which geoprocessing tool to use?

[Anastasia_Ejov]

We were given a feature dataset containing: city limits, flood zones (delineated as zones A, B, C), fault zones, streets and crime locations. Which geoprocessing tool is best to use for the question: it must not be placed in zone A, only B and C are acceptable.

[DanPatterson_Retired]

Select by attribute on the field containing the A, B, C classes

It is simplest to query for A, THEN, switch the selection to get the classes that are not A

I suspect that there is more to this, because you mention other information which probably means more tools

[Anastasia_Ejov]

We are given an option of buffers, clip, intersect, union, merge, dissolve and erase tools. 

[JoshuaBixby]

I agree with Dan, there appears to be more to this question than is shared here.

Regarding:

We are given an option of buffers, clip, intersect, union, merge, dissolve and erase tools. 

Given an option?  This sounds like a question on a test or homework.

What client are you using exactly?  ArcMap, ArcGIS Pro, ArcGIS Online, etc...?  I can't think of any Esri tools that only have those geoprocessing tools.

[Anastasia_Ejov]

Yes, it's a beginner class for GIS where we need to practice using geoprocessing tools. I am using ArcMap.

Would I select by attribute and then apply the intersect tool?