Question 745 of 1,005

Cluster Architecture, Installation and Configuration →mediumMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped

Quick Answer

The correct answer is the YAML snippet that defines a Role with apiVersion: rbac.authorization.k8s.io/v1, kind: Role, metadata including namespace: dev, and rules specifying apiGroups: [""], resources: ["pods"], and verbs: ["list"]. This is correct because a Role in Kubernetes RBAC is namespace-scoped, meaning it only grants permissions within the namespace specified in its metadata, and the empty apiGroups string [""] targets the core API group where pods reside. On the CKA exam, this question tests your ability to distinguish between a Role and a ClusterRole—a common trap is using a ClusterRole when the requirement explicitly limits access to a single namespace. Remember that if the task says "in a specific namespace," you must use a Role, not a ClusterRole, and always include the namespace field. A helpful memory tip: "Role is for a single namespace, ClusterRole is for the whole cluster—when listing pods in dev, keep your Role confined."

CKA Practice Question: Cluster Architecture, Installation and Configuration

This CKA practice question tests your understanding of cluster architecture, installation and configuration. Match the stated requirement to the specific cloud service, access model, or configuration option — many options are valid in isolation but not for this scenario. 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 developer needs to create a Role that allows listing pods in the 'dev' namespace. Which YAML snippet correctly defines this Role?

Question 1mediummultiple choice

Full question →

A
apiVersion: rbac.authorization.k8s.io/v1 kind: ClusterRole metadata: name: pod-lister rules: - apiGroups: [""] resources: ["pods"] verbs: ["list"]
Why wrong: ClusterRole is cluster-scoped; a Role should be used for namespace-scoped permissions.
B
apiVersion: rbac.authorization.k8s.io/v1 kind: RoleBinding metadata: name: pod-lister-binding namespace: dev subjects: - kind: User name: dev-user roleRef: kind: Role name: pod-lister apiGroup: rbac.authorization.k8s.io
Why wrong: This is a RoleBinding, not a Role.
C
apiVersion: rbac.authorization.k8s.io/v1 kind: Role metadata: name: pod-lister namespace: dev rules: - apiGroups: [""] resources: ["pods"] verbs: ["list"]
This defines a Role in the dev namespace with list pods permission.
D
apiVersion: rbac.authorization.k8s.io/v1 kind: Role metadata: name: pod-lister rules: - apiGroups: [""] resources: ["pods"] verbs: ["get"]
Why wrong: The verb 'list' is required, not 'get'.

Full breakdown with real-world context →

Answer choices

Why each option matters

Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.

Correct answer & explanation

✓

apiVersion: rbac.authorization.k8s.io/v1 kind: Role metadata: name: pod-lister namespace: dev rules: - apiGroups: [""] resources: ["pods"] verbs: ["list"]

Option C is correct because it defines a Role (not ClusterRole) scoped to the 'dev' namespace with the 'list' verb on 'pods', which matches the requirement exactly. In Kubernetes RBAC, a Role grants permissions within a specific namespace, and the empty apiGroups string [""] refers to the core API group where pods reside.

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.

✗
apiVersion: rbac.authorization.k8s.io/v1 kind: ClusterRole metadata: name: pod-lister rules: - apiGroups: [""] resources: ["pods"] verbs: ["list"]
Why it's wrong here
ClusterRole is cluster-scoped; a Role should be used for namespace-scoped permissions.
✗
apiVersion: rbac.authorization.k8s.io/v1 kind: RoleBinding metadata: name: pod-lister-binding namespace: dev subjects: - kind: User name: dev-user roleRef: kind: Role name: pod-lister apiGroup: rbac.authorization.k8s.io
Why it's wrong here
This is a RoleBinding, not a Role.
✓
apiVersion: rbac.authorization.k8s.io/v1 kind: Role metadata: name: pod-lister namespace: dev rules: - apiGroups: [""] resources: ["pods"] verbs: ["list"]
Why this is correct
This defines a Role in the dev namespace with list pods permission.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
apiVersion: rbac.authorization.k8s.io/v1 kind: Role metadata: name: pod-lister rules: - apiGroups: [""] resources: ["pods"] verbs: ["get"]
Why it's wrong here
The verb 'list' is required, not 'get'.

Common exam traps

Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword

The trap here is that candidates often confuse 'get' with 'list' or choose a ClusterRole thinking it can be used for namespace-scoped access, but the CKA exam tests precise understanding that a Role must be namespace-scoped and use the correct verb for the intended operation.

Detailed technical explanation

How to think about this question

In Kubernetes RBAC, the 'list' verb allows retrieving a collection of resources (e.g., via 'kubectl get pods'), while 'get' only allows fetching a single resource by name. The Role resource must include the 'namespace' field in its metadata to be scoped to that namespace; omitting it would make the Role apply to the default namespace or cause an error depending on the context. This distinction is critical for least-privilege access control in multi-tenant clusters.

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.

TExam Day Tips

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 junior network technician can log in to a core router but cannot reach the enable prompt or configuration mode. The AAA server is authenticating the login — but the authorisation policy only grants privilege level 1, not 15. Authentication (who you are) is working; authorisation (what you can do) is not.

What to study next

Got this wrong? Here's your next step.

Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.

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FAQ

Questions learners often ask

What does this CKA question test?

Cluster Architecture, Installation and Configuration — This question tests Cluster Architecture, Installation and Configuration — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..

What is the correct answer to this question?

The correct answer is: apiVersion: rbac.authorization.k8s.io/v1 kind: Role metadata: name: pod-lister namespace: dev rules: - apiGroups: [""] resources: ["pods"] verbs: ["list"] — Option C is correct because it defines a Role (not ClusterRole) scoped to the 'dev' namespace with the 'list' verb on 'pods', which matches the requirement exactly. In Kubernetes RBAC, a Role grants permissions within a specific namespace, and the empty apiGroups string [""] refers to the core API group where pods reside.

What should I do if I get this CKA question wrong?

Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.

What is the key concept behind this question?

Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.

About these practice questions

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Same concept, more angles

1 more ways this is tested on CKA

These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.

Variation 1. You are applying the following RBAC manifest: --- apiVersion: rbac.authorization.k8s.io/v1 kind: Role metadata: namespace: development name: pod-reader rules: - apiGroups: [""] resources: ["pods"] verbs: ["get", "watch", "list"] Which TWO statements are true about this Role? (Choose TWO.)

medium

A.It also grants access to secrets in the 'development' namespace
✓ B.It allows reading pod details in the 'development' namespace
C.It grants permissions across all namespaces
✓ D.It grants permissions only within the 'development' namespace
E.It allows creating pods in the 'development' namespace

Why B: Option B is correct because the Role explicitly defines rules for the 'pods' resource with verbs 'get', 'watch', and 'list' in the 'development' namespace. These verbs allow reading pod details such as their specifications, status, and metadata. The Role is scoped to the 'development' namespace, so it only grants these read permissions within that namespace.

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Question Discussion

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