaries: [{'name': 'Alice', 'age': '30'}, {'name': 'Bob', 'age': '25'}]
The `community.general.parse_csv` filter in Ansible parses CSV content into a list of dictionaries, where the first row is treated as headers and subsequent rows become dictionaries with those headers as keys. Option A correctly describes this output: a list of dictionaries with keys 'name' and 'age' and corresponding string values.
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.
✓
A list of dictionaries: [{'name': 'Alice', 'age': '30'}, {'name': 'Bob', 'age': '25'}]
Why this is correct
Correct output of parse_csv.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
A single string: 'Alice,30\nBob,25'
Why it's wrong here
That would be the original data without header.
✗
A list of strings: ['name,age', 'Alice,30', 'Bob,25']
Why it's wrong here
That would be the result of split on newline, not parse_csv.
✗
A dictionary: {'Alice': '30', 'Bob': '25'}
Why it's wrong here
Not the structure of parse_csv.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates confuse `parse_csv` with `split` or `regex_replace` filters, assuming it returns raw strings or a single dictionary, rather than understanding it returns a list of dictionaries with header-based keys.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, `parse_csv` uses Python's `csv.DictReader` to process the CSV input, which automatically uses the first row as fieldnames and returns each subsequent row as an `OrderedDict`. The filter always returns a list, even for a single row, ensuring consistent iteration in Ansible tasks. A real-world scenario is parsing inventory data from a CSV file to dynamically create host variables.
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: A list of dictionaries: [{'name': 'Alice', 'age': '30'}, {'name': 'Bob', 'age': '25'}] — The `community.general.parse_csv` filter in Ansible parses CSV content into a list of dictionaries, where the first row is treated as headers and subsequent rows become dictionaries with those headers as keys. Option A correctly describes this output: a list of dictionaries with keys 'name' and 'age' and corresponding string values.
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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