The correct answer is: Use Amazon Aurora Serverless for MySQL to automatically scale capacity based on workload demands without manual provisioning.

Amazon Aurora Serverless for MySQL is ideal for databases with intermittent or unpredictable usage patterns. It allows the database to automatically scale compute capacity up or down based on application traffic. This removes the need to choose a specific instance size up front and supports cost efficiency by pausing compute capacity entirely during periods of inactivity. It also provides built-in high availability features and integrates with tools such as AWS Database Migration Service (DMS) to support low-downtime migrations.

The option Deploy the database using Amazon Aurora MySQL with provisioned instances and manage scaling manually is more suitable for steady, predictable workloads. It requires you to manage instance sizes and scaling manually, which goes against the goal of minimizing operational overhead and preparing for uncertain future growth.

The option Use Amazon Redshift Spectrum to run queries directly against S3-based data using SQL-like syntax is not applicable here. Redshift Spectrum is used for querying structured data stored in S3 using a data warehouse approachnot for replacing an operational transactional MySQL database.

The option Migrate the database to Amazon RDS for MySQL using a fixed instance size and manually adjust capacity as needed is functional but requires more management. Like Aurora provisioned mode, it doesn't offer the automatic scaling needed for unpredictable workloads, nor does it pause during inactivity to save costs.

This question is important because it tests your ability to match database solutions to usage patterns and long-term scalability needs. Aurora Serverless is often the best fit for workloads that are infrequent or vary in intensity but still need quick availability and fault tolerance.

A helpful tip is to look for clues like 'infrequent access,' 'anticipating growth,' and 'minimal downtime'these suggest a need for elasticity and automation, which Aurora Serverless delivers without the operational overhead of instance management.

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