This CKA practice question tests your understanding of troubleshooting. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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.
A node is in 'NotReady' state. Which TWO of the following are common causes? (Select 2)
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The kubelet service has stopped on the node
Options A and D are correct. Kubelet not running and network plugin issues are common reasons for a node to be NotReady. Option B (insufficient memory) would cause pods to be evicted, but the node remains Ready. Option C (API server down) affects the entire cluster but nodes may still report Ready if kubelet is healthy. Option E (image pull) is a pod-level issue.
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.
✗
A pod on the node is in ImagePullBackOff
Why it's wrong here
ImagePullBackOff is a pod-level issue and does not affect node status.
✗
The node has insufficient memory
Why it's wrong here
Insufficient memory may cause pod evictions, but the node remains Ready.
✓
The kubelet service has stopped on the node
Why this is correct
If kubelet is not running, the node cannot report its status and becomes NotReady.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
The Kubernetes API server is down
Why it's wrong here
API server downtime affects the control plane, but nodes may remain Ready if kubelet is still running.
✓
The network plugin (e.g., Calico, Flannel) is not functioning
Why this is correct
Network plugin issues prevent node-to-node communication, leading to NotReady.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
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.
Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
→Underline the problem statement mentally.
→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 CKA 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.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this CKA question in full detail.
Identify which CKA exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
Troubleshooting — This question tests Troubleshooting — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The kubelet service has stopped on the node — Options A and D are correct. Kubelet not running and network plugin issues are common reasons for a node to be NotReady. Option B (insufficient memory) would cause pods to be evicted, but the node remains Ready. Option C (API server down) affects the entire cluster but nodes may still report Ready if kubelet is healthy. Option E (image pull) is a pod-level issue.
What should I do if I get this CKA question wrong?
Identify which CKA exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
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 →
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.
This CKA practice question is part of Courseiva's free CNCF 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 CKA 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.