- A
Role handlers are shared across all roles in the play.
Why wrong: Handlers are namespaced per role and not automatically shared.
- B
A role can have a meta/main.yml file to define dependencies.
Role dependencies are defined in meta/main.yml.
- C
Role variables in vars/main.yml can be overridden by playbook vars.
Why wrong: Role vars have higher priority than playbook vars, so they override playbook vars, not the other way.
- D
Role default variables in defaults/main.yml have the lowest priority.
Role defaults are the lowest precedence in Ansible variable priority.
- E
Roles can only be used in a playbook's roles section.
Why wrong: Roles can also be invoked using include_role or import_role in tasks.
Question 110 of 528
Identifying True Statements About Ansible Roles: meta/main.yml and Defaults Priority
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 are true regarding Ansible roles? (Choose two.)
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
✓
A role can have a meta/main.yml file to define dependencies.
Option B is correct because the meta/main.yml file within a role is specifically designed to declare role dependencies. When Ansible encounters this file, it automatically resolves and executes the listed dependent roles before the current role, ensuring required tasks, variables, or handlers are available. This is a core feature for modularizing and reusing automation logic across playbooks.
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.
- ✗
Role handlers are shared across all roles in the play.
Why it's wrong here
Handlers are namespaced per role and not automatically shared.
- ✓
A role can have a meta/main.yml file to define dependencies.
Why this is correct
Role dependencies are defined in meta/main.yml.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Role variables in vars/main.yml can be overridden by playbook vars.
Why it's wrong here
Role vars have higher priority than playbook vars, so they override playbook vars, not the other way.
- ✓
Role default variables in defaults/main.yml have the lowest priority.
Why this is correct
Role defaults are the lowest precedence in Ansible variable priority.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Roles can only be used in a playbook's roles section.
Why it's wrong here
Roles can also be invoked using include_role or import_role in tasks.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse the priority of role variables (vars/main.yml) with default variables (defaults/main.yml), mistakenly thinking playbook vars can override role vars, when in fact defaults have the lowest priority and role vars are higher than playbook vars.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Role dependencies defined in meta/main.yml use the 'dependencies' keyword, which accepts a list of roles or role specifications with optional parameters. Ansible resolves these dependencies recursively, ensuring all dependent roles are executed in order, and it prevents circular dependencies by raising an error. This mechanism is particularly useful in large environments where a common base role (e.g., for firewall rules or package repositories) must be applied before more specialized roles.
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.
Visual reference
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
- →
Manage task execution and roles practice questions
Targeted practice on this topic area only
- →
All EX294 questions
528 questions across all exam domains
- →
Red Hat Certified Engineer EX294 study guide
Full concept coverage aligned to exam objectives
- →
EX294 practice test guide
How to use practice tests most effectively before exam day
Related practice questions
Related EX294 practice-question pages
Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.
Deploy Ansible Automation Platform practice questions
Practise EX294 questions linked to Deploy Ansible Automation Platform.
Manage inventories and credentials practice questions
Practise EX294 questions linked to Manage inventories and credentials.
Manage task execution and roles practice questions
Practise EX294 questions linked to Manage task execution and roles.
Coordinate rolling updates practice questions
Practise EX294 questions linked to Coordinate rolling updates.
Transform data with filters and plugins practice questions
Practise EX294 questions linked to Transform data with filters and plugins.
Create content collections and execution environments practice questions
Practise EX294 questions linked to Create content collections and execution environments.
Implement advanced Ansible automation practice questions
Practise EX294 questions linked to Implement advanced Ansible automation.
Manage automation security and operations practice questions
Practise EX294 questions linked to Manage automation security and operations.
EX294 fundamentals practice questions
Practise EX294 questions linked to EX294 fundamentals.
EX294 scenario practice questions
Practise EX294 questions linked to EX294 scenario.
EX294 troubleshooting practice questions
Practise EX294 questions linked to EX294 troubleshooting.
Practice this exam
Start a free EX294 practice session
Short sessions build daily habit. Longer sessions build exam-day stamina. Try a timed session to simulate real conditions.
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: A role can have a meta/main.yml file to define dependencies. — Option B is correct because the meta/main.yml file within a role is specifically designed to declare role dependencies. When Ansible encounters this file, it automatically resolves and executes the listed dependent roles before the current role, ensuring required tasks, variables, or handlers are available. This is a core feature for modularizing and reusing automation logic across playbooks.
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 →
Keep practising
More EX294 practice questions
- A systems administrator is securing Ansible automation. Which two practices help protect sensitive data in playbooks? (C…
- A workflow template in automation controller consists of three job templates that must run sequentially with different c…
- Refer to the exhibit. A playbook fails with the given error. What is the most likely cause?
- An Ansible automation team is designing a playbook to manage network devices. They need to ensure that the playbook can…
- A systems administrator needs to run a playbook that applies configuration changes to a set of servers. They want to ens…
- An organization requires that all Ansible playbooks be executed using a specific service account that has limited permis…
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.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.