An existing clustering key is copied when a table is created using CREATE TABLE ... CLONE.

• A. False
• B. Only if the source table has automatic clustering
• C. Always copied
• D. True

Answer: (D)

Cloning a table copies its metadata, not just the data. When you create a zero-copy clone with CREATE TABLE ... CLONE, the new table inherits the source table’s defined clustering key. That means the clone starts with the same clustering key in place as the original, so query pruning behaves the same right after creation. The data itself isn’t physically duplicated; the clone shares the underlying blocks until changes occur. You can modify or drop the clustering key on the clone later if needed, independently of the source.