Which task does terraform init not perform?

Rationale for Correct Answer: terraform init initializes the working directory: it sets up the backend, downloads providers, and installs modules. It does not validate that required input variables have values—that check occurs when running commands that evaluate the configuration (typically plan/apply), and terraform validate checks configuration structure, not whether you supplied runtime variable values.

Analysis of Incorrect Options (Distractors):

A: Yes—init installs required providers.

C: Yes—init initializes and configures the backend.

D: Yes—init retrieves and installs modules referenced by module blocks.

Key Concept: What terraform init does vs what happens at plan/apply time.